High Speed Rail consultation starts

PUBLIC consultation starts today on the proposed construction of the HS2 high speed rail line between London and Birmingham.

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond launches the  six-month process this morning, and opposition to the £30 billion project – due to start in 2015 – is expected to be fierce.

Some Tory MPs whose constituencies will be affected by the route are against the plan, which was proposed by Labour but endorsed by the Coalition Government as one of the UK’s vital public infrastructure projects.

New documents being released today are expected to outline for the first time how many homes will be affected. The government will also set out the economic and environmental case for the line, which ultimately be extended north to Leeds and Manchester.

It is thought that around 4,860 homes will experience extra noise as a result of the line, but the government  says as few as 10 properties may suffer from high noise levels and only another 150 will need noise insulation.

Click here for more stories on High Speed 2.

Mr Hammond dismissed suggestions that opting for HS2 will mean cutting back on other rail services.

He said: ” Building the initial London-Birmingham high-speed line is expected to require average funding of around £2 billion per year, broadly similar to the level of annual expenditure on London’s current Crossrail project.

“We will be spending billions of pounds over the coming years to improve commuter services and, in the long run, HSR will also help relieve pressure on the existing rail network.”

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