HS2 can provide benefits if it is designed properly, with local links being improved alongside it, according to a new study.

The report by the Independent Transport Commission has concluded the government would need to address the spatial issues that HS2 is supposed to fix - with a specific focus on the north and south divide.

It comes after growing concerns over the development's effectiveness as a Freedom of Information request by the BBC's Newsnight programme revealed negative figures originally undisclosed in a government-commissioned KPMG report.

These figures suggest areas not connected to HS2 would stand to lose money. The worst affected would be Aberdeen, Moray and Aberdeenshire area, which could lose £220 million.

The Independent Transport Commission's report said: "In the south, these problems include the housing crisis and pressure on infrastructure, while in the north deprivation and lack of private sector investment damages employment."

Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin defended the project following Newsnight's discovery, suggesting unconnected regions would benefit through other schemes. He stated £73 billion would be spend on transport infrastructure in the next five years, of which HS2 would only be a small part.