However, 44 per cent said Ministers would not change their proposals whatever happened during the consultation period.

A third of respondents thought Birmingham Airport and Birmingham City Council should contribute to the cost of building the line, while 46.2 per cent said the two bodies should not have to pay anything.

Just under 34 per cent thought they would use high speed rail, either in a professional or personal capacity. However, that figure rose to almost 95 per cent among people who were supporting HS2.

Meanwhile, just over 90 per cent of HS2 opponents said they would never in any circumstances use a high speed rail service.

The poll demonstrated widespread scepticism about the Government’s proposed timescale for delivering HS2, with 70 per cent saying the project would never be completed by 2026.

Comments from people taking part in the survey underlined the very strong views held by both sides of the HS2 divide.

Observations from opponents included claims that it was “crazy” to spend so much money to reduce travel times between Birmingham and London by 20 minutes, and persistent fears that HS2 would turn the West Midlands into a commuter area for London.

The Government’s business case for high speed rail was described by more than one respondent as “deeply flawed” because it was based on unrealistic forecasts of future demand for travel by train.

Supporters pointed to economic advantages, claiming that HS2 would be of huge benefit by making Birmingham and the West Midlands far more attractive as a business destination, not just to firms currently located in the South-east but also to companies based in Europe.

Many respondents pointed out that West Coast Main Line services will be full to capacity by the early 2020s. HS2 was vital for economic growth and would also free up capacity on the WCML, benefitting local commuter services.

> Click here to download a pdf of the Birmingham Post HS2 survey results

> Comments received as part of the HS2 survey