THE station for the new high-speed rail line through the East Midlands should be built in Derby rather than Toton, a transport expert claims.
Dr John Disney, a senior lecturer at Nottingham Business School, feels Toton is not the right place for the station.
He claims congested road access is one of the reasons why it would be unsuitable and should instead be used as a maintenance depot.
He said: "Locating the station at Derby would open the possibility of using Toton for the infrastructure maintenance depot currently proposed for land near Staveley.
"This would give a substantial economic boost to the Toton, Sandiacre and Stapleford areas without the HS2 construction phase upheaval as long as a rail link could be provided to the new HS2 route."
Mr Disney added: "If they decide to retain the proposed route and station they need to work harder to convince both business and residents that it will be fully connected with the region.
"HS2 could be great news for the East Midlands but all parties need to ensure that they arrive at the optimal solution to gain the maximum benefit."
Public consultation on the East Midlands route closed on Friday, January 31.
The new £50 billion HS2 line from London to Birmingham and Leeds is due to open by 2032.
Trains on the track would run at up to 250mph.
Mr Disney's suggestion backs up the claim of Derby City Council, which wants the station to be based in its city.
However Nottingham City Council has hit back, suggesting the location of Toton makes it ideal because of its equidistance between the two cities.
Councillor Jane Urquhart, the portfolio holder responsible for transport at the council, said: "If it was to be in Derby then people in Nottingham, particularly the eastern side, would lose out on it.
"Toton provides the ideal location and that is the plan that we are supporting. It is the place where it would bring the greatest benefit to the area, not just Nottingham."
Derbyshire County Council has also backed the idea of having the station at Toton.
People living in the Toton area have been divided by the proposals for the station, with some being fiercely opposed to it.
Others however believe it would bring huge economic benefits to the area.
A campaign group called South Broxtowe 20/20 has even been set up in support of it, claiming it would bring more jobs.
Student Jordan Mitchell, 20, of Kensington Road, in nearby Sandiacre, said the opportunity to boost the local economy shouldn't be passed up.
He said: "I think it's a great opportunity here and I can't really understand why people are against the new line."
