Category Archives: Roads

by | 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

Copyright Tony Louki 2.10.2026. Please carry out your own research.

 

 

 

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by | 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

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by | May 15, 2025 · 14:40

Skidmarked Donuts in the Dark at Syon Lane

In recent times, it seemed that those running Tesco on Syon Lane cared little about its neighbours and its facilities after it closed its doors.  Very little helped.

Big Tesco, Syon Lane

Often, after dark, people living at this end of Osterley and Spring Grove Ward would be subject to invasion of and noise from the northern end of the  store car park.  Revved engines, screeching wheels, burning tyres would wreak and interrupt calm and sleep of the 400+ households of afterhours North Isleworth.

Skidmarks at Osterley Tesco expansive car park

The persistence of some concerned residents raising this with councillors (sharing sound and vision footage) and its being referred to the OSG Ward Police and Hounslow Council’s Community Safety Team via the Ward Police  Panel, led to a pretty positive onsite meet, earlier this week.

Brokered by LBH Safer Communities Coordinator Tara Doyle, I also met, Ward Police Sergeant Dhillon, Tesco HQ ASB Partnerships and Community Manager, Luke Smith, Osterley Tesco Store Manager, Paul McNulty, nearby resident, Mr Catherall and OWGRA’s Barbara Stryjak.

Donuts and Good Boys. Sgt Dhillon, T Doyle, L Smith, P McNulty, G Catherall, B Stryjak.                                                                                             Photo by T Louki

By the burnt rubber marks from a recent episode, one of the many (but not extensively laid) hard plastic ramps installed following Sergeant Dhillon’s earlier intervention and a newly placed ‘Dalek’ camera, triggered to film noisy additional goings on, we discussed further ideas, not least a better barrier locking regime after closing but it’s not over, more developing.

Recently located, portable Dalek CCTV installed to capture images of transgressions within the Tesco car park

Residents witnessing ongoing incursions are encouraged to call and report on 999.

 

TL 15.5.2025

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by | September 10, 2023 · 10:51

Grove Road and College Road Junction Works

Ward Councillor Unsa Chaudri and I met on site with residents and Hounslow Council traffic officers to discuss this project when first proposed in early 2019.  Although some reservations were transmitted then, approval came via this Chief Officer Decision report in June 2020.

Grove Road and College Road junction November 2022

Slow forward to a couple of days before August Bank Holiday when, out of the blue,  we received another shout that month long works are about to start on this long forgotten (by us) decision to reduce the junction width of Grove Road and College Road by almost two thirds from the current 24 metres to 8 metres.

Grove and College Roads junction proposal

The scheme involves pavement widening, creation of a kerb level speed reducing surface, removal of the traffic island and three “rain gardens” designed to capture drainage water and feed plants to be located there.  This is being undertaken by Hounslow Highways who recently wrote to tell affected residents.

Traffic officers advise that the purpose of the scheme is to reduce junction approach speeds and improve road safety, elevating pedestrians so that they are more visible to oncoming traffic thus obviating the need for the current pedestrian refuge.  This has been explained via this LBH Traffic Team letter and detailed design currently being delivered locally.

A Rain Garden in situ

Nearly all street works come with diversions and here is a map for this one.  Hounslow Highways have been reminded of their responsibility to ensure that any temporary signs, including the diversion signs, are routinely checked.

The 2020 Chief Officer Decision included a sister proposal at the Ridgeway Road and College Road junction but is now on hold as there is no current funding available for this.  However, councillors are informed this will be reviewed as part of any future potential traffic reduction measures over the wider area in Osterley and Spring Grove Ward.

TL  10.9.2023

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by | June 22, 2023 · 17:20

Seccombes: Insurers Authorise Rebuild

Following one of the longest tooth pulling events, Seccombes Builders Merchants Managing Director, John Seccombe has advised that, the end of discussions earlier this week between loss adjusters and insurance companies for both his company and the boy racer’s, meant that permission has been given to proceed with the reconstruction of the Syon Lane building.

Seccombes: Scaffolding up since 5.2.2023 when the poor driver lost control

Unlikely to commence before early July, Seccombes’ contractor is now discussing changes to the supporting scaffolding, up since early February, to enable safe working on and around the damaged building.

With changes, access can be created to dismantle the building in its entirety from the roof down to ground level.  It will then be possible for the scaffolding to be removed.  An assessment will then be made as to whether safe construction may begin without the tiresome traffic restrictions in place.

Seccombes: Temporary lights on Windmill Lane may be removed by the end of July

The footway here on Syon Lane is very narrow, presenting a danger to anyone working outside the wall and building.  So, following assessment and discussion with Hounslow Highways, it will be clearer as to what restrictions will be necessary during the rebuild.

Seccombes are, expectedly, cautious about offering any timescales but it is estimated that the entire rebuild could take as much as eleven weeks; Mr Seccombe will keep providing updates with any changes that happen.

Seccombes: Rebuild likely to end late Summer

The company says that they values everyone’s patience and hopes that residents and visitors appreciate that there is light at the of end of the tunnel.

 

TL  22.6.2023

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