Forum Topic

Chiswick mall and (some)Dogs off leads

Just now I was about to turn left off Chiswick Mall towards the A4 outside Mari Deli.  Three women who had met there for an essential takeaway coffee with one other, decided to ignore me and walk straight across the road in front, so I waited for them,  when the last women passed my car; I started to proceed, a split second later she jumped back towards me alarmed, so I jammed my brakes on.  She man handled a dog out of my path.   I waited and then she turned to me and angrily said  “You nearly ran her over!”   To which I shouted “Well put her on a lead then!”.  I had no way of seeing the dog as it was lower than my bonnet and bumber.  If I was in more of a hurry I most probably would of accelerated away and ran it over.   She then shouted at me “For Christs sake” and glared at me in an aggressive manner.    Now I personally would of thought it normal to get the dog out the way of the car and apologise, not blame me for driving on a road! I have to drive down the mall all the time and the amount of time I have to stop as dogs jump out in front of my car is numerous,  and never an apology.  I suppose silly me for driving on a road.

Nik Solomon ● 2105d24 Comments

She's a complete twat. A thicko.

Simon Temple ● 2105d

And you're no saint!

Robert Fish ● 2104d

One of the unfortunate consequences of Covid, it seems, is that people have less of a threshold for just about everything. Things that would not normally upset one do, and things one might not normally do are done. Unfortunately, this is a predicament we are all in, whether that be driving, exercising, or walking a dog. It is hard to give grace and be kind during these times, but it is probably what we all need because, at some point, we will be the ones making poor judgements.

Phil Hopkins ● 2104d

Even worse is letting children follow behind in car parks where cars are parking with lots of reversing and small child not visible.

Janice Evans ● 2104d

I was acquitted on the flashing charge! Well, charges.

Simon Temple ● 2104d

Yes, had to walk on the kerbstones to avoid woman with small dog on lead taking up the whole of the pavement this morning.  She could have picked it up or kept it walking closer to her.

Philippa Bond ● 2104d

Probably th same woman in Chiswick Mall - small dog, she had ear phones in, walked out in front of a cyclist, totally oblivious to the world around her. Cyclist not going fast but it made her jump.

Russell Pearson ● 2104d

All dogs should by kept on a suitable lead in built up areas by law as they are in other countries.Let them off in parks etc when permitted and safe.This would save lives, dog mess, dog on dog/person attacks.More than once I have been told by busybodies to let my dog off the lead in the street and Richmond Park.

Adrian Irving ● 2104d

"And you're no saint!"😂🤣

Will Watson ● 2104d

There has long been a problem on Chiswick Mall (pre-dating the pandemic) with pedestrians believing that they have the right to walk down the middle of the road when there is a perfectly adequate pavement. Often groups walk line abreast.This causes problems for cyclists and vehicle drivers. Drivers usually slow to a snail's-pace and cyclists weave in and out.

Cllr Sam Hearn ● 2104d

Couldn't agree more.

Simon Temple ● 2104d

That was a response to 15.47:00 BTW

Simon Temple ● 2104d

That’s a problem?  What a weird view of the world.  I love the pedestrian feel to Chiswick mall;  car drivers have to be a little careful, but that is a good thing, surely?  Have there been serious accidents to raise your concern?

Alex Houseman ● 2104d

By law, pedestrians do have a right to walk in the road in the UK.

John Hall ● 2103d

It would be interesting to see them exercising that "right" on Chiswick High Road!

Robert Fish ● 2103d

I thought we were talking about dogs off leads?

Simon Temple ● 2103d

Anti LTN councillor is also anti pedestrian. What a surprise.

Carl Wynne ● 2103d

Mr Toad. Beep beep.

Paul Campbell ● 2103d

Do yourself a favor, Carl, stick to facts.Rhetoric only leads to TfL being raked over the coals in a court of law for it's LTN "strategy."I wonder where these schemes would be if only local leaders and communities had been involved in an open, honest and constructive way as opposed to being limited to some crap poll and then having folks like you pile on shit when others asked what the hell is going on.

David Lesniak ● 2103d

The point is that if you look at the Highway code rules 47-58 which cover dogs it is clear the dog should have been on a lead. The highway code covers pedestrians as well as drivers.

Nicholas Beard ● 2103d

I replied to Sam Hearn's post but then deleted it because I thought I must be thinking of the wrong road.  But I'm not.There is NO adequate pavement.  It is narrow and difficult to walk on as it is bumpy and there are always cars parked along there half on and half off the road.  It is even worse when there are any building works being carried out to any of the houses there with lorries to navigate past.  It can also be difficult when there is another vehicle coming in the opposite direction as there tend to be few passing places. Having said that all it takes is for everyone to take care and to proceed very slowly.There often tend to be a lot of people with pushchairs which are much easier to push on the road. Pedestrians also find it easier to walk in the road and will then move onto the pavement or between the parked cars when moving vehicles approach.It just takes a lot of give and take and patience from everyone - but dogs should be on leads on roads.

Philippa Bond ● 2093d

PhilipaI have to disagree here.  I live on the road and see it in use alot more than most.  Cars do not park on the pavement at all.  When I walk I always use the pavement, there is plenty of space.  Walkers and Joggers do NOT move when a car comes.  They just look at you and then carry on walking until they decide to move to the side.  They walk 2,3 and 4 abreast.  Often people with headphones have no idea a car is behind them and just carry on, occasionally I beep my horn upon which you usually get a glare and no apology.  Give and take patience? I have been doing that for years on the mall, but it's out of control at the moment.  People need to realise that this is a road and not a national park.

Nik Solomon ● 2093d

It's never too late to brush up on the highway code. 
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/road-users-requiring-extra-care-204-to-225
Rule 112 The horn. Use only while your vehicle is moving and you need to warn other road users of your presence. Never sound your horn aggressively. You MUST NOT use your horn while stationary on the road when driving in a built-up area between the hours of 11.30 pm and 7.00 am except when another road user poses a danger. Law CUR reg 99 Rule 214 Animals. When passing animals, drive slowly. Give them plenty of room and be ready to stop. Do not scare animals by sounding your horn, revving your engine or accelerating rapidly once you have passed them. Look out for animals being led, driven or ridden on the road and take extra care. Keep your speed down at bends and on narrow country roads. If a road is blocked by a herd of animals, stop and switch off your engine until they have left the road. Watch out for animals on unfenced roads.

Paul Lund ● 2093d

Nik  OK you right about the parking now.  I suspect that there must have been some sort of traffic warden blitz because there definitely used to be parking on the pavement.However, the pavement varies quite a lot and is definitely not adequate for all the pedestrians.  The road does not have a white line down the middle and that is because the road is narrow too.  Some of pavement route is cobbled and difficult underfoot. It can be difficult for vehicles to pass each other.You said you had no problem walking along the pavement but how do you walk along pushing a buggy and holding a child's hand?  Or pushing a wheelchair?  The pavement is narrow and varies from 3ft to 4ft.  How about negotiating your way past the pillar box?  What about when someone is walking in the opposite direction?  Absolutely impossible to pass let alone socially distance the requisite two metres from each other. I suspect you are antagonising the pedestrians by beeping your horn.  You may well be more successful in passing them by just being patient and taking your time.

Philippa Bond ● 2085d