Clover Moore says Metro West line ‘too important to drop’ after NSW premier casts doubt on future

City of Sydney lord mayor Clover Moore has noted the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House were also expensive at the time of construction. Photograph: Dan Himbrechts/AAP

The New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, has continued to cast doubt over the future of a key metro line connecting Sydney’s western suburbs with the east, as he insists he will not let the project’s ballooning bill “destroy the budget”.

Minns’ comments have triggered a fierce reaction from supporters of the Metro West line, which include the opposition, Sydney lord mayor, rail industry, developers and even one Labor MP whose electorate was promised metro connectivity.