Tony Louki's Report Back

by loukit | October 2, 2026 · 11:17

West London Orbital Railway: Wood Lane Level Crossing and other matters

Wood Lane Level Crossing

Tomorrow, Saturday 3 October 2026 from 11:00 am to 2.00 pm

Drop In at Old Isleworthians Sports Ground

22A Wood Lane, Isleworth, TW7 5ED

With numerous advantages of increased passenger rail services being offered on the Hounslow Loop in the Mid 2030s, one drawback could be how to then cross the track at Wood Lane.

The promoter, in their recent letter to residents tells us,

“We would potentially need to make changes to how some level crossings operate, including the crossing on Wood Lane in Isleworth. This is due to possible safety concerns caused by increased barrier down time, if the additional WLO services were to use the crossing. We are looking at ways to keep the crossings open, and if they did need to close, we would ensure that pedestrians and cyclists were still able to cross the railway safely and conveniently.”

The West London Orbital people do acknowledge numerous challenges and a section of the WLO website on all three level crossing locations can be found here.

Should it turn out that, after vigorous examination, it may not be a viable to maintain a surface crossing here, OSG Ward councillors will insist on a safe and convenient crossing route for pedestrians. In ten years, nothing less a passenger lift for those wanting to reach London Road from the roads of Northumberland Estate and those in east Spring Grove and Osterley would be acceptable.

West London Orbital: Indicative timescale 2026 to 2035

It’s very early to surmise. Residents’ comments on this very important aspect of the not fully worked up ideas for the WLO will be very much expected. Much more information is contained behind this link

The West London Orbital Team will be holding a “Drop In” for all to attend to discuss any aspect of the current proposals at the Old Isleworthians Sports Ground, details above, at the start if this item.

Subsequent and similar events will events also occur on,

Thursday 22 October 2026, 16.00 to 19.00 London Museum of Water and Steam, Green Dragon Lane, Brentford, TW8 0EN and

Saturday 7 November 2026, 11.00 to 14.00, Hounslow Library, 7 Bath Road, Hounslow TW3 3EB.

TfL’s West London Orbital have shared the following very interesting briefs on how the two OSG Ward Stations would fare as part of its proposal, not least staffed stations, something many of us have long time missed:

Isleworth Station

Syon Lane Station;

Elsewhere: Hounslow; Brentford; Lionel Road

You can contact the Transport for London West London Orbital Team about the proposals in the following ways:
• Email: WestLondonOrbital@tfl.gov.uk
• Phone: 020 3054 6037 (call back service) – please leave a message stating you want to discuss the West London Orbital proposals
• Write to: FREEPOST, TfL Have Your Say (West London Orbital).

TL 2.10.2026

Comments Off on West London Orbital Railway: Wood Lane Level Crossing and other matters

Filed under Brentford, College Road, Events, H28 bus, London Road, Middlesex, Neighbourhoods, Northumberland Estate, Osterley, Public transport, Roads, Spring Grove, TfL, Traffic, West Middlesex Hospital

Tagged as Bus route H28, Great West Road, Hounslow Council, Hounslow Highways, Isleworth Station, Osterley & Spring Grove, Ruth Cadbury, Spring Grove, SWT, Syon Lane, TfL, Wood Lane

by loukit | September 21, 2026 · 13:29

Grasshoppers RFC application for a premises licence variation

Osterley and Spring Grove Ward Councillors received advice from the LB Hounslow Licensing Service that is in receipt of an application from Grasshoppers RFC for a Variation of its premises licence at its ground on Syon Lane, Isleworth, TW7 5PN

The club is applying for variations to include the ability to serve late drinks at evening functions, ostensibly on Friday and Saturday until 02.00 and, also, promotion of live music indoors on Friday and Saturday until 02.00

Details can be found within this application form.

If you would like to submit a representation you must do so by Tuesday 13 October 2026, using this representation form and sent to licensing@hounslow.gov.uk.

Representations must be about the likely effect the granting of the application would have on the promotion of at least one of the four licensing objectives.

The prevention of crime and disorder
Public safety
The prevention of public nuisance
The protection of children from harm

It will greatly assist if the representation is specific to the premises and evidence based.

The Licensing Officer is Kerry Holloway, of LB Hounslow Community Enforcement and Regulatory Services, Hounslow House, 7 Bath Road, Hounslow, Middlesex, TW3 3EB

Telephone: 020 8583 4711. Lines are open between 10am and 12pm and 2pm and 4pm

TL 21.9.2026

Comments Off on Grasshoppers RFC application for a premises licence variation

Filed under Leisure, Licensing, Middlesex, Neighbourhoods, Osterley, Sports

Tagged as Conquest Club, Hounslow Council, Osterley & Spring Grove, Syon Lane, Tony Louki, Wood Lane

by loukit | April 2, 2026 · 09:11

Life’s a Gas: Northumberland Avenue closed at Syon Lane 6 to 17 April 2026

Continuing the home gas connection replacement programme in our area, permission for a temporary road closure at the junction of Syon Lane and Northumberland Avenue. Cadent Gas has written to residents towards the West of this location, as shown here.

Cadent Gas has a permit to facilitate urgent gas works, renewing a critical connection by Northumberland Gardens, as shown here, expected to last a fortnight. However, advice is, to allow for any unexpected delays or possible remedial works, the Traffic Order will remain in force for up to 21 days, or until the works are complete, whichever is the earlier.

Only works and emergency vehicles would be able to use Northumberland Avenue from Syon Lane.

The nearside northbound lane between Syon Lane Station and Northumberland Avenue will also be restricted for the duration of works, as illustrated here,

Due to limited access to and from the Northumberland Estate, rerouting will be in place, as on this extensive diversion map. Advice would be for short cut and rat run traffic to avoid passing through the area.

Osterley and Spring Grove Ward councillors did enquire why Cadent would not fulfil these works during the Schools Easter Holidays, instead of a week later. The advice was that, because this week (30.3. to 3.4.2026) was short, the site would have been left unworked. Starting works for four days and not returning for three, could give mixed messages to the travelling public and would increase the number of working days on site.

Hounslow Highways have assessed the duration of permit in detail and will be monitoring the progress on daily basis.

The Cadent works reference is IMGA272232 and they can be reached at 0800 0854 478, email customercarelondon@cadentgas.com .

Keep safe. Wishing you a peaceful Easter.

TL 2.4.2026

Comments Off on Life’s a Gas: Northumberland Avenue closed at Syon Lane 6 to 17 April 2026

Filed under Great West Road, Hounslow Highways, Middlesex, Neighbourhoods, Northumberland Estate, Road works, Roads, Traffic

Tagged as Cadent Gas, Great West Road, Osterley & Spring Grove, Ranjit Gill, Syon Lane, Tony Louki, Unsa Chaudri, Wood Lane

by loukit | July 10, 2025 · 11:12

Bath Road Shops

I have emailed you the password to view this video.

Comments Off on Bath Road Shops

Filed under Neighbourhoods

by loukit | June 28, 2025 · 23:02

The Limes of Osterley and Spring Grove: an epicormic ritual

Thornbury Road near Oakley Close: Big Lime epicormic growth

Occasionally, one encounters the odd bit of hate for the OSG Ward street trees. Shedding leaves, pollen, seeds, sap and basal (or epicormic from the Greek) growth, for example.

Thornbury Road c1911

Many specimens, thriving on our roadsides, remain healthy, however. Lots are longer term than many of us, they’ve shed leaves and sap since before we lost half our street sweepers or left our smaller motors in similar sized garages. Trees stayed within the confines of the pits in which they were planted, and their roots would spread less.

However, we’ve got an aging population of, on the most part, well looked after street trees, sometimes appearing to get in the way, a bit dishevelled.

Thornbury Road near Oakley Close: Big Lime after epicormic removal

Early this month, pre-empting a resident’s request, I enquired of Hounslow Highways via FixMyStreet when to expect attention to the basal growth of the around 30 Lime trees on Osterley Avenue and Thornbury Road from Jersey to London Roads. There are a further 138 of them elsewhere in the Ward; around 1,500 street Limes, in total, across the borough.

Thornbury Road Shops c1937

During the growing season, they undergo epicormic removal twice. Timing of each visit depends on the climate and growth of the epicormic for that particular year. The 2025 first removal is now almost complete with the second expected late August, early September, depending on the regrowth.