Forum Topic

Duke Road

I have avoided Chiswick High Road for as long as I can remember.  I walk up to M & S occasionally but rarely drive. Today my husband and I needed to collect something from the Glebe estate and came back on to the High Road via Duke Road.  What an absolute nightmare. It took two of us, looking both ways to check for cyclists, who came at slightly different intervals, one from one direction, one from the other.  Luckily it was just the two but the timing to get out was ridiculous plus trying not to sit across the cycle lane, well is that even possible to avoid?  I knew it was ridiculous from observing on foot but driving really shows up the stupidity of the scheme.

Maggie Dodge ● 1383d23 Comments

Duke Road (where I live) was certainly a problem when lots of vehicles used it to avoid the westbound A4 works, but now that it's back to normal I don't find getting out to CHR is a problem.  If CHR traffic is queued, you wait on Duke Road before blocking the cycle lane. Then when CHR traffic starts to move, you slot into the queue, but if possible avoiding any cycles on the cycle lane.You only had two cycles to avoid.  Why is that so much of a problem?  If you think that's an "absolute nightmare", I think you need more driving practice.

Richard Jennings ● 1383d

To be fair, the traffic arrangements along CHR are far more complicated for everybody than they were before, and that includes for cyclists and pedestrians as well as for drivers, so it's not surprising that many people find them more challenging and might take exception to them.

Peter Evans ● 1383d

Indeed Peter.  I have 40+ years driving experience and I  know how to join in moving traffic, the bi directional cycle lane is a whole other experience.  The amount of traffic on Duke Road is irrelevant.

Maggie Dodge ● 1383d

I also live in Duke Road and agree with Richard that joining the High Road is not "an absolute nightmare". There are very few cycles using the cycle lane anyway. However, if it is a problem for you, an alternative to the Duke Road exit would be to enter the High Road via the traffic lights at Annandale Road.

Gail Busza ● 1383d

It is an intrinsically poor design and has increased the risks for cyclists.

Marie Power ● 1383d

"It is an intrinsically poor design and has increased the risks for cyclists."I totally agree, but Maggie was making the point from the perspective of the motorist, rather than the safety of cyclists on the ill-conceived cycleway.

Gail Busza ● 1383d

Nope it's great for cyclists and motorists are just going to have to get used to coping with more infrastructure dedicated to cyclists.

Paul Campbell ● 1383d

Well it’s none too clever for motorists as well.  And why accept poor design when you could have better?

Marie Power ● 1383d

My issue is joining traffic, whilst avoiding cyclists in a difficult layout.  The cycle lane is the obstacle to what would normally be a simple manoeuvre.  Watching for a space in moving traffic, whilst also looking both ways for possible cyclist is a situation that the cycle lane has introduced.  The various comments about there not being many cyclists is relevant isn't it.

Maggie Dodge ● 1383d

Pedestrians also approach from either side and they include joggers so not all at the same speed.

Philippa Bond ● 1383d

Yes, I'd forgotten about the pedestrians, we had a couple crossing with a buggy, so yet another complication, that without a cycle lane, is something that motorists deal with easily and daily. Pedestrians tend not to appear suddenly, which is helpful.  They are also likely to stand and wait, if only for their own safety, even if the HC says they can do otherwise in some situations. Cyclists, in the cycle lane just keep coming as a rule, because they have priority, I get that, sort of. Self preservation doesn't always seem to be high on their list of priorities.

Maggie Dodge ● 1382d

I had an extended trip on and around the High Road the other day. It was late morning and not very busy in terms of cars and cycles. Usually I'm on a bus then just  home again but on  this occasion I was going from shop to shop and I have to say there were times when I literally didn't know where to look. It was such a confection of lanes and cars and bikes and signs and bus islands that the old adage of "look left, look right, look right, look left again" no longer cuts it; there were people and machines coming from every direction. I realise that my reactions may not be what they were but I honestly found it quite an intimidating environment.The bus islands I still find worrying, but in some ways the biggest unpredictable factor comes from my fellow pedestrians. I lost count of the number of people stepping off pavements into traffic, and generally wandering about with their eyes glued to a phone. I couldn't help but think that if everybody just gave their full attention to what's going on around them, we'd all be quite a bit safer.

Bruce Hammal ● 1382d

I’m sure you’re right, Bruce, that more vigilance on everyone’s part would certainly help. I also recognise what you said about the amount of information you need to process to get about safely.I now warn all my visitors, pedestrian and two-wheeled and four-wheeled, about the bidirectional cycle lane at the High Rd junction.  Living in Duke Rd you do get more used to the need to look in every direction at once before pulling out in a car.  But those unfamiliar with the area and with this road layout will inevitably be less clued up.  There is nothing whatsoever at the bottom of Duke Rd to say that the cycle lane is bidirectional. Nothing to help people approaching it for the first time.  A design that relies on familiarity to be safe is neither a good nor a safe design.

Marie Power ● 1382d

As a cyclist I have to disagree that it's great for cyclists.  On the rare occasions that I cycle on the High Road, I'll normally use the main traffic lane so that I have a reasonable amount of time to get through the lights.The shared used path on the A4 is a less bad option than the High Road, but it has pedestrians on it and low hanging branches at head height.  We need a proper cycle lane on the A4.

Al Webber ● 1382d

Makes you wonder how the Dutch have coped for decades. They have tramways in the mix too. I thought we British were meant to be exceptional?

John Hall ● 1382d

We've been over this loads of times Al. It isn't for you and me. It's for all the people who didn't want to cycle on the A315 or the A4 and for whom speed of journey is not their prime objective. And they are using it in their droves. Hence the coinage of the term Chiswick Tractor to describe the endless increase in parents with cargo bikes. Not to mention all the other types of non-vehicular cyclists now using the lane.

Paul Campbell ● 1382d

John, maybe because the Dutch have had decades to cope it is second nature to them now.On the other hand bidirectional cycle lanes are a brand new ball game in Chiswick hence the issues being raised.It is fair to say Hounslow have made little or no effort to warn approaching motorists of the two way lane in sharp contrast to Hammersmith who  have put up prominent signage at junctions.

Adrian Irving ● 1382d

Is Hounslow Council seeing these discussions?  We all feel the need to WARN people coming to the area about the various things to be wary of.  If there is no notification of the bi directional cycle way, why not? I didn't notice but I was well aware of the cycle lane already. Then again can we cope with any more signs in an effort to keep us safe or avoid fines for daring to drive down roads in our local area.  Has Chiswick become somewhere where Health and Safety has been done away with?  Do those cyclist who want this to remain, not have any concerns about safety? That of themselves, or others . Is it ok to just say, now one died yet so it must be ok.  I agree, if you live here you may be aware of the hazards, even knowing them doesn't do away with them though does it?. Is this really an acceptable way to live?  Will they ever be able to change it sufficient to take away the experimental/temporary titles.  Apparently they had to keep enough money in the bank to remove it if necessary. Interesting to read that.

Maggie Dodge ● 1382d

If a driver can’t remember to check both sides of the road before joining in from a side street then this driver not only ignoring the signs, or cyclists, but also pedestrians and perhaps the driver ought to re-sit a test.I see this on a DAILY basis on Wellesley road with cars turning left on Oxford Road north, or at the Acton Lane/CHR junction. Especially with people checking their phones while driving. Every.Single.Day.

Francis Sheehan ● 1382d

Maggie, you're welcome to hand your licence in if you're not capable of driving without colliding with other people?

John Hall ● 1382d

Agree.  Going to the High Road used to be a pleasure, now it is just very stressful. I only go to the optician or the vet, ie when absolutely essential. Otherwise I have home deliveries or go elsewhere.  Richmond is much more pleasant for light shopping.

Claire Moran ● 1381d

Indeed, I have a variety of other places I shop now.  I use Sainsburys and M & S occasionally but that's about it.  I'm sure that is music to the ears of the people trying to take over Chiswick.  Being retired and having the time is such a benefit.

Maggie Dodge ● 1381d