A debate on whether to hold a referendum on funding for the HS2 rail project is set to take place in Parliament tomorrow.

Christchurch MP Christopher Chope has put forward a private members bill, which would ask people if they supported the use of taxpayers' money to pay for the construction of the controversial route.

It's likely to be the final time before the General Election the multi billion pound scheme can be debated in the House of Commons.

At least 40 MPs will need to be present in Parliament tomorrow to allow a vote to be taken.

Mr Chope, a long-time opponent of HS2, said: "The point is there has never been an opportunity for Parliament to discuss the funding of HS2 and the costs and benefits of the project. The opportunity costs of investing so much taxpayer's money in one specific infrastructure project can only be at the expense of other alternative less expensive projects."

Penny Gaines, chairman of the Stop HS2 campaign group, said: "If this bill passes, it will give people a chance to say whether they think the taxpayer should pay for such an expensive project that will benefit only a few people.

"It's not about opposing HS2, it’s about whether the taxpayer should be forced to pick up the costs. MPs voted last week in favour of financial prudence for the government, now let’s see whether they think this £50bn project should bypass any financial scrutiny from the public."