'Nearly half of Brits' back HS2

Date: 28/2/2011

Almost half of the Britons polled have voiced their support of plans to construct a high-speed rail (HS2) network in the UK.

According to the Metro, a TNS-BMRB survey has found that five times as many respondents backed the rail project than opposed it - almost half of the total - while nine per cent were against it.

Meanwhile, 44 per cent of people polled remained undecided.

Today (February 28th), the Department for Transport has begun its consultation into HS2, where points including the route and how to limit its noise will be discussed.

The train network will run between London and Birmingham and the consultation will assess the possibility of extending it to other cities, such as Manchester and Leeds.

It is hoped the project will help create jobs and boost the economy by some £44 billion.

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond addressed environmental concerns over the project ahead of the consultation.

He said: "Of course we will do everything we can to mitigate the impacts on areas like the Chilterns, but projects like this have to be decided on the basis of the national interest and the overall net benefits it will bring to Britain."

Speaking at the Conservative party conference last year, Mr Hammond claimed that it was important the country's rail service is modernised in order to improve efficiency.

Posted by Mary Treen