HS2 noise levels can be heard at roadshow

Those living along the route of the Government's proposed HS2 high-speed Birmingham to London rail line will be able to "test" how noisy the trains will be.

Part of the "roadshow" that will tour the route will include recordings of the likely noise that will be made by the trains on the route.

Noise experts have used sound recordings of the noise from existing high-speed trains and then have "scaled" the noise to reflect the 225mph speed and the 400-metre length of the HS2 trains.

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond put on earphones by the Thames in London to hear a recording today as he displayed the mobile exhibition trailer that will tour the HS2 route which runs through beauty spots in the Chilterns.

The tour is part of the consultation on HS2 which could cost more than £30 billion should a decision be taken to extend the project north of Birmingham.

A number of residents groups and local councils are dead set against HS2, while there is also opposition from some Tory MPs.

Mr Hammond said that the noise levels from HS2 would be "quite different from what some people have been led to believe".

He went on: "Unless if you are listening for it, you can hardly hear the noise of the train against the background noises.

"The noise of the trains going through the Chilterns is not going to be like a (Boeing) 747 landing at Heathrow airport. Some of the concerns that have been expressed are completely unfounded."

Mr Hammond said he recognised that "a lot of people have concerns about their own local environment".

He said he hoped the information being provided during the consultation period would dispel "some of the mythology" about the project. Mr Hammond said the business case for the line was clear. He went on: "I want to reassure them that HS2 stands as a total project. To build to Birmingham and not go on would be a very perverse strategy."