Moscow Region Governor Boris Gromov is going to ask President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to take into account the opinion of citizens who support the construction of a controversial highway through the Khimki forest north of Moscow, the governor's press service said on Wednesday.

Medvedev ordered the suspension of plans to construct a toll highway between Moscow and St. Petersburg through the centuries-old forest on August 26, as a result of a large-scale public protest against the project. The president said additional public and expert consultation should be held on the issue.

Following the president's order, a poll was held among Khimki residents to find out if they support construction of the road, the governor's press service said. Some 20,000 people signed letters to Putin and Medvedev asking them to continue construction, according to the report.

"That is why in my letters I consider this opinion of Khimki residents first of all, as well as multiple investigations that had been already conducted while the project was being developed," Gromov was quoted as saying.

More than 186,000 people live in Khimki.

On Monday, Russian environmentalists sent a letter to President Medvedev asking him to take personal responsibility for the issue and ensure direct and transparent dialog for all sides involved in the dispute.

Russia's Public Chamber, which examines new legislation, will hold a hearing on the highway's construction on September 16.

MOSCOW, September 1 (RIA Novosti)