PEOPLE in Hillingdon have the chance to quiz experts about the planned HS2 high-speed rail link on Wednesday and Thursday (March 30 and 31) at Winston Churchill Hall, Ruislip.

Hillingdon Council is among 14 councils opposed to the plans.

Martin Sheppard, of the Pan-Camden HS2 Alliance pressure group, said: “The proposals beg a hell of a lot of questions.

“The consultation is couched in terms of ‘do you like benefits?’ without asking whether you like the bill. They are so arrogant to assume consent. You’re supposed to know what you think based on a little line on a map.”

Miranda Carter, Director of Consultation and Communications for HS2, said: “It can’t stop in Hillingdon because that is where it picks up high speed, but it is a national project. The benefits of economic growth for the whole country will trickle down.”

High Speed Rail will reduce the journey from London to Birmingham to 49 minutes.

The first London to West Midlands phase is expected to create more than 40,000 jobs and more than 20,000 of those will be in London.

HS2 is keen to stress the plans are at a consultation stage and are not a done deal.

Route section engineer Simon Hughes said: “It is key we get feedback. We are duty bound to analyse each of these responses.”

Feedback forms and all HS2 proposals are available at the roadshow and online until consultation ends in July.

The new line will run along the current light-traffick Chiltern Line, and its South Ruislip station will stay in use. Parts of the Central Line will be re-constructed.

The Ruislip and Ickenham Roadshow is open 8am-8pm at Winston Churchill Hall, Manor Farm site, Pinn Way, Ruislip HA4 7QL.