THE date of the first public meeting set up to discuss a proposed 12-platform rail hub which could affect thousands of residents has been rescheduled.

MP John McDonnell (Lab) set up the meeting in West Drayton at Bell Farm Christian Centre for tomorrow (15) but it has been put back to July 22 at 8pm, and will the the second of three scheduled meetings.

McDonnell, whose Hayes and Harlington constituency includes West Drayton, describes the rail hub, part of the high speed two network, as 'the biggest threat to the borough since the third runway'.

The 'Heathrow Hub' as it would be known, would connect the proposed London-Birmingham high speed line to Heathrow Airport, and also link in Crossrail and Great Western Services too.

The hub has not yet been announced, but the Gazette revealed last week how the coalition Government have commissioned a taskforce to investigate the feasibility of the project.

They are set to report their findings at the end of the month, and the current plans on the table for the high speed line, which proposes to run through West Ruislip, Ickenham and Harefield, could change.

Instead the area of the borough which would bear the brunt would be West Drayton, with the hub to be placed at Iver, likely to stretch as far as Tavistock Road, Yiewsley, placing considerable pressure on the borough's roads.

MP John Randall (Con) who represents Uxbridge and South Ruislip, has urged caution, insisting waiting to see which plans are chosen will be the best option.

He said: "The Government have asked to look at other plans, so we just wait and see what they decide to do, I don't want to worry people.

"Its a moment for them to look at the route proposed by the last Government and ask if it was good enough."

Three public meetings will take place for residents to discuss the route and find out about what the Heathrow Hub could mean.

July 21 at 8pm, Laurel Lane School, Laurel Lane, West Drayton.

July 22 at 8pm, Bell Farm Christian Centre, South Road, West Drayton.

July 24 at 12pm Dot Com Cafe, Byron Way, West Drayton.