PREPARATION is under way for a major construction project in West Drayton which will enable the much-anticipated Crossrail to become a reality.
A planning application was submitted this month, and quickly approved by Monday, for construction arrangements for the junction, which will take the trains towards Heathrow Airport.
It is a planning application required to set up the infrastructure for a major construction project. Crossrail will connect east London with west London, stopping at Hayes and Harlington station and West Drayton station.
But between Hayes and West Drayton, the line will branch off and run underground towards the airport.
To enable this, a new rail flyover must be built, requiring excavations then new track, signalling, overhead lines, fencing and lighting.
The line would branch off close to Swallowfield Way, Hayes, and veer south over Stockley Close, West Drayton, before heading underground.
As these roads are strictly business properties it is unlikely residential properties will be directly affected, but the impact in terms of noise and traffic will almost certainly have an effect on nearby roads, including Bourne Avenue, Hayes. Worksites will be set up north of the Great Western Mainline, on the former HG Timber and Dagenham Motors sites, on the Swallowfield Industrial Park. Both companies have moved elsewhere within the last five months.
All Point Packaging, on the same industrial estate, believes its business will not be affected. This area will be used to carry out and contract the main flyover structures.
To the south, a worksite will be set up on part of the Stockley Close Industrial Estate, and two ponds will need to be filled in.
A planning application for the project itself will be submitted to Hillingdon Council in due course. Site clearance will begin this year, with the complete works scheduled for completion by 2015.
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