The group responsible for HS2 has been forced to deny claims against it, which state that its trains could be derailed due to its higher-than-normal top speed.

Professor Peter Woodward was commissioned by HS2 to research into the performance of the trains and it is believed that he said that these speeds could create issues regarding track instability, reports The Guardian.

The project intends to see trains on its lines run at speeds up to 224mph, which is faster than any train in Europe.

However, it seems that Prof Woodward has commented that these speeds will result in the tracks deteriorating faster than normal, which could lead to derailment and ground failure.

According to the Sunday Telegraph, Woodward added that the track that will be used by the HS2 "may not be able to adequately retain the track geometry" at the line speed that has been suggested.

Speaking on this, a spokesman for HS2 disagreed, assuring: "There are definitely no safety issues associated with the design of HS2. To suggest otherwise is wrong. On all issues, the programme will select the best possible and safest solution."