The High Speed 2 (HS2) rail project will continue as planned after the Court of Appeal rejected a number of complaints against the scheme.

A total of seven cases were brought forward, but the court ruled in favour of the government on every single one.

Many people are unhappy about the costs and potential environmental damage caused by HS2, while others were angry about an alleged lack of consultation with residents who will be directly affected by the multi-billion pound development.

This is the second time in four months that complainants have failed to scupper the initiative through the courts and high speed rail minister Simon Burns has urged those who oppose the route not to waste any more taxpayers' money by lodging further complaints. 

"We continue to move forward apace with the crucial business of getting the scheme ready for construction in 2017 and delivering enormous benefits for the country," he commented.