Forum Topic

The Council clearly knows the level of fines on Staveley Rd. But why won’t they say?

Good to have been away for a month, and offline, missing all the nonsense of a Tory party navel gazing in selecting a new leader, the frightening uplift in energy caps and future forecasts, potentially 8 grand a year on average.   How will we afford that!On more local issues it is sad to see all the posts over August on the impact of the closure of parts of the A4 on traffic in Chiswick and West London.  Sadly, like the economy worse is likely to come all the way up to Christmas.  One question that remains unanswered, but the answer is clearly known by the Council, is what are the levels of fines on Staveley Rd, and in conjunction with Hartington and Thames Rd, what do they add up to?As reported in the Chiswick Calendar at the start of August, quoting the Council it says: “The number of penalty charge notices being issued for contravention of either the Hartington Rd or Staveley Rd access restrictions is far higher than would be expected given the length of time the restrictions have now been in place.”The article goes on to suggest the existing signage is adequate.  But how can that be the case if the level of fines is above expectations.    So why are the Council not telling Chiswick residents what the level of fines are?  And does anyone know the number?  Is it an alarming number of 50 a day, which would equate to about £ 1 million fines issued since the start of the year.  Is it even higher and the Council simply don’t want us to know.  What it suggests is that the whole scheme like others in Chiswick has been poorly implemented as the majority of residents in Chiswick have said consistently.With the chaos being caused by the A4 bridge work, it has been good to see that Grove Park has been opened up somewhat, and we, Chiswick people, can once again get into see friends who live there, and down to the River when not able to walk, as we all once were able to do.  This temporary reprieve should be made permanent.Maybe this policy can go with Boris Johnson. 

Jonathan Mabbutt ● 1480d15 Comments

Not sure the level of fines on Staveley but fines to motorists from Chiswick LTNs introduced in Dec 2020 amounted to £2,300,000 in 2021 and £300,000 for the first quarter of 2022. This may all be from Grove Park but best to ask our local councillors who will be able to say one way or another.

Mandy Waters ● 1480d

LBH issued fines on Staveley Road alone of over £7.8m. In an average week, 3,360 PCNs worth £438,000 in fines have been issued

Strand on the Green Association ● 1480d

Obviously the signage is working then 😳.  Where’s the money being spent? Would that require  an FOI?

Maggie Dodge ● 1480d

"Obviously the signage is working then 😳."I think you will find it is working fine, just as intended by LBH.  "Where’s the money being spent?" Hounslow have admitted some of the swag has be poured into  the hole in finances for the Barnes Walkway project at Dukes Meadows. Yes, and before the war on cars merchants  have a gloat, I get it. Whack the motorist and spend the dosh on "active travel".Do have a word with yourself.

Adrian Irving ● 1479d

That is ridiculous. Has someone from the Council confirmed?  You cannot charge Chiswick people and visitors those amounts for just living in Chiswick.

Jonathan Mabbutt ● 1479d

So from further investigation it appears the data comes in a response from Hounslow Council to an FOI request.

Jonathan Mabbutt ● 1478d

What on earth makes you think that that is just Chiswick residents and visitors? People travel from all over.  There may be road closures and an alternative will be sought which is why everybody needs to be really careful to read road signs and not just rely on roads that you used to use to get to places.  Depending on satnavs doesn't work either as it would appear that many are not being updated by the companies themselves or those using them or have not been designed to work well enough with road restrictions.

Philippa Bond ● 1478d

For instance I don't believe that the No Entry sign part way along Chiswick Mall is recognised by the mapping apps.  A good tome perhaps to look at it is now.

Philippa Bond ● 1478d

Over reliance on navigation devices could be a factor in the high level of tickets issued (IMHO). From personal experience, the navigation app on my iPhone kept suggesting that I could drive under the Fishers Lane bridge for months and months after the access restrictions were brought in.If you know the area and restrictions you know to ignore what the app is telling you, but if you are unfamiliar it can sometimes happen, even if you are really trying to concentrate on following all the road signage. I drive into Edinburgh on a bus and taxi only lane once, partly because I was following Sat Nav, and because once I spotted the bus lane signs, I had no idea which way I could legally go.Fortunately for me I didn't get a PCN, but there wouldn't have been much to say if I had received one.

Andrew Jones ● 1478d

And is there a watning about checking the tide tables?  Part of Chiswick Mall is LBH and part LBH&F

Philippa Bond ● 1478d

Heard now that PCNs on Staveley Rd that are challenged and taken to step 2 - going to the Adjudicator are being successful.

Jonathan Mabbutt ● 1475d

If that is what is happening, it would be very helpful to people if you were able to provide case numbers.

Francis Rowe ● 1474d

The vast majority of appeals to the adjudicator on Staveley Road PCNs are unsuccessful.  Generally the few that are successful are where it took Hounslow more than 3 months to reject a challenge, which the adjudicators regard as an unreasonable delay.

Richard Jennings ● 1473d

With the A4 restrictions and Chiswick High Road judged to be a security risk for the Queens Funeral, during the period of 16 to 23 September does anyone know whether LBH will be reintroducing the punitive "no go" traffic measures from which the Council has been earning £438,000 a week on Staveley Rd in Grove Park, or for that matter any of the others?

Jonathan Mabbutt ● 1469d

Not unless someone makes them

Maggie Dodge ● 1469d