A KEY Parliamentary debate on whether to approve the controversial HS2 railway line is to take place this afternoon.

The Second Reading of the Hybrid Bill - effectively the project's planning application - starts at 3.30pm in the House of Commons.

Votes on a reasoned amendment - outlining opposition to the scheme and why the line should not be built - and whether the Bill should be read for a second time will be taken by MPs at the end of the debate. This is likely to be at around 10.45pm.

After that further votes relating to approving the use of public money towards HS2 will also be taken.

The debate will also carry on into tomorrow.