The story behind WARA begins with neighbours determined to protect West Acton and continues with a community that still stands together today.
West Acton Residents Association (WARA) was founded in February 2003 by residents of Westfields Road. The earliest members lived close to North Acton Playing Fields, but the association quickly widened its focus when Transport for London submitted a planning application for a bus depot at Gypsy Corner. The public meeting that followed drew in a broad cross-section of neighbours, many of whom joined WARA on the spot.
WARA now covers a roughly triangular area defined by two railway lines and the A40. The western boundary follows the Central Line from the A40 to just past West Acton station; the eastern boundary follows the national rail lines from Acton Main Line to the Noel Road rail bridge; the northern edge runs along the A40 between those points. Within that area sit around 1,400 residences, with about 150 households currently in membership.
The association's footprint straddles two council wards: roughly two-thirds lies in Acton Central, while the remaining third sits in East Acton. This dual representation helps keep WARA connected to councillors and community partners across both wards.
WARA has an elected management committee that includes a chair, vice-chair, secretary, and treasurer. Members receive a quarterly newsletter, and public meetings are held about four times a year so everyone can hear updates on ongoing issues and raise new concerns. Additional meetings are arranged whenever specific topics call for them.
Councillors from Acton Central and East Acton wards attend these meetings, joined by the constituency MP whenever possible. Council officers also come along when their expertise is needed. Over time, WARA has built strong relationships with these representatives and with neighbouring residents groups, becoming a respected voice on local matters.
In 2004, WARA persuaded Ealing Council to begin a feasibility study for a pedestrian crossing on Horn Lane just south of Noel Road. Although the council first promised completion in June 2005, the scheme lost its funding. Three further years of pressure from WARA followed before the crossing finally opened in April 2008.
WARA learned in December 2004 that Ealing Council had secured around GBP 300,000 for improvements to the pavilion, which at the time was in poor condition. The plans were approved in September 2005 and work finished in July 2006, but dry rot kept most of the building closed for several more years.
By October 2009 the pavilion was thought ready, and in 2010 a WARA representative sat on the panel interviewing potential operators. Acton Community Forum was chosen to deliver activities and a cafe operator was appointed. The pavilion officially opened in August 2011, and WARA continues to liaise with Acton Community Forum on its use.
Before WARA formed, residents were already worried about heavy vehicles using Alliance Road and the streets around the playing fields as a "rat run" from the A40. Once established, WARA pressed the council for a width restriction to deter those vehicles.
A restriction was installed in May 2006 but the lockable bollard could be removed too easily. A more robust gate replaced it in January 2007, yet that design could also be unlocked. After further lobbying the gate was taken away for repair and returned in October 2008, and it has largely remained effective since.
Transport for London submitted plans in 2003 for a bus depot at Gypsy Corner, stretching along the A40 from Park View to Court Way. WARA coordinated the community response, sending more than 800 objection letters to Ealing Council and helping secure the planning committee's refusal in November 2004.
TfL appealed the decision and the matter went to a public inquiry in April 2006. WARA once again organised opposition and several members spoke at the inquiry. The planning inspector dismissed the appeal on 7 July 2006.
Our history shows what we can achieve together. Join WARA to help shape the next chapter for West Acton.
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