Plan to transform neighbourhood a ‘chaotic’ project

HUNDREDS of Chiswick residents have signed a petition accusing Hounslow Council of rushing through “chaotic” plans to transform south Chiswick into a low-traffic neighbourhood.

Nearly 900 people have objected to measures being brought in to reduce traffic in the area, calling for further consultation and “consideration for the locals”.

Hounslow Council revealed last week that work was under way to begin trialling measures by September.

In the plan established before the pandemic, council bosses aim to stop drivers using residential streets as a cut through from major roads, reduce traffic volumes and speeds in the area and introduce so-called ‘school streets’ to improve safety and air quality around the sites.

Some roads will be closed off completely and others will have temporary pedestrian and cycle routes. Other streets will have access for residents only.

A public consultation on the move ran in 2019.

However, petition organiser Zoe Corney said the impact on residents has not been looked at in enough detail and they want residents to be excluded from restrictions so they can travel around their own neighbourhood.

The petition reads: “Hounslow Council is rushing through traffic calming measures in Chiswick without consultation with residents.

“We all want to reduce the unwanted additional traffic caused by people using the area as a cut through, but this should be done with real data, consideration for locals, understanding the overall impact of the project, cooperation from impacted businesses and with agreement from residents.

“The current plans are chaotic at best – they divert traffic to otherwise quiet roads or areas where children use and are not well-thought through. Speak with the people who live here and know the roads.”

According to the council, 640 comments were submitted during the public consultation phase last year, and nearly 3,500 ‘agreements’ were left on the map of the plans.

Hounslow Council’s transport boss Hanif Khan added: “It is, however, recognised that while this was a positive start to the project, and despite mail outs and consultation drop-in events, a proportion of the local community has until this point not had an input on the proposals.

“The need to continue this engagement process is recognised, with ongoing communication and consultation still planned during the trial period.”

The council has also stressed the proposals are being brought in on a trial basis, with a six-month period suggested for the initiatives.

The work has also been prompted by the government’s new guidance for councils to act as “swiftly as possible” on changing travel habits before lockdown is eased, such as allowing more people to walk and cycle while adhering to social distancing. Cllr Khan added that weekly transport data shows that as of early June, ‘all motor’ vehicle trips have hiked back up to nearly 70% of pre-lockdown traffic levels. He said: “With public transport capacity significantly reduced for the foreseeable future, and a greater number of people returning to work, the concern is that the south Chiswick area will begin to see a significant rise in traffic volumes and as a result the benefits residents have experienced through quieter and safer streets risk being lost, while greatly discouraging active modes of travel.

“We appreciate that some of the changes announced are not that common on the network and it is understandable that residents have lots of questions about how these will work in practice.

“Over the coming days lots more detail and a comprehensive FAQ section will be added to our website.

“In addition, we will be writing to all addresses in the area via Royal Mail to provide more information on the measures and how people can provide feedback during the trial.”

Hounslow Council is rushing through traffic calming measures in Chiswick without consultation with residents