Acton
Acton is a district within the London Borough of Ealing in west London. It is 6.1 miles west of Charing Cross. In the 2011 census, Acton had a population of 62,480 - a ten-year increase of 8,791 people.
Acton means 'oak farm' or ''farm by oak trees', and derives from old English. It was originally an ancient village, and as London expanded it was absorbed into the city. Since 1965, Acton has been part of the east of Ealing, but some parts of East Acton are within the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham and a small section of South Acton is in the London Borough of Hounslow. Acton is one of the locations with the most stations bearing their name anywhere within the country, with seven stations including its name.
Central Acton is referred to as the hub of commerce and retail on the former primary road between London and Oxford, called the Uxbridge Road. The main road includes a great deal of inns, which go as far back to the late Tudor period as stopping places for travellers. Currently, the A40 dual carriageway is the major route from London to Oxford, and it bypasses central Acton. It still passes through East Acton and North Acton.
Acton hosts the largest housing estate in West London, named the South Acton estate, with approximately 2,000 houses and 5,800 residents. The location is at present in phase two of a major 15-year phased regeneration which involves virtually complete demolition of the existing residential units along with the construction of new and much more residences. This is most likely to enhance its population further.
