Anti-HS2 campaigners in Hillingdon reacted angrily to a speech by the Transport Minister at the Liberal Democrat conference.

Keri Brennan, of Hillingdon Against HS2, published an open letter to Norman Baker criticising the MP’s support of the rail plans.

The 1,528-word-long letter, posted online the same day as Mr Baker’s speech, says the MP made: “An ill-informed and insulting statement to those many families along the route, particularly in central and west London, whose homes and quality of life are jeopardised.”

The letter says the railway link is expensive and poses “a huge threat to Green Belt and countryside.”

The Stop HS2 campaign group also posted a response to Mr Baker’s speech on their website, entitled ‘Norman Baker on HS2 – what he got wrong.’

In his conference speech in Birmingham, Mr Baker said that, while he understood some residents’ concerns, HS2 was needed for greater railway capacity, economic development and reducing carbon emissions.

“I do believe that the Department for Transport has taken great steps to minimise both noise and visual intrusion,” Mr Baker added. “That, of course, has not stopped some of the alarmist horror stories in the press.”

Mrs Brennan’s letter says Mr Baker’s arguments had already been scrutinised by a wide range of academics, experts and other politicians and been found wanting.

“It is time politicians faced the real cost of HS2,” the letter continues. “Come and meet us, spend time in our communities and see what the reality is.”

Mr Baker’s speech came after Transport Secretary Phillip Hammond’s controversial comments at a Select Committee.

He said: "Uncomfortable fact number one is that the railway is already relatively a rich man's toy.

“People who use the railway on average have significantly higher income - simple fact.”

The leader of Hillingdon Council, Ray Puddifoot, said Mr Hammond’s comments were “deeply worrying.”

“There is a complete lack of reality as to what High Speed 2 is meant to achieve,” said Mr Puddifoot. “In the midst of aims about redressing economic imbalances, we now have a £32bn rail service the majority of the public will never be able to afford to travel on.”

Mr Puddifoot is also deputy chairman of 51m, the group of 18 local councils challenging the Government's proposal to build the line.