IT is a long standing policy of TFL to prioritise the A4 over Chiswick traffic. Whenever there are delays on the A4, TFL effectively closes SCR by reducing the green phase. This is often pointless, as the A4 congestion is so bad or in a most distant location that a longer green phase for A4 achieves nothing, but does gridlock W4.TFL used to state in their annual report average speeds or journey times along the main arterial routes, including the A4, they may well have had actual targets for these. It has always struck me as bizarre to prioritise and to make it easier for traffic to drive in and out of London, at the expense of local traffic and buses. Given that SCR traffic often then blocks back onto Heathfield Terrace and then blocks CS9 seems even more peverse example of TFL's priorities.It is also interesting that Paul states that most W4 traffic is through traffic:'The Steer reports confirmed that the vast majority of drivers on TGT and everywhere else in Chiswick are through drivers who do not start or end their journeys in Chiswick.'This is obvious, yet no so long ago Tom Pike was using the very same report to claim most traffic was local. This was patently untrue. This matters because it has huge implications for how traffic is managed. There is little point in constantly exhorting your neighbour not to drive to the gym or shops if the main problem is through traffic. The proximity of the A4 and north/ south circulars mean W4 is always a cut through. None of these through drivers will shift to bikes, so again while CS9 may well be of value its not going to sort this type of congestion.I must admit walking along the High Road yesterday evening the supreme idiocy of many of these drivers, most of whom must of know of the problems, sitting for hours in their cars is astonishing. With the Elizabeth line open and no strikes yesterday, use public transport!Paul also claims its local people wanting to make their own journeys easier. No, I think most people want to be able to walk without the stink of fumes or be able to use a bus or on occasion use a car or taxi as needed. CS9, plus other road closures, has also reduced road capacity through W4. So the threshold of disruption needed to cause gridlock is lower. There are a couple of rat runs off the A4 that should be looked at but unless we close CHR at either end and block Acton Lane, traffic will continue to drive through W4.The only long term solution is an expansion of the congestion charge to reduce commuter traffic, at least to the north-south circular and possibly further, with all funds going into public transport (and cycling). Taxes on work parking spaces need to come in as well. Not a popular answer to many but the only way of solving this.
Bill George ● 1496d