MP John McDonnell, has welcomed the planning permission which has been given to British Waterways to establish residential moorings for barges along the canal in Hayes town centre.

Mr McDonnell said “I have been campaigning for the last ten years to regenerate the canal area in Hayes Town and have been pressing British Waterways to allow residential barges to be moored in Hayes town.

"This will greatly assist in opening up the canal and transforming this potentially beautiful area of the town centre. I am please that the Council has given BW planning permission but there is a long way to go in raising the funds to pay for this improvement scheme."

He added: "I am urging the council and Hillingdon Community Trust (HCT) to work with British Waterways and jointly fund the development of the moorings and the improvement to the canal side area.

"The Council has funds set aside from recent planning developments in our area and HCT has a remit to use its funds to improve our environment. I think this scheme should be one of their top priorities.”

Fran Beasley, deputy chief executive at Hillingdon Council said: "The council is very supportive of the initiative to introduce residential moorings to the canal in Hayes and has been working with British Waterways and other partners to enable planning application to be secured.

"The approval of permission for the moorings will compliment the temporary moorings that will be available in the new Ballymore development. This, along with council secured investment in improving the condition of the towpath and access to the canal, will hopefully encourage the regeneration of the waterways in the area bringing visitors and new residents to Hayes."