A GROUND-breaking ceremony at Cranford Park officially marked the start of a project to restore it to a thriving visitor attraction for future generations.  

Ground at the construction site was broken by Hillingdon Council’s Deputy Leader Cllr Jonathan Bianco and his Cabinet colleague, Cllr Eddie Lavery.  

In March, construction firm Quinn London was awarded the contract for the project and started setting up on site last month.

Fencing has been put up around the area and cabins installed for the duration of the works.  

AOC Archaeology, which has been leading archaeological excavations at the park over the past three years, are overseeing work on the cellars.  

Work will start in August/September, once the bat roosting season is over.

Though the park will remain closed to vehicles, it is still open to pedestrians and cyclists. All pedestrian entrances and most of the paths will remain open.

St Dunstan’s Church remains open for worship.  

Supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the overall budget for the scheme is approx £4m and work is due to finish in spring 2023.  

As part of the restoration, an outreach events programme is taking place on site and across the borough.

//www.hillingdon.gov.uk/cranfordpark