CAMPAIGNERS opposed to Government plans for a high-speed rail network called for it to be cancelled when they met in London yesterday.

The plans, known as HS2, include building new lines from London to Birmingham, which would then split into two with one route to Leeds via the East Midlands and the other to Manchester and the North-West.

Representatives from organisations including the Countryside Alliance, the Taxpayers' Alliance and the Green Party attended the meeting in Tufton Street, London.

Matthew Sinclair, director of the TaxPayers' Alliance said: "HS2 is a monumental waste of money and not in the national interest. The Government needs to scrap high-speed rail and look at more affordable alternatives to deliver extra rail capacity."