West Drayton

infobox UK place
country = England
map_type = Greater London
region= London
population=
official_name= West Drayton
london_borough= Hillingdon
constituency_westminster=
post_town= WEST DRAYTON
postcode_district = UB7
postcode_area= UB
dial_code= 01895
os_grid_reference= TQ065795
latitude= 51.5043
longitude= -0.4646

West Drayton is an area of West London in the London Borough of Hillingdon.

It is split by the Great Western Railway and the Grand Union Canal, which both run east-west. West Drayton can be said to be south of this divide and Yiewsley to the north.

Historically employment was connected to the railway and canal and to some extent still is. It is becoming more of a commuter town due to its proximity to the M25, M4, M40 and M3 motorways, Heathrow Airport and Stockley Business Park.

West Drayton railway station provides rail links on the First Great Western Link service from London Paddington to Reading and Bristol.

West Drayton also incorporates a conservation area, The Green. Around The Green are a number of listed buildings, both residential and business.

The former RAF West Drayton was host to a military air traffic control (ATC) centre co-located with the civil London Area and Terminal Control Centre (LATCC), but these functions have been relocated to Swanwick), with the last ATC functions ending in January 2008. The former RAF station barracks are currently under redevelopment as an exclusive gated community.

A new shopping complex is soon to be built in the town centre. An Ofcom-licensed community radio station, 91.8 Hayes FM, serves the area's populace.

External links

* [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=22322 British History - West Drayton]
* [http://www.hillingdontimes.co.uk/ Uxbridge & Hillingdon Times - local newspaper]