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.

NORTHWOOD Business Club is relocating and future meetings, including the next on Monday (15) will take place at The Barn Hotel in West End Road, Ruislip.

The meeting will provide an opportunity to network over drinks and a buffet supper, followed by a presentation entitled The Power of Why by Mark Fritz and Annick Devillard.

A FIREFIGHTER from Ruislip is putting himself through the gruelling Virgin London Marathon to raise money for the National Autistic Society (NAS).

Wayne Geen, 34, of St Margaret's Road, decided to take part in the 26-mile run on Sunday, April 25, after his identical twins, Jamie and Lewie, aged eight, were diagnosed with autism four years ago.

A PUB landlord faces eviction after a failed revamp drove customers away, leaving him unable to pay the rent.

Mitchum Hassanali, 32, who runs The White Bear in Ickenham Road, Ruislip, says trade was cut in half after owner pub company, Enterprise Inns, insisted the pub was re-designed two years ago.

EXCLUSIVE: A FORMER Eastcote teacher has died in a road crash on the eve of his trial for sexual offences against children.

Robert Stringer, 56, who taught at Field End School, in Field End Road, was charged with three counts of rape and eight counts of sexually touching a girl.

A MAN charged with stealing £450 worth of meat from a hotel will face trial at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court on March 11.

Michael Neil Dunne, 41, of Warsaw Close, Ruislip, is alleged to have trespassed on the kitchen of Thistle Hotel in Bath Road, Longford on June 5 last year, and taken the meat.

He is subject to a curfew between 9pm and 7am and must not enter any hotel car park in England without a prior reservation.

MORE than 350 people have joined a Facebook group supporting Hillingdon Council's proposals to give Ruislip Lido a £1.5million revamp.

The group on the social networking website, entitled Ruislip Lido Needs This Facelift, has been set up by Amy-Louise Brown, Charlie Richiardi and Daniel Holland, three former pupils at Haydon School in Eastcote.

SIXTY-SIX new homes will be built on the former Mill Works industrial site in Ruislip after plans were unanimously approved by councillors.

The existing buildings on the Bury Street site - which is part of the Ruislip Village Conservation Area - were used for manufacturing purposes in the Second World War, but have been derelict for some time.

They will be demolished to make way for 30 apartments in two three-storey blocks, and 36 semi-detached houses.

ST MARTIN'S in Ruislip will be hosting a lunchtime concert tomorrow (24) at 12.15pm in the church hall.

Pianist Jessica Chan will perform the music of Bach, Brahms and Chopin. Admission free, with a retiring collection for expenses.

Any surplus will go to the Myosotis Trust. For further information visit www.stmartins-ruislip.org or call 01895 625 456.