Forum Topic

Total Gridlock!

The roads are totally gridlocked. What should have been a quick detour to get petrol, after picking up the kids from school, took over 1hr to get from Acton green to Glebe St. When will this madness end!

Nicholas James ● 2235d101 Comments

Road works in front of The Italians on CHR west. CHR/Acton Ln/Sutton Lane N jct under temp traffic light control.Only one arm moving at a time. Tailbacks in all four directions. Avoid. Or walk. Or cycle. Nice weather.

Ken Munn ● 2235d

There are also roadworks by M&S.

Helen Whitman ● 2235d

I would walk/cycle, if I had 2 legs. I'm an amputee. Regardless, I don't know many people who walk to the petrol station when they need to fill up.

Nicholas James ● 2235d

It'll be easier when all those who don't really need to drive don't.  Apparently just as there were in the Far East there are now more cars on the road now than there were pre-pandemic - which is what was feared would happen.We could end up with only being allowed to drive our cars every other day or every other week or not at all like some other countries.I learnt today that only half of London's households own cars and that the ozone level was the highest in London in mid-August since 2006.

Philippa Bond ● 2235d

Philippa With a modicum of respect please give it a rest, or do you really object to Democracy ? People have choices and they should be allowed to excise them, although in your world clearly not ! You should be very careful of what you wish for...

Loraine Pemberton ● 2235d

"I would walk/cycle, if I had 2 legs. I'm an amputee."Yep, Ken Munn and the cycling bullies always shoot from the hip before thinking!!  They are so obsessed it is sick!

Steve Taylor ● 2235d

What total berks would allow road works now, with all the other restrictions causing gridlock. They are having a laugh and your Councillors dont care. This is crazy.

Stephen Gould ● 2235d

Perhaps its time that all Cllrs of all parties show hands on where they stand rather than being quite when it comes to closed roads and pushing traffic thus causing more roads to become more noisier and in time rat runs .

Julian Pavey ● 2235d

The 94 bus took 1.5 hours to get from Queensway to Turnham Green. Gridlock all the way. Once I saw that it was the same along South Parade and around the corner I got off and walked. I dread to think what the emissions from all that standing traffic must be.

Tim English ● 2235d

Many cars now coming out of Blenheim Road from both sides either crossing or joining the Avenue. It wont be long before they start using it on a reg basis. Think it is about time the Lib Dem Cllrs showed hands on where they stand and not just old street leaves in the gutter ?

Julian Pavey ● 2235d

Even worse with the recent hot weather. The fumes were choking, not a good way to deal with Covid 19. The low lingering cloud we tend to get in November will also exacerbate the pollution.I see Wandsworth has abandoned some of its traffic schemes. Isn't that home to Sadiq Khan?

Mairi Franses ● 2235d

Get used to it everyone. This may be extreme but the CS9 plans, with bus gates at either end of the High Road, are designed to stop non bus traffic on the central section of the High Road. Long queues on the High Road eastbound will be the norm, the loss of the left turn filter lane for Acton Lane plus the operation of the bus gate will really reduce the capacity of the junction. More traffic will divert onto the roads around Turnham Green, making it increasingly hard to reach Acton Lane.Same story at the King St/ Goldhawk Rd junction. The bus gate there created queues and the loss of the bus lane means the bus gate also becomes useless. But will be used to hold traffic.More traffic forced onto Acton Lane/ South Parade as well. More queues, more congestion, noise and pollution. Unless you want to cycle from Kew to Hammersmith, CS9 of no use to local community.

Paul Green ● 2235d

You’ve got NO chance with the Lib Dem’s. They want to drag us back to the 19th century and have everyone walking They hate progress

Steve Taylor ● 2235d

Well itts the last i say on the matter unless someone comes back but i will say and its on the record for those who need to know. If this is the norm tonight im afraid it wont be long before you know what happens in some form. Its been close just from eyes view a couple of times

Julian Pavey ● 2235d

Just wait for CW9 and the loss of the westbound bus lane, coming soon......Hounslow streetspace feedback: https://haveyoursay.hounslow.gov.uk/traffic-and-transport/streetspace-feedback/Hounslow consultation on the future of Chiswick town centre: https://chiswicktowncentre.commonplace.is Cllr Hanif Khan, Hounslow cabinet member for transport, traffic and parking: hanif.khan@hounslow.gov.ukCllr Guy Lambert, Hounslow cabinet member for highways: guy.lambert@hounslow.gov.ukCllr Katherine Dunne, Hounslow cabinet member for communities and climate emergency: katherine.dunne@hounslow.gov.ukMark Frost, Hounslow transport officer: mark.frost@hounslow.gov.ukTraffic department : traffic@hounslow.gov.uk

Mark Perry ● 2235d

Nothing at all to do with the roadworks on CHR then? I guess that doesn't suit your narrative.

Carl Wynne ● 2235d

Many cities around the world have banned cars. So we are lucky to still be able to drive them in London. https://www.businessinsider.com/cities-going-car-free-ban-2018-12?r=US&IR=TThe smoke from the US West Coast has been now been detected over Europe.

Philippa Bond ● 2235d

The Business Insider article headline is a tad misleading - seems the examples are mostly where they want to ban old diesel cars and restrict some car use on some days in some city centres.Are there other case studies where suburbs are being gridlocked as a deliberate anti car policy, without democratic content or consultation, as we are seeing in Chiswick?

Russell Pearson ● 2235d

None of the cities in that 2 yr old article are banning cars, just trying to limit them for the odd day a month or remove older diesel cars etc — rather like the London emissions based charges we're getting.  So, no, we're not lucky and we're not an outlier.  Anyway, in the interest of cutting and pasting links rather than having my own valid argument:
https://www.autocar.co.uk/new-car-release-dates

Rob Reynolds ● 2235d

I could be wrong but the roadworks outside The Crown/the old police station looked as though they were removing the island from the zebra crossing.Major roadworks in Hammersmith outside the Town Hall as well.

Adrian Irving ● 2235d

There will always be roadworks somewhere or other in the vicinity. Or an accident. Or both simultaneously. So clogged roads, with all the waste of time and money involved, plus effect on blood pressure (cab for essential trip to Richmond and back earlier this week cost me twice as much as usual)and added pollution are going to be the norm. Utterly mad. By the way, I found out then that only black cabs, not mini cabs are allowed up TGT and Fisher's Lane.  Most black cabs won't transport animals to a vet.

Claire Moran ● 2235d

Claire, what is the reason for cabs refusing vet runs.

Janice Evans ● 2235d

Taxis not allowed through Fisher Lane. Just 272 bus and cycles.

Peter Evans ● 2235d

The constant comparisons with other cities miss a few things. Firstly, London is by some way the largest city in Europe, you simply cant compare it to many others. Its also composed of many smaller discrete areas with their own local challenges. The main problem in Chiswick remains the motorway running through the middle of it. Just as two thirds of traffic in GP is through traffic, its at least that much through the centre of Chiswick is through traffic. Unless this is addressed, all these measures will do is cause gridlock. Same traffic, less roadspace ... what do you expect. There are no plans to limit traffic on the M4 and none of the main rat routes it uses are being shut. If LHR was fully operational roads would be far worse.Remember, CS9 is not designed to help local business or the community, its a long distance commuter route. Journeys along the central stretch of the High Road are intentionally being made difficult to help buses and allow TFL to claim there is no problem. There is no north to south cycle provision and none planned. Cycling up Acton Lane or South Parade is more hazardous now. Imagine if it was a wet winters night, and both Chelsea and Brentford were at home. Hmmm, not at all good. Time to move to the country. The gross hypocrisy of both Hounslow and TFL is what really galls

Paul Green ● 2235d

Peter, black cabs are allowed through so is there some other reason why they refuse a vet run, or have I is mis-understood.

Janice Evans ● 2235d

Carl, I dont have a narrative. I have lived in London and Chiswick in particular to see so many of these schemes. Most have led to more queues. the bus gate at Stamford Brook garage a prime example. The new bus gate at the west end of the High Road will similarly cause much more traffic queues. The loss of the left turn lane will reduce by approx a third the capacity of the junction for eastbound traffic, similar to the reduction at the east end of the High Road. The operation of the bus gate will also reduce the green signal available for all other traffic, so that the north and southbound queues that already become a regular feature on Sutton Lane and Acton Lane will get worse. Please tell me where I am wrong, very happy to be told? Or does that not suit your narrative Carl? I am all for less cars in London, but none of these scheme achieve that.

Paul Green ● 2235d

Remember, CS9 is not designed to help local business or the community, its a long distance commuter route.You have said this a few times but it's not true. It is being built to serve many function.

Tony Smart ● 2235d

Come off it Tony, its not. No studies were done of local traffic patterns, community needs, congestion hot spots and rat runs. None. What are the many functions? Where are the local safe routes which intersect, what study of demand for a cycling route from Brentford to central London was done? Commuting patterns have changed, some will never be the same. TFL only thinks in radial routes, spokes in the wheel. Its a dinosaur and immune to external input, unless you wear lycra. Any journey that does not go in or out of London is largely ignored. Cycling anywhere other than along CS9 will be more dangerous.I have been told the new bus gate by Acton Lane will mean the roadway for traffic on the High Road heading towards Chiswick roundabout will be much narrower. Now there is a marked cycle path, that will have to go and cycles can share the narrow road with buses and lorries. Nice, is that safe? Sounds like a serious accident in the making. So can you explain to me how making it really dangerous to cycle along a busy stretch of the High Road is a good thing? Just to push through CS9 on the cheap.

Paul Green ● 2234d

The sad reality is that I used to be proud to be British, now???? I have no idea who is responsible for making the recent decisions about Chiswick, cycle routes, bus gates, to ensure grid locked residential streets. The M4 is a major artery A4 etc, Hammersmith Bridge fiasco just look at the disaster around Chiswick. Everyone responsible should be fired, councillors are a waste of time. Who wants to walk, cycle or drive in polluted, gridlocked dangerous side roads who wants to live here now???? Just shocking.

Jayne Thorburn ● 2234d

Grant Shapps. This is the only Conservative policy that you are not an apologist for and by god you have had to bend over backwards to excuse them on other policy areas like breaking international law so why is it so hard for you to get on board with this one?

Paul Campbell ● 2234d

I was going to post about the traffic this evening, but clearly a number of people got there before me!I had to take my son to a sporting event, and once again a journey that should take 15 minutes took nearly an hour. Not only that, but it was stressful for me, and very upsetting for him, as he arrived nearly half an hour late.What was even more infuriating was driving past an empty Fishers Lane... I read here daily people posting about this being a good thing, and that it will get people walking/cycling/taking public transport. I don't know why there is this assumption that those with cars drive everywhere at every opportunity?I for one love walking and cycling, and only drive when I need to. Unfortunately this happens to be quite often, and this evening was a case in point. Can we please get Fishers Lane and TGT open to cars again without any further delay, particularly if the roadworks on the High Street mean that access from Acton Lane is also now compromised?

Mark Edwards ● 2234d

You chose to ignore the impact of the roadworks.

Carl Wynne ● 2234d

Nah that is an easy get out. What they want comes down from City Hall and that is to develop a cycling network all over London. At the moment West London is pretty poor and they do not have a series of main routes and local network routes to support them. Other areas of London do.You are right to comment on north south and complimentary links though and its very much a chicken and egg situation.Do you build a support network to build the case for a main route to link it all together first or do you build the main route to create the business case for the support network? Unless you are advocating to have everything built at once, something has to get the ball rolling.It is pretty well laid out in Mayor's Cycling Action Plan.To quote one section."As well as strategic routes between different boroughs, local networks serving neighbourhoods and town centres will be an important part of the London-wide cycle network.Where boroughs show real ambition and appetite to deliver local improvements for cycling, TfL will provide funding and support to help achieve these. This includes programmessuch as Liveable Neighbourhoods and Local Implementation Plans (LIPs)"Page 61 if you want to know more.CW9 will serve commuters and people who want to access CHR and move around the local area by bicycle. It will give people a choice.You see they do not just think in radial routes. People may think that because of the old clock face map of cycle superhighways but that was just the start.I know they are also trying to change the demographic of the perceived cyclist. Go into town and you will see a lot of people cycling in normal clothes. Come out of town and you do not see as much as the infrastructure is only suitable for the more confident cyclist and that is perhaps where your very general view of everyone wearing Lycra comes from even if in reality there is still a mix (I am a shorts or trackie bottoms and t-shirt guy)The truth is that the complimentary routes and links need to really be driven by the borough. These are local roads and they will be supported but it isn't just going to be handed to them.There are advocates for network cycling routes in the borough like Joanna Biddolph who is on record as saying she wants more than just a linear route. You just need to get behind these champions so they can really help build the business case. CW9 will help will that.Regarding going in on the cheap. I am not far away from you with a couple of your concerns. I much prefer the permanent design

Tony Smart ● 2234d

Totally agree Mark, the closures very clear are not working and enormously detrimental to local people. For a 15 minute journey to take 1 hr for a local journey is shocking on every level & certainly not green! Cycling locally will never reach Levels that we see in central London. Let’s pray the local councils and councillors start listening and hearing to stop this madness and listen to locals who actually do matter not them!

Jayne Thorburn ● 2234d

"Avoid. Or walk. Or cycle."You missed one, Ken.Or leave the kids at school.One day the myopia will be corrected...

David Lesniak ● 2234d

"The smoke from the US West Coast has been now been detected over Europe"Back in the room, Philippa...the smoke is from the wild fires raging on the west coast. Wild. Fires. Not cars. Wild. Fires.

David Lesniak ● 2234d

Indeed, Adrian, refuge islands are being removed for the temporary cycleway.Refuge islands were also removed in Hammersmith which seems to have coordinated gas works with other road works. Imagine that for efficiency and minimal disruption.

David Lesniak ● 2234d

"You have said this a few times but it's not true"Alas, Tony, in every single iteration of CS9/CW9 there has never been any indication of increased cycle parking. We are promised legions of cyclists delivered to our business doors, yet nary a single one more can lock up a bike than is possible now. Not one. That's not anti-cycling, that's called being able to read a construction drawing and analysing poor design. You should try it.

David Lesniak ● 2234d

Mark, I suspect you'll hear a lot about cyclists 11-year old daughters who need to cycle to Trafalgar Square and back because that is a matter of great urgency.However, it will come at the expense of your son (and sons and daughters of many others) whose activities, education and well being are, simply, not as important as those 11-year old daughters.I'll presume the sporting event required transporting equipment. I'll also presume it is not uncommon for you and other parents to car pool with boat loads of equipment.

David Lesniak ● 2234d

Its interesting how the proponents of these crazy schemes never acknowledge any short comings or possible issues with them. CS9 in its original form could just about have worked without too much negative impact for Chiswick, though the loss of some of our lovely wide pavements and key stretches of bus lane made me unhappy.The new scheme will further reduce capacity at a key local junction by Acton Lane, in fact the only legal route across the tube lines, while slowing traffic along the High Road. It has only limited benefits to local cyclists, but on many other routes is creating a far more hostile environment. The issue in Chiswick is not a parent taking their child to a sports, but volumes that use Chiswick as a through route to/ from the M4. This area is in danger of becoming unlivable as part of a crazy and ill judged anti car mania, which fails to address the root cause  - through traffic. Tony: I notice you did not address the safety issues for cyclists by the new bus gate, any thoughts?

Paul Green ● 2234d

The proponents of these crazy schemes are blinded by money. Greed and jobs for mates. The design faults are scandalous.  Unfortunately we have an inept mayor of London who can’t see through it.

Steve Taylor ● 2234d

Yeah CW9 has turned off by then but a small section of rubbish advisory after the bank now starts a little further west after Sutton Lane north. There isn't any cycle lane before that intersection though so not much is really changing for the person on the bike. They are already lumped in with traffic.It's crap and it's always been crap.There are other things that bother me more than that.

Tony Smart ● 2234d

'It's crap and it's always been crap.'Tony, I drove on that stretch towards Chiswick roundabout earlier, the road by the bus gate is now really, really narrow. The marked cycle lane has gone, the van in front slammed his breaks as cycles are now right in the road occupying same space as traffic. Its a lot worse, hard to see it meets safety standards.The High Road queue heading into Chiswick now extends back past the business park (or did 30 mins ago), and long queues around Turnham Green. Acton Lane is inaccessible. So dont try and cross the tube lines in either direction unless you have an hour free. This will be the new normal when the bus gate is operational. TFL and Hounslow succeed in cutting Chiswick in half, nice job.

Paul Green ● 2234d

Yeah as I mentioned cyclists were already sharing the road with traffic if coming from the east. There is no cycle lane immediately prior to that junction. Just two lanes of general traffic. The cycle lane didn't kick in till past the islands once you have crossed the junction.

Tony Smart ● 2234d

Tony, think you misunderstood, Its the cycle lane after the junction as you head west to the business park that is gone, with the road seems very narrow along where the bus gate installation. Cycles (and the painted cycle signs) now right in the road. It would be interesting to get your view on the safety of that, no way I would want to cycle that stretch.

Paul Green ● 2234d

IIRC the westbound painted cycle lane was in the 'door zone' of some of the parking along that section of CHR so someone cycling would be well advised to stay out of it anyway.

Michael Robinson ● 2234d

Where it wasn't in the door zone of parked cars it was an uneven, cracked, narrow murder strip that encouraged close passes and was full of glass. Obsolete and much safer for cyclists to take primary in the carriageway there. Although it will be safer for them to take the Heathfield Terrace/Wellesley Road section of C9 westbound when it is built.

Paul Campbell ● 2234d

' was an uneven, cracked, narrow murder strip that encouraged close passes and was full of glass'. Dont forget the knives and discarded needles...Come off it Paul, it was and is nothing like that. In fact its now part of the main carriageway, so you might want to have a look yourself before posting stuff. The road is so narrow now its too dangerous to cycle. You have buses, lorries and cars sharing a tiny space with bikes. 'safer for them to take the Heathfield Terrace/Wellesley Road section of C9 westbound when it is built'.By built you mean bike signs painted on the road? How is that safer, have you seen the traffic around the Green at the moment, its awful. So even if CS9 does not go where you want you should use it....Guys, given how keen you are to defend every single aspect of any scheme promoted by TFL or Hounslow, go and have a look before spouting rubbish.

Paul Green ● 2234d

I cycle that way all the time and it is exactly as I describe it. It's a piece of crap that does not meet the new standards and would be rejected for funding. Nobody will miss using it. I'm sure it looks fine from your metal box.Yes for safety many cyclists do divert to the best and most up to date cycle paths in London. That is why paths like CS3 are so popular and carry more than 10,000 journeys a day. Hardly any of those cyclists is actually going to a place on the Embankment. Cyclists will minimise the time they have to spend on dangerous roads. The new C9 on that stretch will not be fully segregated but it will be wider with a much better surface. Cyclists who want safety and are uncomfortable with taking primary on a carriageway will use it and then make the short diversions via the residential roads between Wellesley and Chiswick High Road to get where they need. This is one of the reasons why people who cycle a lot have little sympathy for drivers whose worlds have fallen in because they have to divert around the block. We do it all the time. Suck. It. Up.

Paul Campbell ● 2234d

Wow you are an insulting little so and so aren't you. I saw on another thread you attacking people with a range of personal insults, it seems if they had nice houses they were not allowed views. Plus some nice ageism thrown in, lets see how far you cycle when your knees go. I spent many years cycling around London, I have no need lectures from a complete and utter **** like you. The stretch is nothing like how you describe it. As I suggested, why not brave the traffic and see what is put in place and tell me how that 'meets the new standards'. Strange I see lots of cyclists using that part of the High Road who obviously do not agree with you. There is no 'new' CS9 and it will not be 'wider'. Its bike marks painted on the road.PS CS3 is not today carrying 10k a day, who knows if it ever will again.Its also not about 'being diverted around the block'. Its about not being able to do our jobs, get to medical appointments or frankly live many aspects of normal life.What a sanctimonious little person you are.

Paul Green ● 2234d

I'm in the traffic all the time Paul and I do not need lectures on the quality of cycle lanes from ex-cyclists like you who opine from their metal boxes and cannot tolerate having their views of the world challenged without having a temper tantrum. You would be amazed at how many people like me are using CS3 at the moment if you got out of your Chiswick bubble and this echo chamber. I have been on it three days this week surrounded by people. The City is a cycling paradise at the moment because of the extensive measures they have taken to basically eliminate cars. Yes the over-privileged handful of protestors on Park Road are way over the line dictating that people on other roads are not entitled to a trial to see if they like to have the same low level of traffic and quiet street that they enjoy and they do absolutely deserve to be challenged for it.It appears that you have finally properly cracked. The mask has slipped quite a few times but now I really see you.

Paul Campbell ● 2234d

You should really calm down Paul (Green).  You appear to have anger management issues with people who challenge your opinions.I don't know why you think that the section of CHR west of the Acton Lane junction is part of the C9 route.  It isn't.  The bus gate is for buses.  It doesn't do anything for people on bikes.The protected section of the C9 route is along CHR between Goldhawk Rd and Heathfield Terrace and will use wands bolted to the road, some pre-fab kerbing and there will also changes to signals.  The section along Heathfield Terrace and Wellesley Rd isn't protected.  Wellesley Rd and Stile Hall Gardens have been closed to reduce traffic along these roads.  There are monitoring tubes in place so we should find out just how much.In a perfect world, there would be nice new track with protected kerbing everywhere, as is being built along the S Circular but this isn't a perfect world by a long way.  Changing roads is a marathon not a sprint.

Michael Robinson ● 2234d

Michael, I am quite calm, it is your friend Paul who seems to feel the need to insult and denegrate people who challenge his views. Apparently if you are elderly, infirm or have a nice house you don't count in his selfish world view. I actually try and engage with you guys but there is really no point.Also, I am fully aware of where CS9 runs and its non segregated section. It was Paul who suggested it is going to be 'built' along Wellesley and Heathfield Gardens. Clearly it is not. Traffic may reduce on the western end of Wellesley but the eastern end and Heathfield Terrace is currently a car park. Not a safe cycling environment.I am also aware that CS9 does not run along the High Road by Acton Lane. The bus gate is being put in theory to help buses, but it wont. What it will do is hold back traffic, while the opposite roadway is crazily narrowed to accommodate it. The more traffic is forced to queue on that stretch of the High Road, the more it will divert down onto Wellesley. In a perfect world, TFL would address the actual source of the problem, commuter and through traffic, before grid locking local roads. PS; the condescending tone and hostility from you and the lycra gang to you no favours. Compromise is an art form.

Paul Green ● 2234d

Hi Paul,You may have already made some suggestions... but some of these threads go on and on, and I can’t claim to have read it remembered every view expressed.In a perfect world you said TfL would address the actual source of the problem, commuter and through traffic , before grid locking local roads.In this less than perfect world, what do you think should be TfL’s priority? Would it still be addressing the ‘source’ if the problem? If so, what do you think addressing the source of the problem involves? And would addressing this result in reducing through and commuter traffic (amongst perhaps other things)? And if it does result in a reduction, how exactly (or roughly) would you suggest TfL might go about this?I’m hoping you’ll give a answer that’s tangible and more than just ‘not this way!’

Andrew Jones ● 2234d

Well said Mr Green

Steve Taylor ● 2234d

Here’s the guidance from TfL, how much has this been adhered to?http://content.tfl.gov.uk/lsp-app-six-a-supplementary-guidance-ltns-v1.pdf

Russell Pearson ● 2234d

I love the unconscious irony in your P.S. It perfectly encapsulates the character of your posts.

Paul Campbell ● 2234d

Simmer down both Pauls, please, each take a deep breath. Be positive.How do we achieve a solution that meets all our needs? There must be a way.

Russell Pearson ● 2234d

From the horses mouth basically stuff your views walk or cycle https://youtu.be/cbFYNAJgEhc

Mike Doyle ● 2234d

Yes I know which bit you are talking about. It's not like you were in a cycle lane and then it vanishes. If you were already on the road you were not in a cycle lane anyway.Like I said before it's crap and always has been even when the lane extended closer to the junction.I can't imagine too many less confident cyclists would bother trying to cycle down to Chiswick Roundabout. Always been horrible.

Tony Smart ● 2234d

Questions for me are, have they done the best they can, and do they adhere to TfL guidelines on best practice? I think not and that we can do a lot better.

Russell Pearson ● 2234d

There's always room for improvement and it could turn out to be for the better all round, after all their intention was to improve things and with a few (of whatever) it might be great.

Janice Evans ● 2234d

If any really cares, I was asked for my solutions, so here is what I would do. * have a plan: proper analysis and consultation, actually listen to the people who pay your wages, hearts and minds. Don't treat them as the problem. Work out what the local issues are and then how you might solve them, don't just jump in and do stuff. That never works (try it in business and see). * Recognise that there are winners and losers. Its easy if l live on Wellesley Rd and have removed all traffic from my road. If I live on Park Road I might be upset at the idea that measures will send more traffic my way. * The ULEZ expansion is due in 12 months time, that is not long. It will significantly improve air quality. The infrastructure can then be used immediately to impose an extended congestion zone, discounts for outer London residents but similar prices to the current congestion zone.* Huge tax on all workplace parking, money raised to invest in local transport* Invest in smart transport networks. Most cars in a few years will be electric and have level 4 autonomy, eliminating the risk to cyclists and pedestrians.The first three are short term and can be done quickly. We need to get more people round the table who are not the fit lycra types, especially to include elderly or less mobile who seem to be excluded from the current debate (indeed mocked and condescended towards by some). Electric and autonomous vehicles remove the main issue with vehicular traffic, so we need to be careful as we segregate and close off our streets that we are not fighting the last battle rather than preparing for the new opportunity. A bit forward looking but its coming.Finally, recognise that noone has all the answers. Life is a compromise. If you have not compromised then you have not realised the true nature of the problem.

Paul Green ● 2234d

Spot on Paul.

Janice Evans ● 2233d

I cycle on a regular basis to an address near Gunnersbury station. To get there I usually go along South Parade, Acton Lane, Chiswick Road and then the High Road.South Parade and Acton Lane are narrow so if traffic is static a cyclist is stuck as well. I've tried cutting across Acton Green and Hardwicke Road but you still get stuck by Chiswick Park station.The route I now have to take is to cross to Acton Green, turn left at Fishers Lane, onto Belmont Road where road humps were installed by someone unaware of the existence of bikes and then onto Chiswick High Road. I'm a reasonably confident cyclist and try and avoid the High Road more for air quality reasons rather than safety but the Belmont Road/CHR, while not being quite the meat grinder that Fishers Lane is, is a tricky junction to handle.Lots of people warned that the gridlock on South Parade/Acton Lane is exactly what would happen if TGT and Fishers Lane were closed. Those supporting the change denied it would or that any congestion would evaporate when driver behaviour changed. As the congestion is now clearly a thing can I ask anyone still supportive of these changes how long we need to wait before the traffic jams disappear?

Mark Evans ● 2233d

This is part of an email exchange I had in August with Cllr Guy Lambert.BH: "Anyone who knows Chiswick and its streets will tell you that what will result is a massive increase in traffic congestion together with the associated pollution. Whether you and your colleagues will have the courage to admit your mistake when it becomes evident to even the most ardent cycling advocates is far less certain. I guarantee that no-one will benefit from these plans- least of all anyone on a bicycle."GL: "I think your analysis is quite wrong on many counts, not least the evidence from other schemes around London and the world which consistently show the opposite effect from the one you describe, albeit sometimes taking a year or two to play out."So don't hold your breath waiting for the madness to end. There are fragile egos at stake here.

Bruce Hammal ● 2233d

This is the scary thing. Schemes in other areas are not comparable to what is happening in Chiswick. The elephant in the room is the motorway running through the middle. Show me another European scheme that works and you will see that there is not such a major route in the vicinity or that clear and effective measures have been taken to stop traffic flow into central urban areas. Cycling groups have the ear of Hounslow and councillors yet intentionally misrepresent traffic data, witness the myth of traffic evaporation and Hammersmith bridge. The economic and social impact of the closure is ignored, while the fact that other routes see more traffic, congestion, noise and pollution is simply ignored. This is exactly what we now see in Chiswick. My point on winners and losers reflects the focus on the former but ignoring the latter.We have been in COVID world for a while but I am sure we can all recall the regular gridlock in Chiswick. What does Cllr Lambert think will happen to all that traffic? How does he think most fans will get to the new Brentford stadium -  where despite the green BS there are no plans to prevent match parking on residential streets in W4. From the simple suggestions I made earlier, Hounslow fails as follows: * Plan: there is no plan and no modelling and no consultation. Money was available and the council grabbed it in a panicked response to do 'something'. There was no discussion with Ealing, underlining the lack of a plan.* Understand the problem: what problem were those closures addressing. TGT: no idea. Its not for social distancing and its not any safer for cycling, esp with Fishers Lane now available and a safer route* A4: this is studiously ignored by Hounslow. Even major rat runs are ignored to and from the A4, whilst money is wasted on controversial closures such as TGT

Paul Green ● 2233d

Mark, I can only agree with your comments and its refreshing to see a cyclist post a realistic view, someone for who CS9 brings no benefit and actually overall road schemes are creating a problem. North south travel in Chiswick has long been difficult as TFL obsess with the arterial roads, mainly A4 and then the High Road. I used to cycle up Sutton Lane/ Acton Lane onto Bollo on a regular basis. Now that would not not an easy route.Traffic and congestion will not evaporate. Any reduction in overall traffic will not be sufficient to offset the loss of route capacity. The new bus gate will further reduce capacity at the critical High Road/ Acton Lane junction, adding to queues in all directions

Paul Green ● 2233d

I've just watched an interview with Julian Bell, the leader of Ealing Council and the mantra is always the same - it worked elsewhere so it must work here. Unfortunately this is not acceptable science. Chiswick has many specific transport issues which massively complicate matters. As you point out there is the little problem of the A4, there are also railway and tube lines to cross, as well as the river crossings (I include Hammersmith Bridge). All of these factors mean that it is a pointless exercise trying to compare Chiswick with Amsterdam or even Walthamstow.The biggest curse of living in W4 and environs is that we are an inconvenience, repeatedly sacrificed because we are just on the road to somewhere else.

Bruce Hammal ● 2233d

This is how things will be when it has all "bedded in" in a year or two.(Sorry, I don't know how to make a clickable link on this site.)https://youtu.be/ca-HZ7qiR0I

Bruce Hammal ● 2233d

Indeed Bruce. The hypocrisy of TFL towards Chiswick is huge. For years they have refused to address the Sutton Court/ A4 junction, an accident blackspot with no right turn filter for southbound traffic. The main reason for the latter is this would reduce the junction capacity for A4 traffic. They would also regularly change the lights to further gridlock Chiswick in order to ease flows out of London on the A4. Post COVID miraculously TFL discover they can change the lights in favour of SCR traffic. But do nothing about the rat run off the A4 into Chiswick via the Porsche garage, which queues into town lead more traffic to use.CS9 was not designed in any way to help specific needs of the local community. Its a line on a map and the High Road is the most convenient route. Most of the designers and network planners have never set foot in Chiswick or don't understand the needs of the local community and local traffic flows.

Paul Green ● 2233d

According to a "well-informed" contributor to another local forum:"Will Norman from TfL cycled in Chiswick yesterday with Steve Curran on a lovely pair of Bromptons reviewing the C9 plans and start of implementation. Very satisfied by all accounts and of course we all need to remember that the continued closure of Fishers and TGT are integral to the design of the temporary C9."So, that's all good then - Will and Steve are happy and possessed of a lovely pair of Bromptons. Ooh-er Missus!Reassuringly, please note that C9 is temporary - and you can't have it without closing TGT and Fishers Lane which are also temporary measures. We watch and we wait.

Bruce Hammal ● 2233d

'closure of Fishers and TGT are integral to the design of the temporary CS9'.If this is what Hounslow now say, then must have been lying when this was positioned as a COVID response? It then leads to the question as to why this is 'integral'. With a segregated cycle route along the south side of the High Rd, what possible impact does TGT closure have? The only answer is that it is all part of the plan to limit non-bus traffic on the central High Road. Which is why we have the new bus gate at the west end. In turn suggests longer red phases for non-buses, more queues and congestion. And also then almost impossible to get to Acton Lane, the only permissable route across the tubes. This allows TFL and Hounslow to say look, traffic evaporated, and the air monitor to say, look no pollution. Once again, we see how CS9 does not help Chiswick, in fact it further divides us in half.

Paul Green ● 2233d

The next national lockdown is coming so this will solve the traffic gridlock

Steve Taylor ● 2233d

Or make it worse! This is the problem with trying to implement contentious traffic "solutions" when the problem itself is a moving target; no statistical analysis has any lasting validity and certainly shouldn't be used to justify permanent changes.Something to do with known unknowns. Or is it unknown unknowns?Either way they are unknowns.

Bruce Hammal ● 2233d

Dunno when this picture was taken, no cars at all to be seen 🤔 https://twitter.com/willnorman/status/1306953771818385409?s=21In any event, they were ‘very satisfied’ by what they saw I’m told.

Russell Pearson ● 2233d

The nice angle of the shot means you cannot see the queues of traffic in all directions caused by the works and the temporary traffic lights. Queues of traffic must be very satisfying to them

Paul Green ● 2233d

I'll bet they were. I'm sure they all cycled there too for the photo-op - all the way from their Ivory Towers - or were the taxis parked round the corner out of shot?Hardly an all-encompassing selection of councillors was it - especially as I'm sure Will was keen to hear all sides of the debate. Read all about it in Pravda.

Bruce Hammal ● 2233d

Wish I had known would have arranged a protest, bunch of muppets 😂😂😂

Jayne Thorburn ● 2233d

The question is, who took the picture?

Bruce Hammal ● 2233d

Chap with the lanyard looks like the official photographer for the spectaclehttps://twitter.com/candiceatterton/status/1306993678326599680?s=21All carefully stage managed by the looks of it. Perhaps in response to the letter to Shapps.

Russell Pearson ● 2233d

No! Surely it was just a chance encounter....I would dearly love to know if Will biked it to Chiswick and back from County Hall, and whether Cllr. Hearn puffed his way in from Hounslow House. Surely somebody will tell?Good to see too that the usual "cycling champions" got the invitation - though the more reasonable (and sceptical) two-wheelers amongst the community never seem to make the list - a bit like our local councillors. Oh yes, I have total faith in the transparent and open nature of this process.

Bruce Hammal ● 2233d

You may ask yourself, how did they get here, what is that beautiful bike?A once in a lifetime chance, after the money’s gone.Brand new Bromptons for the event I’m told. Wonder how much this social media spectacle cost us. Plus, when Will and Sam will be cycling back to Chiswick to listen to local residents?

Russell Pearson ● 2233d

There's the makings of a useful 'relief road' through the business park which would take the pressure off the congested CHR/Acton Lane traffic lights and the junction in front of Chiswick Park station and the narrow bit of Bollo Lane. Time for private business to make a community-minded gesture, maybe. Huge oversight for planners not to insist on a useable public road through this site when the development was first mooted.

Peter Evans ● 2233d

There are several things that could have been incorporated into the Chiswick Business Park development - any one of which would have added to the amenities available to Chiswick residents. Naturally, yet again W4 turns out just to be a place on the map that's handy for the M4 and Heathrow.

Bruce Hammal ● 2233d

The Business Park does at least offer a handy cycle route to Gunnersbury Station (see above), unless they take a dim view of such an unacceptable incursion onto their territory.

Peter Evans ● 2233d

Maybe Brompton actually sponsored the whole thing.Covid restrictions have been a fantastic way for the elected champions of these measures to avoid meeting the public - except of course the ones they want to meet. I watched the original (possibly still only) online cabinet meeting that was open to the public - and that's an hour of my life I would like back please. We want these people on a platform, preferably in  ChiswickTown Hall facing the full force of a proper interactive human Q&A session. Questioners may wish to bring with them over-ripe fruit and vegetables to add to the occasion. Roll on that day.

Bruce Hammal ● 2233d

We need that Q&A, but we don’t need any overripe fruit and veg!Their arguments might well turn out to be like a bag of rotten tomatoes, but that’s for them to defend. Come on Will and Sam, get on your bikes.

Russell Pearson ● 2233d

"Business Park does at least offer a handy cycle route to Gunnersbury Station"One of the things that made me laugh during the CS9 debate was how the business park, GSK and Sky were supportive. And yet no plan, permanent or temporary, links any of these destinations to a cycle way. A glaring error/omission. Those who pointed out the inconsistency are instantly smeared as anti-cycling. Sorry, "smeared" is more accurate.While walking CHR Friday I noticed Will Norman on his Brompton. It is unfathomable to me from a PR perspective he and Steve Curran have the temerity to exclude any local councillors. Absolutely no effort to engage. And it hit me that in all this mishegoss those who are supportive of these measures aim to divide while those who oppose aim to unite. Only one path will build a community.

David Lesniak ● 2232d

When will this madness end? When you stop driving your children to and from school.

Samantha Hill ● 2232d

Are schools opening on Sunday? Acton Lane is currently static. Bloody parents!

Francis Rowe ● 2232d

I think now is the time to open up TGT and Fishers Lane to cars - what they were originally built for. Time to vote with our feet, as it were...

Mark Edwards ● 2232d

"open up TGT and Fishers Lane to cars - what they were originally built for"What they were originally built for...You sure about that?

Tony Smart ● 2231d

You're absolutely right, Tony.No time quite like 2020 to bring back the horse and buggy. Perhaps we can also return courtesy, respect and democracy to the debate along with it.

David Lesniak ● 2231d

Perhaps we can also return courtesy, respect and democracy to the debate along with it.Didn't you tell everyone to appeal fines to try and bring down the Council a few days ago.Make your mind up. Are you a prick or not?

Tony Smart ● 2231d

Time to vote with your motorised four wheels

Steve Taylor ● 2231d

Just picking up on the mention of Chiswick Business Park, as I understand it, it is effectively private land and there is no prospect of it being opened up for through traffic. The owners could be asked to improve the layout for cycling because it looks set to become an increasingly important route. They don't explicitly discourage cyclists but you don't get the impression it is encouraged. I am having similar issues to Mark Evans cycling along South Parade and Acton Lane at the moment to get to Silver Crescent from the Bedford Park area. I've taken to cutting through the residential streets of Acton Green to get to Bollo Lane. If you are lucky and don't get stuck at the level crossing it only takes a few minutes more than the former route. However, traffic does appear to be picking up on Bollo Lane. I was driving back in to Chiswick on Saturday morning and my SatNav directed me away from the High Road and up the North Circular to Gunnersbury Lane. Presumably the impact of the bus gate construction work. 

Andrew OSullivan ● 2231d

@ Samantha Hill, I assume your comment was aimed at me in response to my original post? Perhaps, if we'd been awarded a place at our 1st, 2nd or even 3rd choice school we would be closer and would be able to avoid driving. You may also wish to read my second post in this thread to see why driving is essential for me.

Nicholas James ● 2231d

Yes, Tony, I'm a prick.Perhaps a bigger prick than you. Isn't that what this is all about?

David Lesniak ● 2231d

Nicholas, there are quite a few who refuse to admit that some people needa vehicle to get around.

Janice Evans ● 2231d

That would be very ignorant. Who has said that and when?

Tony Smart ● 2230d