Category Archives: News

HS2 update: West Ruislip and a bit of HOAC

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Concrete & Drainage installation works at West Ruislip Portal for Ickenham Stream Diversion – Extended Hours Mon 10/08 to Fri 09/10 
HS2/SCS will be carrying out several activities at the West Ruislip Portal Site to facilitate the permanent Ickenham Stream Diversion over the coming months, with the installation of Sheet Piles between the Network Rail Line and the Golf Course (adjacent to The Greenway) now completed (1 month ahead of schedule). 
HS2/SCS now need to pour concrete to form the base slab, walls and roof slab that will surround the pipe, and install drainage. These works will take place using Extended Hours between 8am & 10pm Monday to Saturdaybetween 10/08 and 09/10. 
These activities are not expected to be noisy but with the Extended Hours there will be working in the evening through to 10pm. 
 Below is a Programme showing the activities taking place relating to the Ickenham Stream Diversion:

  • Excavation works (completed July 2026)
  • Drainage and reinforced concrete works (August 2026)
  • Pipework installation (September 2026)
  • Backfilling and sheet pile removal (October 2026)
  • Shaft construction (November 2026) 

There will be further updates as the works progress and if any of these activities require outside of Core Hour Working.

  • Not strictly HS2 related but HS2 building the Colne Valley Viaduct brought about closure of the previous Site at Harefield Lake No.2
  • Redevelopment of the site to create the Hillingdon Watersports Facility and Activity Centre including demolition of existing Broadwater Lake Sailing Club (BSC) clubhouse at the north of the lake and erection of a building including changing facilities, meeting rooms, storage, Workshop and seasonal worker accommodation (sui generis), activity shelters; installation of pontoons and slipways; boat shed; equipment storage huts; boat parking and racking areas; camping area; outdoor activity areas; ecological enhancement throughout the site; new pedestrian routes through the peninsula; landscaping including new woodland, dense vegetation screens and boundary treatment; access road; localised dredging and land reclamation; relocation of existing sailing area and creation of floating reedbeds within the lake; coach drop off and turning area; vehicle parking; cycle parking; and associated works
  • This is a re-consultation following submission of amended plans and documents (original submission 2023 & amended version 2025)
  • LBH Planning Team – ref: 2382/APP/2023/2906
  • The Public Consultation was open for comments from 25/11/25 until 09/01/26

Update June 2026 – There has been a resolution to grant approval at the Hillingdon Planning Committee, subject to legal agreement and referral to the SoS and GLA

Piccadilly closures

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Heathrow passengers to face severe disruption as major Tube closures begin this week and Piccadilly line closures

London Underground passengers travelling to Heathrow this week are being warned of major disruption due to closures. From Thursday, July 30 until Sunday, August 2 the Piccadilly line will close between Acton Town and Heathrow, and between Rayners Lane and Uxbridge while engineers test new trains being introduced later this year.
The section between Acton Town and Cockfosters is open on Thursday, but will then shut between Friday and Monday, August 3 meaning the entire line is out of action between Friday and Sunday. These closures also affect Night Tube services.
Transport for London said the complex upgrade and testing programme is essential to ensure the line is ready for the first new trains to enter service in December. In May, transport bosses confirmed engineers had already carried out weight-loading testing to simulate the carriages being full with passengers, and that 119 platforms had been prepared to accommodate the new trains.
Londoners thankfully have other options such as the Elizabeth line and Heathrow Express to get to and from the airport, but the Piccadilly line closure will affect passengers needing to travel overnight on Friday and Saturday. The N9 bus from Heathrow to Piccadilly Circus will be the best option for many due to the closure.
Other alternatives include National Express and FlixBus coaches or taking a taxi.
The upcoming closure is the longest planned for this summer but there are two midweek closures next month which will affect commuter. The stretch between Cockfosters and Uxbridge will shut between Tuesday, August 18 and Thursday, August 20 and the following week from Tuesday, August 25 until Thursday, August 27.
TfL has confirmed the new trains being introduced between December and June next year will feature walk-through carriages, wider doorways, onboard digital display screens and CCTV. Each train will also have 10 per cent extra capacity, while the increased fleet size will allow frequency to increase from 24 to 27 trains per hour.
Stuart Harvey, TfL’s chief capital officer, said: “I’d like to thank our customers for their patience while we carry out these essential upgrades to the Piccadilly line and rigorously test the new trains which will transform journeys for many decades to come. Introducing a new fleet of trains is a huge engineering and logistical feat which inevitably requires upgrades and intensive testing.
“Although much of the hard work goes on behind the scenes, there are times when we need to close sections of the railway to ensure that these pioneering new trains can operate effectively and interact correctly with a wide range of complex infrastructure.
“We are very confident that once this intensive period of upgrades and testing is completed, and the new trains start to enter service, our customers will reap the benefits of moving around the capital on these game-changing new trains.”
 

Re: hosepipe ban

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As you are probably aware, the hose pipe ban comes into effect today. However, if you qualify, you can be added to the priority.services register and still use your hose pipe (within reason)

More info: https://www.affinitywater.co.uk/priority-services
 

How to apply

Or call – 0345 357 2406

Ickenham Road closure

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A reminder that the following will come into operation this Saturday Saturday 18 July to Sunday 2 August Ickenham Road, Ruislip

Cadent Gas to  temporarily close Ickenham Road, Ruislip,from the junction of High Street to the junction of Church Avenue.

2. Diversion route will be in place via High Street, Kingsend, Ickenham Road.Westbound Closure Only
Nothing in the Order shall apply to prevent vehicular access to premises on or adjacent to the prohibited length of road insofar as access is reasonably practicable without interference with the said works.

3. The temporary restriction will be in operation between 08:00hrs on the 18th July 2026 to 17:00hrs, on the 2nd August 2026 and to such extent as indicated by traffic signs prescribed by the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016.

Road users should assume that the closure has been put into effect only if traffic signs have been erected stating that the road has been closed and the diversion route, if necessary is in place

more info: https://pre.hillingdon.gov.uk/downloads/file/2948/ickenham-road-ruislip-road-closure

Summer closure of two main London stations

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Two major London stations are set to shut for three weeks this summer as part of a £20million upgrade, with commuters warned to expect disruption.
London Charing Cross and Waterloo East will close from Sunday, July 26 until Sunday, August 16, while engineers carry out major improvement works.
The closures will affect Southeastern services, with trains that normally run into Charing Cross being diverted to London Victoria, London Cannon Street and London Blackfriars instead.
Some services will also terminate at London Bridge.
Passengers are being urged to check their route before travelling, as alternative services will be in place throughout the closure.
Here’s everything we know about the works.
When are the stations closing?
The main closures will last 22 days, from Sunday, July 26 to Sunday, August 16, to coincide with the summer holidays.
But there will also be additional weekend closures before and after for preparation and follow-up work:
But there will also be additional weekend closures before and after for preparation and follow-up work: Saturday, July 18 Sunday, July 19 Saturday, August 22 Sunday, August 23 Saturday, October 10 Sunday, October 11 Network Rail has warned that travel arrangements on these extra closure dates may be different from the main 22-day closure, so passengers should check before setting off.
Why are Charing Cross and Waterloo East closing?
The stations are closing to allow engineers to carry out a major £20million upgrade of the railway between them.
The work will include replacing around 1,800 metres of track and installing 16 new sets of switches and crossings — the equipment that allows trains to move between different tracks.
The new infrastructure will replace equipment that has been in place since 1990, which Network Rail says will help to improve reliability and keep journeys running smoothly.
At Waterloo East, track drainage will also be upgraded to help maintain track quality and allow trains to continue running safely at full line speed.
Meanwhile, parts of Charing Cross station will be rebuilt, with new foundations and surfaces installed at the country end of the platforms to keep them safe and accessible for passengers.
Structural repairs will also be carried out on the 175-year-old Hungerford Bridge, which takes the railway over the Thames, and the pedestrian link bridge between Waterloo East and London Waterloo.
The work will keep the structures open for decades ahead, Network Rail says.
What are the likely disruptions?
No trains will call at London Charing Cross or Waterloo East while work is carried out.
Instead, Southeastern services will be diverted to London Victoria, Cannon Street, Blackfriars, and London Bridge.
Southeastern has warned passengers to expect delays and cancellations.
 

HS2 update: Harvil Road closure cancelled

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Cancelled Harvil Road Night Time Road Closures

– 2 Nights (10pm to 5am) Sat 11/07 & Sun 12/07  

The works that required the Night Time Closure of Harvil Road for 2 Nights this weekend have now been cancelled by HS2/SCS as it has found an alternative method of working that allows for the road to remain open while it carries materials to the track below for Railway Possession works. There are currently no plans to reschedule these works.

LBH Waste and Recycling update

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from LBH

Waste and recycling update – Jul 2026
Expanding household waste services

We’re giving you more choice and making it easier to dispose of your household waste. From Wednesday 15 July, residents can use the Space Waye Reuse and Recycling Centre near Heathrow. 
The centre is open seven days a week, increasing access to waste and recycling services across the borough. 
We’ve also made our Pop-Up Waste Drop service permanent following a successful trial, where almost 29 tonnes of unwanted and bulky waste (equivalent to 1,800 washing machines) was collected from more than 920 visitors at 10 sessions. 
The free-to-use service will continue every two weeks, rotating across targeted locations throughout the borough. Look up your nearest session and see what you can bring. 

 
Improvements at civic amenity site

Work to enhance accessibility to our Harefield Civic Amenity Site is set to begin this autumn, paving the way for future upgrades that will further improve residents’ experience. 
The first phase will see New Years Green Lane road widened to help alleviate traffic and reduce peak time congestion at the junction with Harvil Road, increasing safety for all road users. 
A section of the road immediately to the south of the facility will need to be temporarily closed to allow for the works to be carried out, but residents will still be able to access it via Harvil Road.  
The upgrade will also enable the next phase of approved plans for land next to the site to begin, including the demolition of unused buildings to create new staff facilities, an education hub, and new recycling bays.
https://pre.hillingdon.gov.uk/news/article/283/council-upgrades-to-civic-amenity-access-to-drive-wider-improvements?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery Recycling RoadshowDate: 16 July 2026Location: Various locationsCost: Free Meet our recycling officers and find out about the services we offer to help you recycle more. You can also collect your free recycling bags (subject to availability).Our Recycling Roadshow takes place at different locations in the borough.
  • Thursday 16 July, 10am to 4pm – Outside Waitrose, Kingsend, Ruislip, HA4 7DS
  • Wednesday 5 August, 10am to 2pm – Hillingdon Athletics Tracks (part of Playday)
  • Thursday 13 August, 10am to 3pm – The Great Barn, Manor Farm, HA4 7SU (part of the Summer Reading Challenge)
  • Saturday 19 September, 11am to 3pm – St Margaret’s Church, Uxbridge, UB8 1AB (part of Cleaner Greener Festival organised by Hillingdon’s Friends of the Earth)
  • Thursday 29 October, 10am to 3pm – The Great Barn, Manor Farm, HA4 7SU (part of the Harry Potter event, organised by Hillingdon Libraries)

|Harefield civic amenity centre
 
https://pre.hillingdon.gov.uk/waste-recycling-centres/harefield-civic-amenity-site?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
 
Pop-up Waste Drop
 
Drop off unwanted and bulky items for free, with our Pop-up Waste Drop visits around the borough.
This is a new mobile waste collection service for Hillingdon residents to conveniently drop-off unwanted and bulky items for free, without the need to visit a waste and recycling centre.
To use the service, residents will need proof of address or a Hillingdon First card and will need to be able to carry their items to the waste drop themselves.
Please note: Vans and commercial vehicles will not be able to use the service.
Pop-up visits
Our Pop-up Waste Drop truck will visit locations around the borough every 2 weeks between 10am and 2pm.

  • 18 July – Court Park car park, Uxbridge, UB10  9JX
  • 1 August – Northwood Hills Masjid and Community Centre, Joel Street, Northwood, HA6 1NL
  • 15 August – Stockley Park car park, Chestnut Avenue, West Drayton, UB7 8BU
  • 29 August – Charville Community Centre, Bury Avenue, Hayes, UB4 8LF
  • 12 September – Pinkwell Park car park, Waltham Avenue, Hayes, UB3 1TF
  • 26 September – Deane Park car park, Long Drive, Ruislip, HA4 0HS
  • 10 October – The Closes car park, Church Close, West Drayton, UB7 7PY
  • 24 October – Brookside Open Space car park, Brookside Road, Hayes, UB4 0PL
  • 7 November – Haste Hill car park, The Drive, Northwood, HA6 1HN

Accepted items
Residents can bring up to 5 items per household, with accepted items including:

  • small electrical appliances, such as toasters, kettles, laptops and TVs
  • bulky waste, including furniture, mattresses, bagged carpet (no rolls) and white goods (eg fridges and freezers)
  • household items not accepted in weekly collections (eg broken toys, wood, glass, textiles)
  • scrap metal, old tools
  • garden furniture and equipment.

Please note: 1 bag of rubbish counts as 1 item.
Unaccepted items

  • General household rubbish
  • Household dry mixed recycling
  • Garden waste
  • Hazardous waste (paint, chemicals, asbestos, petrol or diesel)
  • Car parts or tyres
  • Pressurised containers
  • Business waste

Harvil Road temporary traffic signals

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Harvil Road – 2-Way Temporary Traffic Lights near Harvil Farm
 

  • Thames Water have confirmed a burst to a Sewer Mains Pipe on the stretch between Dews Lane & Uxbridge Golf Course on Wed 01/07
  • In order to run Tankering Operations to remove Sewage by Lorry – there are now 2-Way Temporary Traffic Lights in place on Harvil Road (in operation 24/7)
  • It is hoped that the Tankering Operations can be completed by Fri 10/07 (most recent update from Thames Water)
  • Going forward, Thames Water have had funding approved for a large project to replace the two existing rising mains causing these issues (replacing with one super new main which should resolve any future potential bursts at this location for at least 100 years)

BRS closure

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Location: BREAKSPEAR ROAD SOUTH
Reference: KL337MNDEMERGENCY-060726
Status: Works In Progress
Works owner: NET, 08457 11 41 41
Street authority: LONDON BOROUGH OF HILLINGDON
Start date: 06/07/2026
End date: 13/07/2026
Description:
Following a bridge strike, the brickwork has become unsafe for the passage of vehicles beneath the structure.
The works will include the removal of loose brickwork, the installation of temporary support to the affected masonry, and the reinstatement of the structure to a safe condition