Forum Topic

Rainbow crossing/issue

Just to point out as Cllrs read these threads. The rainbow crossing is causing more confusion than before it was painted into the road. I spent 20 mins on the phone while observing traffic turning right into CHR from TGT and I noticed unlike before more hesitant drivers turning with 3 stopping at the entrance as such to the cycle lane and one further car entered the cycle lane and exited at Devonshire road as rest of cycle lane was closed off. Those not local to the area are clearly unaware of a cycle lane and i think some drivers now think the cycle lane is the car lane going north and eastbound traffic is 2 lanes. No doubt about it,the rainbow stripes without road markings are causing confusion for non-locals or regulars to that turning I think this needs to be rectified with markings as soon as possible as one could have an issue that is definitely  avoidable

Julian Pavey ● 1310d34 Comments

Lets just say that the issue is now on record

Julian Pavey ● 1310d

UpdatedThose not local to the area are clearly unaware of a cycle lane and i think some drivers now think the cycle lane is the car lane going west and to the right is eastbound traffic. The cycle lane needs a cycle sign on the left and right side  of that entrance and eye level and not one plastic sign on the right side at ground level

Julian Pavey ● 1309d

In many places cycle tracks are painted blue or red to distinguish them from the main road. A few cycle stencils won't be enough.

Peter Evans ● 1309d

I get your point peter but i do think a medium round blue sign with a white byclcle mounted each side at eye level will do the trick. It wont stop some heading for the cycle lane when turning out of TGT but will stop them entering. As i say,unless your familiar with everything its natural for a car turning right to be over to the left and thus creates the scenario. Problem is so many road markings creates more issues. Worst scenario is a car heads for the cycle lane while a bike to his left has gone through red which does happen and more so when many know its clear to head west or east while traffic is in operation in and out of TGT.

Julian Pavey ● 1309d

I'm in Acton and the other week drove to Chiswick for the first time since the cycle lane and did exactly this. I hesitated and had to pause to get my bearings as to where exactly my lane was — it was only a split second but I hesitated. This was before the rainbow crossing so I don't think that's the issue, I think it's just badly signed. The cycle lane is nearly as wide as the road lane and in the exact place where a car would normally sit in the road after doing a right turn so does need some sort of clear signage. As it is, you turn right and are in the middle of the road which is obviously what your muscle memory thinks is the wrong thing to do.

Tania Bapuji ● 1309d

I'm not quite sure what has changed since the crossing was put in but we seem to be back to the early days of the implementation of C9 when vehicles were regularly going up the cycle lane by mistake. Witnessed it myself today and haven't seen this happen for months.People claiming to be in the know assured us that mitigation measures would be put in but this hasn't happened.

Francis Rowe ● 1309d

Part of the issue is the old road markings are still visible (especially in headlights) despite having been over painted in black. The reflection from car level makes it quite hard to distinguish sometimes — especially as some of those lines seem to take you into the cycle lane. Hence the issues for non-regulars I'd guess.  They need to do a better job making the correct ones stand out more. 

Rob Reynolds ● 1307d

Thanks for commenting.  I will raise these concerns with the relevant transport officers - I'm meeting them to discuss other difficulties caused by C9 modifications.

Joanna Biddolph ● 1307d

Just to add to the earlier comments, a couple of weeks ago we observed 4 cars turning left out of Annandale Rd driving into and along the cycle lane. 2 exited left at Devonshire Rd, one went into the car park by the old police station and the other managed to move into the westbound lane. It was a case of 'follow my leader' but indicative of what can happen if people are unfamiliar with the layout and it's inadequately signed.

Jane Walker ● 1306d

Thanks.  I will raise that, too.

Joanna Biddolph ● 1306d

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-64743138

Paul Scullion ● 1304d

All, and other, points raised on Chiswick High Road yesterday when two cllrs (Cllr John Todd and I), shop owners and residents met the head of transport/traffic. LBH is looking at improving signage to increase awareness of C9T at junctions, including at the rainbow crossings, so drivers don't turn into it. Other signage is to be improved, too.  All this is considered snagging.

Joanna Biddolph ● 1304d

Now that is really beautiful!  It is still controversial though and that's the best picture I've seen of it.

Philippa Bond ● 1303d

Why not just remove the 'rainbow crossings' which are causing the problems.

Stephen Edwards ● 1302d

Agree with you Stephen Edwards.  What is the point of this rainbow crossing?  No doubt a pointless bit of virtue signalling.  We already have too much confusing signage on our roads, why add more? Glad to see the council has money enough to pay for such nonsense. Perhaps they could spend it on mending potholes instead.

V Killick ● 1301d

It's just that, a complete non-issue except for a few who likely revel in the ridiculous culture wars of our era perpetuated by the likes of these new so called new 'news channels'.

Matthew Swain ● 1301d

What a simplistic view of funding!  If there are potholes that you are concerned about - I presume you have already reported them to Hounslow Highways.

Philippa Bond ● 1301d

The original concerns expressed at the beginning of this Forum stream were sent to Councillor Rajawat as Leader of the Council on 3rd February and questioned the competence of the traffic officers responsibility for the design and implementation of the new crossings. Councillor Rajawat has not replied or expressed any opinion.

David Kerr ● 1301d

It's rapidly looking just like black tarmac so looks like the issue will solve itself in time.I surprised no one has commented on the very large illuminated sign on the north east flank wall by the junction.It mirrors the crossing strips in rotation with other adverts.

Adrian Irving ● 1301d

If a rainbow crossing helps just one young person to feel a bit better about themselves, to feel a bit more accepted and not to feel alone then what are people complaining about?

Stewart Jones ● 1301d

But if the bright stripes on the road distract one driver from noticing the cycle symbols on the road beyond the stripes and he drives into the cycleway and collides with a young cyclist ... ?I just feel that painting them on the road, particularly at a busy junction, is unwise for road safety.  Better to choose several sections of wide footway.

Richard Jennings ● 1301d

Matthew, you don't seem to have taken the time to have read this thread in which others have pointed out the very real dangers which appear to have arisen at this junction since the changes based on what they have witnessed.The reason these changes were made aren't really relevant here but it does appear that no proper risk assessment was done beforehand. This has nothing to do with culture wars and everything to do with road safety particularly for people cycling at this junction who clearly are being subjected to additional risk. It needs to be sorted out and that may well be able to be done while retaining the rainbow crossings.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 1300d

That it's dangerous and confusing to both drivers and pedestrians is worth complaining about. Yesterday (27th February) I saw two cars enter the cycle lane and one pedestrian nearly knocked to the ground by a cyclist because the 'rainbow crossing' hid that there was a cycle lane. As for the rest of your comment. (Bashes head against a brick wall emoji here.)If a 'young person' (Why is it always young people bty?)stops feeling alone and a bit better about themselves because they encounter a rainbow crossing scrawled across a road junction to be walked/driven over they should spend less time online and work harder at school. I've always found Chiswick to be a tolerant, friendly place to live where a gay couple or any other kind can walk hand-in-hand without being stared at or getting snide comments. It's why I like living here. And, you know what, I don't need a patronizing and politically dubious rainbow flag to teach me that it's a good thing.

Stephen Edwards ● 1299d

If you feel patronised by a road crossing you might need a look at yourself.

Stewart Jones ● 1299d

Whilst I have no issue with the promotion of diversity (in fact I am in favour of it) I do have a problem with the cost of this crossing. A nice fun gesture but the moment a quote came in for more than £5000 it should have been scrapped. £30000 ???? A waste of money on what I can only assume became a vanity project. I would rather have seen it spent on LGBTQ+ youth counselling or something similar

david ward ● 1286d

There is actually more than one rainbow crossing.  If anyone travels too fast they will likely miss an awful lot of road signs and road markings.The market looked busy yesterday.

Philippa Bond ● 1286d

"The market looked busy yesterday."  Chiswick High Road today is awash with drinks cans/containers, food wrappings - absolute disgrace ! Instead of c.£35k being spent of a virtue signalling, vanity project maybe spend it on street cleaning,  bin emptying and No Littering signage.

Loraine Pemberton ● 1286d

I was waiting at the lights outside Fudges the other day and saw three cars travelling East stop at the rainbow crossing and block Turnham Green Terrace because the first line in the rainbow at that point (outside Jo and the Juice) is a solid white line. We as motorists are told to stop at solid white lines and this is exactly what they did. Not much practical thought gone into the rainbows it would seem.

Chris Blackwell ● 1286d

Well that is obviously a shame but if it doesn't work in the parks anyway when there isn't a market why would it work on the street?  There is no reason why you couldn't suggest it to your Councillors.  That does not of course mean that there is money available for that particular reason since so much money nowadays seems to have to be applied for and won in competition from Govt for particular reasons chosen by Govt.

Philippa Bond ● 1286d

Not particularly interested in pot holes, just an example of issues which should be dealt with as routine. Another example would be the removal of rubbish and litter generally, all of it, not just the large pieces.

V Killick ● 1286d

I don't suppose with the cuts to Council funding there sre still the Recycling Officers  visiting schools any more.  Reuse of materials and the circular economy features several times in the curriculum and this would reinforce learning.  Children are also known to be inventive and to point out to parents and other adults around them that it is their inheritance that is being squandered.

Philippa Bond ● 1286d

Just removing it can just create a new stream of it from those who refuse to take control of their own litter and think they have found a useful new way to get rid of stuff they don't want.  It's a shame we don't see those Keep Britain Tidy posters around any more - there used to be some really good ones - together with notices about how much the fines are.

Philippa Bond ● 1284d

I thought this was about the crossing

John Southey ● 1284d

Its a forum johnConversation evolves like chatting in a group over a pint.

Julian Pavey ● 1284d