NEWS of Crossrail's survival in the government's spending review has been hailed as a triumph for the borough, with the man tasked with promoting Hayes Town describing it as a 'beacon of light'.
Funding for the rail development scheme escaped cuts in the review last week, dispelling fears about its future.
David Brough, chairman of Hillingdon Council's Hayes Town Partnership, said he had been waiting for the announcement with bated breath and the plans were key to the future regeneration of Hayes.
He added: "This is a beacon of light for Hayes, and for the whole borough. I am delighted that, despite enormous cuts in other parts of the public sector, Crossrail is still getting full investment.
"It forms quite a big part of what is going to be happening here. Some of the developments going up are in anticipation of Crossrail, and the town has already been receiving greater interest because of the prospect.
"The promise of faster, more modern trains with links to the heart of the city will no doubt attract more businesses and encourage people to come to the area.
"It is a long-term investment, but one that will no doubt serve Hayes, and the whole capital, for years to come."
Before the election, the Conservatives were hesitant to guarantee money for Crossrail, and it was feared in some quarters that funding might be scaled down or axed altogether in Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne's deficit-reducing review.
The plans remain largely intact, however, and a 'more efficient construction timetable' has been drawn up, which will push back the completion date to 2018 - saving £1billion in the process.
The 118km line will run through Hayes and Harlington, and connect commuter areas across London, providing a direct link between Heathrow, the West End, Canary Wharf and the City.
Plans to renovate Hayes and Harlington station are at an advanced stage and full details about the works are due for release next month. * US-owned web hosting company Rackspace has signed a seven-year lease on a 100,000sq ft office block to house its European headquarters at the Hyde Park Hayes business park, five minutes from the station.
Several hundred staff currently based at two sites in Stockley Park business campus in West Drayton will make the move in the new year.
Fabio Torlini, marketing director of Rackspace, said: "We are delighted that the Crossrail funding will be protected from budget cuts.
"We have recently made the decision to lease a bigger premises in Hayes, and the Crossrail investment will see excellent outcomes for local residents and businesses."
