HS2 looks set to steam ahead after results of an independent review were leaked.
The controversial high speed line, which will run from London to Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester, was subject to an independent government review with the outcome not due to be published until after the general election.
But a leaked draft copy of the results was revealed to The Times, which show it has been recommended to go ahead, despite spiralling costs reaching £88billion.
Campaigners against the line, who set up camp in Cubbington and Crackley Woods around a month ago in a bid to stop contractors cutting down woodland, say they will continue their fight.
A spokesman from Stop HS2 said: “HS2 was a bad project when it was originally announced and was supposed to cost £33billion, it was a bad project when it was supposed to cost £55billion, and is a bad project now the cost is expected to be more than £88billion.
“It should be cancelled as soon as possible so government can focus on the real transport priorities.”
Matt Bishop, who walked 100 miles from Cubbington to London along the HS2 route and who has also been camping out in Cubbington Woods, says the way to stop the line is to vote for the Green Party in the forthcoming election.
He told the Observer: “The outcome of the report is very disheartening but I have not given up hope.
“If enough people vote for the Green Party in the general election HS2 will be scrapped. It is the only party which will get rid of the line now.
“Look at Kenilworth, they have 11 Green Party councillors and that is a direct result of HS2. It’s unprecedented in the town. Throughout the country we need to get as many green candidates elected as possible.
“If there was ever a time to put nature first it is now.”
A spokesman for HS2 Ltd declined to comment on the leaked report.
