Out with the old and in with new housing in Bedfont

Former residents of the blocks on the Page Road estate donned hard hats and fluorescent jackets to watch the first bricks and mortar falling as demolition crews got to work.

Jane Healey, who has lived on the estate for 14 years, bid good riddance to the aging buildings. "I can't wait to see them go," she said. "That's why I'm standing here now, just waiting for it to happen!"

She added: "The regeneration scheme is a good idea. The new houses are better than these flats. There's more space, you're not shut in."

Sy Roberts, another long-time resident, said: "The demolition will give us reassurance that things are moving on."

Youngster Katie Aldridge, 6, said it was "quite sad" to see her old home demolished, but she admitted that her new house was better because "we have a garden and we never used to have one".

Until May, the blocks were still home to 44 households.

All these residents have now been moved to brand new flats and houses constructed in the close vicinity.

Further homes will be built following the demolitions which mark the beginning of the second phase of redevelopment on the site.

The work is being carried out by the Catalyst Housing Group in partnership with Hounslow Council, Hounslow Homes and building firm Wilmott Dixon.

Due to be fully completed in 2011, the project is set to cost £32.5million.

Rod Cahill, Chief Executive of Catalyst Housing Group, said: "Today's demolition marks a new and exciting phase in our ongoing regeneration partnership with residents, Hounslow Council and Hounslow Homes.

"The new homes to be built in their place will be a vast improvement on the old 1950s blocks.

"We will continue to work closely with residents to ensure that they are well informed about what's happening on their estate and to keep levels of disruption to a minimum."

Several of the new Catalyst homes are still available.

For further information, call 0845 601 7729.