A number of Birmingham and West Midland MPs have backed calls for an independent review into of the HS2 high speed rail line,.
But the proposal was rejected by the House of Commons when a majority of MPs voted against the idea.
Labour has demanded an independent review of the impact HS2 will have on the environment and the economy. The study would also have looked at the governance of HS2, meaning how well the project is being managed.
It follows claims that the new rail line, connecting Birmingham with Leeds, Manchester, Crewe, London and the East Midlands, is to cost even more than the £55.7 billion currently allocated to it. Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has insisted it will not be allowed to go over budget.
Plans for the HS2 line were drawn up by the last Labour government, although some changes have been introduced since then, and Labour says it backs the project.
Shadow Transport Minister Rachael Maskell said Labour supported HS2 but the cost had risen. She said: “We know that, by 2011, HS2 was being mapped out at a cost of £37.5 billion. We have seen that cost rise to £55.7 billion today.
“The narrative around the project has also changed. Frustrations have been expressed by the public, and often echoed in this place, because they want to fully understand the benefits that this project will bring.”
Calling for a review, she said: “We need to ensure that those people who are making a sacrifice for this project - whether it is their home or their business that they are having to relocate - get the answers that they need. Labour wants far better governance of the project so that the public get their answers in a timely way from HS2, so that they can make their plans in confidence as they move forward.”
Birmingham MPs who voted in favour of a review included Richard Burden (Lab Northfield); Jack Dromey Lab Erdington); Khalid Mahmood (Lab Perry Barr); Steve McCabe (Lab Selly Oak); Jess Phillips (Lab Yardley);
Most Conservative MPs opposed the idea, but a small number backed the call for a review. They included Staffordshire MPs Sir Bill Cash (Stone) and Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford).
The proposal was defeated, with 213 voting in favour and 253 against.
Conservative leadership contender Boris Johnson has said he will launch a review of HS2 if he becomes Prime Minister.
MPs went on to vote overwhelmingly to approve plans to extend HS2 to Crewe. Parliament has already given approval for the first stage of HS2, between Birmingham and London, and the Government now has the authority to extend the line further north.
Maria Machancoses, Director of regional transport body Midlands Connect, said: "The vast majority of MPs across the Midlands and the North know that high speed rail will bring jobs and investment to their constituencies, release desperately needed rail capacity, rebalance the UK economy and help us all reach our full potential.
"The vote sends a strong message to the next Prime Minister that political support for HS2 remains strong, and whoever replaces Theresa May in Downing Street next week must commit to the project unequivocally."
The Government is also committed to building further sections of the line, to Leeds and Manchester, but has not yet put the required legislation to the House of Commons.
