List of Greater London boundary changes facts for kids
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This is a list of boundary changes occurring in the London region of England, since the re-organisation of local government following the passing of the London Government Act 1963.
Administrative boundaries
Adjustments permitted by the London Government Act 1963
Greater London was created by combining whole existing units of local government and it was anticipated that this might provide an arbitrary boundary in some places. The London Government Act 1963 Section 6 (4) provided a mechanism for communities on the edge of Greater London to petition for transfer to a neighbouring county. The legislation required the petition to be submitted between 1965 and 1970, to be signed by more than 300 local electors and for the area to be transferred to have no more than 10% of the borough's local electors. These were completed in 1969 as the transfers of Knockholt to Kent, and of Farleigh and Hooley to Surrey. Section 6 (3) of the act allowed for transfers between Greater London and neighbouring counties where there was consensus for the change between all the relevant local authorities. This power was used to exchange two islands on the River Thames that were connected to the river bank by bridges on the opposite side of the river to their respective counties. Thames Ditton Island was transferred to Surrey from Greater London and Platts Eyot was transferred the other way.
| Date | Statutory Instrument | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| 1 April 1965 | London Government Act 1963 | Greater London created from the County of London, most of Middlesex and parts of Essex, Kent, Surrey and Hertfordshire |
| 1 April 1969 | The Greater London, Kent and Surrey Order, 1968 | Changes to the
Transfer of Knockholt to Kent; Farleigh and Hooley to Surrey |
| 1 April 1970 | The Greater London and Surrey Order, 1970 | Changes to the Richmond upon Thames (Greater London)/Esher Urban District (Surrey) boundary
Thames Ditton Island from Greater London to Surrey and Platts Eyot from Surrey to Greater London |
Principal Area Boundary Reviews
The Local Government Boundary Commission for England (or LGBCE) was established by the Local Government Act 1972 to review the administrative boundaries of every local authority in England. Between 1974 and 1992 they completed a series of Principal Area Boundary Reviews; reviewing the administrative boundaries of local authorities at their request.
| Date | Statutory Instrument | Effect | LGBCE Report(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 April 1982 | The Greater London and Buckinghamshire (Areas) Order 1981 | Changes to the Hillingdon (Greater London)/South Bucks (Buckinghamshire) boundary | January 1981 |
Mandatory Reviews of non-Metropolitan Counties, Metropolitan Districts and London Boroughs
In 1985, they began the first full administrative review of all non-metropolitan counties. Their reviews of metropolitan counties and Greater London began in 1987 and both reviews were completed in 1992.
| Date | Statutory Instrument | Effect | LGBCE Report(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 April 1993 | The Greater London and Kent (County Boundaries) Order 1992 | Changes to the Bexley (Greater London)/Dartford (Kent) boundary | Report No. 598: Bexley January 1991 |
| 1 April 1993 | The Greater London and Hertfordshire (County Boundaries) Order 1992 | Changes to the
|
Report No. 594: Barnet January 1991 |
| 1 April 1993 | The Greater London and Hertfordshire (County and District Boundaries) Order 1992 | Changes to the
|
Report No. 610: Harrow October 1991 |
| 1 April 1994 | The Barnet, Camden and Westminster (London Borough Boundaries) Order 1993 | Changes to the
|
Report No. 656: Camden June 1992 |
| 1 April 1994 | The Bexley and Greenwich (London Borough Boundaries) Order 1993 | Changes to the Bexley/Greenwich (both Greater London) boundary | Report No. 622: Greenwich (Thamesmead) January 1992 |
| 1 April 1994 | The Bromley and Greenwich (London Borough Boundaries) Order 1993 | Changes to the Bromley/Greenwich (both Greater London) boundary | Report No. 642: Greenwich (Mottingham) May 1992 |
| 1 April 1994 | The Bromley and Lewisham (London Borough Boundaries) Order 1993 | Changes to the Bromley/Lewisham (both Greater London) boundary | Report No. 641: Bromley (Lewisham) May 1992 |
| 1 April 1994 | The Bromley, Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark (London Borough Boundaries) Order 1993 | Changes to the
|
Report No. 632: Crystal Palace April 1992 |
| 1 April 1994 | The City and London Borough Boundaries Order 1993 | Changes to the
|
Report No. 636: City of London April 1992 |
| 1 April 1994 | The Croydon, Lambeth and Southwark (London Borough Boundaries) Order 1993 | Changes to the
|
Report No. 623: Croydon (Lambeth) February 1992 Report No. 624: Lambeth February 1992 |
| 1 April 1994 | The Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, and Hounslow (London Borough Boundaries) Order 1993 | Changes to the
|
Report No. 662: Ealing August 1992 |
| 1 April 1994 | The Ealing, Hillingdon and Hounslow (London Borough Boundaries) Order 1993 | Changes to the
|
Report No. 676: Hillingdon September 1992 |
| 1 April 1994 | The East London Boroughs (London Borough Boundaries) Order 1993 | Changes to the
|
Report No. 660: Barking and Dagenham June 1992 |
| 1 April 1994 | The East London Boroughs (London Borough Boundaries) (No. 2) Order 1993 | Changes to the
|
Report No. 661: Newham June 1992 |
| 1 April 1994 | The Essex and Greater London (County and London Borough Boundaries) Order 1993 | Changes to the
Re-alignment to the modern course of the River Lea |
Report No. 618: Waltham Forest February 1992 |
| 1 April 1994 | The Essex and Greater London (County and London Borough Boundaries) (No.2) Order 1993 | Changes to the
Some alignment to the M25 motorway and transfer of part of Great Warley from Greater London † |
Report No. 654: Havering June 1992 |
| 1 April 1994 | The Essex, Greater London and Hertfordshire (County and London Borough Boundaries) Order 1993 | Changes to the
Some alignment to the M25 motorway |
Report No. 672: Enfield August 1992 |
| 1 April 1994 | The Greater London and Surrey (County and London Borough Boundaries) Order 1993 | Changes to the
|
Report No. 615: Croydon (Bromley/Outer London) November 1991 |
| 1 April 1994 | The Greater London and Surrey (County and London Borough Boundaries) (No. 2) Order 1993 | Changes to the
|
Report No. 647: Richmond upon Thames May 1992 |
| 1 April 1994 | The Greater London and Surrey (County and London Borough Boundaries) (No. 3) Order 1993 | Changes to the
|
|
| 1 April 1994 | The Greater London and Surrey (County and London Borough Boundaries) (No. 4) Order 1993 | Changes to the
|
Report No. 652: Hounslow August 1992 |
| 1 April 1994 | The Greater London, Kent and Surrey (County Boundaries) Order 1993 | Changes to the
Southern tip of Bromley at Tatsfield to Surrey † |
Report No. 620: Bromley (Bexley/Outer London) February 1992 |
| 1 April 1994 | The Greenwich and Lewisham (London Borough Boundaries) Order 1993 | Changes to the Greenwich/Lewisham (both Greater London) boundary | Report No. 653: Lewisham June 1992 |
| 1 April 1994 | The Hackney and Tower Hamlets (London Borough Boundaries) Order 1993 | Changes to the Hackney/Tower Hamlets (both Greater London) boundary | Report No. 634: Tower Hamlets April 1992 |
| 1 April 1994 | The Hackney, Haringey and Islington (London Borough Boundaries) Order 1993 | Changes to the
|
Report No. 663: Hackney July 1992 |
| 1 April 1994 | The Haringey and Islington (London Borough Boundaries) Order 1993 | Changes to the Haringey/Islington (both Greater London) boundary | Report No. 638: Islington April 1992 |
| 1 April 1994 | The Heathrow Airport (County and London Borough Boundaries) Order 1993 | Changes to the
Some alignment to the M25 motorway and Heathrow Airport brought entirely within Greater London † |
Report No. 665: Heathrow July 1992 |
| 1 April 1994 | The Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster (London Borough Boundaries) Order 1993 | Changes to the Kensington and Chelsea/Westminster (both Greater London) boundary | Report No. 666: Westminster August 1992 |
| 1 April 1994 | The Lambeth, Merton and Wandsworth (London Borough Boundaries) Order 1993 | Changes to the
|
Report No. 669: Wandsworth August 1992 |
| 1 April 1994 | The Lewisham and Southwark (London Borough Boundaries) Order 1993 | Changes to the Lewisham/Southwark (both Greater London) boundary | Report No. 637: Southwark April 1992 |
| 1 April 1994 | The North and Central London (London Borough Boundaries) Order 1993 | Changes to the
|
Report No. 651: Brent May 1992 Report No. 687: Brent (Electoral Consequentials) October 1992 |
| 1 April 1994 | The North London Boroughs (London Borough Boundaries) Order 1993 | Changes to the
|
|
| 1 April 1995 | The Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Surrey (County Boundaries) Order 1994 | Changes to the
Giving Greater London and Berkshire a new common boundary |
Report No. 558: Berkshire August 1988 |
| 1 April 1995 | The Croydon, Merton and Sutton (London Borough Boundaries) Order 1993 | Changes to the
|
|
| 1 April 1995 | The Essex and Greater London (County Boundaries) Order 1993 | Changes to the Redbridge (Greater London)/Epping Forest (Essex) boundary
Transfer of area around Grange Hill tube station to Greater London |
Report No. 648: Redbridge May 1992 |
| 1 April 1995 | The Greater London and Surrey (County and London Borough Boundaries) Order 1994 | Changes to the
(Some changes to the Metropolitan Police District were later repealed) |
Report No. 667: Kingston August 1992 |
| 1 April 1995 | The Redbridge and Waltham Forest (London Borough Boundaries) Order 1993 | Changes to the Redbridge/Waltham Forest (both Greater London) boundary | Report No. 648: Redbridge May 1992 |
| 1 April 1996 | The Kensington and Chelsea and Hammersmith and Fulham (London Borough Boundaries) Order 1995 | Changes to the Kensington and Chelsea/Hammersmith and Fulham (both Greater London) boundary | Report No. 675: Kensington and Chelsea September 1992 |
† = also altered the boundaries of the Metropolitan Police District
Other mandatory meviews of non-metropolitan counties, metropolitan districts and London boroughs
- Report No. 627: The Boundaries of Greater London and the London Boroughs May 1992
-
Map showing the City of London boundaries pre & post-1994.
The table below summarises the overall changes in area and population.
| Date | Area lost | Area gained | Net gain/loss | Pop. lost | Pop. gained | Net gain/loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 April 1993 | 385 hectares (3.85 km2) | 85 hectares (0.85 km2) | −300 hectares (3.0 km2) | 1,678 | 463 | −1,215 |
| 1 April 1994 | 789.75 hectares (7.8975 km2) | 665.17 hectares (6.6517 km2) | −124.58 hectares (1.2458 km2) | 410 | 739 | +329 |
| 1 April 1995 | 21.05 hectares (0.2105 km2) | 93.5 hectares (0.935 km2) | +72.45 hectares (0.7245 km2) | 138 | 1,058 | +920 |
| Total: | 1,195.8 hectares (11.958 km2) | 843.67 hectares (8.4367 km2) | −352.13 hectares (3.5213 km2) | 2226 | 2260 | +34 |
Electoral boundaries
First periodic review
The Local Government Boundary Commission for England (or LGBCE) was established by the Local Government Act 1972 to review the electoral boundaries of every local authority in England. In 1973, there were early reviews of the electoral boundaries of Bexley and Kensington and Chelsea which needed minor boundaries redrawn in time for the 1974 local elections. In 1974, they began the first full electoral review of all metropolitan and non-metropolitan districts, completing it in July 1980. Their reviews of the county councils were completed in 1984.
| Date | Statutory Instrument | LGBCE Report |
|---|---|---|
| 2 May 1974 | The London Borough of Lewisham (Wards) Order 1973 | n/a (Renamed one existing ward) |
| 2 May 1974 | The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (Wards) Order 1973 | Report No. 004: Kensington and Chelsea October 1973 |
| 2 May 1974 | The London Borough of Bexley (Wards) Order 1974 | Report No. 007: Bexley (Belvedere Ward) December 1973 |
| 4 May 1978 | The London Borough of Barking (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1977 | Report No. 185: Barking February 1977 |
| 4 May 1978 | The London Borough of Barnet (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1977 | Report No. 248: Barnet August 1977 |
| 4 May 1978 | The London Borough of Bexley (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1977 | Report No. 241: Bexley August 1977 |
| 4 May 1978 | The London Borough of Brent (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1977 | Report No. 226: Brent July 1977 |
| 4 May 1978 | The London Borough of Bromley (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1977 | Report No. 258: Bromley October 1977 |
| 4 May 1978 | The London Borough of Camden (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1977 | Report No. 230: Camden August 1977 |
| 4 May 1978 | The London Borough of Croydon (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1977 | Report No. 211: Croydon May 1977 |
| 4 May 1978 | The London Borough of Ealing (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1977 | Report No. 209: Ealing May 1977 |
| 4 May 1978 | The London Borough of Greenwich (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1977 | Report No. 234: Greenwich August 1977 |
| 4 May 1978 | The London Borough of Hackney (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1977 | Report No. 223: Hackney July 1977 |
| 4 May 1978 | The London Borough of Hammersmith (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1977 | Report No. 210: Hammersmith and Fulham May 1977 |
| 4 May 1978 | The London Borough of Haringey (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1977 | Report No. 254: Haringey September 1977 |
| 4 May 1978 | The London Borough of Havering (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1977 | Report No. 214: Havering May 1977 |
| 4 May 1978 | The London Borough of Hillingdon (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1977 | Report No. 217: Hillingdon June 1977 |
| 4 May 1978 | The London Borough of Hounslow (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1977 | Report No. 193: Hounslow April 1977 |
| 4 May 1978 | The London Borough of Islington (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1977 | Report No. 219: Islington June 1977 |
| 4 May 1978 | The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1977 | Report No. 207: Kensington and Chelsea May 1977 |
| 4 May 1978 | The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1977 | Report No. 216: Kingston-upon-Thames May 1977 |
| 4 May 1978 | The London Borough of Lambeth (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1977 | Report No. 257: Lambeth October 1977 |
| 4 May 1978 | The London Borough of Lewisham (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1977 | Report No. 203: Lewisham April 1977 |
| 4 May 1978 | The London Borough of Merton (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1977 | Report No. 247: Merton August 1977 |
| 4 May 1978 | The London Borough of Newham (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1977 | Report No. 192: Newham April 1977 |
| 4 May 1978 | The London Borough of Redbridge (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1977 | Report No. 213: Redbridge May 1977 |
| 4 May 1978 | The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1977 | Report No. 212: Richmond-upon-Thames May 1977 |
| 4 May 1978 | The London Borough of Southwark (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1977 | Report No. 205: Southwark April 1977 |
| 4 May 1978 | The London Borough of Sutton (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1977 | Report No. 194: Sutton March 1977 |
| 4 May 1978 | The London Borough of Waltham Forest (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1977 | Report No. 235: Waltham Forest August 1977 |
| 4 May 1978 | The London Borough of Wandsworth (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1977 | Report No. 249: Wandsworth September 1977 |
| 4 May 1978 | The London Borough of Harrow (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1978 | Report No. 256: Harrow October 1977 |
| 4 May 1978 | The London Borough of Tower Hamlets (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1978 | Report No. 244: Tower Hamlets August 1977 |
| 4 May 1978 | The City of Westminster (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1978 | Report No. 225: Westminster July 1977 |
| 6 May 1982 | The London Borough of Enfield (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1980 | Report No. 255: Enfield September 1977 Report No. 285: Enfield Judgement February 1978 |
| The Inner London Education Area (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1988 | Report No. 533: ILEA (Electoral Arrangements) March 1987 |
Second periodic review
The Local Government Act 1992 established the Local Government Commission for England (or LGCE) as the successor to the LGBCE. In 1996, they began the second full electoral review of English local authorities. After the 1998 Greater London Authority referendum held on 7 May 1998 resulted in a yes vote, the LGCE drew the electoral boundaries for the new Greater London Authority and London Assembly. On 1 April 2002 the Boundary Committee for England (or BCfE) took over the functions of the LGBCE and carried on the review, completing it in 2004.
| Date | Statutory Instrument | LGCE Report(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 May 2000 | Greater London Authority Act 1999 | Draft report August 1998 Final report November 1998 |
| 2 May 2002 | The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham (Electoral Changes) Order 2000 | Draft report 23 March 1999 Final report 7 September 1999 |
| 2 May 2002 | The London Borough of Barnet (Electoral Changes) Order 2000 | Draft report 26 January 1999 Final report 22 June 1999 |
| 2 May 2002 | The London Borough of Bexley (Electoral Changes) Order 2000 | Draft report 2 March 1999 Final report 27 July 1999 |
| 2 May 2002 | The London Borough of Brent (Electoral Changes) Order 2000 | Draft report 3 August 1999 Final report 5 January 2000 |
| 2 May 2002 | The London Borough of Bromley (Electoral Changes) Order 2000 | Draft report 29 June 1999 Final report 30 November 1999 |
| 2 May 2002 | The London Borough of Camden (Electoral Changes) Order 2000 | Draft report 29 June 1999 Final report 30 November 1999 |
| 2 May 2002 | The London Borough of Croydon (Electoral Changes) Order 2000 | Draft report 23 March 1999 Final report 7 September 1999 |
| 2 May 2002 | The London Borough of Ealing (Electoral Changes) Order 2000 | Draft report 26 January 1999 Final report 22 June 1999 |
| 2 May 2002 | The London Borough of Enfield (Electoral Changes) Order 2000 |
Draft report 3 August 1999 Final report 5 January 2000 |
| 2 May 2002 | The London Borough of Greenwich (Electoral Changes) Order 2000 | Draft report 3 August 1999 Final report 5 January 2000 |
| 2 May 2002 | The London Borough of Hackney (Electoral Changes) Order 2000 | Draft report 23 March 1999 Final report 7 September 1999 |
| 2 May 2002 | The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham (Electoral Changes) Order 2000 | Draft report 3 August 1999 Final report 5 January 2000 |
| 2 May 2002 | The London Borough of Haringey (Electoral Changes) Order 2000 | Draft report 23 March 1999 Final report 7 September 1999 |
| 2 May 2002 | The London Borough of Harrow (Electoral Changes) Order 2000 | Draft report 26 January 1999 Final report 22 June 1999 |
| 2 May 2002 | The London Borough of Havering (Electoral Changes) Order 2000 | Draft report 2 March 1999 Final report 27 July 1999 |
| 2 May 2002 | The London Borough of Hillingdon (Electoral Changes) Order 2000 | Draft report 29 June 1999 Final report 30 November 1999 |
| 2 May 2002 | The London Borough of Hounslow (Electoral Changes) Order 2000 | Draft report 26 January 1999 Final report 22 June 1999 |
| 2 May 2002 | The London Borough of Islington (Electoral Changes) Order 2000 | Draft report 23 March 1999 Final report 7 September 1999 |
| 2 May 2002 | The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (Electoral Changes) Order 2000 | Draft report 23 March 1999 Final report 7 September 1999 |
| 2 May 2002 | The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames (Electoral Changes) Order 2000 | Draft report 29 June 1999 Final report 30 November 1999 |
| 2 May 2002 | The London Borough of Lambeth (Electoral Changes) Order 2000 | Draft report 26 January 1999 Final report 22 June 1999 |
| 2 May 2002 | The London Borough of Lewisham (Electoral Changes) Order 2000 | Draft report 23 March 1999 Final report 7 September 1999 |
| 2 May 2002 | The London Borough of Merton (Electoral Changes) Order 2000 | Draft report 26 January 1999 Final report 22 June 1999 |
| 2 May 2002 | The London Borough of Newham (Electoral Changes) Order 2000 | Draft report 29 June 1999 Final report 30 November 1999 |
| 2 May 2002 | The London Borough of Redbridge (Electoral Changes) Order 2000 | Draft report 26 January 1999 Final report 22 June 1999 |
| 2 May 2002 | The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames (Electoral Changes) Order 2000 | Draft report 2 March 1999 Final report 27 July 1999 |
| 2 May 2002 | The London Borough of Southwark (Electoral Changes) Order 2000 | Draft report 23 March 1999 Final report 7 September 1999 |
| 2 May 2002 | The London Borough of Sutton (Electoral Changes) Order 2000 | Draft report 29 June 1999 Final report 5 January 2000 |
| 2 May 2002 | The London Borough of Tower Hamlets (Electoral Changes) Order 2000 | Draft report 23 March 1999 Final report 7 September 1999 |
| 2 May 2002 | The London Borough of Waltham Forest (Electoral Changes) Order 2000 | Draft report 26 January 1999 Final report 22 June 1999 |
| 2 May 2002 | The London Borough of Wandsworth (Electoral Changes) Order 2000 | Draft report 2 March 1999 Final report 27 July 1999 |
| 2 May 2002 | The City of Westminster (Electoral Changes) Order 2000 | Draft report 23 March 1999 Final report 7 September 1999 |
Further electoral reviews by the LGBCE
The Local Government Boundary Commission for England (or LGBCE) was established by the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 on 1 April 2010 as the successor to the BCfE. It continues to review the electoral arrangements of English local authorities on an ‘as and when’ basis.
| Date | Statutory Instrument | LGBCE Report(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 22 May 2014 | The Hackney (Electoral Changes) Order 2013 | |
| 22 May 2014 | The Tower Hamlets (Electoral Changes) Order 2013 | |
| 22 May 2014 | The Kensington and Chelsea (Electoral Changes) Order 2014 | |
| 3 May 2018 | The Croydon (Electoral Changes) Order 2017 | Draft report 14 March 2017 Final report 4 July 2017 |
Proposed changes
In 2004, following a poll, a move was mooted by the London Assembly to entirely align the Greater London boundary to the M25 motorway. In 2005, then Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, suggested that Dartford, Thurrock and Watford could be given the opportunity to vote on inclusion in Greater London in local referendums although these never took place. In 2010, it was suggested that an extension of the boundary to include Elmbridge was being considered.
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