Council Says Enforcement Cameras Active on Turnham Green Terrace
Access restrictions largely ignored so far by motorists
Traffic on Turnham Green Terrace after access restrictions in place
Hounslow Council says that enforcement by camera of access restrictions on Turnham Green Terrace and Devonshire Road has already begun. This is despite motorists so far largely ignoring the new arrangements on the two roads.
During the week the level of traffic on the road seemed broadly unchanged from before the access restrictions signs went up perhaps even busier as more businesses opened up after lockdown.
A spokesperson for the council told us, “Enforcement is being undertaken by camera and we are urging all motorists to observe the restrictions that are now in place. Any residents who receive PCNs can of course challenge these and we will treat each on a case by case basis. All signage is clear and correct regarding restrictions that are in place.”
Traffic on Turnham Green Terrace has been maintained at normal levels with many motorist apparently unaware of the new restrictions. Sat Nav apps such as Google Maps and Waze do not give any indication that restrictions may apply.
No fixed cameras have been installed at either Devonshire Road or Turnham Green Terrace and the council did not respond to a question about when they might be in place. It is thought that any enforcement for the time being will be undertaken by a mobile Serco vehicle which has been observed in the vicinity on a number of occasions. Serco have the contract to enforce parking and traffic violations in the borough. A camera at the northern end of Turnham Green Terrace currently enforced stopping restrictions around the tube station and at the bus stop near the bridge but it is no known if it can be adapted to enforce the access restrictions.
The traffic order for the Turnham Green access and parking restrictions is TMO/E005/20 was placed on 1 July and came into effect on Thursday 9 July. Since that time we have received reports of residents receiving Penalty Charge Notices for breaching the new parking regulations but none as yet for not following access restrictions.
A number of residents have claimed that the signage for the access restrictions, particularly on Turnham Green Terrace is inadequate. There appears to be just one sign as you approach from the north and by the time you reach it you may already be committed to going down the road.
Access sign at northern end of Turnham Green Terrace
Approaching from Chiswick High Road westbound one of the signs is obscured by ongoing construction work which mean some drivers may only be aware of the changes when they are already committed to turning right into Turnham Green Terrace.
Sign indicating changes obscured on Chiswick High Road
Approaching from Chiswick High Road eastbound the restrictions are indicated by a small no left turn sign.
Sign indicating changes eastbound on Chiswick High Road
A number of councillors with cabinet positions on the council have said that the council will be lenient in the initial stages of enforcement. It is thought that there is a possibility of having a PCN rescinded if you can present a dated sales receipt showing you were loading up a purchase from a shop on one of the roads. It is believed that appeals based on inadequate signage or lack of publicity for the changes will be rejected.
New access restricted signs at southern end of Turnham Green Terrace
Hounslow Council are not giving any indication of the exact nature of the access restrictions. The traffic order states that it is now an offence to proceed from Turnham Green Terrace between its junctions with Bath Road and Chiswick High Road except for vehicles ‘requiring access’ but how this would be determined is not defined in the order. It is thought that PCNs will be given out automatically based on the time taken to proceed along the road with time stamps taken at each end and a fine given if it is indicated the vehicle passed straight through. No explanation has been given in the case of a vehicle entering the road and finding bays unavailable.
One trader on Turnham Green Terrace told us, “These changes are happening and we will just have to deal with it. They aren’t going to be helpful to us at what is already a difficult time but what will make them terminal for our business is lack of clarity. Many of our customers can adapt to the changes if they know the rules but, if coming to our shop becomes a lottery in which the prize is a big fine, then we are screwed.”
Local councillor Jo Biddolph has pointed out that when Orford Road in Walthamstow had similar access restrictions imposed the London Borough of Waltham Forest collected over £2million from PCNs from the camera installed at the site.
Parking fines are already being issued on Turnham Green Terrace for the new restrictions with motorists not realising that all the remaining bays are now for disabled drivers only. The western side of Turnham Green Terrace are now no longer available to park in if you don’t have a Blue Badge and the bays in front of Nos.21-25 and Nos.51-57 are for loading and unloading. All vehicles, not just commercial vehicles will be allowed to use the loading bays with a maximum stay of 20 minutes. Most of the parking bays on Turnham Green Terrace have been suspended to create a wider footpath to allow for social distancing.
One of the signs on Turnham Green Terrace indicated bays are now disabled only
Motorists who have received parking tickets have said the signage for the changes is inadequate with just two small signs indicating the new nature of the parking restrictions along Turnham Green Terrace. The council have given no indication that leniency will be applied for any parking tickets given out under the new arrangements.
The closure of Turnham Green Terrace to through motor traffic except buses is being done on a trial basis with the relevant order lasting until 1 January 2021. The council says there will still be access to Turnham Green Mews for businesses and their visitors.
Parking cones deposited in planter on Devonshire Road
The changes are being made through Experimental Traffic Orders which reduces the legal requirement to consult with residents and businesses and means the plans don’t have to be published in the local press.
To make comments on the new arrangements contact trafficorders@hounslow.gov.uk quoting reference TMO/E005/20 for Turnham Green Terrace and TMO/E004/20 for Devonshire Road.
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July 12, 2020