Uxbridge – is it growing too fast?

I FIRST came to Uxbridge in 1975. Since that time, Uxbridge has grown considerably but over the past few years this pace of growth seems to have become more rapid.

My question is, does Uxbridge have the infrastructure to cope with this pace?

Although I am a strong supporter of our council, for some time I have been concerned that the planners are not keeping pace with growth: we have seen building of new houses and supermarkets in Cowley, large office blocks on both sides of the road at Denham bridge and of course, Stockley Park plus huge new estates on what used to be RAF Uxbridge and adjacent to West Ruislip Station.

We may expect more building on the old Master Brewer site and opposite not to mention smaller developments around the borough.

Only yesterday (25/01/17) was there chatter around a new housing development on the land of RAF Northolt.

Whilst new homes are needed, have we seen a significant improvement in infrastructure, I suggest no. Try travelling at peak hours along the Uxbridge Road, Hercies Road, down Long Lane, through Ickenham or Denham – often bumper-to-bumper traffic.

All this very real traffic congestion on the backdrop of opposition to the airport expansion on environmental grounds, however, just imagine the damage to the environment during the peak traffic hours as described but this isn’t being challenged.

Are there sufficient services and to cope with the likely resulting population increase? Schools, land, available dentists, available doctors, hospital facilities, adequate policing and fire services?

We are already talking about social care funding have we modelled the increase? I hope so but I really wonder. I started by saying I am a supporter of our Council administration and I am but is it so wrong to ask to question where we are heading or to ask our planners to stop and think or at least give us confidence?