SoGA & GPG Traffic Proposal
SOUTH CHISWICK LIVEABLE NEIGHBOURHOOD (SCLN) Update URGENT: There is time sensitivity if you wish to contribute to the SCLN discussion as set out below. The Strand on the Green Association (SoGA) and The Grove Park Group (GPG) have been working together with other local stakeholder groups to develop an alternative proposal to London Borough of Hounslow’s (LBH) current implementation of the South Chiswick Liveable Neighbourhood (SCLN) scheme as part of its Streetspace trials. We support the stated aims of the SCLN, to reduce through-traffic, improve environment and safety, which is the view of a majority of our members. We wish to see the implementation of the SCLN improved, and a consultation to further explore resident views. We do not wish to see the SCLN abandoned but note that a majority of residents are opposed in its current form.In early August we engaged with lead Councillors Khan, Dunne and Lambert who were initially supportive of our alternative proposal, to have common traffic measures controlled by up to 9 APNR timed cameras within the area stretching from Hogarth Roundabout to Chiswick & Kew Bridges bounded by the A4 to the north and the A316 (see map below). Access is controlled through a timed measure via ANPR cameras, effectively aimed at removing through-traffic, but allowing access to anybody using Grove Park’s services, such as doctors and schools also for entry of taxi or delivery vehicles.During mid-August we were introduced by these Councillors to Jefferson Nwokeoma at LBH Traffic who dismissed our proposal out of hand, did not engage on the specifics and would not consider any workable alternatives. In particular, the significantly increased traffic seen on Burlington Lane and Sutton Court Road which he again described as being ‘a cost of the scheme’ and thus inequitably impacting Grove Park residents. As part of this dialogue LBH Traffic told us about four proposed changes to the SCLN which we communicated to members. We raised practical challenges and alternatives to three of these. Thankfully it seems none of these additional and disruptive measures are to be implemented.Reading LBH’s Streetspace Review announced on 27 August we found that the trial measures in Grove Park have largely been made permanent. This decision has been made despite significant negative feedback from residents through consultation, which was a flawed process as it provided no traffic data to consider the impact of the trial measures, nor did it explain the trial measures selected or alternatives considered. Study of LBH’s further announcement on 1 September revealed that new measures were planned to provide a hard block to Burlington Lane from the A316 and an increase to the school hours in Staveley Road off the A316. This was designed to further reduce the through-traffic, but is ill-conceived in implementation, acting to the detriment of the adjacent residents who would not be able to access Grove Park without having to divert via Hogarth Roundabout and enter via Sutton Court Road. We support measures to reduce the through-traffic which has now been inequitably displaced across the area and LBH have clearly changed their position after listening to both our proposals and residents’ concerns. However, the practicalities of these additional disjointed piecemeal and ill-considered measures across the area effectively cut off Grove Park to residents crossing the A316. If LBH were to engage constructively with our alternative proposal and their own proposed changes these flaws would have been immediately obvious. The validity of these measures is to be questioned through an upcoming LBH Overview & Scrutiny Call in Sub Committee (OSC) at 19:00 on Thursday 23 September. The challenges raised by local Councillors are focused on lack of consultation, inadequate data and impact on local cohesion; the relevant document is here:https://democraticservices.hounslow.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=693&MId=12447We understand that residents are planning to attend a demonstration at LBH’s offices. Should members wish to join this it will be at 18:00 on Thursday 23 September outside the LBH offices at Hounslow House 7 Bath Road TW3 3EB. Alternatively, and prior to the OSC meeting this Thursday, residents are encouraged to email the following Councillor: daanish.saeed@hounslow.gov.uk who will be chairing the OSC sub-committee to make their dissatisfaction to the current traffic measures known and to add their support for the APNR proposal as a workable alternative.The APNR timed camera proposal tabled by SoGA and GPG with other stakeholder groups is a workable option for delivering the SCLN in-line with Government policy for Low Traffic Neighbourhood schemes. Collectively we remain open to discussing further proposals and amendments from LBH, from local residents and from broader stakeholders. Our stated aim is for ours and any other schemes to be discussed by all interested parties through consultation. The link for further information on LBH’s Streetspace Review, which includes the SCLN is here: https://www.hounslow.gov.uk/info/20053/transport/2171/hounslows_streetspace/9Your support is necessary, so please forward this email to friends and neighbours who may not be members of the relevant groups and take the time to email Cllr Daanish Saeed with your comments ahead of Thursday 23 September.MapDescription automatically generated
Strand on the Green Association ● 1861d35 Comments ● 1859d