Electric bikes and scooters are now available to rent in Northolt and Greenford for the first time as Ealing Council continues its push to expand sustainable travel options across the borough The expansion means the bikes and scooters can now be hired in all the seven towns of Ealing providing residents a low-emission alternative for short journeys usage of e-bikes and scooters rose by 75% across the borough in 2024 compared to 2023 Councillor Peter Mason said: “Now that e-bikes and scooters are available to rent in Northolt and Greenford we are one step closer to a more connected community and I’m hopeful that they will make journeys quicker and easier for residents This expansion is part of the £28 million invested last year to make it more convenient and safer for people to choose active forms of travel like cycling.” While the benefits to health, congestion and air quality are widely acknowledged, the scheme has not been without controversy. Residents have raised concerns about scooters and bikes being left in obstructive or unsafe places the council’s cabinet member for climate action said: “Most people use the bikes and scooters responsibly we have added 101 designated parking spaces and riders will be warned then fined if they park outside these areas has also put more resource into moving and redeploying bikes.” Councillor Driscoll added: “In the longer term Transport for London is working with the operators and local councils to implement changes and enforcement methods to ensure we have everything at our disposal to allow people to use the bikes and scooters safely while keeping all our residents safe and able to travel around the borough easily.” Residents in Ealing can rent e-bikes and scooters via the Lime app and the Voi app SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE TO THE EALING.NEWS NEWSLETTER EALING.NEWS is the voice of our 7 towns which provides news sign up to our newsletter email us: news@ealing.news call us: 07488 352 974 Follow us on X: @_EalingNews © 2022 - 2025 EALING.NEWS All rights reserved | Part of Your Local News Network | Contact Us We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings we will not be able to save your preferences This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again More information about our Cookie Policy A teenage girl has been stabbed near Alec Reed Academy in Northolt this evening (16 April) A video shared on social media shows a man being arrested at the scene Too many people are getting away with these attacks lately.” “Thank god another one off the streets A spokesperson for London Ambulance Service said “We were called at 8.14pm today (16 April) to reports of a stabbing near Godfrey Avenue an incident response officer and a member of our tactical response unit “We treated a teenager at the scene and took her to a hospital.” More information is expected from the police in due course Harrow Online is a company registered in England and Wales Your guide to London's culture and transport news and events taking place across the city Published on 6th February 2025 by ianVisits in Transport News Work to add step-free access to Northolt tube station on the Central line has resumed Transport for London (TfL) started carrying out cable diversions at the station earlier this week as part of the preparatory works needed to make the station step-free The main construction works are then expected to start this spring and be completed by summer 2026 London Assembly Member for Ealing and Hillingdon said: “Northolt is an incredibly busy station and local residents deserve the right to have an accessible platform to connect them into central London and beyond I was delighted to gain the commitment to make it step free in 2019 it’s full steam ahead to open up the station to parents with buggies really putting Northolt on the map.” The station has a modest ticket hall entrance on a busy road steps descend to an island platform with trains on either side there is a glass waiting room on the platform Many other stations that add a lift from the ticket office to the platform have found enough space at the end of the platform next to the stairs to squeeze a lift in the platform is too narrow for that option What will happen is that a new footbridge will be built next to the tube station from the ticket office to about a quarter of the way along the platform where it will then have a lift down to the platform There will also be some platform humps added to the station to provide step-free access to the trains — so the station will be fully step-free from train to street Regional Campaigns Officer for London at the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) said: “We’ve been advising TfL to help ensure step-free access is prioritised at Northolt Station and across the Tube network where appropriate We’re pleased work is now set to progress and we look forward to continuing to work with them on further station upgrades including improved signage and tactile markings which have huge benefits for blind and partially sighted people.” This website has been running now for over a decade, and while advertising revenue contributes to funding the website, it doesn't cover the costs. That is why I have set up a facility with DonorBox where you can contribute to the costs of the website and time invested in writing and research for the news articles It's very similar to the way The Guardian and many smaller websites are now seeking to generate an income in the face of rising costs and declining advertising Whether it's a one-off donation or a regular giver every additional support goes a long way to covering the running costs of this website and keeping you regularly topped up doses of Londony news and facts If you like what you read on here, then please support the website here and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" and the latest news published on ianVisits You can unsubscribe at any time from my weekly emails © ianVisits A 38-year-old man has been charged with grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent and possession of an offensive weapon after a teenage girl was stabbed in a street in Northolt Emergency services rushed to the scene on Godfrey Avenue shortly after 8pm on Wednesday (16 April 2025) has been charged in connection with the attack He appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on Saturday (19 April 2025) facing charges of grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of an offensive weapon was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital where her injuries were later assessed as non-life changing the Metropolitan Police said: “A 38-year-old man has been charged following a reported stabbing 18 April with grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of an offensive weapon The charge follows a stabbing that reportedly took place in Godfrey Avenue The Met added that the victim “continues to be supported by officers” and that “the investigation remains on-going” Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 101 A 62-year-old woman has been rushed to hospital following a serious collision near South Harrow station this afternoon The incident has led to the closure of Northolt Road in both directions The road is currently blocked at the junction with Parkfield Road. Members of the Harrow Online Group on Facebook have reported seeing at least five police vehicles at the scene and the woman ‘lying on the floor’ Several bus routes are currently being diverted due to the incident including the 140 “Police were called at 11:52hrs on Monday Harrow following reports of a collision involving a car and a pedestrian “Officers attended with the London Ambulance Service “Northolt Road remains closed in both directions.” A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 11.50am yesterday (Monday 21 April) to reports of a road traffic collision at the junction of Eastcote Road and the A312 including an ambulance crew and a paramedic in a fast response car “The first of our crews arrived in three minutes “Our crews treated a woman at the scene before taking her to hospital as a priority.” Thankfully the ladies injuries are not thought to be life-threatening Published on 4th April 2025 by ianVisits in Transport News A second 5-mile railway tunnel has been completed underneath west London after one of HS2’s tunnel boring machines arrived at a shaft at Greenford The 8.4 mile long dual Northolt Tunnel is being dug by four tunnel boring machines (TBMs) Two of the TBMs are heading from Ruislip and have dug five mile tunnels each and the two TBMs heading from Old Oak Common are digging 3.4 mile tunnels They all meet next to Greenford station in west London Due to high water pressure in the ground at the site, HS2 is using a “reception can method” for the breakthrough of the machines the TBM arrives at the shaft and enters into a pressurised steel can that’s installed inside the shaft The reception can allows the TBM to maintain pressure while sealant can be applied from the tunnel lining The reception can is then depressurised before it is opened and the TBM is lifted out is the second machine to reach the Green Park Way vent shaft in Ealing The 2,050-tonne TBM broke through into an underground reception can filled with foam concrete and installed the 4,217th concrete tunnel ring to complete the 5-mile stretch of tunnel TBM Caroline was named by schoolchildren from Brentside Primary Academy in Ealing after 18th-century astronomer Caroline Herschel In total 93% of the Northolt tunnel has now been built and the two further machines will complete their journeys later this year London Clay removed from the tunnels is being taken by rail to beneficial reuse sites across the UK in Rugby The logistics hub has now transported over 2 million tonnes of materials to these sites which are being used to backfill quarries to support housing developments and build wildlife areas for birds Skanska Costain STRABAG joint venture (SCS) is responsible for building the HS2 route through London this involves 12.9 miles of twin-bore tunnels including the Northolt Tunnel and the Euston Tunnel which will eventually take the railway from Old Oak Common station into HS2’s central London terminus at Euston Excavation of the Euston Tunnel is expected to start in the next 12 months SCS will also be building eight vent shafts and headhouses – providing ventilation and emergency access to the tunnels Managing Director for Skanska Costain STRABAG joint venture said: “The arrival of TBM Caroline at Green Park Way marks a significant milestone – the completion of the western section of the Northolt Tunnel – and is a testament to the dedication and skill of all our teams which will complete the 8.4-mile Northolt tunnel between Old Oak Common and West Ruislip headhouses and portals continues at pace as our team works at peak productivity to deliver our part of HS2 that will bring better journeys and boost economic growth.” Cross passages are a safety mechanism allowing passengers to cross to the other side of the tunnel in an emergency The team will also install tunnel inverts – the flat surface on which the high-speed track will be laid – and complete the tunnel walkways twin-bore tunnels are being built for HS2 between London and the West Midlands HS2 has already completed the excavation of of two of its tunnels – the 10-mile Chiltern Tunnel and the 1-mile Long Itchington Wood Tunnel in Warwickshire 2025 is set to be a bumper year for TBMs completing their journeys across the route and four more to go – two in the West Midlands and two in London HS2 is also preparing two further TBMs to build the Euston Tunnel after the Chancellor gave the green light in the budget last year I was born in Birmingham and still live in Birmingham nothing pleases me more having H.S.2 on my door step it means jobs for the Youth and all ages this is really making HISTORY AND I WOULD LOVE TO BE PART OF IT If you ‘want to be a part of it’ then contact HS2 and contractors about jobs Our building is rocking from the vibration caused by these works The heating system broke many times due to the ground vibration and I am greatly affected by it Posting on a blog isn’t going to get HS2’s attention I wonder if someone is compiling a comprehensive list of the history of UK TBMs It would seem each would have its own story – and given the cost of each (varies but £50M avg?) the decision to simply “park” some underground when their work is done is fascinating It would be interesting to see how that choice is made and if the calculations are proven over time Or are they so bespoke that each can really only do the job it was originally designed for A crash blocked Ruislip Road (B455) in Northolt this morning causing long delays and traffic congestion in the area London Ambulance Service arrived at the scene within five minutes and took a man to hospital The collision happened at around 8am at the junction with Lady Margaret Road The incident has caused queues of up to half a mile in all directions around the roundabout A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 8.07am this morning (Wednesday 26 March) to reports of a road traffic collision at the junction of Lady Margaret Road and Ruislip Road “We sent an ambulance crew to the scene “Our crew treated a man at the scene A man from Northolt is among four people convicted for their roles in importing and supplying nearly half a ton of cocaine worth up to £17 million Hussain Sakhi, 22, of Laughton Road, Northolt was found guilty following a four-week trial at Kingston Crown Court All three were found guilty of conspiracy to evade the prohibition on the importation of cocaine and conspiracy to supply cocaine Sakhi and Zahur were also convicted of a second count of conspiracy to supply cocaine pleaded guilty to the same offences on Tuesday The convictions follow an investigation by the Met’s Specialist Crime South team into a drug operation bringing cocaine from the Netherlands into the UK where it was then distributed across London Detectives said drugs were smuggled in by lorry and picked up before being handed over to suppliers on a weekly basis Morris collected three boxes containing 70kg of cocaine from De Jong at an industrial estate in Norwich Officers intercepted the van and found the boxes hidden behind black cladding containing cocaine worth between £1.75 million and £2.45 million Sakhi and Zahur arrived at a holiday let in Marsham Drug ledgers examined during the investigation showed the group had been involved in the movement of almost 500kg of cocaine He denied knowledge of the drugs but phone evidence showed messages suggesting he had delivered them “This investigation shows the breadth of work the specialist crime unit deals with and I’d like to thank every officer who was involved in the case “Drug dealing has a huge impact on Londoners It fuels further crime and impacts the heart of our communities This group is an example of how we will investigate and hold offenders to account.” All four are due to be sentenced on Friday A 126-bedroom hotel and restaurant is set to be built in Northolt The development will also see the renovation of a 200-year-old pub Ealing Council’s planning committee approved plans for the Northolt Hotel on Wednesday (April 23) The council had approved another development on the same site in October 2021 however the section 106 agreement for the scheme was not progressed The main difference from the original scheme is the increase in scale and retention of the listed pub The hotel will also offer a self-check-in reception There will also be two function/meeting rooms aimed at attracting businesspeople to the hotel Northolt Councillor Miriam Rice questioned whether travel plans for the hotel would be sufficient She raised concerns that existing bus routes may not cope particularly given the distance between the site and Northolt Station She said: “I’m not completely convinced of how it’s really going to work in practice… all I can say is when it comes down to this whole plan I think all that’s going to happen is whoever is running this hotel will have to find a way to make it work.” The 19th century listed White Hart Public House on Ruislip Road Northolt will be retained and renovated alongside the hotel The renovation work will remove the modern additions to focus on ‘important’ historical aspects of the pub The building is currently derelict, however Ealing Council and the developer have committed to finding and supporting a new operator for the public house ‘at a time when pubs are closing’ The pub would also feature an outdoor garden for those attending The derelict site in its current state has been affected by anti-social behaviour and fly-tipping It is hoped the redevelopment will discourage this It is believed that the new hotel and pub will bring ‘economic benefits’ to locals from spending by hotel visitors The developer will also contribute up to £270,000 in S106 contributions towards various transport and other improvements in the area Fire crews were called to a fire at a premises on Mandeville Road in Northolt on Saturday morning (29 March) A spokesperson for London Fire Brigade said “Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters tackled a fire on Mandeville Road in Northolt “Most of an external storage area and a small part of an adjoining office were damaged by the fire Five people left the building before the Brigade arrived “The fire is believed to have been accidental and was caused by the failure of a smart gas meter “Control Officers took the first of eight calls at 0951 and mobilised crews from Wembley and Northolt fire stations to the scene The incident was over for firefighters at 1059.” “Firefighters remained at the scene for just over an hour while they brought the blaze under control.” Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters were called to a fire in Wood End Gardens after an unattended bonfire spread out of control destroying several structures at the rear of a property caused extensive damage to multiple sheds and outbuildings half of the roof of a single-storey annex was also damaged A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade confirmed that the fire is believed to have been caused by “unattended burning spreading out of control.” They said: “We would urge people to consider if their bonfire is necessary and to take care if you’re burning waste at home or at work “If you’re having a bonfire never leave it unattended and consider your neighbours if you do decide to have a fire in your garden “Make sure you build it clear of buildings fences and hedges and never use flammable liquids to start it or burn dangerous items such as aerosol cans Always keep a bucket of water or a hosepipe nearby in case of fire “Always check your local authority’s advice on bonfires and follow our safety tips.” The London Fire Brigade said they received the first of 32 calls about the fire at 12:07pm and Southall fire stations were sent to the scene Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters were called to a fire in Northolt on Easter Monday (21 April 2025) afternoon after a bonfire spread out of control destroying several outbuildings and damaging a home London Fire Brigade said crews were dispatched to Wood End Gardens shortly after 12pm following 32 emergency calls reporting the blaze Wembley and Harrow and stations attended the incident The fire destroyed a range of sheds and outbuildings located to the rear of the property Half of the roof of a single-storey annex was also damaged An investigation by the fire service concluded that the fire was accidental caused by a bonfire that had been left unattended and subsequently spread A London Fire Brigade spokesperson urged residents to take extra care when burning waste outdoors They said: “We would urge people to consider if their bonfire is necessary and to take care if you’re burning waste at home or at work never leave it unattended and consider your neighbours Make sure you build it well away from buildings and never use flammable liquids to start it or burn dangerous items such as aerosol cans “Always check your local authority’s advice on bonfires and follow our safety tips.” Oct 10, 2024 | The second RAF Northolt Night Photoshoot of the year took place in early October The 31st such event brought together aircraft from the Royal Air Force London Air Ambulance and the French Air & Space Force under the floodlights There was also an historic element too with a nod to the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings and Operation Market Garden The Night Photoshoots are now fully established on the calendar at RAF Northolt During his welcome for the 31st event the Station Commander confirmed the on-going intention to hold two events each year on the first Thursdays of March and October The events have become vital fundraisers for the station’s charitable efforts to preserve the heritage of RAF Northolt and support its personnel Much of that heritage reflects Northolt’s World War Two history with the centrepiece being the Sector Operations Building that was used to develop the Dowding Air Defence System during 1939 and early 1940 there was some impressive support from the Royal Air Force It was particularly pleasing to see the home team out in force for the evening with both types they operate on display The Leonardo AW109SP GrandNew GZ100 has participated in the Night Photoshoots before but more recently has always been on task or in maintenance when they have been organised this may be the last photoshoot for the aircraft Alongside it was the Dassault Envoy IV CC1 (Falcon 900EX) 32 Squadron operates two Envoy IVs on Command Support Air Transport (CSAT) tasks These involve transport of high priority military and diplomatic personnel around the world plus mission critical freight to operational areas Though currently flying on the civilian register they will eventually transfer to the military register in due course This was the first time an Envoy IV had officially participated in a Night Photoshoot Dropping in for a short period during the evening while on a training task was a Boeing C-17A Globemaster III from 99 Squadron The strategic airlifter arrived during the event and taxied on to the apron without shutting down While on the apron it kept its formation lights illuminated for some quite unique photos It then departed making full use of its reverse thrust to manoeuvre back to the taxiway Completing the modern-day Royal Air Force line-up was a Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 from 12 Squadron based at RAF Coningsby 12 Squadron is joint UK and Qatari squadron established to support the introduction of the Typhoon into Qatari service Given the situation in the Middle East at the time of the event plus the deployment of much of 12 Squadron it was extremely fortunate for Northolt to be able to secure the Typhoon for the event The French Air and Space Force continued their lengthy run of support for the Night Photoshoots Once again L’école de pilotage de l’Armée de l’air sent a pair of Pilatus PC-21 aircraft from BA 709 Cognac-Châteaubernard Also making a very welcome return was an Embraer EMB-121 Xingu from the European Defence Airlift School 00.319 based at BA702 Avord it was a completely standard Xingu on display which also performed a lengthy engine-run The Irish Air Corps had been due to appear with a Pilatus PC-12NG but were unable to make it on the day a civilian example operated by Fly7 did appear next to the PC-21s wearing a very smart silver and royal blue colour scheme Historic aircraft are always welcome additions to the Night Photoshoots At the end of the year where we have commemorated the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings and the Battle of Normandy plus Operation Market-Garden the appearance of Aero Legends’ Douglas C-47A Skytrain was very welcome It was positioned on the apron with a pair of Willys Jeeps and performed an engine run for some very nice photo opportunities It was also nice to see it juxtaposed with the modern-day C-17 showing what a contrast there is between air left capabilities 80 years ago and today Rounding off the evening was a special presentation by the London Air Ambulance which is based at Northolt They have for many years operated a pair of MD902 Explorers wearing a distinctive red colour-scheme Like all Air Ambulance operations in England they are not funded by the NHS and rely on charitable donations to maintain operations This year sees the charity retire its MD902s in favour of a pair of brand-new Airbus H135 helicopters In the days before the Nightshoot their new helicopters had been unveiled to the press by HRH Prince William and David Beckham the nightshoot was the final public opportunity to see the old and new side-by-side (although sadly one of the H135s was unavailable) and the crews performed a joint engine-run with their navigation lights blazing to mark the new era As ever it was superb evening thanks to the efforts of the participating crews Phillip Dawe and his team of volunteers plus the Royal Air Force Northolt personnel We look forward to the next event in March 2025 Exclusive: This is the moment the suspect was arrested after ‘mounting and slashing’ 17-year-old victim near Northolt academy News | Crime Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice A man has been arrested after a teenage girl was “slashed” in the face in an attack outside a West London school Emergency services were called on Wednesday evening to reports of a stabbing near Alec Reed Academy in Northolt, Ealing Fighting broke out at around 8.15pm after a man confronted a group of four teenagers — two boys and two girls — on Godfrey Avenue Witnesses said the attacker proceeded to assault one of the girls by slashing her forehead with a “sharp implement” in an “unprovoked attack” UK detectives granted additional £108,000 in Madeleine McCann probe Croydon pair jailed for life after knifing man 13 times before heading to pub Man charged after 'exposing himself' near a children's playground in London park The suspect was chased by two men who jumped out of their cars and “herded him into the school gate” one of the men who caught the suspect told The Standard: “I was shocked by what I was seeing He was mounted on top of her and slashing.” Shortly afterwards, Metropolitan Police officers arrived on the scene next to the mixed all-through school and arrested the suspect including an incident response officer and a member of the tactical response unit The teenager was treated at the scene before being rushed to hospital and treated for facial injuries Scotland Yard said in a statement: “Police were called at approximately 8.15pm on Wednesday, April 16 to reports of a stabbing in Godfrey Avenue, Northolt “Officers and London Ambulance Service attended and found a girl suffering a cut to the head; she was taken to hospital – her injury is not life threatening “A man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of GBH and remains in custody A crime scene was put in place while the incident was dealt with Enquiries into the circumstances continue.” A London Ambulance Service spokesman added: “We were called at 8.14pm (on April 16) to reports of a stabbing near Godfrey Avenue We treated a teenager at the scene and took her to a hospital.” Prince Louis steals the show at VE Day parade as he keeps dad William looking sharp and mimics brother George Prince Louis steals show with sweet antics at VE parade VE Day 2025 fashion: best looks from the day VE Day 2025 fashion: Princess of Wales to Lady Victoria Starmer UK tourists face major travel shake-up as Dubai airport set to close Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in major blow for Putin ahead of Victory Day celebrations Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in blow for Putin David Beckham’s 50th birthday bash in London 'shut down' by council over noise complaints David Beckham’s 50th birthday bash 'shut down' over noise complaints Mar 11, 2025 | The first Thursdays of March and October see RAF Northolt host its now internationally renowned Night Photoshoots These events are held to raise funds for the restoration of Northolt’s historic buildings and provide welfare support for personnel based at the station They attract some interesting military and civilian aircraft that are often not seen at other public events A particular highlight of this photoshoot was perhaps the final public appearance by a Royal Air Force Airbus Helicopters Puma HC2 before they retire from service later in March 2025 Phillip Dawe and his small band have volunteers have for many years organised enthusiast and photographer events at RAF Northolt on the outskirts of London Thanks to their passion these events have seen some extraordinary aircraft They are well supported by personnel from RAF Northolt who also give up their free time to staff and marshal the event The Photoshoots have become an important part of community engagement for the station and they are now permanent fixture on the calendar on the first Thursdays of March and October each year The star aircraft of Night Photoshoot XXXII was the Airbus Helicopters Puma HC2 from 33 Squadron The Puma has served with the Royal Air Force for over 50 years Developed by Sud Aviation in France as the SA330 the aircraft was an example of Anglo-French cooperation While Sud-Aviation and then Aerospatiale built the Puma in France Westlands built the 48 examples for the Royal Air Force the UK has employed the Puma in a wide variety of roles including tactical battlefield transport of personnel and equipment through to casualty evacuation and disaster relief More recently the Puma has been deployed to Cyprus for Search and Rescue and aerial firefighting tasks operating from RAF Akrotiri The Puma at Northolt was operated by 33 Squadron which along with 230 Squadron has operated the type for all its service with the RAF It is anticipated the Puma will have been retired by the end of March 2025 Joint Aviation Command contributed two further types to the evening line-up with the Leonardo AW159 Wildcat AH1 and the Boeing AH-64E Apache AH2 this was their Northolt debut (though the Apache AH1 has attended past photoshoots) These aircraft came from 1 Regiment Army Air Corps based at RNAS Yeovilton and 3 Regt AAC from RAF Wattisham respectively but were operating at a pair before and after their stop at RAF Northolt The three helicopters departed at the end of the Photoshoot allowing the gathered photographers some great opportunities to capture the aircraft with rotors turned A further helicopter also performed a ground run during the evening This was the wonderful 70 year old Bell Model 47H-1 C-FJWF This variant of the famous Bell Model 47 featured an enclosed fuselage and a framed cockpit rather than goldfish-bowl and framework appearance of earlier variants Just 33 Bell 47H helicopters were built and only 5 remain airworthy today It was brought to Northolt by Boeing UK’s chief test pilot Rich Pillans who for the ground run wore full period dress to recreate the image of an early executive transport helicopter Adding to line-up of UK based helicopters were the two Airbus Helicopters H135s of the London Air Ambulance charity which is based at Northolt The type made its photoshoot debut at the previous event but this was the first time both H135s had appeared together for the photographers The Royal Canadian Air Force made a welcome photoshoot return with the Lockheed Martin CC-130J Hercules II from 436 Squadron The RCAF maintains a deployment at Prestwick Airport which provides a link between the North Atlantic air bridge and various Canadian deployments across Europe Two eye-catching participants came from the French Air & Space Force –  “l’Armée de l’air et de l’espace” Escadron de transport 1/62 Vercors based at BA 105 Évreux sent one their CASA/IPTN CN235-200M The twin turboprop transport aircraft is used by France for a variety of tasks including troop transport paradropping The enthusiast crew were on hand all evening selling Squadron merchandise as well performing a short ground run The Second contribution was the purposeful looking Eurocopter EC-725R2 Caracal from Escadron d’Helicopteres 01.067 based at BA120 Cazaux the Caracal was developed for the French Air & Space Force for Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) operations the helicopter is equipped with a retractable air-to-air refuelling probe the Caracal can perform VIP transport duties As perhaps the ultimate military development of the SA330 Puma line it made an interesting contrast to the first-generation RAF Puma HC2 Night Photoshoot XXXII was great success with several interesting subjects to photograph on a pleasantly mild evening The efforts of Phillip Dawe and all of RAF Northolt were greatly appreciated by all that attended and we look forward to the 33rd photoshoot on Thursday 2nd October Home > New vision for active travel in Northolt Work has started on a £1.3million highways project in Northolt which will see a range of improvements including dedicated 2-way cycle tracks new and upgraded crossings and better access to the village green The planned road works on Mandeville Road are a major part of the broader Visions for Northolt regeneration programme A large part of Visions for Northolt this programme is to deliver a ‘connected Northolt’ This community-led vision for the town is delivering active travel highways and other improvements that will make a difference to all road users Local residents have told Ealing Council that addressing traffic road safety and pollution in the area is a priority and highlighted poor connectivity and the need for improved pedestrian and cycle routes As well as highway improvements to make it easier for people to travel in active ways the shopping area will have some new paving and 30-minute stop and shop parking bays will be introduced Mandeville Road is a busy area for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists. Highway engineers have designed the scheme to minimise disruption The initial phase of the work will be managed by cordoning off construction areas and narrowing traffic lanes There are no plans to close any part of Mandeville Road although pedestrian access may be limited on one side to safely cordon off construction spots the council’s highways team wrote to businesses and residents notifying them of the work There will be further engagement with businesses that may be temporarily affected by construction outside shops some local side roads may need to be closed for a few hours during the day but affected residents will be notified in advance Any impact of the work will be minimised by extending working hours or working overnight if required.  If you would like to receive updates about the work or find out more about the project’s vision or ambitions please email visionsfornortholt@ealing.gov.uk. Contact highwaysservices@ealing.gov.uk for any highways-related project queries or technical questions It is simple to register to receive fortnightly email updates from Around Ealing Extra A to ZJobsDo it onlineContact council News & Features Local history Accessibility Leader’s Notes © Ealing Council 2021 | All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed work has begun to make the Central Line’s Northolt Tube station step-free after it was paused in 2020 due to the pandemic and should be completed by summer 2026 TfL previously carried out design works for Northolt but just as construction work was about to start to make it step-free in 2020 the introduction of step-free access to Northolt Tube station is part of the Mayor of London’s plan to make 50 per cent of Tube stations step-free TfL began preparatory works in advance of main construction which is planned to start in the spring and is expected to be finished by summer 2026 TfL has said that the station will remain open as normal during the work to provide a new footbridge and lift to access the platform A new accessible toilet will also be built to replace the current public toilets which will close in April 2025 chief capital officer at Transport for London said: “Northolt Tube station becoming step-free will benefit thousands of customers in the area and make the station more accessible for those using it “We will continue to work at pace to identify where step-free schemes can make a difference to our customers and work with partners to deliver those schemes Northolt station will remain open during these works and we will work with contractors to ensure we minimise any disruption to our neighbours while this crucial construction work is completed.” London Assembly Member for Ealing and Hillingdon Bassam Mahfouz who has championed the introduction of step-free access for stations in the borough said: “Northolt is an incredibly busy station and local residents deserve the right to have an accessible platform to connect them into central London and beyond.” He added: “I was delighted to gain the commitment to make it step free in 2019 Age UK London added: “It is very good news to hear that work is restarting to make Northolt Station step-free This will make a huge difference to the many older and disabled people who will be able to use services from the station Any efforts to make transport more accessible for everyone is very welcome.” regional campaigns officer for London at the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) A TfL spokesperson previously told EALING.NEWS last year: “Making our transport network more accessible and inclusive is a top priority for us as we know that a more accessible public transport network benefits everyone We understand the importance of providing step-free access at as many stations as possible.” A woman from Northolt is running the London Marathon this weekend to raise money for the charity that helped her during the toughest time of her life had her wish to swim with dolphins granted by Make-A-Wish UK back in 2011 The experience brought joy and healing to her family during a difficult period Leah said: “The experience was completely magical I remember looking around at my family and thinking ‘We have never been I knew if anything was to ever happen to me were going to be the ones to make them all smile I felt like I had won the life lottery and for the first time in a long time Leah was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis when she was just a few days old after undergoing emergency surgery to remove part of her bowel Doctors told her family that the condition was incurable and that she might only live to 30 “Growing up being told you weren’t going to grow old and grey by medical professionals gave me fire in my belly ‘there is no such word as can’t’ and ‘laughter is the best medicine’ as none of us truly know how long we have on this earth.” – Leah She was inspired to make a wish after seeing other children in hospital have their wishes granted Her love for animals led her to choose to swim with dolphins Leah’s condition has improved thanks to medical advances She is now married with two children and able to run—something she never thought would be possible she is taking on the London Marathon for Make-A-Wish UK joining 260 runners aiming to raise £650,000 to help grant more wishes for children with critical illnesses “Children need a wish to ‘check out’ and to not be the ‘sick kid’ for a little while To just be consumed and surrounded by fun and smiles To be gifted a piece of childhood that the sickness had taken away It’s not just important for the child Illness and sickness affect the whole household so many deserving children wouldn’t experience the magic of their wishes come true.” – Leah Head of Community and Volunteering at Make-A-Wish UK said: “Wishes have the power to rescue the magic of childhood and provide an invaluable lifeline to escape the relentless challenges and gruelling reality of a life defined by their illness Seeing Leah thriving and taking on new challenges is truly inspiring Her journey is a powerful reminder of the lasting impact a wish can have — bringing hope We’re incredibly grateful to all the amazing 2025 London Marathon runners fundraising for Make-A-Wish UK and it’s what helps make more wishes like Leah’s come true.” To support Leah and help grant more wishes, you can donate via the Make-A-Wish UK website. To sign up for the 2026 London Marathon and run for the charity, visit make-a-wish.org.uk High Speed 2 (HS2) has reached a milestone with its tunnel boring machine (TBM) Caroline having successfully completed an 8km drive beneath London Caroline is one of four giant TBMs employed by Skanska Costain Strabag JV (SCS) in the construction of the 13.5km twin-bored Northolt Tunnel between West Ruislip and the new Old Oak Common superhub station Caroline, weighing 2,050t, set off from West Ruislip in October 2022 and is the second machine to break through to the Green Park Way vent shaft in Ealing, where it installed its 4,217th concrete tunnel ring. TBM Sushila finished its partner journey back in December Completion of the drive and entry into the vent shaft involved the application of a technique known as the reception can method which allows TBMs to manage high water pressure encountered underground This method involves sealing the tunnel lining to prevent water ingress and subsequently depressurising the area to facilitate the machine’s removal Last year, NCE visited the Green Park Way vent shaft to learn more about how engineers overcame water pressure issues to create the reception chamber. They will also be lifted out at Green Park Way after boring 5.5km westwards when they complete their journeys later this year HS2 said the Northolt Tunnel is nearing completion further work will advance the construction of vital safety features such as cross-passages allowing for emergency access between the tunnel bores as well as installing tunnel inverts for the high-speed track This progress comes amidst a broader review of the HS2 project led by chief executive Mark Wild aimed at optimising the programme for efficiency and cost-effectiveness SCS is responsible for a total of 20.7km of twin-bore tunnels under London for HS2 On top of the Northolt Tunnel is the upcoming Euston Tunnel slated to commence excavation in the next years after receiving government backing HS2 Ltd client director Malcolm Codling said: “We’re immensely proud of the work we have done to complete the second breakthrough for the Northolt Tunnel underneath the capital As we focus on delivering Britain’s new high speed railway between London and the West Midlands we are gearing up for our most productive year to date on this stretch of the line.” SCS managing director Richard Adams said: “The arrival of TBM Caroline at Green Park Way marks a significant milestone – the completion of the western section of the Northolt Tunnel – and is a testament to the dedication and skill of all our teams which will complete the 13.5km Northolt tunnel between Old Oak Common and West Ruislip Like what you've read? To receive New Civil Engineer's daily and weekly newsletters click here. Network Rail is gearing up to complete 359 projects worth £67.4M over… The A46 Kenilworth Bypass was reopened to traffic 30 hours earlier than… High Speed 2 (HS2) Ltd and the Department for Transport (DfT) remain… High Speed 2 (HS2) Ltd has said its work faces delays and… Caroline is one of four TBM’s deployed to construct the HS2 Northolt tunnel The TBM’s journey saw five miles underneath London to a vent shaft in Green Park Way The tunnel will be a twin bore tunnel leading from West Ruislip to the new Old Oak Common station broke through into an underground reception area which can be filled with foam concrete allowed the installation of the 4,217th concrete tunnel ring and completed the 5-mile stretch The tunnel is being constructed via the ‘reception can’ method due to high water pressure in the ground This method allows the TBM’s to maintain pressure and uses sealant on the tunnel lining to prevent water from bursting through Before the tunnel is opened and once all sealant is in place The tunnel will be 8.4 miles long upon completion and two more are currently excavating the eastern section All the machines will meet and be extracted at the Green Park Way vent The previous TBM used for this stretch was named Sushila which completed its journey in January and has since been lifted out at Green Park Way The other two machines are boring the tunnel from Victoria Road Crossover Box and they will complete their journeys this year Five deep twin-bore tunnels will comprise HS2 between London and the West Midlands. Two of these tunnels have already been completed, the Chiltern Tunnel and the Long Itchington Wood Tunnel said: “We’re immensely proud of the work we have done to complete the second breakthrough for the Northolt Tunnel underneath the capital managing director for Skanska Costain STRABAG joint venture Building & Construction Today website is the place to come for compelling and informative features news and products for a diverse audience serving a wide construction sector PureGym Northolt has completed an upgrade of its gym equipment The update includes new cardio machines such as treadmills single cable machine and a versa glute kick back seated row and perfect squat machine have also been added A spokesperson for PureGym said: “We are delighted to bring PureGym Northolt members brand new kit to their gym “This is an exciting moment for the club and the kit drop will ensure members have access to state-of-the-art gym equipment to help them enhance their physical and mental wellbeing Home > Hefty fine for landlord who broke planning rules A Northolt landlord has been ordered by a court to pay more than £280,000 for illegally converting his suburban semi into self-contained flats Rickmansworth was ordered to pay a confiscation order and fine totalling more than a quarter of a million pounds for consistently ignoring warnings by Ealing Council to return the home in Dorchester Road to its former condition The micro-flats he created at the site were built without planning permission and breached numerous planning policies the council issued an enforcement notice on the landlord ordering him to stop letting the property as 5 self-contained flats Mr Pogwizd was also asked to remove the kitchens and drainage connections from 4 of the self-contained flats Mr Pogwizd then submitted a planning application to convert the property into 4 self-contained flats This application was refused in August that year planning enforcement and police officers inspected the property after gaining a warrant The officers found that the property was still occupied by multiple tenants and was in violation of the original enforcement notice Mr Pogwizd was summoned to Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court where he pleaded guilty for breaching the requirements of the enforcement notice The matter was referred to Isleworth Crown Court and he was ordered to pay a confiscation order of £259,920.51 and costs of £8,994.56 – a total of £282,915.07 The size of the financial penalty reflects the scale of profit that Mr Pogwizd had made from letting the micro-flats after being told to stop doing so Mr Pogwizd obtained planning permission for the legal conversion of the property into 3 self-contained flats the council’s cabinet member for good growth and new housing said: “As the demand for housing continues to grow in the borough it’s more important than ever that we support landlords to provide safe The overwhelming majority of landlords are law-abiding and play a vital part in the local housing market but a tiny minority continue to put their tenants at risk by forcing them to live in cramped “Anyone looking to make substantial changes to their homes must seek planning approval before doing so We will continue to take the strongest possible action to ensure that the borough’s private tenants are protected 23 December, 2024 By The first tunnel boring machine (TBM) excavating High Speed 2’s (HS2’s) Northolt tunnel has ended its journey in a specially designed underground reception “can” in west London TBM Sushila reached HS2’s Green Park Way vent shafts site last Thursday (19 December) ending its 8km journey to excavate part of the Northolt tunnel The 13.5km long twin-bore Northolt tunnel will take HS2 trains from West Ruislip through to HS2’s Old Oak Common station in west London It is divided into two sections: Northolt tunnel west and Northolt tunnel east The tunnel is being built by HS2’s London Tunnels contractor Costain and Strabag joint venture (SCS JV) The giant TBM was received in a reception chamber filled with foam concrete – an innovative method that was introduced due to high water pressure in the ground at the site The pressure from the water in the two shafts at the site is as much as 3-4 bars in some areas, SCS JV sub agent Chris Hewett told GE earlier this year He said that the highest risk at the site comes from the combination of this high water pressure and the coarse granular materials The site is characterised by made ground at the top progressing into London Clay and then into more “tricky” ground conditions These consist of a layer of Harwich Formation – a granular material – that progresses into Lambeth Clays that are cut through with lenses of sand channels The reception chamber allows the TBM to maintain its pressure while sealant can be applied from the tunnel lining to prevent water ingress into the shaft it will be opened and the TBM will be lifted out All four TBMs that are excavating the Northolt tunnel will be removed from the ground via the two shafts at the Green Park Way site TBMs Sushila and Caroline have been excavating the 8km long Northolt tunnel west between West Ruislip and the Green Park Way vent shaft They were launched from West Ruislip in October 2022 TBMs Emily and Anne are excavating the 5.5km long Northolt tunnel east between the Victoria Road crossover box and Green Park Way They were launched from the Victoria Road Crossover Box site in February and April this year The second TBM to complete its journey will be Caroline which is expected at the Green Park Way site in early 2025 SCS JV managing director James Richardson said: “The arrival of Sushila at the Green Park Way ventilation shaft marks a huge step in the delivery of the Northolt tunnel and the new railway This achievement reflects the tremendous efforts of the entire team which has drawn together global capability to deliver this incredibly complex section of work “We are making great progress on the remaining tunnelling with three further TBMs in operation on the Northolt tunnel and the two Euston tunnel TBMs currently being prepared for launch.” This is the fourth major tunnel breakthrough for HS2 this year Tunnelling for both bores of the 16km long twin bore Chiltern tunnel, the longest on the route, was completed in March this year which will be used to help facilitate construction of the Euston tunnel from Old Oak Common station to Euston As part of the budget announcement in October, chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that the construction of HS2’s Euston tunnel would go ahead Earlier this month, HS2 revealed the two machines that are being assembled in the giant underground box at Old Oak Common station site Want to read more? Subscribe to GE’s enewsletters and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn Tagged with: Enabling works on the £10bn Lower Thames Crossing scheme – a 4.2km twin bore road tunnel under the river between Kent and Essex – could begin in October of this year Buckinghamshire Council’s decision to reject HS2 Ltd's planning application for a groundwater monitoring chamber in Wendover could cost “tens of millions of pounds” Concrete elements that will form a 1.8km long immersed tunnel in the River Scheldt were recently floated in a dock ahead of their journey to Antwerp An Implenia and Hochtief JV has been appointed by Deutsche Bahn to deliver the eastern section of a new partly tunnelled railway line in Munich Sign in or Register a new account to join the discussion PureGym Northolt has unveiled a major equipment upgrade giving gym-goers access to the latest fitness tech as part of a fresh revamp The upgraded gym on Rodwell Road now features new treadmills Strength training enthusiasts can also look forward to a new seated row machine while cardio lovers will appreciate the addition of a curved runner and air bike A PureGym spokesperson said: “We are delighted to bring PureGym Northolt members brand new kit to their gym This is an exciting moment for the club and the kit drop will ensure members have access to state-of-the-art gym equipment to help them enhance their physical and mental wellbeing For best viewing experience of this website Please enter a place name in the search bar After provisionally the warmest May Day on record in the UK higher than average temperatures will subside over the weekend Environment Agency Updated: 05:02 (UTC+1) on Tue 6 May 2025 it will turn increasingly cloudy from off the North Sea Some bright or sunny spells developing by evening Staying dry with some lengthy clear skies overnight Turning chilly with a touch of grass frost in places Largely dry with variable amounts of cloud and bright or sunny spells on Wednesday with variable amounts of cloud and bright or sunny spells throughout the period Dry across the vast majority of the UK with clear or sunny spells but also some patchy cloud Cloud will likely thicken across the far north and northwest during the weekend with some outbreaks of rain for a time There is also a small risk of some heavy showers in the far south or southwest high pressure will be dominant across the UK This will bring predominantly fine and dry weather for the majority of places Temperatures are likely to be slightly above normal for the time of year although there is a chance of some cold nights Fairly typical weather for the time of year is most likely through this period fine and dry weather is more likely to dominate although this will be interspersed with occasional spells of rain and showers with a risk of heavy rain and thunderstorms in places temperatures will most likely be near to or slightly above average The annual haunted house and walk through in Northolt at Kempton Avenue UB5 4HF that has been scaring and delighting people for years is back again on 31 October 2024 the Halloween attraction – between 5pm and 9pm – raises money for charity and attracts hundreds of people each year on 31 October who come to witness an event featuring dancers proceeds will be going to Meadow House Hospice in Ealing in honour of Mr Cole’s mother who passed away in 2023 after fighting cancer for six years Her daughter-in-law Lisa told EALING.NEWS: “We have experienced a lot of cancer within our family which recently my mother in law died and which she fought for 6 years so we are trying to raise as much as possible EALING.NEWS spoke to Lisa to find out more We also have a few new added props and surprises to look out for mixing up some treats of freshly made pop waffles Home > New look for libraries Acton Town Hall and Northolt libraries, and Southall Library at the Dominion Centre are to be given a £900,000 refurbishment to create spaces for community and cultural events They will continue to offer everything you would expect in a library online access and activities such as story time for children But their layouts will change to make them more flexible and able to also offer spaces available for hire by the community Each library will be designed to have a modern flexible look and feel with lots of natural light Changes include mobile bookshelves replacing traditional fixed shelves so that they can be moved around to create space for cultural events Technology will also be upgraded at the libraries as part of the improvements Visitors will still be able to use the libraries’ computers and tablets or bring their own devices and use extra digital plug-in points being installed Acton and Northolt libraries will be closed from Monday 4 November until March 2025 but they will move to smaller temporary new homes Library users will be able to borrow and return from a selection of the most popular books for children and adults at the temporary libraries and opening hours have been extended at Northolt Leisure Centre Library to accommodate residents who would normally use Northolt Library Acton’s temporary library will be on the ground floor of the same building in Acton High Street Library users will be able to collect reserved items from the temporary location A few public computers will also be available for use as needed Babies and toddlers’ will still be able to enjoy Bounce & Rhyme sessions which will be held in Community Room 1 on the second floor from Friday 8 November until the end of March 2025 A temporary cabin will be put up in the car park of Northolt Library and staff will be on hand to help visitors Users can choose from a smaller selection of the most popular books and quick-pick options Opening hours at Northolt Leisure Centre Library have been extended to accommodate people who would normally use Northolt Library Extra PCs are also available at the leisure centre library for visitors Improvements will also be made to the underutilised foyer in the Dominion Centre As well as creating more space available for hire for community use a new meeting room and kitchenette is being added to Southall library The improvements are being funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocated to Ealing Council by the government the council’s cabinet member for thriving communities said: “We want to continue supporting our libraries to be vibrant and inviting places for the community which is why we’re making this significant investment in them “Books will always be at the heart of our libraries but by making the spaces more flexible they can provide so much more drama performances on a stage in the library to community meetings or celebrations.” Customers will still be able to use any of the borough’s libraries and have access to the 24/7 online resources Further Information on library opening hours during the improvements are available by visiting the page for your specific library Past Stories on the site can be view in our : ARCHIVE Our Calendar and events section lists events in Ealing SERVICES PROPERTY Northolt’s annual meet and greet with Santa to raise funds for Ealing’s Meadow House Hospice is taking place on 22 and 23 December 2024 Organised by husband and wife Lisa and Jason Cole at their home in Kempton Avenue this year looks set to be their biggest festive event Mrs Cole told EALING.NEWS that bookings must be made in advance by emailing northoltsanta@gmail.com with times to visit Santa and the house from 4:30pm to 7:30pm Price is £5 for meet and greet with a sweet bag or £7 for a meet and greet with a small gift Ms Cole said: “Children will be amazed by the Christmas scene inflatables amazed by the magical lighting and can have their photos taken infront of the gingerbread house… before telling Santa their wishes for Christmas.” Detectives investigating the murder of Junior George Nelson, whose remains were discovered nine years ago in Northolt are appealing for information to help identify those responsible The independent charity Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information that leads to the identification and prosecution of those involved Junior was last seen on 15 August 2015 in Kilburn and reported missing on 21 August that year His remains were found on 14 March 2016 in undergrowth near railway lines at the back of Rabournmead Drive in Northolt Detective Constable Iain McDonald from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command said: “It’s been ten years since Junior disappeared – years in which his family and friends have been left without the answers they deserve “We remain committed to finding those responsible for Junior’s death but need the public’s help Allegiances can change and maybe you felt unable to talk to us at the time “We understand that those with information may be concerned but I would urge anyone who can help to come forward and help give Junior’s family the justice they deserve “A substantial reward is available from Crimestoppers – They will not ask for your personal details when you contact them just for any information that could help identify who is responsible for Junior’s murder you must provide information directly to them “You can also speak to our investigation team could be significant and will be treated with the strictest confidence.” Crimestoppers’ London Regional Manager Alexa Loukas said: “We know that coming forward and speaking up can be incredibly daunting Crimestoppers provides a safe and anonymous way for anyone with information to help Even though ten years have passed since Junior’s tragic murder what you know could be the key to bringing justice for Junior and providing his family with the answers they so desperately need We cannot identify telephone numbers or IP addresses we have always upheld our promise of anonymity.” Police believe that before his disappearance, Junior was being taken advantage of by individuals involved in drug dealing in the Kilburn area. On the day he was last seen, he was at his home in Aldershot Road, NW6, until the evening when he travelled towards Wembley His mobile phone was later detected in the Stonebridge Park area around 10pm Four people were arrested in the initial investigation but were later released without charge Anyone with information is asked to submit details to police via the Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org details must be submitted directly to Crimestoppers and a reward code must be requested at the time of contact Harrow Online is a company registered in England and Wales.