Hundreds are due at protest against HS2

Hundreds of protesters are to descend on Westminster for a second time to demonstrate against HS2 on the day the controversial project is voted on by MPs, it was revealed today.

Campaigners from Staffordshire will join action groups from around the country to rally against the £50 billion scheme on Monday.

MPs are due to debate the new high speed line late into night for the second reading of the legislation. Dozens of Tory MPs are expected to rebel against the scheme, with Lichfield MP Michael Fabricant leading opposition alongside Stafford MP Jeremy Lefroy and Stone MP Bill Cash.

Mr Fabricant was sacked from his job as Tory party vice-chairman over his position on HS2 and for tweets about former Culture Secretary Maria Miller.

Campaigners will wave placards outside Parliament before lobbying MPs ahead of the debate. The 225mph line is set to cut a 45-mile swathe through rural Staffordshire.

Staffordshire Against HS2 chairman Trevor Forrester will travel to the capital along with other residents from the county.

He said: "This will be a very important day – if not the most important so far. We have no idea how many people will turn up as there is a lot of apathy but we are continuing to rigorously defend Staffordshire from the wreckage of HS2.

Mr Fabricant has tabled an amendment that would block the Bill if supported by enough MPs.

His objection reads: "[HS2] is insensitively routed through previously unspoiled countryside unnecessarily damaging the environment including wildlife habitats, ancient woodlands and waterways, is significantly more costly than it need be because of the extra mitigation required to reduce environmental damage arising from the current planned route."

It comes after new HS2 chairman and former Olympic supremo Sir David Higgins recommended the Government speed up development through Staffordshire by up to six years which could see the line built through the county by 2027 instead of 2033.

The Government has faced public uproar at the cost of HS2 and the level of environmental damage it would cause and compensation levels.

But Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin has maintained the project is essential to meet increasing demands on the rail network and a new compensation package was revealed this month. Journey times from Birmingham to London would be slashed from 84 to 49 minutes.

Despite the backlash it is expected a large majority of MPs will support the project. Because of delays a final vote will now not be taken until after next year's General Election.