The HS2 high-speed rail project was set to clear a major parliamentary hurdle last night despite vociferous opposition from a sizeable group of Tory backbenchers.

Government ministers were relying on official Labour backing to help give the High Speed Rail Bill a second reading.

Outraged Tories from the shires led Commons opposition, but a small number of Labour MPs also protested against the projected new link from London to Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester.