Call for Action as Chiswick Mall Swamped by Diverted Traffic
Frustrated drivers delayed in A4 queues getting stuck in riverside roads
Drivers seeking short cut encounter Chiswick Mall flooding. Picture: Patricia Langley
Residents of Chiswick Mall and Hammersmith Terrace are calling for action to be taken to counter serious traffic issues that have emerged since roadworks on the A4 commenced.
Work by Transport for London on the Cromwell Road Rail Bridge between Chiswick Roundabout and Hogarth Roundabout has required the Great West Road to be reduced to a single lane near Sutton Court Road. This has resulted in queues which regularly reach back towards Hammersmith and desperate drivers are mistakenly seeking to circumvent the congestion by turning off the A4 before Hogarth Roundabout.
By using Black Lion Lane and Eyot Gardens they are hoping to remerge close to the Hogarth Roundabout at Chiswick Lane South travelling on Hammersmith Terrace and Chiswick Mall but, the narrowness of these single file roads, has resulted in them quickly becoming congested with many giving up and turning around adding to the existing problem. Some drivers are reportedly ignoring the No Entry sign further up Chiswick Mall to try and reach the Hogarth Roundabout via Church Street.
Drivers have even tried to use the alternative route while the river had flooded Chiswick Mall.
Queuing traffic stuck in Chiswick Mall. Picture: Emma Sice
Patricia Langley, the Secretary of the Old Chiswick Protection Society said, “Chiswick Mall is essentially a single file road used as part of the Thames Path by walkers, joggers, cyclists and families with small children and prams. We ask TfL to put up No Entry signs, except for access, at Black Lion Lane South and Eyot Gardens, to avoid further chaos and danger and to make it clear that there is no through way to Hogarth Roundabout and the A316 via Chiswick Mall. Drivers are at present charging through the NO ENTRY sign along Chiswick Mall at a rate of up to 40 vehicles an hour as an illegal short cut to the roundabout along the narrow Church Street.”
Hammersmith Terrace resident Emma Sice added, “Since 6th August, we have been witnessing how horribly dangerous it is to have a constant stream of cars driving at speed into a semi-pedestrianised street.
“It will get worse soon when normal traffic levels resume and school children use this road to travel to school by foot or by bicycle. Dog walkers, people with young children/buggies, elderly residents or people trying to cross the road are all at risk. If you live here and want to drive home… that’s now a challenge and will remain so for a long time unless something is done to make it safe.”
Vehicles turn around adding to the problems. Picture: Patricia Langley
Signs already exist at Eyot Gardens, which is the responsibility of Hounslow Council, but local ward councillor John Todd is investigating the possibility of improvements with council officers.
Signs already exist at Eyot Gardens but not at Black Lion Lane. Picture: Gordon Drennan
Black Lion Lane, on the other hand, is the responsibilty of Hammersmith and Fulham Council. A spokesperson for the council said, “‘We are aware that traffic diversions and lane closures during road works can cause issues for residents. We are looking at a number of measures to address the problem of through traffic using such residential roads.”
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August 19, 2022