Forum Topic

Gunnersbury Park - parking charges

I see there are 10 grass Football, Rugby and Cricket pitches which is a great addition to the local facilities.Will the imposition of £2 an hour parking charges apply to all Football, Rugby and Cricket players on Saturdays and Sundays?  If so that's going to deter lots of clubs from using the facilities.Cricket for example is a 6 to 7 hour day very often. Nobody will want to pay that sort of money.

Derek Hill ● 1960d59 Comments

Why should a facility provided for drivers by council tax money be free? I say this a a driver, pedestrian, and public transport user. If I choose to drive then I accept that there is a cost involved. £2 per hour is cheaper than pretty much anywhere else in London.

Chris Jenkins ● 1960d

There is also an angling club whose members are paying £170 a year to fish in the lakes, some of whom stay overnight, that could rack up some pretty exorbitant parking charges! Has anyone thought this through properly?

Vanessa Smith ● 1960d

So the parking company ONLY make money from fines.A camera times you in and out and matches that period to your ticket. Fair enough, but I wonder how much time is allowed to leave the car park, if you return to your car at the expiry time?

Nick Jenkins ● 1960d

They will park in the surrounding roads at weekends, inconveniencing the residents and holding up the buses, unless parking restrictions are extended.

Susan Kelly ● 1960d

Vanessa Smith explained" There is also an angling club whose members are paying £170 a year to fish in the lakes,"People fishing on the lake park up in Lionel RoadNorth. They even have their own dedicated gate in thefence with a separate padlock.I don't know how much free parking there is or if there are any restrictions. I only know thishaving stopped and talked to some of them on anearly morning walk last year out of curiosityas to whether the pond had been specially re-stocked. Their main concern was how difficult the CIC had been to deal withmichael adams...

Michael Adams ● 1960d

Chris.  I did ask IF there will be parking charges on the weekends.  If not then no problem.  However a £2 per hour charge on a weekend will see players who turn up in cars park in the streets if there are no restrictions on a weekend. Away teams visiting will almost certainly come along in cars.  If there are parking restrictions in streets around and a £2 per hour on site charge then nobody will come and use the facilities. Don't forget these charges will be in addition to the ground hire costs which are not cheap.

Derek Hill ● 1960d

Nick Jenkins explained"So the parking company ONLY make money from fines"The point has been raised elsewhere, that theentrance to the car park - around 75yds long - is only single lane.If the cameras are positioned at the Pope'sLane entrance rather than where the entrancewidens out then there's clear scope for conflict with drivers desparate to leave and others intent on entering from Popes Lane.With increasing numbers all hoping to leaveand enter around the same time there seems plenty of scope for gridlock, fines, appeals, and lostbusiness.      And new threads on local forums.michael adams

Michael Adams ● 1960d

The issue is that there is almost zero convenient public transport to Gunnersbury. The only time I drive during the week is to take my son there. I have tried getting the E3 bus from Chiswick but it takes so long and goes the most indirect route. A twenty minute door to door drive takes me an hour when taking the bus, not to mention the long walk out the park walking along the long unlit drive where there is no room for pedestrians. When it was dark I had to walk out holding my phone torch up so someone wouldn’t hit us. From Chiswick high road is there anyway of getting there in less than 20 minutes? I’d happily not drive if there is a way!

Alex Brown ● 1960d

So I guess locals will be clamouring for restrictions. Why doesn't that surprise me?For swimming we used to go by coach to other pools.  For football and cricket shared cars or minibuses. Or players travel separately from heavy kit.Why does everybody think that they have to take their own car everywhere?

Philippa Bond ● 1960d

Has anyone read the Google reviews of Gemini Park Solutions who are going to be in charge of running the two car parks? One minute overstay will land you a disproportionate fine, possibly £100 payable to Gemini, not Gunnersbury. I think the ANPR cameras will deter more park users than a £2 per hour charge.

John Roberts ● 1960d

It's only a 6 minute walk from Acton Town tube....

Simon Tranter ● 1960d

Exactly John, there needs to be a fair grace period from the expiry time to the camera showing an exit. ie at least 5 mins.

Nick Jenkins ● 1960d

There is a single narrow access point to this car park which is already getting blocked up by vehicles trying to get in and out at peak times. Once competitive sport is fully up and running this September there are likely to be significant delays getting out of the car park even allowing for a large proportion of participants parking in local residential streets. The CIC should have got an assurance from Gemini Parking that any vehicle delayed at exit does not receive a fine but they probably didn't.

Mark Evans ● 1959d

Alex, I hesitate to use the "B" word because it invariably triggers the least secure people on this forum but it would be remiss not to mention it as a means of travelling to Gunnersbuy Park even quicker than your 20 min window. Using Wellesley to get to Chiswick Roundabout and then following the path on the west side of the roundabout and Gunnersbury Avenue avoids most nastiness..

Paul Campbell ● 1959d

The angling club do not have their own car park and have to use the same one as everyone else. So, in theory if you went fishing and did two nights, as some members do, you could rack up around £96 pounds in parking fees! Someone, somewhere needs to go back to the drawing board on this one!

Vanessa Smith ● 1959d

Vanessa Smith suggested" The angling club do not have their own car park and have to use the same one as everyone else."This was in response to my own comment -" People fishing on the lake park up in Lionel RoadNorth. They even have their own dedicated gate in thefence with a separate padlock."For people unfamiliar with Gunnersbury Park the Potomac lake which the anglers use is situated in the South West corner of the Park. Lionel Road North where the anglers park forms the western boundary of the park. The lake is around 75 yards from theLionel Road fence in which they have their own entrance. This allows them 24 hour access to the Park which wouldn't otherwise be possibleduring more normal times. The car park being spoken of, is on the Northern Boundary of the Park. A rather long walk, and totallyunnecessary walk when lugging fishing gear, rods, stoolskeep nets etc. That's assuming its possible to gainaccess to the car park at all, given that at some stage its presumably going to start closing at night again.michael adams...

Michael Adams ● 1959d

"Why does everybody think that they have to take their own car everywhere?"If you are going to make a point may suggest it would be have more impact if you don't grossly exagrate.I agree there must be some unnecessary car journeys but given the terrible traffic and parking issues in London I can't think lots of people use their car if there is a viable alternative.I certainly don't.

Adrian Irving ● 1959d

I'm surprised that they haven't come up with a one-way system considering the different entrances and exits or marked up a different pedestrian entrance and exit since the current one is so narrow and it would appear unlit.

Philippa Bond ● 1959d

Phillipa Bond explained" I'm surprised that they haven't come up with a one-way system considering the different entrances and exits"Given the fuss there's been over the size of a few signs thats's very unlikely to happen. The only reason they were able to enlarge the car park at all, is because the land was formerly leased to commercial nurserymen who used it for sitingpolytunnels. Rather than it still being part of the original structure - one of the walled kitchen gardens.A while back, without thinking I rather foolishly suggested they could simply knock down the high wallon the left going in, and widen the entrance that way. Which given its probably been there 200 years, would really get some people frothing at the mouth.  There's always been a conflict surrounding Gunnersbury Park right from the start regarding the cost of its upkeep. Basically while the relevant councils were gifted it at a knockdown price by the Rothschilds, subject to restrictive covenants, and used its purchase as an opportunity to enhance the status of the area and provide a much needed  public amenity, they never really considered the long term cost. So in the first renegotiation of the covenant houses were build along the boundaries facing Popes Lane and Lionel Road North. And so it's gone on to the present day with pop concerts, expensive cafes and sports facilities, and car park charges. The only difference being possibly what was formerly a few hours work for employees of the relevant councils maybe meeting up every three months, now  requires thrusting dynamic executives on eye watering salaries, especially skilled at formulating overly optimistic business proposals. michael adams

Michael Adams ● 1959d

There would be speeding if there was more than one exit and entry for vehicles.  There are always some who just can't help themselves.  I still think it could be made safer for pedestrians.  There are often very fast cyclists in there too despite the very good notices.

Philippa Bond ● 1959d

Unless my memory is playing tricks  I almost bumped into the Dalai Lama and his entourage coming through the arch next to the main house as I was going the other way. When it was can't remember.On my last visit I found the museum interesting, the staff helpful and knowledgeable but felt the surrounding grounds rather dull. Sorry.

Adrian Irving ● 1959d

Currently, during half term periods when football brings the junior leagues, the car park is usually crammed with what i call "one footballer, one parent and one car!"  Can't wait to see what happens when Parkrun comes back to Gunnersbury on Saturdays mornings! Up to 600 runners sharing 150 car spaces and the stampede out of the car park after realising a camera is taking a snap of your index number!

John Roberts ● 1959d

Ah driving to a park to run or cycle or walk dogs. We will laugh at this one day when people run or cycle or walk dogs to a building where they can sit in a driving simulator for an hour.

Paul Campbell ● 1959d

Adrian Irving explained"But felt the surrounding grounds rather dull. Sorry."The original idea was that standing on the terrace outsidethe large mansion - through your Dalai Lama arch - it was possible to see the Surrey Hills. Unfortunately a lot has happened in terms of industry outside the walls, and trees maturing inside the walls, in the intervening 150 years.Saying which, the restoration of the horseshoe pond and orangery have certainly improved the immediate vista from the terrace Neither of the houses are all that special - they simply exemplify all the features demanded by 19th century plutocrats. They're the work of local buildersrather than prominent architects.  The follies in various locations are maybe of greater interest being the work of a London firm James Pulham and Son.Like many local museums Gunnersbury suffers from the fact that most of the more interesting materialwill already have found its way into the London Museum or the British Museum. It's possibly o.k for a one-off visit but that's probably about it.Although it did of course feature heavily when tendering for the grant. But to be fair they're doing a lot of laudablework in terms of semi-wilderness areas and wildflower plantings in various places - some of which can take the visitor completely by surprise.michael adams...             

Michael Adams ● 1959d

Could you just imagine the audacity of some people to drive to Richmond to meet a friend from, oh I dunno, Surrey somewhere, to meet and greet and have a run or walk your dogs together? Especially after months and months of not being able to? Or get this, have share a picnic with your friends and families and use a central meeting point? Isn't that just the most awful thing you could think of? What's laughable is the myopic minds that cannot consider people live lives differently. Not to mention it makes these folks no less morally superior to said myopic minds.

David Lesniak ● 1958d

Paul, whether you like it or not people are likely to continue driving to the park to walk the dog or go for a run. Both are pastimes which are far more pleasant to do in a green open space than by a busy road and, for most dogs, time off the lead is essential for them to get proper exercise. Gunnersbury Park would be more or less empty if your puritan views were widely held as to get to the park on foot a large proportion of visitor would have to cross the A4/M4 or the North Circular. If parks are only for the fortunate few that can walk to them, why should public money be spent on maintaining them?

Jeremy Parkinson ● 1958d

Sigh. Yes Jeremy I forgot to print the usual disclaimer about people who NEED to drive to parks. Not that that deterred New York from barring cars for good from Central Park. Perhaps you'd prefer it if we put a nice wide two-way road through the middle of Gunnersbury park to make it more like Richmond Park and Hyde Park i.e. more accessible to people who NEED to drive.But we can certainly agree that the biggest deterrent for people to visit Gunnersbury Park via active travel is the huge barrier of massive horrible noisy and polluting dangerous roads with inadequate crossings that prioritise motor traffic at the expense of walkers and cyclists. If only something could be done about that .........

Paul Campbell ● 1958d

You consistently try and attribute points of view to people who disagree with you that people don't hold in a childish attempt to try and win arguments. Nobody is suggesting a road through Gunnersbury Park.Your simplistic and binary perspective on these issues adds little that is constructive to the debate and seems designed only to serve your conviction that you are much more virtuous than everyone else.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 1958d

It's a joke (but it does highlight how ludicrous the roads are in Richmond Park and Hyde Park) and you were the one who started by attributing points of view to people who disagree with you that people don't hold. Lighten up Jeremy. That car is making you miserable.

Paul Campbell ● 1958d

Another juvenile response from you rather confirms Jeremy's point. There is no point in you consistently responding to every discussion on transport with a variation on 'aren't cars terrible, aren't I amazing'. Gunnersbury Park is glorious at the moment and was invaluable during lockdown as it was one of the few parks in this part of London in which you could properly socially distance. I think it will see visitor numbers fall significantly though when it introduces parking charges other than for those using the new sports facilities. For regular users the cost may be prohibitive but for those that visit occasionally paying for parking is more of a disincentive from a practical point of view because you can never be sure what app is used or whether they take coins or cards at the machine so it is easier just to drive to Chiswick House or the river when free parking is available.

Anita Blake ● 1958d

That's just you doing exactly what Jeremy complains about - over-simplifying and polarising. As you have done with every reply you've made to a post of mine on this forum. I am your enemy and you have never managed to reply to me on this forum without an ad hominem. Somehow you believe that makes you the mature party in our exchanges. Jeremy is the same and is projecting.But you are right about how amazing I am. It's all the cycling you see. ;)

Paul Campbell ● 1958d

See the latest is that the takeover of the Bowls Club is going to planning committee shortly with a recommendation for Approval. I think both Ealing and Hounslow councils have behaved appallingly over Gunnersbury what with this CIC - a misnomer is ever there was one, the parking charge debacle and now this.

Vanessa Smith ● 1958d

Unfortunately for you Paul Anita has very succinctly characterised your contributions to this forum. Your approach may get you a few likes on social media from like-minded people who follow you because you endorse their views but it doesn't really help provide practical solutions to the problems we face. If your starting point is that every car journey is unnecessary except the ones that you make, you aren't going to convince many people that you have anything worthwhile to add.I've volunteered with a sports clubs locally and have been responsible for arranging fixtures and transport to matches for both adult and kids teams. The configuration at Gunnersbury Park makes it highly likely that serious problems will emerge once a fuller calendar of games is taking place.Adult teams generally car pool as far as possible. Very few people cycle to matches because half are away fixtures and for football and rugby at least there is always a chance of getting a knock which will deprive you of your means of getting home. As there are few spectators adult teams are likely to generate less use of the car park but kids teams are different. Car pooling is arranged particularly for disadvantaged kids who don't have parents to bring them but a large number of parents want to come to games themselves so you'll get a far higher number of cars.When communicating with other clubs about match day arrangements it is expected that some guidance will be given about parking. I'd anticipate that the word will go out to avoid the car park in the grounds and park instead on local residential streets which, I think, is not controlled at the weekend. This will particularly be the case if players are getting fined while waiting in a queue to get out and their allotted time expires.The congestion won't just impact participants in matches and the problem for Gunnersbury will become that the park exists to give people an opportunity for a bit of relaxation. If getting in and out of the park proves to be a highly stressful experience, people won't come back and all the projections of rising footfall won't be met.

Francis Rowe ● 1958d

I just love it when Paul gets lost in his own rhetoric.Let's have a quick Central Park fact check: The crucial east-west transverses at 65th, 79th, 86th and 97th Streets, which run below the park and keep traffic flowing from one side of Manhattan to the other, will not be affected. Parks Department vehicles and emergency and police vehicles will be allowed access to the park.The new ban will cover the whole park, except for four transverse roadways that were built into the park’s original design to accommodate traffic.The closed roads are the so-called scenic roads that meandered around the periphery of the park.Now let's also mention Paul turning a blind eye to the revenue created by an existing car park accessed only from, get this, an access road. The park will benefit from that revenue. But he know's that.

David Lesniak ● 1958d

Had been regular visitor all my life and was pleased about the renovations and that it would continue, but now seems they are pushing us away.

Janice Evans ● 1958d

Francis, a few brick bats and mischaracterisations of my views and statements from the like-minded people on this forum who believe that a cycle lane, some new traffic restrictions to protect residential streets from thousands of rat-running cars per day and parking charges are oppressive. You can criticise me as much as you like but I remain steadfastly and unapologetically unsympathetic to the cause of car supremacists.I am afraid that there will come a time when you have no choice but to accept that cycle lanes and traffic restrictions and parking charges are the practical solutions to the problems we face. That is why they are being implemented now with cross-party support. You think that what has happened so far is bad. You even think that it might be reversible. But we are only at the beginning and I and many others will work tirelessly to implement many more practical solutions. Some may do the soft diplomacy you crave but most of the people involved in improving transport in London and locally will go with the polls and see there is little to be gained from engaging for long with the 16% or so who will always oppose. It is a misconception that consensus is required for change. Some objectors just get written off very early in the process even if they don't realise it. In business and in politics.I'm glad that you follow my social media activity. Over 200,000 views from around the world of my short video showing how delightful Devonshire Road is with the new traffic restrictions was nice I'm sure you will agree. Although I must return the compliment and acknowledge that I also enjoy your contributions to the forum and particularly your predictions. You are the Spock of this Starship - when you forecast an outcome, usually a gloomy one for active travel enthusiasts such as myself, it is inevitable that the inverse will occur. Now that is a unique talent and I am grateful that you bring it here for my enjoyment.Congratulations on the not-so-humble brag about your volunteering. You are awesome too! We all are in our unique ways.

Paul Campbell ● 1958d

Another supposed skill of dynamic thrusting executivesis spending large sums of money on publicity and pubic relations. Apparently Gunnersbury Park as such, no longer exists.  Every main entrance is now graced by a laminated plastic sign "This is Gunnersbury" or "Welcome to Gunnersbury". This is no doubt justified as a result of some expensive marketing consultant having discovered that indeed "Gunnersbury Park" was in fact the name of the large mansion itself at sometime in the past. And so nowadays "so last century!"And so wouldn't it be really exciting to rebrand the whole place as just "Gunnersbury" ? Seemingly totally oblivious to the fact that the very same thought hadalready occured to some LT underground bod in the 1970's in respect of the District Line station bearing exactly the same name. which just happens to be miles away,As to the bowls club which they're intent on closingdown. They're attempting to obliterate it completely withone of those "oh so tasteful" large plastic banners. This one reading in big letters LOVE GUNNERSBURY. To call this nauseating is an understatement. This latest "Love this", "love that", schtick which features in a lot of recent advertising. The reference to "Gunnersbury". And the suspicion, almost, that it could have been deliberately sited it there out of spite. All of which reasons to deliberately now look away.While around the corner from the hideaous sign, on your left on the way to the pond is a beautifully laid out mixed planting of various large size colourful shrubs.So at least not everyone is singing from the same song sheet.michael adams...

Michael Adams ● 1958d

'aren't cars terrible, aren't I amazing'.

Francis Rowe ● 1958d

Quite so.The interesting dilemma for Gunnersbury Park is what to do about sports centre members. They are charging £42 a month which seems on the high side but the parking charges will make it even worse - if you visit just once a week assuming the a £2 per hour charge that will be an extra £16 a month. With no pool on offer and the hub not being part of the same network as other borough gyms it is hard to see demand for memberships being very high.The CIC might then feel obliged to through in free parking to encourage people to sign up although it is unlikely they thought to work that into the contract with the parking service provider.The fine based arrangement with Gemini means the CIC are treating park visitors with contempt but if this results in cancelled monthly direct debits for the sports hub, it is an approach them may regret.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 1958d

I think it is the endorphins and they sound lovely.  I stand by my comment that Adrian complained about because although it doesn't actually literally apply to everyone there are an awful lot of people who think that if they can't go somewhere using their very own four wheels they can't go there at all.

Philippa Bond ● 1958d

It is true that when there has been music there there has been a long line of people walking from the Acton Town tube station - 6 min walk - someone said.  Too many of us non-youngsters probably heard the music and stayed away.The big ideas and behaviour of the management of so many of our open spaces has also put many people off. 

Philippa Bond ● 1958d

Four sentences."The money is running out."because"Insufficient people will vote to pay more taxes."With the result that"Everyone will then blame someone else for whatever happens as a result."while "When the money is running out people are more likelyto believe optimistic unscrupulous convincing liarsthan truthful pessimistic realists insisting they should pay more taxes - even assuming they could even afford to do so.  michael adams...

Michael Adams ● 1958d

Not a complaint Philippa more a observation .Another observation.Reading both your comments below I a left unsure how many entrances/exits you think best."I'm surprised that they haven't come up with a one-way system considering the different entrances and exits or marked up a different pedestrian entrance and exit since the current.""There would be speeding if there was more than one exit and entry for vehicles."

Adrian Irving ● 1958d

Inconsistent yes Adrian!  Because it is true that the more road and car park areas the more cars you will get.  It is in fact a shorter walk to a lot of the pitches from another entrance.  There is also a shelter the other side too.  People nowadays often go to sports in their kit and are more likely to want to change etc before going home.Nowadays you notice people sitting picnicking in the parks with their bikes beside them. I don't suppose it is safe to leave your bike near the pitches but there are bikestands outside the entrance to the sports complex.

Philippa Bond ● 1958d

While it may be true that if you build more roads and car parks you get more cars it is equally if not more so the case that if you build what describes itself as one of the largest sports centres in the UK you will get more traffic and demand for parking.Perhaps some of the people arriving could or should have walked or cycled but this would never be enough to meaningfully mitigate the issue with a narrow single access point to the car park.The main concern is that the Gunnersbury Park CIC in signing a deal with the parking contractor that incentivises it to create fine revenue will exploit the access issues i.e. the ANPR camera will be positioned close to Popes Lane so that people queueing to exit will exceed their allotted time.Once people cotton on that the car park is essentially a trap, many will not use it but will park in nearby residential streets particularly at weekends.Ultimately, if the sports hub is a success a relocation of the car park will probably need to be considered with the north west corner a possible spot with the conversion of the existing car park into green space.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 1957d

Jeremy Parkinson"Ultimately, if the sports hub is a success a relocation of the car park will probably need to be considered with the north west corner a possible spot with the conversion of the existing car park into green space."The Covenant would most likely prevent them doing so.The Park was sold to the Councils by the Rothshchildssubject to the following restrictive covenent“they will not use the land and hereditaments for any purpose other than as a public park or sports ground and that the mansion houses and buildings on the said land…shall not at any time…be used except for such public purposes as may be ancillary to the use thereof as aforesaid…”http://www.brentfordtw8.com/shared/congunnsprk037.htmUnfortunately for the councils, along with the Friendsthe people most vigilant in seeing those restrictions observed are residents of the houses bordering thepark along Popes Lane and Lionel Road. There have beencourt cases in the past regarding possible breachesalong with ongoing concerns about noise from the pop concerts, film shows and latterly from the sports hub; from those residents at least.And even if the provision of a car park could be said to be ancilliary to the provision of a sports ground, and assuming that's what was meant, the residents of Popes Lane and Lionel Road could rightly object to having a car park with all the associated  pollution sited rightnext to their back gardens, as against a playing field.or sports ground as was the original intentionNot that such arguments may deter the CIC as with the councils in the past from spiffing large sums of *our money* up the wall in legal costs. In hopeless attempts at trying to defend the indefensible.michael adams

Michael Adams ● 1957d

Thanks Michael for such an informative response.From what you say the covenants wouldn't rule out the relocated car park and, while Popes Lane residents will be outraged, this may not be enough to block permission.We are a long way off from this being considered. The CIC will be keen to get the parking charges up and running as soon as possible and when parkrun restarts the issues with the current configuration may emerge. If not then, when the football season restarts in September.What I think is likely to be the catalyst for change is not the complaints about congestion in the car park and unfair fines but the safety issues presented by the current Popes Lane exit. With more volume of traffic using it particularly in the evenings, the number of collisions there may start to rise.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 1957d

Although we regularly walk that way in the daytime I would hate to in the dark - see Alex Brown's comment above.

Philippa Bond ● 1957d

Alex says that there is no room for pedestrians in the drive. There is a pedestrian lane painted on it. Whether drivers take any notice is another matter.

Susan Kelly ● 1957d

Jeremy Parkinson suggested" From what you say the covenants wouldn't rule out the relocated car park "The houses bordering the Park along Lionel Road North and Popes Lane were built on behalf of the councils around the time of the purchases, to raise money to offset the cost, resulting in the re-negotiation of the covenant in 1926.As a result of that, and as a resident, Maria Cunha reminded the councils in 2013 (the linkwhich provided the original quote )  " As intended Lessees for 200 years, you are bound by the Restrictive Covenant. All the houses bordering the Park along Lionel Road and many of those bordering the Park along Popes Lane are legally entitled to the benefit of this covenant."http://www.brentfordtw8.com/shared/congunnsprk037.htmThis finding was subject to a Court Case. When first the councils sought to dispute the exact meaning of the covenant, and lost. And second and most notoriously, (when most people first found out about it) when the councils then attempted to deny that the residents actually owned their own homes; originally demanding to see the deeds etc. and being similarly obstructive.  It was only the perceived need for such obstructivebehaviour on the part of the councils that persuaded most people that the residents must have had a good case all along.  As supposed beneficiaries of the covenent therefore its difficult to see how the siting of a car park at the bottom of their gardens as opposed to tbe periphery of a playing field as was originally intended, being detrimental to both the amenity value and the market value of their properties can possibly further that aim. More especially as they don't benefit directly from any income generated by such activities.Without actually spelling it out, it was this I was referring to in my reference in my previous post  to the "CIC spiffing *our* money up the wall", in pursuit of unwinnable cases.michael adams

Michael Adams ● 1957d

Susan, pedestrians probably would not be seen by blind motorists. Motorists all have quite a lot of their brains missing so you will enter Gunnersbury Park at your peril. Sad but true am afraid.

Chris Vessey ● 1957d

Although of course were the unthinkable to happen, and say a car or a lorry to collide with a highwall, purely by accident of course, thus rendering it totally structurally unsafe, who's to say what might happen ?At a guess a lot of interested parties going out of their way to ensure that any replacemant wall was sited in exactly the same place and was built to exactly the same dimensions using sympathetic materials. And in any case any rebuilding workwould mean closing off the entrance altogther.So thats convenient accidents off the table as well then.  With all due respect to the various opinions on this one, a person really can't help wondering whether, in common with council policy generally the CIC really did sit down and plan this thing at every stage, all sitting round a big table with presentations whiteboards the lot, month after month in the serious expectation that mostusers of the sports hub ( including away teams )would arrive either using public transport i.e walking from Acton Town, on bicycles, or on foot.If it wasn't for the fact that it's *our* moneywhich is being used to pay their fat salaries, and their despicable behaviour towards the bowls club, this level of incompetence and lack of foresight could only otherwise be seen as a continuing source of wry amusement.michael adams... 

Michael Adams ● 1957d

Michael, In short, planned by a bunch of morons !

Chris Vessey ● 1957d

Chris Vessey suggested:" Michael, In short, planned by a bunch of morons !"Not quite. Planned by a bunch of highly convincing fantasy merchants and baloney artists basically. All of whom always succeed in securing fat salaries for themselves, provided by us the Council Tax payers.The point being the people who actually employ and paythese people only ever want to hear "good" news.They don't want to be told about problems, only solutions. And so they act accordingly. And no doubt will then move on to similar posts at other locations; where they can again work their charms and make their presentations; once this one goes belly up.michael adams

Michael Adams ● 1957d

You can still comment on the planning application if you wish.Hounslow Council, search for post code W3 8LQ.

Nick Jenkins ● 1957d

Michael, you can add the fancy stuff if you like. In my book they are clever morons then.

Chris Vessey ● 1956d

Michael, in my view Gunnersbury Park has been vandalised by these mindless morons.

Chris Vessey ● 1956d

'From Chiswick High Rd is there any way of getting there in less than 20 mins?" Easy - by bicycle.

Ruth Mayorcas ● 1956d

Michael, thank you very much indeed for your posts which have expanded my understanding of this issue. In the short term I would anticipate that parking on residential streets will mitigate the problems but then a demand will come through for extended hours and weekend operation. Once this is in place it is hard to see anything other than total chaos at the Popes Lane exit to the park.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 1956d