Three of Oxfordshire’s MPs voted in favour of the HS2 plan, which will cut across the edge of north-east Oxfordshire.

Nicola Blackwood, MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, right, Ed Vaizey, MP for Wantage, and John Howell, MP for Henley, all voted in favour of the controversial new train line between London and Birmingham.

Prime Minister and Witney MP David Cameron, Oxford East MP Andrew Smith and Banbury MP Sir Tony Baldry did not cast their views in Monday night’s crucial vote in the House of Commons.

A spokesman for Mr Cameron said he was otherwise engaged while Mr Smith missed the vote for personal reasons. Sir Tony, whose constituency the rail line will pass through, abstained on principle.

A group of 34 tories voted against the High Speed Rail (London-West Midlands) Bill 2013-14 which would approve the first phase of the multi-billion pound project.