I’m going to be honest with you: Slough didn’t have the merriest end to 2024. In the space of a few weeks, the Berkshire borough was named both Britain’s ugliest town and it’s most miserable. Having been famously mocked in Ricky Gervais’ sitcom, The Officethe town has certainly been given a tough time over the years. And now Slough’s name is back on our radar, but this time for a very different reason – as it could soon become part of the capital city.
Having very minorly missed out on being included within Greater London when the boundary was first defined in 1965, Slough is perched just slightly to the west of the London Borough of Hillingdon. But recent council discussions could soon lead to London expanding and absorbing Slough whilst doing so.
Why is Slough potentially becoming part of London?
The potential merger comes as part of the government’s English Devolution policy which is looking to reduce the number of smaller local authorities. The policy plans are encouraging those smaller authorities to merge with their neighbours, in a bid to increase efficiency and reduce financial liabilities.
Nothing has been set in stone yet, and possibilities were discussed in a Slough Borough Council cabinet meeting yesterday (February 17). Options include Slough becoming part of a ‘strategic authority’ such as Berkshire or the Greater London Authority. Or it could merge with a neighbouring local authority or, indeed, a London borough (most likely Hillingdon).
Council papers say: “Considering Slough’s geographic position and unique characteristics, there are several potential avenues which the council can pursue in relation to devolution and reorganisation.”
