MPs will vote on the third stage of the High Speed Rail (Preparation) Bill in Parliament on Thursday.

On Halloween, the so-called 'paving bill' is likely to be approved, setting up the 'hybrid bill' needed to make HS2 a reality.

That will come, in turn, before the Commons, probably quite quickly as the Government is said to be wary of the time constraints if it is to make it law in the lifetime of this Parliament.

The vote comes in a week when the Government is said to be preparing a 'fight back' after a summer of terrible headlines about the scheme.

Hayes and Harlington's Labour MP, John McDonnell, told the Gazette he would be voting against the preparation bill to 'show solidarity' with the north of the borough.

"I am really anxious about the environmental impact it will have on the north of the borough, and I am sympathetic to the concerns of residents," he said.

"Also, there is still no definitive information about the Heathrow link, which would affect my constituency, and it is outrageous that we are being asked to vote when we don't have all the details.

"I favour investment in the railways but I can't support this proposal."

There are rumours the Labour Party will allow its MPs to miss the vote if they choose. Labour has supported HS2 up until now, and many people, including Hillingdon Council leader Ray Puddifoot, believes Labour's eventual lack of support might be what sinks the HS2 ship.

"My take is that the Labour Party will support this right through to the first reading of the hybrid bill and support the Government until they have their neck fully stretched out on the block then say: "We cannot support this any longer."

Mr McDonnell, as usual, ploughs his own furrow. "I don't bother with the Labour whip anyway, but that will be good if there isn't one," he said.

Uxbridge and South Ruislip Conservative MP John Randall said he preferred to wait to see any amendments that might be tabled at the 11th hour, but he pointed out that the bill contains the compensation provisions, so to vote it through would at least offer some protection to property owners.