Plans showing the second phase of HS2, the high speed rail link between London and the North of England, will be published in autumn.
The scheme envisages a Y shaped line from Birmingham to Manchester and Leeds with connections to Scotland.
New high speed train stations could be built to serve Manchester, Leeds, South Yorkshire and the East Midlands.
Experts believe the link to the North West will bypass Stoke-on-Trent although passengers from The Potteries will be able to join the trains at Crewe or Stafford.
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