Transport Issues Main Area Of Concern At Cabinet Question Time

Low turnout by local residents for Hounslow Council's visit to Chiswick

Transport-related issues, including controlled parking zones, the impact of Hammersmith Bridge closure on traffic congestion in Chiswick, air pollution, and the cycleway 9 were some of the issues raised during a Cabinet Question Time during the week.

The meeting at St Michael's Church, Elmwood Road, chaired by Andy Murray of the Grove Park Group, was to give Chiswick residents an opportunity to question the cabinet and leader Steve Curran, on matters of local interest.

Despite the meeting being badly attended (only 9 residents turned up, along with two members of local media and some councillors), the meeting continued for the two hour alloted time.

The first issue raised was that of whether a CPZ should be extended to the part of Staveley Road and Burlington Road not covered by controlled parking, near Chiswick School. A local resident said if the Council was concerned about air pollution it should be extended. Also, with cars parked on both sides of the road it was becoming more dangerous to drive along the road.

Cllr Hanif Khan ( lead member for Transport) said that it was not included in the original CPZ which recently came into operation and which was having a positive effect already. This could perhaps come under the Liveable Neighbourhood scheme which was currently out to public consultation.

Leader of the Council, Steve Curran, said if there was a safety issue involved the Council would look at it and head of Transport Mark Frost could be consulted.

Traffic congestion at the junction of Sutton Road junction and the A4 was also raised. A resident said the lights at the interchange should be changed to allow at least 30 seconds more for traffic to cross over the A4 into Grove Park. Another resident submitted a plan to reroute traffic along Wavendon Avenue and Barrowgate Road.

Cllr Curran said these could all be discussed under the heading of the Liveable Neighbourhood Plan but Cllr Joanna Biddolph said these were traffic matters caused by the closure of Hammersmith Bridge and should be looked at as a separate issue, not just 'lost' in the Liveable Neighbourhood Plan. The bridge would be closed for three years and action was needed.

Daniel Goldsmith (Green Party) asked why resurfacing work at Grove Park Gardens, had not been carried out. The condition of the road surface was a disgrace. He was told that works had been scheduled to take place last August, but this was postponed because it was discovered that gasworks were scheduled for the street. This had to be completed before the road could be resurfaced. Nearby Grove Park Terrace was also on the list for resurfacing.

Cllr Jo Biddolph was concerned that the move towards cashless parking machines would affect the 30 minute Stop and Shop provision. Cllr Khan said he had no intention of changing the 30 minute free shopping period and the new cashless machines would provide for this.

The proposed demolition and rebuilding of the Chiswick Health Centre in Fisher's Lane was discussed. Cllr Steve Curran said he had met with the CCG and its advisers. The Council fully supported the NHS and the building being fit for purpose. However, he was not convinced that the plan to finance the building by providing private homes on top of the new centre was feasible. The scheme was still in pre-planning and a public exhibition would be held soon. He had questions over the height of the proposed scheme and its density. He also had concerns that there was no affordable housing provided for in the scheme. These were matters to be addressed.

Councillor Lily Bath (Housing) said the Council was seeing an increase in the numbers of people becoming homeless due to landlord evictions. The Council would shortly launch its campaign against homelessness. They now had a statutory duty to work to prevent homelessness with the relevant partners and stakeholders.

Continuing with questions about housing in the borough, Cllr Curran was asked what were its own figures for affordable housin. He replied that Hounslow Council was in the top ten of local authorities for building affordable homes. They had made a committment to providing 5,000 more.

The meeting was recorded and will be available to listen to on the Council 's website within a few days.

October 19, 2019