MORE than 100 Ickenham people turned out on Saturday to hear UKIP leader Nigel Farage speak out against HS2.

He was at the village hall to criticise plans for the high speed rail link from London to Birmingham. And he was left in no doubt as to local opposition.

Ickenham will suffer from the building of the line, say local people, who are angry that a tunnel has been suggested to protect neighbouring Ruislip but will end short of their community.

At a community forum in March, it was revealed that the HS2 tunnel proposed for Ruislip would stop short of Ickenham because the area between the tunnel portal at West Ruislip station and Harvil Road, south of Harefield, was designated as a possible junction for a Heathrow spur.

Ickenham Residents Association (IRA) member, John Collins, told the Gazette that the strength of feeling against the plans had been passed on to Mr Farage.

He said: "More than 100 people turned up to listen as UKIP have been against the plans from the start.

"I think it showed just how much the residents of Ickenham do not want HS2, and it is important that we keep the pressure up and keep showing the opposition through strength of numbers."

Speaking to the Gazette, Mr Farage said he was thrilled with the repsonse he had got from the public.

He said: "I was delighted to have such a positive reception and a great turn out at the public meeting in Ickenham.

"It was clear from the people attending that there is a great opposition to HS2.

"UKIP remain opposed to the spending of huge amounts of tax payers money to benefit just a few people who wish to get to Birmingham 15 minutes faster, and for the people affected by the building this means they have a party to support who will stand up for them."

The IRA also held its annual meeting on Friday last week, with MP Nick Hurd and Hillingdon Council leader Ray Puddifoot in attendance.

Mr Collins added: "HS2 was the main topic of the day and we let Mr Hurd know our feelings and he promised to take them back to Westminster with him, so we shall see."