Reading this thread it seems that some posters are giving reasons why people interested (professionally or as amateurs) in rail might be against it (prefer electrification elsewhere, upgrading existing lines, etc) and some are giving reasons why the general public (including politicians and local councillors) might object. It is really the latter (the non-rail people) who matter.
In my experience, the majority of people have little interest or knowledge of railways. They see them as old fashioned and irrelevant, a nest of trade unionism, and a money sink. If they have been on a train in the last 10 years it is probably on a heritage railway doing 25mph and they think all trains are like that. It would be interesting to do a public survey asking people if they even know even where their nearest railway station is. That is why they don't see the point of a new line being built.
In my experience, the majority of people have little interest or knowledge of railways. They see them as old fashioned and irrelevant, a nest of trade unionism, and a money sink. If they have been on a train in the last 10 years it is probably on a heritage railway doing 25mph and they think all trains are like that. It would be interesting to do a public survey asking people if they even know even where their nearest railway station is. That is why they don't see the point of a new line being built.