ANPRs the full story. Over four years ago when it became clear that TfL were going to block vehicle access to the west (north and south) out of Stile Hall Gardens I began discussions with Hounslow's Assistant Director of Traffic and Parking. We quickly agreed that a physical rising barrier or pop-up bollards would not be practical.However the discussion became more positive when I raised the possibility of using ANPR camera technology as deployed for several years in airport, hospital and even municipal car parks (e.g. Feltham) .Ultimately there was no money to do this and the Assistant Director did not have the vision to drive forward an experimental scheme. As a public servant no one was paying him to take risks blah blah blah.So we missed a golden opportunity to trial an already mature technology that could be used with great affect on some of Chiswick's roads.The result is that although you (Michael tinfoil-hat Robinson) might be happy with your mini-LTN a great many of your neighbours in the Stile Hall Gardens / Chiswick Village enclave are extremely annoyed that they are stuck with no access to the south, west or north unless they take a detour to Chiswick High Road and on to Chiswick Roundabout. Roll on May/June 2020 when Hounslow's traffic officers published their traffic plans for "South Chiswick" that most resident knew nothing about. This included not one but two experimental traffic schemes that relied ANPR technology. Hurrah I thought my discussions with officers have borne fruit and they have done some research and now know how to use ANPR technology (or know a man who does).On closer inspection it turned out that not only were the two schemes completely different (they are only experiments Cllr Hearn don't worry) but that Hounslow's traffic officers still had absolutely no idea how to operate the technology or even where to buy the cameras or how much they cost and what maintenance they would require (we had to act quickly Cllr Hear or we would have lost the TfL grant - Would that be the grant that for several months TfL refused to pay to cover the cost of ANPR cameras?)The way forward was for officers to try a pilot scheme on Green Dragon Lane in Brentford. Subsequently it has emerged that they were trialing not only the technology but also seeing if any one would challenge the legal basis of the ANPR based scheme.So what happened next? Did Hounslow place an order for ANPR cameras to be deployed on Thames Road / SOG. Not exactly. By now every local authority and their grannies were placing orders for ANPR cameras and LBH was at the back of the queue. Brilliant project management. Surely there must be a local government award for demonstrating such skill? I had a verbal pledge from the Assistant Director (who is no longer employed by Hounslow) that once the the Thames Rd / SOG scheme was fully operational he would order a review of the case for an ANPR based scheme on Stile Hall Gardens. It is unclear if his successors will honour this pledge. Flip-Flopping? On Stile Hall Gardens the scheme would require a driver to pass two ANPR cameras to have committed a contravention and be issued with a PCN ticket. On Thames Road / SOG everything is much more vague because the traffic officers worked hard to devise a scheme that would not close the SOG Schools, and bankrupt the shops, pubs, restaurants and other businesses.You can enter Thames Road / SOG for access purposes? Yes. But what does that mean? Making deliveries, having a coffee or a meal or a drink that sort of thing? Yes. So whether or no you get a PCN depends how long you are in the zone? Yes .. sort of. OK how long do you have to stay in the not to get a PCN, ten minutes, half an hour ... That is for us to know and you to worry about. No we are not going to tell you. We will just see if anyone challenges their PCN.So at last we see where the tin-foil hats come in. Residents will have to use wear these so that that they can communicate their intentions telepathically with Serco and LBH. Will a regime that relies on telepathy be enforceable at law? Hmm what the Hounslow Cycling guys and gals think Michael - Oh yes a forgot. You a big fan of fixed barriers. Where do you suggest we stick one on Thames Road?Its not a happy tale is it Michael. Yes, there should be a a simple ANPR scheme where you live. The ANPR based scheme being implemented on Thames Rd / SOG is a dog's dinner and needs a complete rethink. Now is the time for local residents' input to be listened to and acted upon.Only this morning I received the following email message."Dear Cllr Hearn I find that my neighbours, like myself, are unclear about the regulations which now govern traffic from Kew Bridge to Chiswick Bridge through our streets. We have the impression that Hartington Road is completely shut off to outsiders whereas Thames Road is open if you pause for awhile en route (though how long a pause is a question – is a cab/Uber coming to pick you up from or deliver you to home or one of the pubs or restaurants in compliance if its stop is merely long enough to pick up a passenger or drop one off)? Friends are refusing to come by until I can tell them. What if someone needs to order a cab to take them to hospital?"
Cllr Sam Hearn ● 2022d