Undaunted by recent popular protests which turned violent, the Italian government has vowed to push ahead with its latest high speed line between Turin and the French border.
Police clashed with anarchists and demonstrators in a riot that left 400 injured.
Local residents are complaining that the drilling of the tunnels high above the Gulf of Genoa will disrupt their lives and clog up roads.
Interior Minister Roberto Maroni affirmed that the line will go ahead. ‘The work will be done and security measures will be guaranteed,’ Mr Maroni said.
Italy has a comprehensive network of high speed railways.
The first to open was the Direttissima in 1978 which connects Rome and Florence (Firenze). Other HSLs include Rome-Naples, Turin-Milan, Padua–Venice and Milan–Bologna.
Firenze and Bologna are also connected by a high speed line. Two new lines are being built through the alps to Switzerland and Germany, a third will connect with Slovenia.
The new Turin line will eventually connect with Lyon in France. Services are operated by Treno Alta Velocita.
The trains, Pendolinos and variations of ETR 500 Elettro Treno Rapidos, are built in Italy by TREVI.
