THIS year marks the 150th anniversary of Hayes & Harlington station, where rail services have been a game changer for residents.

It was back in 1838 when the first trains of the Great Western Railway ran, taking passengers as fast as possible from South West London to the West of England and Wales.

Today this East-West transport artery remains as pivotal as ever with the new Crossrail service coming to Hayes & Harlington station shortly.

The town's location on the Grand Union Canal made it well-placed for Great Western Railway services, which linked Bristol to London for the first time.

In 1885, trains from Hayes travelled to Windsor through on an extension of the Metropolitan District Line from Ealing Broadway. It could have made a convenient royal commute for Queen Victoria!

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When Crossrail services start next year, they will enable Hayes commuters to travel direct to Bond Street in just 25 minutes and Canary Wharf in 34 minutes.

The Mayor of London has pledged to increase rail services through Hayes, with 10 trains per hour at peak times.

Passengers will also benefit from electrification of the slow line, platform extensions and a makeover.

Hayes also enjoys quick access to the airport via Heathrow Connect.

Crossrail will support thousands of new jobs and homes in Hayes, as in the Gatefold Building, just three minutes walk from the station.

The be:here scheme is part of the wider regeneration of the Old Vinyl Factory in Blyth Road.