Nearly half of Brits back high-speed train scheme

Almost half of all Britons support the idea of building a high-speed railway network in the UK, says a new poll.

A nationwide survey, commissioned by the Department for Transport, shows that 47 per cent of people would like to see cross-country travel times slashed through the introduction of high-speed trains. Only 9 per cent of people said they were against the idea, while 44 per cent were undecided.

The government will today release more details of a scheme to build a £32billion link between Birmingham and London by 2017, and also launch a consultation programme in order to assess public opinion.

Once the new line is completed, it's estimated the journey time between the two cities would fall from 85 minutes to 49 minutes, according to an article by the Metro newspaper. Travel time between Manchester and London would be cut from two hours to 73 minutes if the scheme goes ahead.

But while a new rail network would be welcomed by regular rail users such as commuters and people on family days out, many people who live near the proposed route have voiced their objections.

Transport secretary, Philip Hammond, 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."