Local Authority

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.

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.

PLANS to redevelop the former Mill Works industrial site in Ruislip were set to be approved by councillors tonight (23), despite concerns from residents' groups and the village conservation panel.

An application has been made to demolish all existing buildings on the Bury Street site, which were used for manufacturing purposes in the Second World War but have been empty for some time.

In their place will be 66 new homes, made up of 30 apartments in two three-storey blocks and 36 semi-detached houses, plus parking.

MORE than 800 people have signed two petitions opposing plans to give Ruislip Lido a £1.5million face lift.

Some 600 signatures have been collected by the Ruislip Lido Residents' Group, which recently formed to give residents a voice about the Lido, in Reservoir Road - including Hillingdon Council's proposals to restore it 'to its former glory'.

A FILM has been produced by Hillingdon Council offering snippets into the lives of the borough's residents.

Neela Debnath caught up with one of the stars, Neil Corbett, of Clyfford Road, Ruislip Green.

THE RETIRED motor mechanic took part in the film after attending a residents' association meeting to complain about anti-social activity taking place around the back of his house.

He joined the association after losing sleep over the fly-tipping, graffiti and late night drives by vandalism near the residential garages.

THE refurbishment of the Grade II listed Highgrove House in Ruislip is set to drag on for another three years, after developers were given extra time to complete the project.

Permission to convert the 19th century property, in Eastcote Road, by demolishing the stable building and replacing it with 16 new homes, was originally granted in January 2007.

AMBITIOUS plans to give Ruislip Lido a £1.5million facelift could cause a rise in anti-social behaviour, neighbours fear.

Tempers flared at a public meeting last Wednesday (20) after residents accused Hillingdon Council of 'trying to turn the Lido into Disneyland'.

The council has unveiled a five-year project to bring the Lido, in Reservoir Road, 'back to its former glory'.

Proposals include a new boating lake and fishing facilities, an outdoor swimming pool, refurbishment of the miniature railway and better toilets.

But residents complained the new and improved Lido would bring an influx of newcomers, potentially causing a increase in graffiti, street drinking and littering.

A WOMAN who strained her neck after slipping on black ice fears Hillingdon Council is failing to protect people in the adverse weather conditions.

Joan O'Shea, 41, fell outside the Windmill Apartments in Pembroke Road, Ruislip Manor, on Saturday, January 2, after a leak underneath boards surrounding the complex froze, proving to be invisible after dark.

Mrs O'Shea, who lives in Ruislip Manor, said: "It was 6pm so I could not see the leak at all.

"I was very shaken up and my neck is really stiff, especially in the mornings, but I'm really lucky I didn't break something.

A WOMAN who strained her neck after slipping on black ice fears Hillingdon Council is failing to protect people in the adverse weather conditions.

Joan O'Shea, 41, fell outside the Windmill Apartments in Pembroke Road, Ruislip Manor, on Saturday, January 2, after a leak underneath boards surrounding the complex froze, proving to be invisible after dark.

Mrs O'Shea, who lives in Ruislip Manor, said: "It was 6pm so I could not see the leak at all.

"I was very shaken up and my neck is really stiff, especially in the mornings, but I'm really lucky I didn't break something.