Survey shows national opinion split on HS2 (From Bucks Free Press)

Survey shows national opinion split on HS2

12:15pm Monday 4th February 2013 in News By Andy Carswell

Survey shows opinion split on HS2

A POLL suggests more people are opposed to HS2 than support it - but opinion on the controversial project is split.

A survey carried out by leading opinion pollsters YouGov shows 43 per cent of people oppose the scheme and 41 per cent are in favour of it.

But it also suggested people living in the north are more likely to be opposed to it - with nearly half of all people living in Scotland saying they did not support the scheme.

A total of 49 per cent of Scots said they opposed the new high speed line while 38 per cent said they were in favour.

London was the only geographical area where more respondents said they supported HS2, with 42 per cent in favour and 39 per cent opposed.

Government ministers have said the line will bring renewed economic growth to the north and this is a key reason why it should be built.

The Sunday Times-commissioned poll also revealed more than half the people who intended to vote Conservative at the next election were in favour and Labour supporters were most likely to oppose it.

The figures also showed men were more supportive of the project than women. More than 2,000 people were questioned for the survey.

Chiltern District Councillor Seb Berry, who stood for election by protesting against HS2, said he was encouraged by the results of the poll.

He said: "For nearly three years, we've been told by ministers that the only people opposed to HS2 are those they consider to be route NIMBYs. Here are the polling numbers from Scotland, the north of England and elsewhere to prove the exact opposite. 

"Given the pro HS2 editorial line of most papers, plus blanket broadcast coverage of ministers and pro-HS2 Labour MPs last week, this is a very encouraging result for the campaign."

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