THE Government has announced plans for a High Speed Rail London to Birmingham route, which will run through Ruislip.

The plans - which aim to revolutionise rail in the UK - were unveiled on Thursday by Transport Secretary Lord Adonis.

A 250mph rail route aims to reduce journey times between London and Birmingham to just 46 minutes.

The London base would be at London Euston station, with a Crossrail Interchange planned for Old Oak Station in Paddington.

Arthur Dark, 77, has lived in Breakspear Road, Ruislip, for more than 40 years. It is a street that will be intersected by the High Speed Rail line should the current proposals get the go ahead.

Mr Dark branded the plans " a monstrous waste of money", and was scathing in his criticism of the new service which he says will cause massive unrest with residents in the immediate area and beyond for years to come.

He said: "The implications of these plans are massive, especially when you consider the time it will take to build. The long-term congestion and chaos its construction will cause will just be horrendous.

SHOPKEEPERS and residents have won a two year battle to get a stop and shop scheme installed.

A report has finally been published into the feasibility of implementing such a scheme in Ickenham Village, after the issue was first raised with Hillingdon Council in February 2008.

Last July an agreement was made by the council to undertake a study, involving a consultation process with neighbours.

Shopkeepers have long felt aggrieved that commuters from outside the area would park their car in the parking spaces and pay to leave them there all day, in front of local shops, meaning a loss of business to traders, as customers had nowhere to park.

It will be implemented along Swakeleys Road and on the northern corner of Long Lane.

The scheme was supported by the Ickenham Traders Association and the Residents Association, and Hillingdon Council have decided to give the scheme the green light.

The stop and shop scheme will allow customers to pop by and park free for a limited amount of time, usually up to an hour. Parking all day will be prohibited.

Many shops in Ickenham parade are small independents who will benefit greatly from an increased footfall.

The scheme will cost around £60,000 for the council to implement.

There was not complete agreement from residents of Ickenham about it however, with many residents sending letters of objection, stating it was 'anti-commuter' and does not address the concerns over lack of facilities for commuter parking in the area.

How do you feel about the shop and stop plans? Is it a good thing?

THE amount Hillingdon Council are to spend on repairing potholes has rocketed- from £730,000 to £2.4 million.

The figure has increased after borough wide road surveys showed that for the roads to be returned to prime condition, far more investment would be needed.

ORGANISERS are seeking ideas and innovative ways to celebrate this year's Ickenham Festival.

David Edington, one of the brains behind the Festival, said: "We now need the Ickenham residents to think about how they are going to get involved this year.

"Are you going to build a float for the procession, open your garden during the week or give a display showing the community what your club or organisation gets up to for the rest of the year?"

The committee is also taking bookings from anyone wishing to run a stall on Gala Day at Swakeleys House on Saturday 19 June.

Anyone wishing to be involved should e-mail contact@ickenhamfestival.org.uk

A DOUBLE hazard of roadworks and waterworks is causing twice the inconvenience for residents.

The unfortunate road suffering from the extra activity is Hoylake Crescent in Ickenham.

Towards the end of last year, work began resurfacing the pavements in the road, and it is still continuing.

DO YOU know which constituency you will be voting in at the next election?

New boundary changes have come into effect meaning the borough's constituencies have dramatically changed since the 2005 general election.

With the election expected to be called in May, Reporter Dan Coombs gives a quick run down of the changes likely to affect you...

TWO men have been charged over the discovery of a cannabis factory in Ickenham.

Officers from the safer neighbourhood team were alerted to suspicions about an address in Pepys Close and conducted a raid on Friday.

Hiep Son Nguyen, 34, and Nguyen Phoe Thian, 48, were both arrested and charged at the scene with the production of cannabis, a class B drug.

Both have been remanded in custody and are scheduled to appear at Uxbridge Magistrate's Court on Monday. (15)

A FILM has recently been produced by Hillingdon Council showcasing the lives of people across the borough.

One of the stars was Caron Pook, of Swakeleys Road, Ickenham...

A NEW mother looking to launch a market as a hobby, has become an overnight entrepreneur, running one of the borough's most thriving markets.

OVER 80 revellers turned out to celebrate Burns Night in Ickenham.

The event was a fundraiser for this year's Ickenham Festival, and guests tucked into a traditional haggis supper.

Continuing the theme of all things Scottish, Saturday's event saw a piper perform, along with a live ceilidh band, and Burns Poetry reading.

Ladies wore tartan to the event at Ickenham Village Hall, on Swakeleys Road, while many of the gentleman attending braved the cold weather by wearing kilts.