New Wave of Streetspace Measures Planned By Council
Schemes to be introduced in Chiswick Lane, Prebend Gardens and Lawford Road
Lawford Road set to be closed. Picture: Google Streetview
Hounslow Council have announced that they are planning a new phase of measures as part of their Streetspace programme including a number in Chiswick.
They are going to be introducing eleven Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) across the borough including ones in the Prebend Gardens area and the Gunnersbury Garden Estate. In addition they say they will be accelerating works in the South Chiswick Liveable Neighbourhood area.
A road closure is also going to be introduced at Lawford Road to prevent through traffic between Sutton Court Road and Park Road.
A new cycling scheme for Chiswick Lane is also being considered by council officers.
The Council is likely to use Experimental Traffic Orders (ETOs) to enable the schemes during the current financial year. These mean that they can proceed with the work after a week-long notification period and no consultation. The scheme is then subject to a review after six months of operation.
They say that measures they are planning are in line with the Government’s statutory guidance, and in response to feedback received from residents in the borough’s Streetspace consultation in April and June. These changes aim to reduce through-traffic in residential roads, help support more trips being made by foot and by bike and to aid adherence to social distancing guidelines.
A number of measures have already been introduced in the Chiswick area including the restriction of access on Turnham Green Terrace, Devonshire Road and Duke Road. Access to the A4 from Harvard Hill has also been blocked. Ealing Council has introduced an access restriction on Fishers Lane which now can only be used by buses and cycles.
Reaction to the changes so far have been mixed with many welcoming the possibility of reduced traffic on the roads where restrictions have been applied but others claiming that motor vehicles are simply being displaced often to roads less able to cope. The indications so far are that compliance with the restrictions has been patchy with a lack of consistent camera enforcement meaning that many motorists are disregarding the signs or failing to notice them at all.
The LTN for the Prebend Gardens area is likely to receive a cautious welcome from residents of the area who were fearful of the impact of the closure of Fishers Lane and Turnham Green Terrace. This will make their road the next one along that gives access to Chiswick High Road and there was concern about a significant increase in traffic. We asked the council for more details of the plans but have not yet received a response.
The council says there will be a chance for residents to give feedback on any scheme before it commences operation and that this feedback will be reviewed alongside any other data available, to help understand the impact of the changes and to determine whether or not any of these schemes should be made permanent.
Cllr Hanif Khan, Cabinet Member for Transport at Hounslow Council said, “These new trials, being introduced as part of our Streetspace programme, build on those already announced and aim to make Hounslow a safer place for pedestrians and cyclists, to enable people to socially distance while out and about, to support a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle for our residents and to have real alternatives to driving.
“In Hounslow, 30 per cent of our carbon emissions are produced by traffic and this needs to change for everyone’s sake. The coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent lockdown has produced some significant improvements to our environment which we must try to preserve, rather than revert to pre-pandemic levels of congestion and pollution. Our Climate Emergency Action Plan mandates us to significantly reduce our CO2 to tackle the biggest threat the world has ever seen. Everyone must play their part and our Streetspace programme will help facilitate making fundamental changes to how we live and enjoy our neighbourhoods.”
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August 2, 2020