All posts by Jeremy Wasden

HS2, HS2 Updates

HS2 in South Ruislip

We are grateful to Chris Playll for this update on HS2 in South Ruislip.  

On 29th October I visited an HS2 engagement event at Ruislip Golf Club. There were a number of information boards on display and representatives of the HS2 project were present to answer questions about them. The information boards can be seen on the HS2 website at:

https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/commonplace-cloudfront/resources/projects/hs2inhillingdon/SCS+main+boards_2-compressed.pdf

The HS2 railway will run underground throughout South Ruislip. The only permanent feature affecting our area will be the ventilation shaft located behind the B&M and ASDA stores in Victoria Road. This is not just a shaft but contains ventilation plant and a staircase to enable emergency personnel to access the railway tunnel. The 4th chart on the website shows the shaft in detail.

The 3rd chart shows the route that will be used to remove the soil dug from the shaft during construction and the number of expected lorry movements. These will be outside peak hours. The other work that will affect us is the utilities programme planned to protect some sewers that the rail tunnels will run underneath. This work will be staggered as shown on the chart, but there is no start date.

HS2 will run in a tunnel all the way from West Ruislip to Euston station, except for a station in North Acton called “Old Oak Common” which will have a connection with Crossrail and the Great Western line from Paddington. Long railway tunnels require regular ventilation and emergency access so, in addition to the shaft in our area, there will also be shafts just east of Northolt station, east of Greenford station, and west of Hangar Lane. Two tunnel boring machines will start digging the two railway tunnels in West Ruislip and head east under South Ruislip. At the same time another two tunnel boring machines will start digging two tunnels at Old Oak Common and head west. The tunnel boring machines will meet each other at the Greenford shaft.

Soil dug out of the tunnels under South Ruislip will be taken out via the tunnel entrance in West Ruislip. This soil will be loaded on to railway wagons for removal.

Chris Playll

Images copyright SCS.

Polish War Memorial

Polish War Memorial – 11th November 2018

A successful service of remembrance was conducted yesterday at the Polish War Memorial in South Ruislip on the 11th of November 2018 at 11am, on hundred years after the end of WW I.

The attendance of our residents is a testimony to the strength and diversity of the local community.


The service was made unique by being led by our local vicar Fr Eric, readers of prayers and poems across the age range from ‘Stars at Knight’ drama students to our library service, the Bourne Choir with their rendition of the National Anthem in both English and Polish and the Last Post and Reveille played by our Hillingdon Music Service. We would also like to thank the Hillingdon Events for preparing the Polish War Memorial for the service and the GAA club for hosting refreshments.

 

Democracy, General

Local Ward and Councillor Changes in Hillingdon and How they Impact on South Ruislip and Cavendish

With government cuts, there is a proposal to reduce the number of councillors across Hillingdon from 65 to 53.  This means there will be a balancing of wards across the borough to make for roughly 4200 citizens per councillor in Hillingdon.  Whilst some wards are unchanged some will disappear and some will go down to two councillors.

What does this mean for South Ruislip?

South Ruislip Ward Boundary Submission PDF to view

The proposal is that South Ruislip would retain three councillors and grow taking the roads currently in Cavendish ward such as Torcross, Queens Walk, Mount Pleasant, Hunters Hill.  The exception is Parkfield Crescent which would move to an adjacent Hillingdon ward.

Parkfield aside, this makes sense with the Yeading Brook being a natural barrier.

The ward will fit better with the area the SRRA covers so makes sense to us.  But having been established in 1939 we have seen our fair share of boundary changes and as these wax and wane the area we cover remains the same.

What about Cavendish Ward?

However, Cavendish ward will disappear with sections of it going to different expanded wards such as South Ruislip, the Manor and Eastcote.  On a personal note I can’t help but feel for the uncertainty that respected established  Cllrs in Cavendish such as Cllr Lavery and Barnes will face but such is politics.

What do you think of the changes?

Please have your say on the review at the following link.  There are only a few days left for this first stage of consultation but another opportunity to comment will come next year:

http://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/greater-london/greater-london/Hillingdon 

Entertainment, General

Ruislip Woods Trust New Year’s Day walk

Ruislipians, fancy a bimble in Ruislip Woods on New Years Day?  Your wish is our command. as the Ruislip Woods Trust have let us know about this event.  I am sure the guided walk will be very informative!

Tuesday 1st January 2019

New Year’s Day Walk – 11am

Meet outside the Woodlands Centre by the beach at Ruislip Lido.

The walk takes approx. 2 hours and there will be a stop in one of the Woods
for hot mince pies and mulled wine or soft drinks.

Adults £2, Children £1

 For further details please visit www.Ruislipwoodstrust.org.uk

Community Voice

Eastcote Remembers – Armistice Events November 4th – 17th at  the Stables, Eastcote House Gardens.

Armistice

Friends of Eastcote House Gardens

Present

‘EASTCOTE REMEMBERS’

November 4th – November 17th

A fortnight of talks, concerts and an exhibition, to commemorate the young men from Eastcote who served their country 1914-1918, some making the ultimate sacrifice. Also, to highlight life in Eastcote 1914 -1918.

Programme of Events

Venue the Stables, Eastcote House Gardens.

The exhibition will be open: Free Entry

Sunday 4th November 10am -3pm

Monday 5th November 11am -3pm

Tuesday 6th November 11am -1pm

Thursday 8th November 12-4pm

Friday 9th November 12-4pm

Saturday 10th November 12-4pm

Sunday 11th November 2-4pm [Remembrance Sunday]

Friday 16th November 12-4pm

Saturday 17th November 12-4pm

Tuesday 6th November 2pm: Talk: Eastcote 1914 – 1918. Liz Smith, Edible History Society, Susan Toms RN&ELHS, Lesley Crowcroft FEHG. Free event.

Thursday 8th November 7pm: Talk: ‘Is it Ticking?’ Bomb disposal from the Western front to Helmund Province. Matt Neave, former captain in the Corps of Royal Engineers. Free Event.

Monday 12th November and Tuesday 13th November 2pm: ‘Armistice’ A concert in words and music given by ‘In Voice and Verse’ Seat Prices £15.00 see attached poster

Thursday 15th November 2pm: Talk: History of the Eastcote Branch of the Royal British Legion. Matt Neave. With WWI memorabilia on show. Free event.

There is limited seating available in the Stables therefore all events must be booked in advance Box Office Lesley Crowcroft. 020 8866 8436, lesley.crowcroft@gmail.com

All monies raised will be donated to the Royal British Legion Eastcote Branch. Collecting boxes will be available at the end of the talks and during the times that the exhibition is open.