MPs line up to oppose high-speed rail plan

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has travelled the country to voice the case for the £32bn network, receiving backing from business leaders and transport groups throughout the Midlands and the North. Research published by engineers Arup and economics consultancy Volterra has claimed that one million jobs rely on the investment in HS2 – the high-speed rail network.

However, the Government has been under significant pressure from its own MPs and party donors – some of whom have threatened to withdraw funding – because the first stage of the line travels through the Chilterns area of outstanding natural beauty. Now the Conservative Transport Group, which is not party funded, has claimed 20 backbench MPs are opposed to the line.

The group’s report said the Government had “broadly adopted the Labour Government’s proposal”, describing it as a “fundamentally flawed scheme”.

It added: “The Conservative Party is facing an unparalleled political problem if it maintains its support for a HS2 line through the widest part of the Chilterns AONB. Cabinet Ministers are under siege locally from new opposition movements which have in turn secured significant financial amounts from local Conservative Associations.

“Coupled with opposition from the Conservative Mayor of London a more southern trajectory, with seamless interlining at Heathrow, as supported by the Conservative Party in opposition, represents a potential political opportunity for the party to avoid further division.”

A Department for Transport spokesman said: “The Government believes a new high speed rail network would present a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to redraw Britain’s economic map, bringing our major cities closer together.

“The Government is considering the responses to the consultation and will announce a decision on HS2 towards the end of the year.”