Call For Rethink on Chatsworth Road Turn Off Restriction
Lib Dems believe it will make the Haymills Estate a cul de sac
Chatsworth Road at the junction with Hanger Lane. Picture: Google Streetview
November 19, 2024
Local councillors are calling for a rethink of the decision to ban a turn off Hanger Lane which they believe will cause traffic problems on the Haymills Estate.
In consultation with Ealing Council, Transport for London (TfL) recently decided to close off the right turn into Chatsworth Road. This was prompted by a fatal collision involving a motorcyclist last May.
The opposition Liberal Democrats say this will make the Haymills Estate effectively a cul de sac and cause traffic to funnel down a single road causing congestion and pollution.
The decision affects north bound traffic on Hanger Lane and traffic turning left from Hillcrest Road. Traffic seeking to access the estate would be forced to go around the gyratory system adding to journey times.
The Lib Dems say drivers from Ealing town are likely to change their journeys to use Madeley Road to cross over Hanger Lane. This could funnel more traffic down Boileau Road and Corringway, roads which are already plagued by rat running.
It argues that the decision should have awaited the conclusion of coroner’s inquest into the fatality to make a comprehensive review of the situation in the light of their report.
They want the full spectrum of policy options with the implications of each to be considered and to see proper consultation with both residents and local councillors.
Liberal Democrat councillor Jonathan Oxley, Hanger Hill said, ‘This is another example of Labour-run bodies such as the Mayor of London’s TfL and Ealing Council ignoring residents and passively signing off changes without scrutiny. Liberal Democrats recognise that traffic policy for the Hanger Lane gyratory system is challenging but we believe outcomes are better where there is engagement with residents. Hanger Hill Residents have unique local knowledge about the road limitations on the approach to gyratory and the streets running off it, that would be invaluable to authorities”
Cllr Athena Zissimos, Environment, Streets, Parks and Climate Change added, : “Liberal Democrats demand to see a local consultation on this issue with local residents being sought as active participants in addressing these issues so that their concerns can be heard. Collectively, we can take up their cause to get improvements made to this and other streets in the borough. The approach being proposed by TfL and Ealing Council are liable to generate perverse and unintended consequences.”
Liberal Democrat councillors on Chatsworth Road
TfL says it has conducted traffic counts which show that there are low vehicle movements turning right from Hanger Lane into Chatsworth Road (north). 30,000 vehicles use the A406 per day, the maximum number of vehicles turning right from the A406 Hanger Lane into Chatsworth Road (north) was 84 in the morning peak.
Residents to the east of Hanger Lane will still be able to access their properties via Boileau Road and the exit at the northern end of Chatsworth Road will be retained. TfL’s policing team will monitor the location for non-compliance after the ‘No Right Turns’ signage has been installed
A TfL spokesperson said,“Any death or serious injury on the roads is one too many and we are determined to end the devastating consequences of road danger by working with London boroughs to make roads safer, including at junctions.
“Following a recommendation from the Metropolitan Police, we are working with Ealing Council to remove the currently permitted right turn at Hanger Lane into the northern arm of Chatsworth Road junction by December 2024. We are sorry for any disruption caused by the change which is being made to prioritise the safety of all travelling through the area."
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