Church Road (Harlesden)
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Church Road is a main road on the border of Harlesden and Willesden, and is in the London Borough of Brent. It is regarded as a highly accessible area with roads that lead to Neasden, Willesden and the centre of Harlesden. Unlike many of the Church Roads in the London area, it does indeed have a Church located on the road. It is mainly a place of residence, but it does have several conveinience stores as well as a large local Post Office and Police Station.
[edit] Image and Redevelopment
For over 20 years Church Road had become known for it's estate of white mansionettes, called Church End Estate (and more commonly referred to as 'The White Flats'), that were built along a large section of the road. They were originally built by Brent Council to have a futuristic and modern look, and to be very well insulated compared to normal flats. However, in 1997, plans were unvailed to demolish the now 'old' white flats and to build new houses to replace them. These houses were to be made out of orangey-yellowish bricks, and the houses also were to be even more well insulated than the predecessing white flats. Work on the new houses commenced in late 1999 and are due to finish in mid-to-late 2007.
[edit] Local gang violence and reputation
Along with most of Harlesden, Church Road had become known for its gang violence and criminal activity and it developed a reputation of being one of, if not the most dangerous parts of Harlesden to live in, despite having a police station at one end of the road. Youths that lived in Church End Estate had created a rivalry with the nearby St. Raphael's Estate, and also created rivalries with gangs of youths in the Kensal Rise area. This had garnered Church Road a fearsome reputation and the road now had become notorious amongst youths in the North-West London area.
However, in efforts to eradicate this reputation, the demolition of Church End Estate was proposed by Brent Council, and a literal and symbollic rebuilding of Church Road was called upon.
Nowadays, Church Road is a relatively safe place to live in and the efforts of the local council, as well as the housing association, called Fortunegate, that took over the responsibilities looking after the Church Road and Craven Park, have been deemed successful. There is now a happier atmosphere, and a greater sense of community.
[edit] Transport and Accessibility
Although Church Road only has two bus routes that operate through it, namely route 266 and route 260, Church Road is a very easily accessible area. It is roughly a 7 minute walk from Neasden tube station, an 11 minute walk from Harlesden tube station, and it's 266 bus route provides a short 10 minute journey to Willesden Junction, as well as connections to other bus routes such as 18, 220, 206, 226, 224 487 and 187.
