Growing western red cedar (Thuja) hedging

[Julian200]

Has anyone had success growing Thuja plicata atrovirens in the UK as a
hedging conifer? How fast did they grow, and did they form a decent
bushy hedge?

I planted some a few years ago as I thought they would be a good
alternative to leylandii, but have been very disappointed with them.
They have only grown very slowly about 6-12" a year and not very bushy,
they have a good framework of branches but very sparse foliage, so I can
easly see through them, will they thicken up eventually? or is it time
to replace them.

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Julian200