Tag Archives: Great West Road

One done. Nine to decide. CPZs in Osterley & Spring Grove Ward updates

These past two years, there has been a fair demand in a number of neighbourhoods of Osterley & Spring Grove Ward for residents only parking.

In response, Hounslow Council’s Traffic Team has undertaken a number of consultations which have been reported at meetings of the Isleworth & Brentford Area Forum. This piece provides a situation report.

160430 NG CPZ

Northumberland Gardens – This came in to operation early April 2016 arising from discussion at the 12 March 2015 IBAF when proposals for the improvement of the pedestrian crossing outside Syon Lane Station were agreed.

The scheme was designed as an extension to the existing Syon Lane Station controlled parking zone and provides an additional 14 spaces to that scheme operating from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday. A map of the extension can be found here.

Thornbury Road South – Development of this arose from an online petition started on the Hounslow Council website in the autumn of 2014 by a local resident. It began as a response to impacts from parking by college, mosque and new developments parking.

Following a first stage informal consultation during April 2015 and for a detailed scheme in November 2015, IBAF agreed to add proceed to statutory formal consultation at its meeting on 21 January 2016.

Formal traffic orders are being compiled for the statutory consultation expected to run for 21 days from late June 2016. It will propose the addition of Thornbury Road (between Spring Grove Road and Eversley Crescent), Stanleycroft Close and Weston Gardens to the existing Spring Grove CPZ which operates from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm, Monday to Friday.

A copy of the January IBAF report can be found here and map of the proposed extension here. Should June’s statutory consultation not yield unresolvable objections, it is expected that the scheme will be installed late October 2016.

160430 Church Road

Thornbury Road North – Work on this scheme also arose from a petition started on the Hounslow Council website by a resident concerned with commuter and holiday maker parking due to the proximity of Osterley Station.

Following a first stage informal consultation during April 2015 and for a detailed scheme in November 2015, IBAF agreed to add proceed to statutory formal consultation at its meeting on 21 January 2016.

Formal traffic orders are also being compiled for a statutory consultation expected to run for 21 days from mid June 2016. It will propose the creation of a completely new controlled parking zone to include Thornbury Avenue, Thornbury Road (between Great West Road and Church Road), Church Road (between Thornbury Road and Osterley Road) and Osterley Road (between Church Road and Great West Road. It would operate from 10.00 am to 12.00 pm, Monday to Friday.

Should the statutory consultation not yield unresolvable objections, it is expected that the scheme will be installed late October 2016. A copy of the January IBAF report can be found here and map of the proposed zone here.

Permit holders only past this point sign proposed for Ravenswood Gardens and Naseby Close. These negate the need for bays marking.

Permit holders only past this point sign proposed for Ravenswood Gardens and Naseby Close. These negate the need for bays marking.

Naseby Close and Ravenswood Gardens – These two roads located off The Grove, already covered by the existing Spring Grove CPZ, were also consulted in April and November 2015 and reported to the IBAF in January 2016. Residents here also wanted in and formal traffic orders are also being compiled for a statutory consultation, mid June 2016.

Again, in the absence of unresolvable objections, the scheme is expected to be installed late October 2016 but done so with no road markings, just signs at the start of these two cul-de-sacs. A copy of the January IBAF report can be found here and map of the proposed zone here.

Spencer Road – Councillors agreed with the council’s traffic officers’ recommendation that residents of this road be included in the April 2015 consultation with neighbouring streets. The results showed that there is demand and a scheme is being progressed to address commuter parking attracted by Osterley Station and the expected impact of a zone being commissioned south of Spring Grove Road.

Statutory consultation will take place from early June 2016 for a completely new controlled parking zone and, without unresolvable objections, is likely to be installed late October 2016. A copy of the January IBAF report can be found here and map of the proposed zone here.

NewsStandIsleworthStation

Across from Isleworth Station – Work on this began following the presentation of a 100+ signature petition to the Mayor of Hounslow at a council meeting in January 2015. The petition arose from residents’ concerns over parking by commuters, crown court users and residents from nearby developments, already built and in the pipeline.

Following a first stage informal consultation during April 2015 and for a detailed scheme in November 2015, IBAF considered an officer report at its meeting on 21 January 2016 where differences of opinion on the proposals were raised, particularly over hours of operation. This gave rise to a further meeting on 9 February 2016 called by councilors and attended by 20 residents and a way forward agreed to proceed.

Formal traffic orders are now being compiled for a statutory consultation from late June 2016. It will propose the addition of Grove Road, Avenue Road, Overton Close, College Road (south of Ridgeway Road), Henley Close and Beechen Cliff Way to the existing Spring Grove CPZ which operates from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm, Monday to Friday.

Without unresolvable objections, is likely to be installed late October 2016. A copy of the January IBAF report can be found here and map of the proposed extension to the Spring Grove zone here.

The Six Gardens – another consequence of commuter parking by Syon Lane station and close to employment sites around Great West Road. Residents appeared not only concerned by all day parking but also its effect on waste collections not taking place in this neighbourhood due to refuse lorries as well as pedestrians not being able to negotiate tight and inconsiderate parking by some on these narrow roads.

Following correspondence and meetings with residents, I raised this issue at the July 2015 IBAF and a detailed design consultation took place in January 2016 which saw serious support for parking controls here. At the 3 March 2016 IBAF, councillors agreed that the scheme should progress to statutory consultation.

This consultation will take place mid June 2016 with a proposal to include Warkworth Gardens, Otterburn Gardens, Redesdale Gardens and Northumberland Avenue (from Roxborough Avenue to Syon Lane) to the existing Syon Lane Station CPZ which operates from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday.

Without unresolvable objections, is likely to be installed late October 2016. A copy of the January IBAF report can be found here and map of the proposed extension here.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

North of Gillette Corner – Another request arising from commuter parking impacts and a petition from residents on the Wyke Gardens Estate off Syon Lane I presented to the Mayor of Hounslow.

Informal consultation on a scheme to include Syon Park Gardens, Syon Lane, Stags Way, Crowntree Close, Wyke Close and Oaklands Avenue took place in September 2015 and reported to IBAF at its meeting on 12 November 2015. A copy of the report considered then can be found here and a map here.

Consultation on a detailed design has just ended and is expected to be reported with next steps, if any, to the next Isleworth & Brentford Area Forum scheduled for 26 May 2016.

Burlington Road – Concerned with the implications of a controlled parking scheme due for neighbouring Spencer Road, a petition was presented by residents of Burlington Road requesting that the Council consider the introduction of a CPZ in their road (operational 10.00 am – 12.00 pm, Monday to Friday. This was considered at the 3 March 2016 IBAF.

An informal consultation in Burlington Road and neighbouring streets, Vincent Road, Spring Grove Road, Witham Road and Eversley Crescent is expected to commence in June 2016 and reported to IBAF in September 2016.

Phew!

I shall make an effort to offer updates here but in the meantime happy to correspond.

 

TL 30.4.2016

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Filed under College Road, CPZ, Great West Road, London Road, Neighbourhoods, Northumberland Estate, Osterley, Parking, Roads, Sky, Spring Grove, Thornbury Road, Wyke Green

H28 bus to the West Mid – safe for now

Transport for London says it has “deferred making a decision on the proposed changes to route H28” and “will have further discussions with the London Borough of Hounslow about these proposed changes.”

H28s on Wood Lane Isleworth

H28s on Wood Lane Isleworth

TfL reports the outcome of last year’s consultation here:  https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/buses/e8-110-h28 .

The consultation was meant to be about improving routes to West Middlesex University Hospital following the government’s NHS cuts at Ealing Hospital last year. However, a number of folk suspect that it may have also been another austerity cuts exercise, this time with local public transport as the victim.

160406 WMUH sign

One of the TfL proposals was to reroute the E8 towards the hospital and to take the H28 out of Wood Lane, Amhurst Gardens and Twickenham Road. This would mean removing bus access to the West Mid from Spring Grove, Osterley and North Isleworth as well as other neighbourhoods in the borough .

Results of the consultation showed a very good response on the H28 from local folk and can be found on pages 5, 31-38 and 81-82 (notes from the meeting I arranged) here. They included,

  • The route needs to go to WMUH – 82 responses
  • Wood Lane needs to be served by a bus route – 68 responses
  • Generally opposed – 58 responses
  • This route is used by a number of elderly/vulnerable people who rely on it to do their weekly shop/get out and about – 56 responses
  • Will lose direct, cheap link to Tesco – 43 responses
  • H91 is not an alternative route for Wood Lane/Northumberland Estate – 29 responses
  • Northumberland Estate is not served by any other bus route and will result in a long uphill walk/walk to get other buses – 18 responses
  • Proposal will adversely affect Wood Lane residents taking children to local schools – 13 responses
  • Will increase the cost and time of my journey – 13 responses

The current route of H28 is safe, for now but this is probably because there is an election for a new Mayor for London next month and the current do nothing Mayor Johnson would not have wanted this cut in the spotlight.

H28 at Wood Lane level crossing

H28 at Wood Lane level crossing

I have spoken to Hounslow Council’s head of transport and when TfL does have these “further discussions”, I shall ensure that residents are involved and continue to do my best to represent.

TL 6.4.2016

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Filed under Council Business, Great West Road, H28 bus, London Road, Middlesex, Neighbourhoods, Northumberland Estate, Osterley, Public transport, Spring Grove, TfL, West Middlesex Hospital, Wyke Green

Wardabout with Hounslow Highways – Tuesday 5 April 2016 at 11.00 am to 12.15 pm

A productive little mooch around the neighbourhood north of Great West Road between Wood Lane and Syon Lane.

160405 Wardabout

Attending: Satbir and Ali from Hounslow Highways; Joyce from Hounslow Council Contracts Team; Gerry S from Syon Park Gardens; Ian T from Wyke Close; Basil M from Syon Lane; OSG Ward Councillors Tony Louki and Sheila OReilly

Following the Wardabout, Hounslow Highways have undertaken to:

  • Provide a list of actions raised within 3 working days
  • Send an updated list of full actions and outcomes of any investigations within 28 days.

These are what I noted, not all are the responsibility of Hounslow Highways, some are Transport for London which is accountable for Great West Road; matters of flytipping on private land are the locus of Hounslow Council’s Enforcement Service:

Require litter bin near entrance to 120 Wood Lane – heavy footfall to schools and the Osterley Sports Centre and Athletics Track;

Seek solution to westbound vehicle access to Syon Park Gardens from Great West Road;

Deep clean by refuges at junction of Wood Lane and Great West Road;
160405 GWRd Wood Lane detritus

Ask TfL to fix the refuge barriers damaged during recent road traffic incident;

Complete lighting works on Wyke Estate footpath from Wood Lane to opposite 141 Syon Lane;

Advise on responsibility for maintaining play area along this footpath;

Advise on sweeping and litter pick frequency for this footpath;

Unblock gulley outside 143 Syon Lane;

Unblock gulley at 141 Syon Lane/Macfarlane Lane;

Deep clean of laybys from 141 to 211 Syon Lane;

Complete lighting works reinstatement outside 145 Syon Lane;

Address ponding and flooding on to pavement from verges between 141 and 211 Syon Lane;

Upgrade road name sign at Stags Way/Syon Lane to show “leading to Crowntree Close and Wyke Close;

Report Braybourne Drive ditch flytips to LBH Enforcement, serve EPA s81 notice to owners of the ditch (Wates) and diarise regular monitoring;
160405 Braybourne ditch 01

Unblock gullies at eastern end of Braybourne Drive by fire access barrier;

Unblock gulley in courtyard of 8-20 Wyke Close;

Remove corrugated asbestos from footpath to Syon Park Gardens at side of 786 Great WestRoad;

Address pothole by the gulley outside 40 Syon Park Gardens;
160405 Pothole os 40 Syon Pk Gdns

Examine level of crossover infringement and footway parking at various addresses in Syon Park Gardens;

Place litter bin(s) by Syon Park Gardens amenity area to reduce littering;

Advise on frequency of litter picking at this location;

Remove flytip outside 830 Great West Road;
160405 Flytip os 830 GWRd

Contact TfL to encourage maintenance and protection of grass verges on Great West Road – another of Mayor Boris Johnson’s failures.

160405 GWRd verges

Ali and Joyce also made notes so this list is not exhaustive.

A range of other issues e mailed to councillors by residents unable to make the event will be forwarded to the appropriates for follow up.

TL 5.4.2016

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Filed under Great West Road, Hounslow Highways, Neighbourhoods, Osterley, Roads, TfL, Traffic, Wyke Green

Some cream for Jersey Gardens

The late and great Richard M Nixon often spouted the etymological fallacy that the Mandarin word for crisis was interchangeable with the word for opportunity.

JG Sign

One of my first trips out after the council elections in May 2014 was being shown around Jersey Gardens by one of its Friends. Tales of some neglect, past failed ambitions and thieving of the ornate. Crisis? Perhaps, for some but never insurmountable.

Another alert at that time was from Councillor Theo Dennison, the council’s cabinet member for finance and other things, announcing that bids were being sought for the large pot of S106 developer planning contributions in the council’s account. Opportunity? For sure.

From my eighteen bids made on behalf Osterley & Spring Grove Ward and other parts of Isleworth in November 2014, one made it on to the May 2015 cabinet report. Theo saw the merit and £76,600 was allocated for, “Improvements, restorations and repairs to boundaries at Jersey Gardens. Sustained practical support for Friends of Jersey Gardens and other groups interested in its improvements.” Met with a little scepticism, it took a couple of emails to convince the FOJG Chairman that the cash was real before he was prepared to pow wow.

Stolen gate on St Mary's Crescent to be securely replaced

Stolen gate on St Mary’s Crescent to be securely replaced

We met on site before Christmas with Gaye from the council’s parks team, Jim and Unsa from parks contractor Carillion and John Love from Thistleworth Tennis Club, the latter to see whether there was scope to combine some joint fence works. Notes from that meeting can be found here.

Reconvening at Osterley Library in February 2016, Carillion came back with a scheme for this phase of works which was agreed by the Friends and includes:

Wood Lane to Ridgeway Road North fencing to be replaced

Wood Lane to Ridgeway Road North fencing to be replaced

  • Replacement and renovation of the most deteriorated pathways within Jersey Gardens and a cleaner and flatter ramp up to the playground area
  • Refurbishment of unused original gates currently facing Great West Road securely relocated to St Mary’s Crescent and the Ridgeway Road North access New double gates by the tennis court
  • Improved access points to the play area
  • Replacement and repair to low fencing along the Ridgeway Road North footpath and along the footpath towards Wood Lane.

These works are due to start later this month, March 2016 and other Friends and residents have also been advised via the latest newsletter which can be found here.

Jersey Gardens south eastern view with Osterley Hotel on skyline, 1932 photo courtesy of Hounslow Libraries Local Studies Section

Jersey Gardens south eastern view with Osterley Hotel on skyline, 1932 photo courtesy of Hounslow Libraries Local Studies Section

There is certainly plenty more to do to realise the long standing ambitions to restore Jersey Gardens, a unique and beautiful by product of the construction of the Great West Road in the 1920s.

Following a call for the next round of S106 bids, a request for funding of a potential second phase was made in January 2016 for,

  • Footpath illumination from Wood Lane to Ridgeway Road North
  • Improvement of paving to the playground
  • Horticulture and landscape apprentice project in conjunction with LBH Skills and Employment Team, Carillion, Hounslow Highways, National Trust, Capel Manor College and others to restore the Sunken Garden.

The outcome of this and another 16 bids (see my responses for both calls for bids here) will be shared when known later in the Spring 2016. Should there be similar success in securing funds, I shall continue to work with the Friends and others help progress further works in Jersey Gardens.

As always, happy to discuss but in the meantime, if not already a supporter, please make contact with the Friends of Jersey Gardens either by e mail to its Chairman, colinhume131@gmail.com or leave letters c/o Friends of Jersey Gardens at Osterley Library, St Mary’s Crescent, Isleworth, Middlesex, TW7 4NB.

TL 5.3.2016

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Filed under Great West Road, Leisure, Middlesex, Neighbourhoods, Osterley, Parks

H28 Bus: Still time to tell TfL

There was a decent turnout from all parts of Osterley & Spring Grove Ward at last Wednesday’s (9.12.2015) meeting with Transport for London, kindly hosted by Thistleworth Tennis Club.

Talking local transport at Thistleworth

Talking local transport at Thistleworth

Some thirty folk came to the lunchtime event offering many good reasons why the H28 should remain pretty much intact, maintaining the link between West Middlesex Hospital and other links and locations with Osterley and North Isleworth. There was also fair comment on the absurdity of running a double decked E8 bus down Amhurst Gardens.

Notes from the meeting can be found here and a highlighted comments were: Continue reading

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Filed under Great West Road, H28 bus, London Road, Neighbourhoods, Northumberland Estate, Osterley, Public transport, Reports, Spring Grove, Thornbury Road, West Middlesex Hospital