Thousands march against rail link in Italy, police fires tear gas

Thousands marched in Italy on Saturday against a government decision to complete a controversial rail link connecting Lyon and Turin. High-speed train opponents marched towards the construction site of Chiomonte, after Italian Prime Minister on Tuesday said that blocking work on the rail link would cost Rome more than completing it, suggesting the works would be unblocked.

The completion of the high-speed rail link has divided the Italian governing coalition. The 5-Star Movement has long opposed the project, arguing that Italy should focus on upgrading the existing transport network. The controversial project includes a 58-km tunnel through the Alps and it is partly funded by the EU. Police fired tear gas when protesters tried to force security blocks and reach the entrance to the TAV construction site.