THE controversial new railway line through Melbourne's western suburbs will be built regardless of the findings of any study on its impact on residents and the environment, Premier John Brumby says.

Accused of treating affected residents with contemptuous disregard after revelations the government was trying to limit their avenues for protest, Mr Brumby yesterday refused to take a backwards step.

Asked if the $4.3 billion line from Southern Cross Station through Footscray to Little River near Geelong was going ahead ''come hell or high water'', Mr Brumby replied: ''Too right it is.''

He said the project, which is expected to result in dozens of houses being bulldozed, ''needs to happen'' to boost Metro services for commuters in the rapidly growing western suburbs and to free up V/Line services to Melbourne from Geelong, Bendigo and Ballarat.

Mr Brumby came under fire from Footscray residents, the opposition and Greens after The Age revealed yesterday that the Department of Transport was trying to avoid an environmental effects statement into the project.