The Street Environment
Roads and Streets Closure of Turnham Green Terrace - More Problems ahead
Earlier in the week Hounslow Highways posted a notice of a closure of Turnham Green Terrace to Southbound through traffic from 21st June 2021 till 31 st December 2021. The notice (see below) was posted on four separate posts in the Southern area of the street but not shared with your local councillors beforehand.
When this was reported other councillors reported and I immediately took action to discover precisely what was going on. The traffic and transport team at Hounslow were contacted and I received a telephone call followed by a helpful message from the recently appointed Assistant Director – Traffic, Transport & Parking Jefferson F.A. Nwokeoma who signed off the traffic order.
The explanation in the message gave more details:
“The ‘TTRO’ (Temporary Traffic Regulation Order) in question is for a Cadent Gas works and it is expected to be in place for five days, as stated on the order – with a scheduled completion date of 25th June. We do not, at this point, see any reason for the works to last any longer than scheduled.
"Traffic Orders are usually advertised for up to a period of 6 months, to allow for unexpected delays or possible remedial works. In almost all cases, the works are usually completed to or near schedule and the additional time is not needed.
"I would not approve of any measure that would necessitate a 6-month road closure without first engaging with the relevant Ward Councillors and you, as the Leader of the Opposition."
All of which is very heartening but what consideration was given to the people of Chiswick and what other solutions are there?
We hope to find out more by asking questions of all the parties involved in the coming week.
The impression given was another six months Hard Labour for no purpose.
Your councillors are seeking further details of what alternative routes would be given priority not merely marked as diversions, whether extra temporary traffic lights could be in place and avoiding limiting parking and overall the rationale behind closing the southbound carriageway.
Turning Turnham Green Terrace into a one-way street will again be damaging to the turnover income of the shops, traders and restaurants in this busy shopping area (which is the dividing line between Homefields and Turnham Green Wards and involves six councillors).
The recent bad experience in Acton Lane outside Chiswick Park Station with the over-extended works carried out by another utility company (Thames Water) does not auger well.
We have not heard details of the Cadent plan.
Given the fact that Turnham Green Terrace has been recognised as a thoroughfare not a rat run any limitation to daily traffic would be economically costly.
Are Cadent working a two shift system to get the work done fast with minimum delay?
Could they do the work at night and avoid the road closure? Could the traffic lights at the junction of Turnham Green Terrace and Chiswick High Road be re-calibrated to allow for a stop line before the excavations and extra time (the current lights allow just over 10 seconds for a southbound priority every 85 seconds) for traffic to move.
What about the route provision of the E 3 bus and the change that this requires?
What about re-opening Fisher’s lane for non-HGV traffic?
The last leader of Ealing Council was heavily criticised for the hash that the transport team in Ealing Council appeared to have made of its’ Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and Fishers Lane in particular. (In the case of Fishers Lane Hounslow Council was its’ nefarious partner.)
Our next report to Chiswick W4 will hopefully have some answers and solutions
The Chiswick Flower Market 6th June
A warm day, lovely stallholders, great garden products, cafes and Public Houses enjoying some freedom and well stewarded crowds all contributed to a great atmosphere accompanied by some great music from, among others Chris Harvey and Matt Begg giving us Jazz and chamber music at separate venues.
Litter and Waste
The Chiswick councillors led by Councillor Ron Mushiso organise a litter picking activity centred on Turnham Green last Sunday of each month. It has been very well attended and all the Chiswick wards in Hounslow get a visit. This activity is a regular event at the end of each month assisted by equipment provided by Hounslow Highways and really makes a difference to the visual surroundings. If you would like to assist in the effort please make contact with Councillor Mushiso
Contacting the Councillor Team
Please continue to contact your local councillor team in Chiswick directly, if you are getting no satisfaction from direct contact with the administration. (details are below)
The Opposition Conservative Party has an absolute certainty that in future we can do better than this.
We make it clear; The only way to properly deliver local government is to listen at all times and learn what people need, and understand residents’ cares, provide moderate and progressive responses and deliver changes not just promises, that are supported and delivered after proper consultation.
Gerald McGregor Councillor
