RUISLIP is mobilising in the fight against a high-speed railway line.

The Ruislip Against HS2 protest group has been set up by neighbours in Almond Close, Roundways and Lawn Close, whose homes are threatened by the proposed track.

Primary schoolchildren are even helping to make posters and write letters to the transport secretary.

The government announced in December that its new high-speed line would pass through Ruislip en route to the north of England.

Beauty therapist Lottie Jones, of Almond Close, said Ruislip needed to raise its profile in the debate about how the 155mph line will affect local people.

"We have found when we have door knocked that a lot of people don't know about it and how it will affect them," Ms Jones told the Gazette.

"A lot of the attention has been centred on the Chilterns, but it affects Ruislip just as much.

"Apart from the people who live along the line, they are talking about demolishing stations, so commuters will be

affected. The disruption will be for five or seven years and that will have an impact on the community as a whole, not just us living by the line."

A range of options were drawn up last year by HS2 Ltd, the company which will design and build the route, but the government decided against tunnelling under Ruislip and the line will instead be built directly north of the existing Chiltern railway, threatening dozens of homes.

A public consultation, starting next month, could be the last chance for residents to dissuade ministers from directing trains through Ruislip, one of the most densely populated areas on the route.

Ms Jones said: "There are several of us who have got together.

"We have got posters printed and we want to organise a protest for when there is a consultation event here, which might be at the end of March.

"Ruislip Gardens Primary School is supporting us. My son's homework for this week is to make placards and write to transport secretary Philip Hammond. He went in and organised it and the teachers were keen to get involved.

"The headmaster agreed to let us use their assembly hall in future."

The group also has the support of Councillor Douglas Mills (Con, Manor), whose Roundways home is at risk. Hillingdon Council also

opposes HS2, pledging £750 to RAHS2.

"We will put our residents first and argue a very strong case against the HS2 route,"

said Mr Mills, a member of the council cabinet. * To get involved in the campaign, visit www.ruislip -against-hs2.co.uk.