Tag Archives: Hounslow Highways

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

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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 | 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.

Osterley Avenue Lime: Epicomic gone and roots to gully works planned

Coincidentally, programmed work in Osterley and Spring Grove started the day after enquiring on 5 June.

TL 28.6.2025

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Filed under H28 bus, Hounslow Highways, Middlesex, Neighbourhoods, Osterley, Thornbury Road

Tagged as Bus route H28, Hounslow Council, Hounslow Highways, Osterley & Spring Grove, Osterley Park, OWGRA, Spring Grove, Tony Louki

by loukit | 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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Filed under College Road, Council Business, Hounslow Highways, London Road, Neighbourhoods, Road works, Roads, Spring Grove, Traffic

Tagged as Hounslow Council, Hounslow Highways, Isleworth Station, Osterley & Spring Grove, Tony Louki, Unsa Chaudri

by loukit | 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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Filed under Hounslow Highways, Middlesex, Neighbourhoods, Osterley, Road works, Roads, Sky, Traffic, Wyke Green

Tagged as Aftab Siddiqui, Hounslow Council, Hounslow Highways, Osterley & Spring Grove, Osterley Park, OWGRA, Syon Lane, Tony Louki, Unsa Chaudri, Wyke Gardens

by loukit | April 11, 2023 · 08:54

Syon Lane: Seccombes, Scaffolding and Signals

Since the incident of 6 February 2023, enquiries have been made on behalf of residents and updates received from the company, Hounslow Highways and the Police as to when repairs will start on the damaged building and consequential traffic delays between Great West Road and Tentelow Lane ended.

Seccombes: Intensive and robust scaffolding

Last week, the company’s Managing Director, Mr John Seccombe, advised,

“Despite repeated pleas to them [the insurers] to move as quickly as possible, the insurance process has been painfully slow and methodical, frustrating a quick resolution. Our contractor has finally been given go ahead to start peeling back the damage on Tuesday 11 April in order to access hidden parts of our 200+ years old building. This will ensure the structural engineers have a full understanding of the task ahead.

Seccombes: Up close building damage

“These ‘enabling works’ are critical but will lead to ultimately having the scaffolding removed. It is still unclear as to how long this stage will take but we are sure we will finally be seeing some visible progress. We will update you all again when the Engineers have completed these final tests and we have a working timescale.