Forum Topic

CHR & Chiswick Lane - NO RIGHT TURN

Yesterday the new traffic signal was installed. It is not yet operational.For those traveling east on CHR, you will no longer be able to turn right onto Chiswick Lane. I wonder where that rat run will end up.

David Lesniak ● 2151d83 Comments

If this is correct, Hounslow Council really have totally lost the plot! They would then have to put further restrictions on Cranbrook Road to stop that becoming a rat run.  Traffic trying to get to the A4 would be forced down to Hammersmith, an already congested area.  When's all of this madness going to stop.......

Richard Bryson ● 2151d

We could open Beverley Road to Chiswick Lane Richard. About time that madness ended.

Paul Campbell ● 2151d

Wow, was this made clear in the plans for the 'temporary' CS9. I fear it is also only a matter of time before the right turn into Dukes Av goes, that is going to be a huge bottleneck and bring eastbound traffic to a standstill.So getting to Chiswick Lane will be near impossible. The westbound route down Goldhawk will be a car park along the High Road due to loss of bus lane, loss of left turn lane and shorter green phase. More traffic will divert onto the Acton Lane route and the roads around Turnham Green before heading down the heavily congested Sutton Court Road. But none of the decision makers care about that.Hounslow may have signed this off but this is TFL. Remember, CS9 is not designed to help the local community. Chiswick is merely a place it goes through. No amount of inconvenience or displaced traffic matters as long as they can achieve their goal. They also only care about bus speeds and measure pollution in one place, not where traffic is displaced to.This whole thing is a complete farce. Whoever signed off on this should be held to account.

Paul Green ● 2151d

I think if travelling west you can still turn left  down Chiswick lane but not turn right if travelling east (and wanting for example to go to Richmond/M4) though I stand to be corrected. In that case, unless I have missed something, those people who do not use Cranbrook Road  are either going to be trying Airedale Avenue Neteavon road in order to get back onto CHR and turn left (crossing the bike lane) or will have to go all the way up to Latymer School (which ever of Weltje Road/Rivercourt Road goes south)  to turn right and then have to go underneath Hammersmith Flyover and turn back on themselves to end up at Hogarth Roundabout!

Elizabeth Jane Daley ● 2151d

Hi Elizabeth, you are correct that heading westbound along the High Road it is still possible to turn left onto Chiswick Lane. My point is that the various measures such as loss of the left turn lane and loss of bus lane and shorter green, mean that the capacity of this junction westbound is halved. So traffic westbound will be terrible. I suspect you are right, people will be doing U turns or turning into the side roads, across CS9, blocking eastbound traffic, to get back to Chiswick Lane.The lack of though and foresight in this scheme is staggering. before any says some cr*p about getting on a bike, remember that all trade and commercial vehicles are impacted, which is further bad news for the local economy.

Paul Green ● 2151d

Apparently some of the food delivery chains are already saying they can't deliver to places in the new South Chiswick LTN because of LTN restrictions and soon no van will deliver to East Chiswick because their calculated runs will no longer work when traffic is taken into account. We're being marooned..

J Morse ● 2151d

'Chiswick 🏝' All we need now are few 🦈🦈🦈 swimming aroundOh wait aren't they residing at HH ?

Loraine Pemberton ● 2151d

'Apparently some of the food delivery chains are already saying they can't deliver to places in the new South Chiswick LTN'.I have to say I find this unlikely. The detours needed would only require a few extra minutes on their journey.

Felicity Caborn ● 2151d

Chiswick Lane is a perfectly reasonably route to get to the A4, not a 'rat run'.

Susan Kelly ● 2151d

So LBH truly are making us that live on the Glebe Estate 'Glebe Island'!If we take the false left turn only out of Bourne Place, no turning right into Duke Road, no turning right into Devonshire Road, no turning right onto Chiswick Lane, the only ways in if travelling East along CHR are Dukes Avenue/A4 or one way Brackley Road. Complete madness.

Rob Manners ● 2151d

To be fair this is probably true. Bobs mate from the pub said his barbers nephew heard it direct from the guy who works behind the deli at safeway's brother in laws uncle Tommy.

Tony Smart ● 2151d

On cue, another smug comment from one of the lobbyists, nice one TOny. Numerous people have reported that trades and others are showing a reluctance to serve W4, including shops having problems with their suppliers. Trying to get to north of tube line today, roads up Sutton Court and around Turnham Green were chaos. Cars doing u turns and going wrong way around the roundabout by the coffee shop. Most of traffic was trade and commercial. Still, as long as it doesnt impact you Tony, just keep on posting. The likes of yourself, Ken and Michael are doing a very good job of building resentment and opposition from the rest of the community.

Paul Green ● 2151d

On cue, another smug comment from one of the lobbyists, nice one Tony. Numerous people have reported that trades and others are showing a reluctance to serve W4 due to the congestion, including shops having problems with their suppliers. Trying to get to north of tube line today, roads up Sutton Court and around Turnham Green were chaos. Cars doing u turns and going wrong way around the roundabout by the coffee shop. Most of traffic was trade and commercial. Still, as long as it doesnt impact you Tony, just keep on posting. The likes of yourself, Ken and Michael are doing a very good job of building resentment and opposition from the rest of the community.

Paul Green ● 2151d

The irony is that residential roads that were once quiet now become a rat run, I thought the purpose of LTN’s was the opposite. Someone who has some clout really needs to stop Hounslow council meddling in Chiswick. They clearly don’t understand the area and residents who were able to avoid the congested areas to get home are now going to create more congestion. Where and when will this stop?????

Jayne Thorburn ● 2150d

This No Right Turn isn't shown on the maps on the TfL website, unlike the eastbound No Right Turn from CHR into Heathfield Terrace, which is. Maybe the contractors are having a larf, like the spurious no right turn from Bourne Place into Dukes Road.

Peter Evans ● 2150d

I wonder if the contractors working on behalf of TfL / LBOH are cycling activists, adding extra signs is a dangerous, put up the wrong sign advising road users that the traffic flow only goes one way when it isn’t, is a recipe for disaster.It’s got to happen sooner or later by letting the contractors making stupid mistakes regarding the signs on the Chiswick High Road.It’s a good job that some local residents are on the ball, and reporting these  Signs as they go up otherwise you will end up travelling around in circles.

Bernard Allen ● 2150d

"We could open Beverley Road to Chiswick Lane"As if on cue, Paul comes up with a real doozy of a plan. Note the irony of the LTN in his neighborhood but gosh darn it why not drive traffic down another residential street for no apparent reason?Pity Paul has no clue about the layout of Beverly Road. You know, silly things like turning radii and width.

David Lesniak ● 2150d

"The detours needed would only require a few extra minutes on their journey"Felicity, please give me some examples of what business wants to spend more resources to do less? Explain how that is driving profits. Then explain how when profits are wiped out from two shutdowns (and counting) that is good for business.I've no clue what you do or did. But imagine being asked to do more for less. Because that is precisely what is happening with delivery these days.

David Lesniak ● 2150d

"Chiswick Lane is a perfectly reasonably route to get to the A4, not a 'rat run'"Indeed, Susan, Chiswick Lane is a perfectly reasonable route to get to the A4. I believe it is the beginning of the A316.But with access to it restricted by east-bound traffic people will make the rat run down Cranbrook to access Chiswick Lane to continue on to the A4.Per Michael Robinson's theory of displacing traffic to where it belongs, why would you want to prevent traffic from accessing precisely those roads in order to promote Paul Campbell's daft theory of rat running via Beverly Road to get to the A4?Paul Campbell and LTN's: Only in my back yard. Never yours.

David Lesniak ● 2150d

Paul, not long ago you were sighting Beverley Road was a good example of a LTN, which it is and has been for decades.

Adrian Irving ● 2150d

A significant group of professional drivers spend many months studying the most efficient use of London's road system. It's called 'The Knowledge', not 'Rat-Running for Beginners', so I'd expect any other driver to be able to make similar use of our roads without rodent-based name calling when they do.

Peter Evans ● 2150d

Richard is against traffic being restricted in his neighbourhood so why would he object to Beverley Road being opened up to Chiswick Lane? After all that would be more democratic and would reduce journey times and pollution wouldn't it? That's what some very passionate people in Chiswick keep telling me. Free the residents of Beverley Road from the tyranny of the LTN. Free the residents of Homefield Rd, Airedale Avenue, Netheravon, British Grove and St Peter's Square while we are at it. Open them back up to the A4.Daft you say ..... yes quite.As for the right turn I suggest inquiring with TfL what is going on seeing as there is no right turn restriction on the C9 plans. You might learn something useful that prevents further outrage and internet frothing.

Paul Campbell ● 2150d

If this stupid idea is actually what is intended then the inevitable result will be to force more people to use SCR to access the A4.  This is consistent with other ideas floated by LBH.  The idea that people going east would continue all the way to Hammersmith and then double back on the gyratory are people who have never traveled that route even by bus or bikeOf course the fact that pre-lockdown SCR was unable to cope at regular times (particularly Friday afternoons from 4pm to 6pm) is not relevant - no doubt Michael Robinson will soon pop up on the forum with traffic numbers "proving" that SCR can cope.

Justin Stephenson ● 2150d

"As for the right turn I suggest inquiring with TfL what is going on seeing as there is no right turn restriction on the C9 plans."In the detailed plans for the 'temporary' C9, the no-right-turn restriction is implied by the traffic light phasing diagrams which compare the new phasing with the old.  At the Chiswick Lane junction, the new phasing has three changes from the old:- CHR motor traffic phase shows no right turn from eastbound CHR- separate phase for cycleway; no cycle movement for the other 4 phases- no left filter from westbound CHR (because filter lane abolished)However, as far as I can see, there would just be room for a right-turn lane in the middle of the junction as has been done for TGT.

Richard Jennings ● 2150d

I so love the irony of Paul crying out for LTN's by asking for the removal of same.

David Lesniak ● 2150d

I think you’ve missed the deliberate irony Adrian as Richard lives in that LTN and opposes traffic restrictions on other streets adjacent to it. You and David missing the point does rather underline it.

Paul Campbell ● 2150d

I live in that LTN and I can foresee what traffic will do when it can't turn right and it won't all be travelling past the LTN.Not difficult to work out if you know the area well and have a little foresight.

Adrian Irving ● 2150d

AdrianAccording to friends, apparently Paul Campbell lives in Grove Park, oops sorry South Chiswick...

Loraine Pemberton ● 2150d

Think you are confusing a right turn restriction that will operate in the traffic light phases when both eastbound and westbound traffic is on the green phase. This is as you would expect. The latest designs that I could find on line make no mention of an absolute restriction on right turns. See map below. The map does state that the design is indicative and subject to change. It is possible that they have now realised the junction design is unworkable if the right turn into Chiswick Lane is allowed. I don't know enough about how Experimental Traffic Orders work to say anything with total confidence but I would be very surprised if it was permittable for the council to issue an order without this turning ban and then introduce it within the terms of the same order. It is a very substantial change which fundamentally changes the nature of the scheme in this location. It would also be totally ridiculous for the change to be introduced without any forewarning or notification given to local councillors. That would be an act of duplicity.

Andrew OSullivan ● 2150d

On what basis are people claiming this no right turn restriction is operating? Is it in place at the moment or has signage been installed showing the restriction?

Mark Evans ● 2150d

OK Loraine, that figures.I am waiting for the penny to go CLUNK about my LTN.BTW who knew about being honoured with a LTN?I shall now tail my correspondence in full.Adrian W M Irving LTN

Adrian Irving ● 2150d

David, I'm not disputing that these restrictions are bad news for businesses trying to make delivers and, in some cases, unnecessarily so.What I am saying is that we should be sceptical of a claim that a large chain has stopped deliveries to an area particularly as the company is unnamed and the restrictions hadn't actually come into force when the claim was made. What I do is work in an industry that gives me some experience about how a company might handle a situation like this and that tells me that the affected business wouldn't be shy about telling customers why they needed to disappoint them.

Felicity Caborn ● 2150d

"When it can't turn right". This is the important point Adrian. Instead of wondering on the internet whether this is a permanent restriction why don't you inquire with TfL. I think you will like their response.Btw I know your LTN very well as I cycle through it most days and have done for many years. It is great. I find it curious how many of the most persistent objectors to traffic restrictions enjoy living on roads with traffic restrictions. You, Richard, David and Loraine to mention just a handful.

Paul Campbell ● 2150d

There is a “no right turn” sign on the new traffic lights, shuck are as yet not operational. Have contacted the usual suspects asking for clarification but have yet to receive a reply.

Mark Perry ● 2150d

"I find it curious how many of the most persistent objectors to traffic restrictions enjoy living on roads with traffic restrictions. You, Richard, David and Loraine to mention just a handful."Firstly, thanks to C9 and LTN's the road where I and my neighbours, both residential and business, live is now an ingress and egress nightmare, no problems before ! Btw have you actually taken any notice of the abundance of new posters on this Forum alone who are anti LTN's as well as the Pig's Ear that is C9 ? Time you took off your rose tinted goggles and take a reality check.Both C9 and LTN's are highly unpopular due to the dangers of C9 to all road users and Pedestrians, and LTN's because they're carving up Chiswick into a logistical and divided community.You and your pals at LCC/HCC and LBH have successfully changed Chiswick and not for the better - you all deserve an award and I'm sure that many will have some excellent suggestions as to what that should be...

Loraine Pemberton ● 2149d

As I say the people living in decades old LTNs, even those with many hard physical barriers, seem to be very satisfied with them and would be horrified to see them reopened to through traffic. I expect that many more people will feel similarly about their LTNs in the future.

Paul Campbell ● 2149d

Arr, so you are suggestion that this is a temporary measure. I see.In the meantime I foresee traffic turning right into Homefield, left into Beverley then left into Airedale, left into CHR and then up Chiswick Lane, through the LTN. Mr Vine won't be too happy me thinks.Small correction Paul, I have never been a persistent objector to LTNs anywhere or anytime nor have I been campaigning for three years against safer cycling which is the other of your dreamt up accusations.

Adrian Irving ● 2149d

I spoke to one of the workmen yesterday and he told me the system will be going live this Friday.Not gospel but we will soon know when the mobile camera turns up I guess.

Adrian Irving ● 2149d

So TfL and Hounslow Council are saying that basically they have worked out that it is not possible for this junction to work in any form of safe manner without stopping the Right Turn from CHR to Chiswick lane.  The problem was only realised 3 weeks ago, when they gave it a go operationally and then had to stop as it was clearly unsafe. The plans you can find are still based on that.  The new design now creates so much potential traffic and restrictions to people on Chiswick Lane and side streets that pollution will be going through the roof.  The design is quickly unravelling.

Chris Soze ● 2149d

Has to be an error. As far as I am aware an Experimental Traffic Order does give the council the power to remove aspects of a scheme during the trial period but not introduce new restrictions. Such a restriction would be major negative for the Glebe Estate, Cranbrook Road, Dukes Avenue and Sutton Court Road and go against the stated LTN principle of moving traffic onto distributor roads and away from primarily residential streets.

Paul Corcoran ● 2149d

"The problem was only realised 3 weeks ago, when they gave it a go operationally and then had to stop as it was clearly unsafe. The plans you can find are still based on that."I agree that the design is flawed, but it's not a last-minute change.  The new lights including those to control cycleway traffic are only just being installed this week.  What was realised 3 weeks ago was that leaving the cycleway semi-open without lights to control cycle traffic was unsafe.  That was why the cycleway was closed more securely than a few cones across it.Here is an extract from drawing CSDC9-TFL-PRD-11-DR-TE-01-0019, revision P01, dated 21/7/2020, which illustrates the changes to the traffic light phasing.  I have circled the relevant phase in blue. The lack of a right turn from CHR was apparently always part of this flawed scheme.

Richard Jennings ● 2149d

Richard given your knowledge do you actually believe the cycle way and all the relevant changes are actually safe for everyone? Was consideration given to traffic congestion and the impact of losing the bus lane? Local residents ability to get around locally? I can’t see one improvement for anyone other than cyclists is this how councils operate totally blinkered?

Jayne Thorburn ● 2149d

What I don't quite understand is why it is unsafe to have traffic turning right into Chiswick Lane at these lights because it could endanger the cyclists and yet every other turning off the high road right into side roads and people's properties is obviously fine? I think someone counted the number of turnings and including the properties and side roads it came to 20+ along the stretch from Chiswick High Road. It will be more dangerous trying to right into Cranbrook/Homefield/Airedale and Netheravon when there is traffic all day long, meaning you have to cross traffic first - and sit in the road to wait for any cyclists (especially when there is bus obstructing the view).All this is going to do is drive traffic to all other side roads, do a u-turn to get back onto Chiswick Lane.

J Morse ● 2149d

You couldn't make it up. Oh, I'm sorry, apparently they have!Cutting  off access to the Hogarth roundabout - a stroke of genius.

Bruce Hammal ● 2149d

Richard, am I not sure why the abscence of a dedicate right turn phase down Chiswick Lane would matter, there was not one before and I dont see how one would work now. What there should be is some space for right turning vehicles to wait in, if the design does not allow this then it needs to change. The knock on is likely to be more traffic looking to turn right down Dukes Av, which in turn will highlight that that turn cannot be maintained and for traffic to flow. So ban that too? I fear so. Dont forget folks, CS9 is not for Chiswick. Like the A4 is just bulldozes through.The result will be to drive more traffic onto smaller roads, encourage U turns or traffic turning into side roads to the east, crossing the cycleway in the process. THis is a very significant issues for trade and private vehicles. No doubt Paul C will be along to tell us all to stop 'frothing'. It remains a strange coincidence that none of the vocal proponents of these schemes live on roads that will see displaced traffic, some of which are already busy and polluted. Funny that. Who would have thought that a rushed 'temporary' scheme with no modelling and zero consultation would found to be riddled with problems and basically unworkable. Surely not a bunch of paid and qualified traffic planners...

Paul Green ● 2149d

Would it have been too much to ask for a leaflet drop to the areas affected outlining these changes?Instead we find out on the grapevine or condescending told to troll through virtually impenetrable websites.What charmers.

Adrian Irving ● 2149d

Apart from some smart arse comments earlier in this thread the cycling lobby have gone surprisingly quiet?If you had asked me a couple of months ago whether this was an error I would have said yes but given the stunning lack of forethought and planning that we have seen with this project I really don’t know anymore!As mentioned earlier this matter has been raised with TFL ,LBH et al but so far no response...

Mark Perry ● 2149d

A LBH response to me.Dear Cllr Todd, Further to our telephone conversation I can confirm the right tun ban is an error and we are currently in dialogue with TfL regarding their plans to rectify this. Will share the detail once agreed. I've asked for it to be covered up asapJohn

John Todd ● 2149d

I see the drawing says removal of the East bound cycle lane and cyclists to use the two way cycle lane instead. Wonder how much that will be the case? I know two regular cyclists who have said it's pointless getting in the new lane as it means they  can't get to where they need to without a lot of shenanigans and crossing the road, rather than just carrying on straight on to get where they need to.

J Morse ● 2149d

As always - massive thanks to the wonderful Mr Todd in getting responses. Much appreciated as always John. This madness is enough to send anyone over the edge at the moment

J Morse ● 2149d

Many thanks, once again, Cllr Todd

Mark Perry ● 2149d

This does beg the question "whose mistake" ?Is anybody supervising this job or are contractors just randomly putting up signs where they see fit? This is the second "error" in a week where signs have been badly or wrongly positioned and it has taken ages to address the problem  Since all that's required is a screwdriver or adjustable  spanner the mistake should be gone in minutes - even less if all that's happening is shoving a plastic bag over it. Of course it should never happen in the first place, but it looks like that's too much to ask. What's needed is a complaints hotline; there's a full-time job for somebody.

Bruce Hammal ● 2149d

Relieved that this is the case - also confirmed by an article on the front page. Although I was reasonably confident it was an error there was a nagging doubt that this might just be something that TfL and Hounslow would attempt. The nature of the error might not be a total coincedence. I'd be willing to bet the right turn ban was looked at in an attempt to raise the capacity of this junction and stop tailbacks to King Street being a constant.

Paul Corcoran ● 2149d

Now myself, my neighbours both residential and business can drive into Bleak House Lane but can only reverse out !No letter, no warning and when we contacted TfL and LBH, their attitude was surprisin. Both of these organisations screwed up and when we highlighted this error and in fairness to TfL they were sorry and basically admitted an error was made but that it was too late for any remedial action, LBH's response was basically 'tough'l and live with it's no surprise there !C9 and LTN's are a nightmare and dangerous, divisive ones at that that benefit only one group and that's a minority group ! Absolutely shameful.C9 should've gone down the A4 - safer and less polluting for everyone.

Loraine Pemberton ● 2149d

Re John Todd - seconded and great work

Loraine Pemberton ● 2149d

To quote the late great Terry Thomas; "What an absolute shower!"

Adrian Irving ● 2149d

1) Bourne Place / Duke Road 2) Chiswick Lane / CHR 3) Bleak House Lane / CHR Wonder how many more ?

Loraine Pemberton ● 2149d

Someone posted on the neighbourhood site that a sign has gone up saying you can no longer turn left into Sutton court from from Elmwood Road?

Cecile Parfitt ● 2149d

Knickers may now be untwisted.

Ken Munn ● 2149d

Seemingly this is related to works being carried out by Thames Water although the one.network website gives the location as being on the other side of the A4. It's scheduled to last until Dec 15th.

Bruce Hammal ● 2149d

"Someone posted on the neighbourhood site that a sign has gone up saying you can no longer turn left into Sutton court from from Elmwood Road?"Later posts on Nextdoor indicate that it was a mistake by a workman and the sign was being removed.  However, there was a reference to an impending road closure on SCR outside the Methodist Church.  Only a rumour at present!

Richard Jennings ● 2149d

I'm afraid it's more than a rumour.

Bruce Hammal ● 2149d

So ok,TFL, Hounslow Council and London Cycling Campaign have worked out that was an "error" and attracting too much heat, and would compounded the illegality of the C9 proposals.  Now they will be trying to work out what to do having realised that the traffic light phasing cannot accommodate the vehicles on the road, without significant queues building up all along King St, Goldhawk Rd. Chiswick High and Chiswick Lane and every side street adjoining those roads.

Chris Soze ● 2149d

And when the resurfacing works of the road Sutton Court Road  southbound between Barrowgate and the A4 start and that approach is closed? Not really sure how Grove Park is accessed then?

Cecile Parfitt ● 2149d

"1) Bourne Place / Duke Road2) Chiswick Lane / CHR3) Bleak House Lane / CHRWonder how many more?"Well there is the erroneous "no right turn" sign which was put up not once but twice at the junction of CHRd with Dukes Avenue.  So that makes at least 4...

Marie Power ● 2149d

I have pre-paid for some electical items from the wonderful shop in Devonshire Rd and was planning to drive up there tomorrow or Friday to collect the package - they kindly load it into my car so I can park outside and not enter their premises.  My normal route home would be via Chiswick Lane, and the A316 turning right into Hartington Rd.  However, with SCR going south closed, presume all traffic will be forced to enter C.Lane!  No good trying via C.Roundabout and down to Kew Bridge as I'm now not permitted to enter from Thames Road in SotGreen!  Could carry on over Kew Bridge along the Circular to Gt Chertsey Rd and back up over Chiswick Bridge.  There's always driving to Hammersmith and round the huge gyratory system back on the A4 to Hogarth roundabout and A316 towards H.Rd and C.Bridge!  None of those journeys much suited to most but especially not old ladies of over 80!Any suggestions how I get to collect from Chiswick Lighting and get home in under 2 - 3 hours?  Come on Michael R who knows all - or Hounslow Council's experts.

Jennifer Selig ● 2149d

Jennifer:From Devonshire Road, right into Glebe Street, right into Duke Road, left into CHR, left at lights into Dukes Avenue.  Left on to the A4, right round Hogarth Roundabout, and back westwards on A4.  Left at lights into SCR, then as normal.

Richard Jennings ● 2149d

Many Thanks John. Always a straight 'find out' answer from you. I think LBH and TfL are on a wind up for us in Chiswick, we should really have expected it and seen it coming. If they don't want us to be in the LBH bring it on, after the fiasco's of recent weeks we'll all go without a fight.

Rob Manners ● 2149d

But I thought we'd established there's nothing to stop eastbound vehicles turning right into Chiswick Lane as before.  I assume we're all capable of making a right turn without arrows in the middle of the road and a specific traffic light phase to help us.

Peter Evans ● 2149d

Richard -You've missed the most obvious route for Jennifer.Continue on Devonshire and turn left on Ashbourne Grove. At the end turn right on Chiswick Lane and follow on until the Hogarth Roundabout. Less of a rat run.

David Lesniak ● 2149d

Good Morning Cllrs, TfL have confirmed that the no right turn ban will be covered over this morning and have issued a redesign to their contractor which removes this restriction.

John Todd ● 2149d

NT

Ken Munn ● 2148d

Let me know if this twists your knickers, Ken:Sitting in traffic after just turning right from Goldhawk onto CHR. An ambulance needs to get through. Not easy at this new pinch point.While I'm as far to the left as I can get I notice the newly painted road markings. They show east-bound cycling pointed directly into the middle of oncoming west-bound road traffic. It is a head-on collision waiting to happen.

David Lesniak ● 2148d

I've just had an email from somebody in the "Streetspace engagement team". I won't comment on the general nature of the contents, however here's one bit that might be of interest. If the no right turn into Chiswick Lane from the High Road was a "mistake" what are we supposed to make  of this?"For a short period of time the right turn from Chiswick High Road into Chiswick Lane was temporarily banned. The turn will be reinstated as soon as the traffic signals have been upgraded."So is this legally enforceable or not? Whatever, although it's wrong, , it clearly wasn't done in error!

Bruce Hammal ● 2148d

Yes, that's a more obvious route, but in my experience that access to Hogarth Roundabout is more subject to delays than the Dukes Avenue route.

Richard Jennings ● 2148d

Richard - your response to my problem getting back from Chiswick Electrics in Devonshire Rd, was not at all helpful. All very well but NOT while T.Water's s.bound closure in SCR continues.  Of necessity I cannot afford all that extra time sitting in traffic jams.  My parcel remains in Chiswick Electrics - candles are the only option for the time being.

Jennifer Selig ● 2148d

The Thames Water works affect ONLY the southbound lane opposite the Methodist Church, north of the A4.  My suggested route avoided that location. If you avoid the rush hours, there should not be any significant jams, but I expect the usual suspects will dispute that.I'm sending you a PM.

Richard Jennings ● 2148d

Yes I know that Richard and it was emphasized by the workman who arrived half an hour late at my flat.  He gets to Hartington Rd from way beyond Heathrow travelling by van with all his gear on the A4/SCR into GP.    Nice start for the poor man - not that cheerful either!  Incidentally was joking about candles!  Parcel being delivered to me but thanks for the offer.

Jennifer Selig ● 2148d

As far as I can see this is the timeline here.1) Somebody at Hounslow Council decides that a temporary ban on right turns are needed at Chiswick Lane.2) They don't tell anybody including TfL, councillors, local media or the public3) When order is made for the traffic lights it is assumed the ban is permanent not temporary and they arrive hard wired to ban the right turn4) As soon as people see the new sign they point out to the council the obvious fact that restricting right turns here is a truly terrible idea and the sign is quickly covered up and any notion of actually imposing the restriction is abandoned5) At the same time Sutton Court Road gets closed down southbound and buses were put on a diversion using the right turn that would have been banned if people hadn't kicked up a fuss.6) No admission of fault is made by the council and nobody is held accountable

Paul Corcoran ● 2148d

This timeline is slightly contradicted by the email sent out by TfL yesterday which states:'For a short period of time the right turn from Chiswick High Road into Chiswick Lane was temporarily banned. The turn will be reinstated as soon as the traffic signals have been upgraded.'The implication is that the turn is still banned as the signals have not been upgraded.However, as you point out, TfL themselves have put their own buses on a diversion route using the right turn.So as it stands part of TfL think there is a ban and part think there isn't.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 2148d

The only real take away is to underline that there has been no proper modelling of this scheme and TFL are clueless. We all know there has been no consultation on this scheme, as many of the problems and issues it creates could easily have been notified to TFL.If you look at the new eastbound green phase for High Road traffic at Heathfield Terrace junction, this is now a separate green phase to the westbound High Road traffic. So the junction previously had 2 green phases (High Rd and then Heathfield Terrace), now has 4 (2 separate ones for High Road, cycle green and Heathfield Terrace). So another junction with big reduction in capacity, and the eastbound phase is quite short. Reinforces the view that TFL is trying to limit the traffic able to reach the central area of the High Road, creating inevitable queues and congestion at either end. TFL does not care, neither does Hounslow.

Paul Green ● 2148d

The situation has arisen because of a new government directive. They realised that every decision they were making was wrong. Therefore they decided if they advised people to do one thing then immediately afterwards advised them to do the exact opposite they would be right half the time rather than never significantly increasing the number of times they said the right thing. This worked really well with Covid-19 with Boris Johnson's 'Don't Stay at Home/Stay at Home' advice and now has been rolled out nationally.

Francis Rowe ● 2148d

Good one Francis.Whilst we are on the subject I have just😇 cycled 😇 up to Queensway and then back via High St Ken. on a couple of errands and noticed there is no left filter from CHR into Goldhawk. Can't temporary lights cope with this then? Let's hope they get it right when they finish up on the 18th.BTW no problem at all going along High St Ken.

Adrian Irving ● 2147d