Tag Archives: Unsa Chaudri

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

The new wall at St Christopher’s Close

A number of citizens have queried the appearance of a new wall on Thornbury Road by the southbound H28 Eversley Crescent bus stop.

Newly constructed wall to Thornbury Road (pre wall Google picture, below)

Now enclosing a previously open amenity space, the land was, in fact, always part of the freehold of 42 St Christopher’s Close.

A planning application to erect the wall was submitted in February 2022, with a recommendation to approve via Planning Officers’ delegated powers.  Residents, concerned with the apparent loss of 50 years of open amenity space, asked Ward Councillor Unsa Chaudri to refer and speak on the officer report to a full LBH Planning Committee for determination by councillors. Taking place in June 2022, with residents also making a case, I argued that permission to enclose this long enjoyed and council maintained open land, within the Spring Grove Conservation Area, should be refused and this was supported when a vote was taken.

Subsequently, the applicant, as is their prerogative, lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate which, following consideration, allowed the appeal in December 2022.  The Inspector approved the application with a condition that the new wall brickwork should match that of the neighbouring Fairways development; reflecting some aspects of the 1860s Davies Estate milieu.

TL  26.11.2024

 

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Filed under H28 bus, Neighbourhoods, Planning, Spring Grove, Thornbury Road

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

NatWest Bank Closure: Protest at 10.30 am Tomorrow, 10 July 2023

NatWest Bank, bailed out by the people to the tune of £46 billion and still 39% Government owned, are using spurious statistics, poor consultation and erroneous assertions to shut down the last remaining and accessible bank between Hounslow and Chiswick.  It’s the only one with a customer car park and also located within the Council’s London Road 30 minutes free Stop and Shop parking facility.

Last bank standing: NatWest, 486 London Road, Isleworth

No amount of online, video or telephone banking can replace a human face to face physical transaction whether elderly or any other citizen within the 30% without the means, online savvy or inclination or just likes going out.

NatWest Isleworth: Elderly customer with their carer drew up to the front door to use this most accessible of bank branches

Recent pavement surveys by NatWest customer and Isleworth resident, Madhuri Kapila, show buoyant footfall at 468 London Road.  There has also been a keenness to sign this letter to letter to NatWest Head Office and, so far, 150 customers, many elderly, greatly concerned and fearful of the closure, have participated.

NatWest Isleworth: Open during convenient hours 5 days a week

Daily attendance at the branch, of late, shows around thirty customers per hour, more if ATM users are included, translating to at least 750 user per week.  NatWest profits for 2023/24 show a 50% jump to £1.9 billion in the first three months of the year; why should the company need to close a long established and well used branch operating from Freehold premises?

NatWest Isleworth Branch: Night safe

All of the many shopkeepers Madhuri has spoken to (NatWest did not reveal of having spoken to any of our traders in its public relations pieces), are greatly against the proposal.  They see the bank as an anchor business for London Road as well as a banking facility for them and everyone else.

Last Friday, Madhuri and I visited NatWest Headquarters at 250 Bishopsgate to present the collected letters but no one was available to receive them nor this additional letter to Dame Alison Rose, Group Chief Executive Officer of NatWest Bank..

Ruth Cadbury MP also wrote this letter to NatWest Bank asking for a meeting and for the closure to be withdrawn.

Recently publishing a booklet for bank branch visitors, NatWest used a mixture of pre, during and post pandemic figures, with obscure graphics, to justify their current stance.  The decision really did appear to have been made prior to any  real consultation and, responses from NatWest since seem at best repetative and standard public relations deflections but at worse, some may describe as lip service and sham going through the motions.

Please show your support in any or all of these ways:

NatWest Bank Isleworth: Please maintain the Welcome

Download, complete and immediately return this letter to Keep Nat West Bank Open via email KNWBOpen@gmail.com

Ask that the closure decision be reversed.  Email or write to Dame Alison Rose, Group Chief Executive Officer, 250 Bishopsgate, London, EC2M 4AA: or email alison.rose@natwest.com and cc KNWBOpen@gmail.com

 

Monday 10 July 2023 at 10.30 am.  Join a peaceful protest against the closure outside NatWest Bank, 486 London Road, Isleworth, TW7 4DD.

Tell your friends.

Thank you.

 

TL 9.7.2023

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Filed under London Road, Neighbourhoods, Osterley, Spring Grove

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