That Was The Year That Was In Chiswick
2018 provides ample evidence of how much W4 people care for the place where they live
As ever, it was an eventful year for news in Chiswick and over 2 million visits were made to this site during 2018.
The year ended on a downbeat two stabbings heightening an already elevated level of local concern about crime and 2018 was not without controversy with subjects like parking, reductions in bus provision and cycling generating heat.
However, it was not all doom and gloom and 2018 once again provided ample evidence of the way people in the W4 area care about where they live and are prepared to take steps to make it better. The many examples of this include the Chiswick Oasis project which successfully won funding for a 'green wall' between local primary schools and the A4 and the Chiswick Timeline initiative under the Turnham Green Terrace railway bridge.
House prices dropped locally amidst Brexit uncertainty. The trial of the orange Mobike rental scheme proved unpopular with some local businesses and residents complaining about the bikes being abandoned randomly. However, the distinctive bikes being ridden around Chiswick are now a common sight.
Two unpopular decisions were from the Royal Mail, which confirmed the Chiswick Sorting and Collection office would move to Bollo Lane, and TfL's announcement on changes in bus routes, principally the termination of the 27 bus route at Hammersmith. Another matter of great local interest was the public inquiry into the 32-storey Chiswick Curve - the Inspector's report is expected in early 2019. The Mayor of London hinted that there might be rerouting of Cycle Superhighway 9 but the situation remained unclear by the end of the year.
The Empire House Lendlease development remained vacant and there was still no clarification of what will happen to the site. The Third Runway at Heathrow remains a topic of intense local interest. Chiswick still doesn't know when the Piccadilly Line might get to stop at Turnham Green but the latest news is that may not even be operating by the end of the next decade. The new owner of the Chiswick Cinema, Lyn Goleby promised it would open in 2019/2020.
The Local Elections in May 2018 saw the three Chiswick wards return all Conservative Party councillors but there were some new faces as long-standing councillors retired.
Chiswick lost many local businesses and restaurants during a difficult year for traders. Sara Stationers closed, as did Grove Park Post Office - the premises will re open in spring at a Co-Operative convenience store. The new owners of the former Carvossos's site delayed opening twice and renamed the place twice. It was to be called The Harlot but now aims to open in January 2019 as The Crown.
Other closures included Foxlow's, Carluccio's, Pain Quotidien, Giusi, Shafran, Sainsbury's Cafe, Evans and Peel Pharmacy, Jackson & Rye, Quantus, George's Diner.
New openings included Casa Dino (on Quantus site) and Avanti in Bedford Park. Patisserie Valerie survived a turbulent few weeks of trading. A new Starbucks opened when Fatface closed on Turnham Green Terrace.
The Chiswick Timeline was launched and St Mary's Primary School achieved funding for its Green Wall. Concern grew about air pollution for local schools near the A4.
Ant McPartlin made headlines after his arrest for drink driving and his divorce - he has since moved out of Chiswick, while his friend and co-presenter Declan Donnelly welcomed baby Isla with his wife Ali.
From the world of acting, local resident Fenella Fielding OBE passed
away as did Roger
Llewellyn (Sherlock Holmes). The death was announced of Cllr James
Duffy, one of those who helped to found Chiswick Women's Aid.
January
Hounslow
Council Says Cycle Superhighway Plan Needs to Be Revised
Changes necessary to make it acceptable to residents and businesses
Strand
on the Green Residents Oppose Chiswick 'Beach' Plan
Proposal for motorboat club and 'fast pedalos' would be hazardous
to area
The
Magic Lantern Festival And Its Mysterious Aftermath
Local anger at the delay in clearing up Chiswick House grounds
February
Large
Turnout For The Launch Of The Chiswick Timeline
The mural was unveiled at a street party at Turnham Green Terrace
Dukes
Meadows Masterplan Gets Go Ahead
Work to start on multi-million pound regeneration next week
Local
Road Retains Title of Nation's Most Congested
Peak delays on A406 from Chiswick Roundabout to Hanger Lane worst in UK
March
Call
For An End To The 'Hate Campaign' Over CS9
Group opposed to design of cycle highway say they are under attack
Lend
Lease Puts Empire House Site Up For Sale
Say that value could be added through a 'masterplan' with adjoining Sainsbury's
site
Ant
McPartlin Back in Rehab After Drink Drive Arrest
TV shows cancelled as star takes time off 'for foreseeable future'
April
Major
Plans To Redevelop Chiswick Health Centre
Patients face disruption for two years as GPs relocate during rebuilding
Turnham
Green To Be Labour 'Battlefield' In Local Election
As Lib Dems and Greens forge electoral pact to defeat Conservatives
Film
Industry Entrepreneur Takes on Chiswick Cinema Project
Picturehouse founder Lyn Goleby submits application to revise original
proposal
May
Labour
Tighten Their Stranglehold on Hounslow Borough
Conservatives lose their only remaining seats outside Chiswick
TfL Refuse
to Disclose Level of Local Support for CS9
Claim publishing how many were for or against scheme by area 'not in public
interest'
Meghan
and Harry Travel Through Chiswick on Way to Wedding
Royal couple's convoy spotted on the High Road
June
Public
Inquiry Told Chiswick Curve 'Would Harm' Heritage Assets
32-storey building would be seen from Gunnersbury Park and Kew Gardens
Council Accused
of Lying Over 'Slapdash' Approach to Shared Bay Policy
Zones selected on basis of officer convenience rather than available parking
spaces
Chiswick-Based Longest
Serving Poppy Collector Given MBE
Rosemary Powell's epic service for Royal British Legion honoured
July
Task
Force Set Up To Tackle 'Crisis' Facing Independent Traders
Chiswick at risk of becoming a 'ghost town' say concerned councillors
and shopkeepers
Livia Firth
Drops Charges Against Alleged Stalker
Private settlement agreed between wife of film star Colin and her former
lover
Local
Anger Over 'Shambles' Gunnersbury Festivals
Complaints about noise, litter and crowds as events draw crowd of
40,000
August
Middle
Class Cocaine Use Blamed As Crime Rises in Chiswick
Sharp rise seen in offences involving violence, robbery and burglary
Chiswick Proves
to Be Oasis in Property Market Desert
W4 not seeing the evaporation of demand happening in nearby post codes
Will
Smith Wields Sword at Chiswick Restaurant
Joins Idris Elba and family and tries sabrage at Le Vacherin
September
Baby Girl For
Declan Donnelly And Wife Ali Astall
Chiswick-based star and his wife welcome daughter Isla
Ruth Cadbury
Describes New Constituency Boundaries as 'Undemocratic'
Boundary Commission confirm borders of new Isleworth, Brentford and Chiswick
seat
TfL
Admit Cycle Superhighway 9 Consultation Was Flawed
Report on responses to be published soon as they work on 'evolving proposal'
October
High
Court Ruling On Third Runway 'Gives New Hope'
Chiswick group CHATR heartened by decision to allow full legal challenge
Bid
To Save Sainsbury's Chiswick Cafe Fails
Supermarket says changing to Argos concession is priority to give 'enhanced
range to shoppers '
Ant
McPartlin And Lisa Armstrong Divorce
Former Chiswick resident officially splits from wife of eleven years
November
Sainsbury's
Evicts Poppy Collectors For Photo Booth
Takings fall 'massively' as stall that has been in place for a decade
is removed
Report Links Chiswick-Based
TV Channel and Khashoggi Murder
Guardian claims Saudi crown prince is funding Iran International TV
Double Digit
Fall In Chiswick Property Prices
W4 feeling the fallout from wider economic and political problems
27 Bus Chiswick
Service To End Despite Significant Opposition
Over 70% of respondents to consultation against proposal
December
Chiswick
Memorial Garden For Tommy Hollis Nears Completion
Turnham Green garden will celebrate the life of the little boy who was
tragically killed
Rocks Lane
Centre To Take Action After Spate of Muggings
Police commit to increase presence around Chiswick Common sports facility
Chiswick
Oasis Reaches Fundraising Target
'Green wall' can now be installed to improve air quality at local schools
December 28, 2018