Forum Topic

Legal Challenge against Hounslow Council on Cycleway 9, CHR filed today, 10 November

Hearing that it would seem that an application for a judicial review was filed in the High Court against Hounslow Council in regard to its unlawful decision to proceed with Cycleway C9 on Chiswick High Road, and now posted on the OneChiswick Facebook Page.  It is being brought by Asal Shirazi BEM a Chiswick resident and mother with an autoimmune disease and businessman Mike Ormrod of Ormrod Lighting.  Good for them.  One has to say that it was always likely to end up here.  Particularly given the evidence to all that this is proving an unmitigated disaster.  No consultation with the Emergency Services and then Ambulances not getting through is never a good look.  A completely undemocratic approach, the ripping out of pedestrian facilities, and no thought about the needs of the vulnerable.Hounslow Council from what I can see deserve this.  It is what happens when you listen to one small interest group,  the London Cycling Campaign - Hounslow Cycling, and ignore all others. It has a tendency to create all sorts of conflicts of interest.  Asal Shirazi and Mike Ormrod you have my full support and I am sure the full support of many others throughout Chiswick and Hounslow.  Does anyone know if there is a page where we can make donations to support?

David Riley ● 2179d55 Comments

I’m surprised it has taken this long. If nothing else  elements of CW9 seem to my layman’s eye to be on shaky ground with reference to the provisions of the 2010 Equalities Act.

Bruce Hammal ● 2179d

So... there is a 3 month limit to file a judicial review, the traffic order for Turnham Green Terrace came into effect on 1 July so by my reckoning, this application is over a month too late.

Michael Robinson ● 2179d

3 months after the grounds for making it. So the traffic order came in, the execution was then an omnishambles, and so lots of time left.

Russell Pearson ● 2179d

On Further Reading - The Press Release being circulated says that it is a Judicial Review focused on the Cycleway, C9 on Chiswick High Road.  The Grounds look both numerous and deep and potentially very solid.  And why was the ETO only made in October 5 weeks after work started.We should be applauding Asal Shirazi and MIke Ormrod for taking this lead.

David Riley ● 2179d

A Judicial Review is for the process used to make a decision, not for details of implementation.

Michael Robinson ● 2178d

Worry not Michael, I’m sure your business won’t be affected, too much.

Russell Pearson ● 2178d

I applied to join the OneChiswick Facebook page but got no response. Is it a closed group of cycle haters?

Will Watson ● 2178d

No, it’s not.

Russell Pearson ● 2178d

Are you sure?

Will Watson ● 2178d

Perhaps they recognise the name of someone who wants to make it virtually impossible for Chiswick residents and retailers to go about their lawful business?

Claire Moran ● 2178d

Speaking from experience? Did they not let you in Claire?

Will Watson ● 2178d

Sadly for you, Will, I am a frequent poster on there.  Dedums.

Claire Moran ● 2178d

Maybe they don’t let silly willies in. Who knows 🤷‍♂️. But it’s not as you describe, that I do know.

Russell Pearson ● 2178d

So it's not OneChiswick it's just a part of Chiswick who wants to drive their cars unimpeded?

Will Watson ● 2178d

Now I wonder why your kind invite is under review. Those daft chumps who rant against straw men have put you in a bad place maybe, so perhaps you could try again?

Russell Pearson ● 2178d

Labour Leader Steve Curran survived the vote of no confidence and lives to fight another day to continue to wreak havoc across the Borough with his loyal comrades. He is accountable only to his own group of councillors.

Cllr Sam Hearn ● 2178d

What a surprise.  Like Bell, corrupt and seem to hate their constituents.  All about how long they can survive in their position and how much money they can rake in from various means before they retire/or are sacked.

Claire Moran ● 2178d

You spelt it wrong Will. wanChiswick will never let you in. You're nowhere near gloomy enough.

Edward Seaton ● 2178d

It's a very vibrant community with loads of photos showing the scale of the horror and the anger.  However, at least one of you lot has infiltrated, and got his just deserts.

Claire Moran ● 2178d

And videos like the one of the Merc driver using the pedestrian access from the crossing in front of the George IV to drive to the parking at the old marketplace repeatedly scraping the side against the low brick wall, causing thousands of pounds of damage to their own car and then reversing into a tree in front of a pensioner sat on a bench. That was like a metaphor for wanChiswick that was.

Paul Campbell ● 2178d

Gloomy Teddy? It’s brightened up again.

Russell Pearson ● 2178d

The people on one Chiswick aren't all cycle haters, but I think a few of them are. A couple of sample comments from different people from one thread ...'Needs a right hand.''failing that call them motherless.''hope someone report him to social services and has his kids taken off him that will teach him''the cyclist is very lucky he came across an honest motorist that stopped, otherwise he'd be a mark on the pavement and the motorist with these lenient laws would be out after a year.''do they f--- there a menace to the roads most of them jump every red light there is You see signs THINK BIKE F--K the bike they should be THINKING THINK CARS ...'Now to put in context, these comments were taken from a thread about a cyclist who was blocking Fishers Lane underpass while he had his kids with him. I've no idea how the situation arose initially, or who 'started' or 'sparked off' the situation.Clearly the cyclist was responsible for the situation continuing once it had started, and he should have backed off quickly, especially with his kids there.However, I doubt many of those posts that I've quoted were from people who were there and directly affected by his actions, and the hatred of cyclists seems to permeate through those posts.

Andrew Jones ● 2178d

Glad to hear it Russell. Good to stay positive in life. We’ve only got one.

Edward Seaton ● 2178d

That’s just scraping the surface Andrew. There is so much more.

Paul Campbell ● 2178d

When people who have paid tens of thousands of pounds for a car (or hundreds every month) find that people who have spent 500 quid on a bike get about town rather more quickly than them (and are healthier into the bargain) they do tend to get a tad upset.

Ken Munn ● 2178d

That’s a daft soppy comment Ken. I might expect that from your rather sillier chums, I’m sure you can do better.

Russell Pearson ● 2178d

Its pathetic the lenghts that Paul and his crew go to. He is happy to persecute businesses that dare stand up to these ludicrous schemes and name and shame them on social media. Ken is happy to denigrate and name call all those that dare oppose. I am sure there are plenty more insults and the like on their closed message groups.I dont condone any of these OTT comments but what it does show is the genuine anger and frustration people feel. Not just at the measures themselves but the complete lack of accountability of those making these decisions with no planning or foresight.It would be interesting if some of the lobbyists focused more on how they might bring the community back together rather than constantly seeking to demonise and divide it.I see plenty of idiots behind the wheel as I do on a bike. Like many I am a pedestrian, public transport user and driver, and was a regular cyclist. Many others are also multi modal. Try not obsessing over one mode of transport of focusing on the group who are fit and able to cycle.

Paul Green ● 2178d

Russell, although you may not suffer from it 'bike envy' does exist.

Ken Munn ● 2178d

I've actually had cars move to within 6 inches of the kerb to try to block me from overtaking them in queueing traffic.  They really don't like it.

Al Webber ● 2178d

Although I wish the applicants well in their attempt to get a judicial review I struggle to see how they can succeed. The scheme very much has the endorsement of the Department for Transport and what Grant Shapps said in his letter is contradicted by the ministry's response to the petition against similar schemes across the country. A judge is going to be very reluctant to effectively rule a government policy is illegal because that would have implications for every scheme across the country.The best hope looks like the issue of human rights and disability legislation. However, these would have been obvious pitfalls when the scheme was drawn up and it can be assumed that Hounslow got their lawyers to review the removal of pedestrian refuges and the bus island designs to check they were compliant. There is no doubt these changes have made Chiswick High Road a significantly more dangerous place but whether they are illegal is another matter.

Paul Corcoran ● 2178d

Surely' you'd be undertaking them, if they're blocking you by moving towards the kerb? Or maybe they are moving to the side so motorbikes and cycles can get past on the correct side. In the interest of balance, i'm sure there is a chance they were just being difficult too.

Rob Reynolds ● 2178d

It's just an opportunity for "venting" with no realistic result other than a barrister being able to splash out on their hobby.The fees should fund a Pinarello Dogma.

Will Watson ● 2178d

If you all got out of your cars an don your bikes then the problem would disappear.

Michael Charalambous ● 2178d

Really then the same tactic Trump is using to try and delegitimise the US election.

John Hall ● 2178d

It would be interesting if disability legislation was applied to pavement parking in some locations in Chiswick.  Also some trees that block pavement,  It would mean removal of all parking along some sections of road and the trees being felled.The western end of Wellesley Rd,  Sutton Lane North and Chiswick Road are some locations that spring to mind (although the Streetspace programme does list removal of pavement parking and widening pavement at Wellesley Rd).One of the benefits of cycle infrastructure  is that people who were hitherto unconcerned about matters like this, now become deeply concerned.  Charitable donations to disabled charities must have skyrocketed.

Michael Robinson ● 2178d

What I find highly amusing is that the leaves are rarely cleared from the streets/gutters in Chiswick High Road, and yet, blow me down, they were cleared up from the section of road and parking outside of Arrow Electrical, just before they came in overnight to do the finishing touches to the pop up cycle lane in this bit of the High Road. Why is it when you request leaf clearances, it takes months to happen, and yet for a pop up cycle lane, they seem to miraculously disappear!I have been watching the traffic camera on the High Road in this section and spotted the clearance seemed to happen Sunday or Monday night. https://www.trafficdelays.co.uk/chiswick-high-road-goldhawk-road-london-cctv-traffic-cameras/

J Morse ● 2178d

Claire, in of your posts you alleged that Cllr Steve Curran is corrupt. Where's your evidence?

David McLoughlin ● 2178d

dishonest, dishonourable, unscrupulous, unprincipled, amoral, untrustworthy, underhand, deceitful, double-dealing, disreputable, discreditable, shameful, scandalous. corruptible, bribable, buyable, venal, fraudulent, swindling, grafting, criminal, lawless, felonious, villainous, nefarious, iniquitous

Julian Pavey ● 2178d

Filtering is legal in slow moving or stationary traffic - although it seems to upset people.  You don't seem to aware of this, with your comment about overtaking on the correct side.I actually prefer to pass on the off side.  There is less risk of them letting a pedestrian out without looking and getting doored.In some cases, it has definitely been to try to block me.I've also had people deliberately drive onto roundabouts in front of me when it's my priority.The best way to improve cycling in London would be to remove licenses of these people, for a long period of time.

Al Webber ● 2178d

I am sure your implication that some people have opportunistically leapt on the disability impact of these changes because of their opposition to the scheme is correct. That doesn't alter the fact that they have clearly made the High Road a more difficult place for those with disabilities and mobility issues. I've had this explained to me in detail by someone who is wheelchair bound and another person who is registered as blind. Hopefully the feedback they have given to the council survey will be given due weight.

Paul Corcoran ● 2178d

Perhaps we need a hotline to report all the corruption everyone is seeing taking place? Then you’ll have him bang to rights in no time.

John Hall ● 2178d

Were it so, Will, it would be no different than the VIP list of cycle campaigners who have the ear of Steve Curran, Mark Frost, et al. when it comes to engagement and transparency. Sorry, I meant to say what passes for engagement and transparency.Perhaps it's only for people on that white list?

David Lesniak ● 2178d

"Is it a closed group of cycle haters?"What a typical twist of the cycling lobby! There are no cycle haters neither here or in that group. People want a balance and reasonable approach. Unfortunately the cycling lobby is very different -really so many car haters there. It's the cycling lobby who do their best to divide society, to plant hate against each other. The funny thing is that this policy of the cycling lobby does more harm to promoting cycling than good.

Alex Shpinkov ● 2178d

"So it's not OneChiswick it's just a part of Chiswick who wants to drive their cars unimpeded?"Why does this sound so familiar?Ah yes, it's just a part of Chiswick who wants to cycle unimpeded. I think "part" the operative word.

David Lesniak ● 2178d

"That’s just scraping the surface Andrew. There is so much more"Says the King of Snide Comments himself. Not to mention that threat to boycott businesses who dare ask a question.Please Paul, the cycle lobby has proven time and time again to post appalling things about anyone they deem "other." It's your stock in trade.

David Lesniak ● 2178d

Per Julian's list, which to me is spot on, I offer the following which comes via an Op Ed piece in today's NY Times. A discussion between Marines delved into why one felt Joe Biden would win. His response was: JJ DID TIE BUCKLE. I learned it was a mnemonic used in training for recruits to learn essential leadership traits. Sorely lacking in Trump and, in this case, Curran. It also made me think of John Stroud, whose antics always strike me as counter to what being military personnel is all about.JusticeJudgmentDependabilityInitiativeDecisivenessTactIntegrityEnduranceBearingUnselfishnessCourageKnowledgeLoyaltyEnthusiasm

David Lesniak ● 2178d

What is undisputable is that Curran is a well known bully

Paul Fisher ● 2178d

I can attest to Steve Curran being a Bully  I've a WhatsApp trail that shows exactly that...

Loraine Pemberton ● 2178d

To be fair Al, when I cycle - I do move over to make it easier for faster cars to overtake me. And when I drive and see cyclists riding in the middle of the road (or two abreast), not making any attempt to let faster vehicles overtake - I find it massively inconsiderate. Although of course which is completely legal.

Alex Shpinkov ● 2178d

wow, some pretty serious allegations on here.

James Smith-Jones ● 2178d

https://www.gofundme.com/f/onechiswick-united-against-streetspace-changes?sharetype=teams&member=5912070&utm_medium=social&utm_source=whatsapp&utm_campaign=p_na+share-sheet&pc_code=wa_co_dashboard_a&rcid=d838a427373340f683d5c27acf195e8e

Loraine Pemberton ● 2178d

The point about the leaves is an interesting one. I cycled along parts of the unopened section of the cycleway yesterday. There does seem to be a slight camber on the road still so the cycle route is a bit wetter, at the same time areas underneath trees have quite a lot of leaves on them. These are creating a potential hazard and might prompt some cyclists to stay on the road. The cycleway really needs to be swept of leaves at least twice a week during autumn.

Mark Evans ● 2178d

Good luck with that then!

Bruce Hammal ● 2178d

Hounslow will do anything to keep the number of accidents down while the 'trial' period is on so I'd expect twice daily sweeping!

Mark Evans ● 2178d

Will that mean even less sweeping elsewhere then? As far as I can make out once a year is about average. I'm comparatively new to living under the yoke of Hounslow having spent 40+ years just one street over the border in LBHF. Wading through the mushy detritus of yet another Autumn whenever I ventured into W4 I used to count myself lucky that I enjoyed the delights of a street that was swept every single week all year round in addition to several leaf-clearing operations during Autumn. You certainly don't know what you've got till it's gone!

Bruce Hammal ● 2178d