Healthy Streets – Hounslow and Brentford: OSG Ward Councillors’ Response to TfL

This is what we sent to Mr Fraser Macdonald, Local Communities and Partnerships Team, Transport for London on 16 February 2022 as a response to the first Healthy Streets consultation for between Kew Bridge and Hounslow Town.  Osterley and Spring Grove Ward Councilors focussed on the London Road (A315) in our Ward.

Dear Mr Macdonald

Healthy Streets – Hounslow and Brentford

Thank you for the opportunity to respond to Transport for London’s proposals for cycling and walking in the part of the borough that includes Osterley and Spring Grove Ward.  London Road in the Ward runs from Isleworth Station to Thornbury Road at the Milford Arms and, unless indicated, our comments will focus on that length of the A315.

Subject to final proposals, following this and the next consultation, we do not have any whole scheme objections; considered change to infrastructure, however, is important.  Whilst supporting improvements for safe cycling, our observations focus on pedestrian safety and access, reducing bus travel delays, car access to shops, active consideration of green infrastructure.

Thus far, there is no discernible Equality Impact Assessment within this initial consultation but a thorough report of such analyses would be expected at the next stage.

Pedestrian safety

A long-held concern for many residents using the shops and other services on London Road is that there is a need for a full pedestrian phase crossing at the St Johns Road junction (Map 8).  Widening of the junction would not be sufficient to compensate for westbound, left turn, blind spots but, if addressed, would negate the requirement for a dog leg pelican crossing by 489 and 466 London Road.

The sheer numbers of unregimented school students, (Isleworth and Syon, Gumley, Green Girls, Green Boys) at home time, using this location, particularly westbound, needs to be carefully examined.  Isleworth Post Office users attempting to meet last collections adds to the melee.  London Road bus boarders from College Road/Isleworth Station and St Johns Road should be re-examined with a view to offering either an alternative design or a route around the shops.

Hounslow Council is about to implement its long-proposed cycle route from London Road, through Isleworth Station Car Park to St Johns Road and this would act as a safe substitute to what is proposed between 459 and 489 London Road.  The proposal to relocate the current Isleworth Station bus stop to outside Isleworth Post Office at 477 London Road would, therefore, not be necessary.

Bus routes efficiency

Removal of bus lanes from London Road would limit the ability of buses on the five routes, through Isleworth to Brentford and Hounslow, to catch up from delays caused elsewhere.  The taking out of these important priority devices would affect people in low paid jobs who rely on buses for long commutes, bus borne residents, those naturally less able to cycle or walk the distances between centres.  The next consultation should quantify journey time impacts of removal of bus lanes as well as justify any lack of alternative approach to their retention.

Trees

It is not clear as to how many mature London Plane trees from the whole of the area in focus would be proposed to be removed along the route and these should be astutely detailed at the next consultation, preferably explained to neighbours even earlier.  Removals should be avoided with infrastructure and cycle lanes safely built around specimens wherever possible.  Replacement trees should be the largest size available for planting in order to achieve maximum impact from the get go.

Shopper parking

An effort to recognise vehicle usage to access businesses on and off London Road, including the last remaining bank between Hounslow and Chiswick at number 468 is appreciated and, subject to local consultation, we would suggest that alternative shopper parking bays be installed on College Road, Avenue Road and Thornbury Road to compensate for those which may be removed locally, elsewhere on the A315.

There is an older demographic in Osterley and Spring Grove Ward who do and would walk to patronise services in the neighbourhoods around the London Road.  However, a number of our residents also have carer responsibilities and also chauffer less ambulant friends, neighbours and family members to appointments and local shops; we would want them to retain this liberty with sufficient car borne access and facilities.

Residents and businesses, locally would wish to be listened to and very much considered when designing this next phase of Cycleway 9.  As Ward Councillors, we would be happy to support as well as facilitate wider discussion and also meet Transport for London and local traffic professionals to walk the London Road in Isleworth.

Yours sincerely

Tony Louki, Unsa Chaudri, Richard Eason

Labour Party Councillors for Osterley and Spring Grove Ward

Copied to:  Mr Jefferson Nwokeoma, Assistant Director of Traffic, Transport and Parking, London Borough of Hounslow

Added by TL  1.3.2022