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10
The establishment of new industries started early in the
twentieth century, when several firms connected with the motor,
dyeing and printing industries started work in Acton Vale on the
south side of the Uxbridge Road. At that time an attempt was
made to house the employees of the new works, and the streets on
both sides of the railway were built for, and occupied to a great extent
by, those who had been attracted by these industries. A few
large works were also established in the northern part of the district.
Roughly, this was the position when the Great War broke out.
The South East and the South West Wards were fully developed
and built over. More than half the North East and the North
West Wards was unbuilt and it was uncertain on what lines this land
would be developed.
During the War, the Government required the land around
Goddard's farm and erected large buildings on it which were used
as filling factories. Most of the workers employed in the Munition
Works at Park Royal lived in the district, and it was estimated that
the population of the district in 1917 was 65,219 inhabitants, and in
1918 it was 66,000 inhabitants. At the Census of 1931, the population
was 70,510, and in 1921, 61,299.
On the conclusion of the war, this land was acquired, and in
time factories were built on the whole site. This land was situated
in the North West Ward.
Some of the undeveloped land on the North East Ward was
acquired by the Council, and houses suitable for the working classes
were erected. The other land in the North East Ward was acquired
by private interests, and practically the whole of the land in this
ward which was undeveloped at the end of the war has been used
for the erection of residential buildings of different types.
The factories erected in the North West Ward on what is
called the Chase Estate are so numerous and of so varied a character
that a description of them would require far more space than can be
spared in this report. In one sense, they are not of as much importance
as the old ones, as a large proportion of thoses employed in them
do not reside in the district. In a few instances the owners have
provided not only places of employment but also residences for the
employees, but these are in a great minority. There are main
reasons for these differences between the pre-war and the post-war
factories. Some of the latter removed from London and a large
number of the employees did not change their residence.