Forum Topic

Investment in active travel.

As I understand it the idea is to encourage more cycling and walking.The cycling investment is clear for all to see in the form cycling infrastructure however I am puzzled where the much lauded investment in walking is being spent as I've seen no evidence of it anywhere.I am beginning to think the investment in "walking" is just a sob to make the idea easier to sell to Joe Public.Am I wrong or will I be showered with feedback pointing to schemes up and down the land?

Adrian Irving ● 51d42 Comments

My cheap folding model is not easy to use, I rather like the replicas but it wouldn't fit in the car.

Janice Evans ● 43d

Yes the classic bikes aren’t for whimps.  Good invigorating exercise. The expensive bikes these days hardly draw sweat!  Easy riding - no effort.

Steve Taylor ● 43d

Pashley build replicas of vintage bikes, they are nice.

Janice Evans ● 43d

Shame, ther is something special about the older bikes.

Janice Evans ● 43d

I used to have a classic bicycle, a Triumph Palm Beach, with which I covered many happy miles. It got nicked :-(

Richard Greenhough ● 43d

Thank goodness classic cars are popular, would hate for them all to disappear.

Janice Evans ● 43d

I asked them about various vehicle types including hearses and delivery trucks. I asked about the modelling and the onsite testing. I did not speak to a PR person. I spoke to a designer. It's all good but there is no amount of evidence that will persuade conspiracy theorists who love to spend their time spreading disinformation on the internet. Best to ignore them really and crack on with junction safety schemes.

Paul Campbell ● 43d

I'm sure the designer of the Hindenburg said 'it will be fine' but perhaps it would have been best if their views were subject to further scrutiny.I've since spoken to two people significantly impacted by the closure who attended the briefing sessions. Like you they were offered bland, non-specific assurances on the Burlington Lane turn but direct questions such as the ability of certain types of vehicle to negotiate the turn in a single move were not addressed.Apparently, TfL did some onsite testing of the turn last month the results of this are not being shared as part of the consultation. You might be reassured by a PR person telling you it will be fine but wouldn't this claim be more credible if the available evidence to support it was put in the public domain?TfL is clearly under a lot of pressure to push this road widening through but if four or five times a day traffic at the roundabout is brought to a standstill due to a blockage at the top of Burlington Lane, the whole exercise will have been pointless.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 43d

Don’t feed the Troll

Steve Taylor ● 46d

I said I discussed it in person with the designer. I did and the turn is fine. TfL is very comfortable with it. And I also heard others being told the same including the vicar. It's a consultation session not a private confessional.But do keep panicking and spreading disinformation on the internet as that is clearly how you like to spend your time.

Paul Campbell ● 46d

So what you claim is not based on a personal briefing from the scheme's designer but eavesdropping on a conversation at one of the briefings.That TfL is offering reassurance on this is not news to any of us. It has been dismissing these concerns from the start.However, if you speak to a driver of 4 wheel rigid truck (as I have done) they will tell you that it would be impossible for the most skilled driver to turn off Burlington Lane in a single movement. The only uncertainty is whether it would take two or three goes. TfL is technically correct if it is telling people that the turn can be made by smaller lorries but seems to be neglecting to mention that this will require them to reverse into traffic coming off the new A4 slip road.An artic or even a rigid six wheeler would need several movements to negotiate the turn which would block traffic for an extended period.A typical hearse is less than a metre shorter than a rigid four wheeler so might just be able to do the turn in one go by mounting the pavement which will be a grimly comical sight.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 46d

Everybody who has been to the consultation and asked about the turn has been told the same as me, including the vicar. I know because I heard his "conversation" with the team ....

Paul Campbell ● 47d

Paul, some may do so, but I would never accuse you of making things up but I do have to wonder whether this conversation with 'a designer' ever took place. Perhaps it is was a fever dream after over indulging at the Cheese market or perhaps you mistook a PR person from TfL as someone who knows what they are talking about but you will not be able to safely turn a delivery truck or a hearse into Church Street via Burlington Lane. I know because instead of sitting at my keyboard spreading disinformation on the internet I have spoken to people who drive these vehicles for a living.If you continue to believe this conversation was real you really should be asking yourself why this 'designer' has chosen to share this information just with you and not the stakeholders who are directly affected by these plans.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 47d

We need more investment in wider roads to cater for the demand for bigger and better cars for more luxurious travel. The whole world is going for it. The UK mustn’t  fall behind. Our economy relies on the motor industry. Cycle sales are well down. The cycle industry was short lived. “The SUV market showed a strong growth trajectory in 2023, with registrations jumping significantly by approximately 33%. This surge indicates a continuing trend of consumer preference for larger, more versatile vehicles. In 2023, over 51 million SUVs were sold globally.3 May 2024”

Steve Taylor ● 48d

The only firm conclusion from this stupid thread is that its protagonist is suffering from a chronic case of confirmation bias.

Paul Campbell ● 49d

You're FIRED!👉

Adrian Irving ● 49d

Paul, to quote Lord Sugar, "you've had your say and I don't what any more( baloney) from you."Subject closed.Conclusion: it's another clear case of the Government gas lighting us. Again.

Adrian Irving ● 49d

While I am at it here are two more recent investments right on your doorstep: the new walkway in Dukes Meadows under the Barnes rail bridge and the opening of the river side walk at Craven Cottage. I guess when you’ve convinced yourself that giving more space to pedestrians and reducing the danger to them from cars doesn’t count then you probably dismiss actual brand new footpaths being built too. Apparently more bobbies on the beat or hanging baskets are the only things that would be accepted as improving walking. Like we are living in an episode of Bergerac in London. Lol.

Paul Campbell ● 49d

I’ve identified loads of investments in just your neighbourhood that have made walking better in just the last four years. People who are less stubbornly stupid than you can read and understand. Now extend the ones I’ve identified to every LTN, every cycle scheme that has extended pavements, narrowed exits and entrances to side streets, created raised tables for crossing the same side streets like the new ones on Airedale, Netheravon and Homefields and every car reduction scheme made in London and across the country and walking is being improved across the land despite the previous government slashing its investment in it. Just check out Bank Junction for one of the hundreds of recent urban planning schemes that have vastly improved walking. Even that velophobe Jim Lawes has mentioned the pedestrianisation of Church St Twickenham and how it has created a much improved shopping scheme. Take away cars, reduce their speed, make them slow down to turn and walking is better. This is very simple and very easy to understand. The reason your question is getting no traction is because it is intensely stupid.

Paul Campbell ● 49d

So apart from the usual sputtering nonsense from Paul it seems no one can point to any meaningful investment to encouraging people to walk more. Folks, this is your last call to point to anything meaningful. Anyone?

Adrian Irving ● 49d

Ask them if they think that turning Chiswick Mall into a bypass for the A4 will improve the walking environment along the river.Or just ask yourself the question: would filling Chiswick Mall with rat running traffic make itA) Better for walkingB) Worse for walkingC) About the sameIf you can answer that question correctly you may just have a chance of curing your obstinate case of carbrain.

Paul Campbell ● 50d

Adrian, you're just blind to all the changes made when the permanent version of C9 was built. I've told you exactly what they are but you are too stubborn to be able to see them so there is no point repeating them. You are completely helpless.I've also explained that LTNs improve the environment for walking but despite living in one that does exactly that for over 30 years you are unable to see that too.You can't see how the Fishers Lane closure helps pedestrians no doubt. How there is no longer anybody lobbying for a pedestrian crossing on that road because it is no longer needed. Or how Devonshire Road would be improved for pedestrians if the current restrictions were actually enforced or better extended.Or how closing a car park for Sunday markets has increased footfall and made it a great environment on the south side of the High Road for pedestrians.Or how developments like the Grove Park Piazza make a better environment for pedestrians.Basically what you are unwilling to see is that every single scheme that reduces the dominance of cars in our urban environment and reallocates space to walking and cycling benefits pedestrians enormously.Maybe this is why you are getting no traction despite repeating your question several times.One other fact for you on "investment in walking throughout the land". Mark Harper cut the budget for active travel in England from £850m in 2022 to £50m in 2023. You're not getting much for that spread across the country outside of London.Labour are going to change that though which you would be delighted about if you could figure out how to remove your massive head from your behind and actually see what is in front of your nose.

Paul Campbell ● 50d

The velophile trio seem obsessed with the stretch of CS9 that passes along CHR which makes cycling easier in a very small part of LBH. Sadly, elsewhere poorly designed and maintained cycling infrastructure sits largely unused alongside cracked and crumbling paving. Albany Road Brentford has no cycleway but, less than 50m from CS9 has Pavements/ kerbs that are dreadful for anyone with mobility issues to navigate.  If active is the true objective, then take off the cycling blinkers and lobby for better pedestrian infrastructure.

N V Brooks ● 50d

"It is not true that you can not get a hearse to the church or a delivery truck to the G&D. I know because I've actually discussed it in person with the designer." Paul I agree this would be possible but in order to do so what would any vehicle have to do before making the hairpin?Also give careful thought what traffic would be coming at some speed behind whilst this ponderous turn was being made.To make even more exicting, imagine a dark night in the pouring rain.

Adrian Irving ● 50d

"They are not going to make Chiswick Mall two way for obvious reasons. But you should definitely ask to give them something to laugh at in the pub afterwards"Paul, I will be asking as it would be prudent not to take much store by your "obvious reasons" pronouncement.If it gives them a good laugh that's fine by me.Personally I hope it remains one way.

Adrian Irving ● 50d

Back to my question, where is the evidence of this supposed new investment in walking throughout the land?I emphasis NEW and LAND as PC is fixated on about one hundred metres of pavement at the bottom of my road ignoring the bigger picture (Even CHR is getting on for two miles long).Not to bore you dear reader but I have just walked that stretch to by ingredients for macaroni cheese. (Naught but nice)The fact is the trees have been standing for many decades, the planting below was done thoughtfully with low maintenance shrubs some years ago and the same paving slabs have been there as long as I can remember.What maybe new is the neglected bed next to the graffiti sprayed phone box.Stepping into Hammersmith and Fulham's patch the eye is drawn the bank on the corner of Goldhawk Road festooned with attractive hanging baskets and the noticeable improvement of weed control.In short, no significant new investment in the stretch PC choose. So my question stands, where is the money going? Has anyone seen significant new money be spent to encourage people to walk MORE than the do now?

Adrian Irving ● 50d

"instead of sitting at my keyboard spreading disinformation on the internet".🤣🤣🤣A classic contribution from Campbell who wouldn't know a fact if he fell over it.

N V Brooks ● 50d

Ah so you are advocating for more cameras to fine drivers? I see.It is not true that you can not get a hearse to the church or a delivery truck to the G&D. I know because I've actually discussed it in person with the designer instead of sitting at my keyboard spreading disinformation on the internet.

Paul Campbell ● 50d

What are the obvious reasons for not making Chiswick Mall two way between Chiswick Lane South and Church Street if it is local access only?You cannot get a hearse to St. Nicholas or a delivery truck to the George & Devonshire if the road widening proposals go ahead unless you do this and it would avoid residents and visitors to Church Street having to do the dangerous hairpin manoeuvre at Burlington Lane.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 50d

I've already been. They are not going to make Chiswick Mall two way for obvious reasons. But you should definitely ask to give them something to laugh at in the pub afterwards

Paul Campbell ● 50d

Paul, why not attend or can't you spend the time away from social media?

Adrian Irving ● 50d

It is known that tree lined streets with seating reduce stress, give shade insummer and encourage walking.

Janice Evans ● 50d

By the way Adrian do let us know what response you get when asking at the consultation about making Chiswick Mall two way so that drivers can leave the A4 in Hammersmith and rat run through to the A316 to avoid the queues at Hogarth Roundabout. I'm sure that will really enhance the environment for walking along Chiswick Mall. #Carbrain

Paul Campbell ● 50d

Yes it does. An enhanced and safer built environment for walking encourages more walking. Removing thousands of rat running cars from residential streets encourages walking. More so than hanging baskets lol

Paul Campbell ● 50d

Paul, I have to  repeat what I said before. The new paving and planting does nothing to encourage people to do MORE walking which is what the investment we are told is all about.The same applies to you Stanley Road LTN point, people walk along the two areas because they have a destination.What I would concede is it is more pleasant to walk in an area that is free from litter, hire bikes, enhanced by planting and free from the fear of crime.These are the areas that need focus, speaking of which I understand the profits from the flower market are supposed to be spent on enhancing planting on CHR.IF I saw investment going on a visible police presence, weed control, hanging baskets or the like, proper penalties for anti social hire bike pavement dumping (ie the same as imposed on drivers) then we would be getting somewhere.Do I see evidence of any of this on the scale required?

Adrian Irving ● 50d

No you’re deluded Adrian and so much so that you cannot even look objectively at the works that have been done with the C9  budget at the end of your road. The section between Chiswick Lane and Goldhawk Road on the south side is by far the best pedestrian experience on the High Road. I absolutely love walking along there to Tosa and Potli. It’s a real pleasure with its brand new pavements and its amazing tree canopy. What bitter losers we harbour in Chiswick

Paul Campbell ● 51d

Utter baloney.Fine words but you're deluded if you really believe what you say. The the gradual improvement works you highlighted has been going on for years, nothing new about that. By the way the perfectly serviceable paving on CHR at the bottom of my road was ripped up and replaced  rather the reused as it should have been when C9 was constructed. Waste, waste waste.

Adrian Irving ● 51d

Ah, responding with your customary warmth and engagement Campbell. What a delight you are. Tarting up the pavements alongside CHR is great if that is where you are going. However, people are more concerned about the cracked slabs, crumbling cheap asphalt, excess basal growth affecting sight lines and poor street lighting  near their own homes to pay much heed to tarting up CHR and a few side roads

N V Brooks ● 51d

Um they have increased the space for pedestrians, taken space from the road to do so, built out pavements at corners, reduced road width at side street crossings and levelled them with pavements making it easier for mobility impaired to walk or wheel, parents with buggies etc and forcing drivers to slow down when turning in and out from the main road. These things all help improve the built environment for pedestrians. As does increasing the distance of the pavement from the road. But the biggest improvement of all is LTNs because nothing encourages urban walking as much as removing high volumes of through cars from residential side streets. take a walk down Staveley Road if you can't appreciate the improved safety and the more pleasant environment in your own LTN.If you can't even see what is right under your nose then you have got zero chance of noticing anything further afield.

Paul Campbell ● 51d

They could follow the same logic as applied to cars and reduce the number of bus stops and pedestrian crossings to “encourage” people to walk further.

Russell Pearson ● 51d

Er, It was repaved when the cycle path was put in.So what? How is that encouraging me or anyone else to walk any more than we did before.Answer. Not at all. Don't bother to respond.Anyone got a sensible responce?

Adrian Irving ● 51d

Walk to the end of your road to Chiswick High Road, look right and left, actually look, then report back on what has happened to the pavement space and the side street crossings with the build of C9.You really don't have to go far to see the evidence you haven't seen anywhere.

Paul Campbell ● 51d