Ickenham to Sussex Road Hillingdon


In this view looking towards West Ruislip station, there is this new-ish fencing. If one looks through the wire mesh fencing the canal feeder can be seen running alongside, with a couple of accomodation bridges to boot. Note: The bus stop depicted in the picture has since been moved further towards Ickenham.

The feeder still parallel to High Road, where several accomdation bridges can be seen.

New culvert. The canal feeder recieves a facelift in West Ruislip thanks to new housing on Heacham Avenue!
Recent visits have shown that the feeder is proving useful draining new developments in the area and substantial flow of water can now be observed at all visible points between Ickenham High Road and the A40 in North Hillingdon.

By the junction of Ickenham High Road and Austin Lane, if one can see through the undergrowth, the feeder can just about be discerned entering an accomodation bridge.

The Old Fox on Ickenham High Road, where the canal feeder (and Hillingdon Train) turn southwards along Austin’s Lane.

Austin’s Lane
Walking southwards down Austin’s lane the feeder is often hidden in the undergrowth on the left hand side. An access point that leads to a new housing area crosses the feeder just before it goes underground for a short distance.
If one walks to a wall just behind Austin’s Lane, nearest as possible to the railway, within the housing estate, there is a good view of the feeder emerging from its underground course and passing under the Metropolitan Railway. The feeder was clearly diverted off its old course when the railway was built, due to the need to raise Austin’s Lane to give sufficent clearance across the railway.

View of the canal feeder where it goes underground at Tweedale Gardens, just off Austin’s Lane.

The feeder at the Metropolitan/Piccadilly lines crossing just off Austin’s Lane.

Austin lane at its southern end near St Giles Close. The feeder runs on the left but is difficult to see. A gap in the undergrowth reveals a short stretch of feeder with an accomdation bridge with its 1930 inscription as shown below.

The ubiquitous 1930 date inscription seen on many of the remaining feeder bridges! 

The feeder and its accomodation bridge can be seen almost opposite St Giles Close a good section of the feeder can be seen. To the south of this point the feeder travels below ground underneath Austin Lane as it turns into Glebe Avenue, emerging on the south side next to a electricity substation.
Note: The Hillingdon Trail goes south onto what is the unmarked continuation of Austin’s Lane towards the A40 Westway. If one is following this lane the feeder’s route can be missed. To keep tack on the feeder it is best to traverse Glebe Avenue and Sussex Road in order to keep a sense of its location.

View looking along Glebe Avenue towards Austin Lane. The gates on the right serve the electricity substation and the feeder can be seen on the other side of the fence

The feeder passes the rear of Glebe School. A further bit of the feeder can be seen at the bottom of Tavistock Road, although there is no access to it. The above view shows Tavistock Road from Sussex Road. The trees at the far end mark the feeder’s course
At the bottom of Sussex Road there is a stepping gate, cross this and turn left. In a short distance a substantial section of the feeder can be seen, complete with accomodation bridge, as shown in the next section
Note: The section of feeder canal from Ickenham High Road, along Austin Road and past Sussex Road to where it drains into the Yeading Brook North of Western Avenue (A40) is sometimes known as the Ickenham Stream. It is the only active section of the feeder canal, serving a drainage purpose and it carries a flow of water. As reported earlier this section has become more useful in recent years.

Next: North Hillindgon and Cutthroat Wood

The Ruislip Feeder pages:
intro + the lido / the aqueduct / west ruislip / ickenham / north hillingdon / gutteridge wood / yeading / hayes