Stonebridge, London facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Stonebridge
Old and new developments of Stonebridge Estate, 2007
Stonebridge
Population	16,903 (2011 Census. Ward)
OS grid reference	TQ203839
London borough	Brent
Ceremonial county	Greater London
Region	London
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	LONDON
Postcode district	NW10
Dialling code	020
Police	Metropolitan
Fire	London
Ambulance	London
EU Parliament	London
UK Parliament	Brent Central
London Assembly	Brent and Harrow
List of places UK England London 51°32′28″N 0°15′50″W / 51.541184°N 0.263800°W / 51.541184; -0.263800

Stonebridge is a lively area located in the London Borough of Brent, in England. It's found in the southern part of Brent and forms the western side of a place called Harlesden. Major roads like the A404 run through it. To the south, you'll find railway tracks, and to the west is the North Circular Road and Stonebridge Park station.

Stonebridge is well-known for its housing estate, which was built in the 1960s. This estate faced some challenges in the past. However, it was completely rebuilt and improved in the 2010s. Stonebridge is also the name of the largest voting area in Brent. This area includes Stonebridge itself, plus Park Royal and the southern part of Neasden, including the St Raphael's Estate. It's the most populated ward in Brent, with over 17,000 people living there. Many residents have Afro-Caribbean backgrounds.

What is the History of Stonebridge?

The name Stonebridge comes from a stone bridge. This bridge was built over the River Brent in the late 1600s. Back then, most bridges were made of wood, so a stone bridge was quite special!

How Did Stonebridge Grow?

In the 1860s, a fancy area called Craven Park Estate was built. It had large houses. Around the same time, the Midland Railway built the Dudding Hill Line. This train line helped new residents travel to central London. However, the passenger train service on this line stopped for good in 1902. Local people protested a lot, but the service still closed.

Even though other nice houses were built near the old Harlesden (Midland) railway station, Stonebridge didn't become a rich suburb. London was growing fast, and more industries were appearing. Also, many cheap houses were built in the late 1800s. Because of this, many large houses were divided into smaller homes. Stonebridge then became an area where people with lower incomes lived. This continued after many tall apartment buildings, known as the 'Stonebridge Estate', were built in the 1960s and 1970s. Some parts of Stonebridge have always been privately owned and were not part of the Stonebridge Estate.

What Does Stonebridge Look Like Today?

In the 1950s, the local council planned a huge project. They wanted to rebuild almost 100 acres of Stonebridge. More than 2,000 homes were built, mostly in tall apartment blocks. The first of these opened in 1967.

How Did Stonebridge Change?

Some improvements to the streets happened in the early 1990s. This was thanks to a government award called 'Harlesden City Challenge'. By then, Stonebridge was seen as one of London's most challenging areas.

Most of the big improvements came after the year 2000. This is when the old 1960s and 1970s housing began to be completely rebuilt. Most of this work was finished by 2010. Some empty tall buildings were still being taken down even then.

Today, Stonebridge has a more traditional street design. You'll mostly see two- and three-storey houses. There are also four-storey flats, often found at street corners. This mix makes the area look more interesting.

Who Helped Rebuild Stonebridge?

The Stonebridge Estate was redeveloped by the Stonebridge Housing Action Trust. This group was created in 1994. Their goal was to "transform the 1,775 homes of the Stonebridge Estate." They also wanted to find new ways to help local residents with social and economic problems.

The Trust offered training and fun activities for people. They built modern, lower-rise houses. They also added some four-storey apartment blocks, usually at street corners. This helped make the streets look varied and appealing.

In 2008, the redevelopment project won an award. It received the European Urban and Regional Planning Award. This award was for its "exemplary approach to public participation." This means they did a great job involving local people in the planning.

The Housing Action Trust finished its work in 2007. Now, the homes are owned by a mix of housing associations and the London Borough of Brent. Residents were given a choice about who would own their homes.

New buildings on Hillside, which is part of the A404 Harrow Road, include private flats above offices. There is also a health centre. The rebuilding efforts have also included training and sports programs for local people.

Brent Council has also protected some trees on Winchelsea Road nearby. This is done with a tree preservation order. It means new buildings must be set back from the road to keep the street looking nice.

Who Lives in Stonebridge?

Stonebridge has a large Black population. It's the highest in the London Borough of Brent. The 2011 census showed that 47.2% of the people were Black. This was up from 45.8% in 2001. White people made up 23.5% of the population in 2011. This was down from 33% in 2001.

Many people in Stonebridge are Christians (49.9%). A good number are also Muslims (28.2%). Most people in Stonebridge rent their homes from the council or a housing association. About 63.3% are social renters.

How to Get Around Stonebridge?

Stonebridge is well-connected by public transport. You can use London Buses or trains to travel.

Buses in Stonebridge

Trains in Stonebridge

What are the Nearest Places to Stonebridge?

Neighbouring areas of Stonebridge

	Tokyngton, Wembley	St Raphael's Estate, Neasden	Church End, Willesden
	Alperton		Church End, Harlesden
		Stonebridge
	Alperton / Park Royal / West Twyford	Park Royal	Harlesden

Who are Some Famous People from Stonebridge?

Stonebridge has been home to some well-known people, including:

• K Koke - a rapper
• Raheem Sterling - a famous footballer

Images for kids

• 

  Demolition of an old 8-storey building in 2007 (replacement housing is visible behind)

• 

  Lawrence Avenue in the present-day Stonebridge estate

• 

  Winchelsea Road, Stonebridge. The trees on the left have been protected by a Tree Preservation Order