Riverside Drive Could Face Traffic Gridlock On Sunday

Major cycle event being held at same time as busy car-boot sale

Riverside Drive. Picture: Google Streetview

The area around Riverside Drive and Dukes Meadows could face traffic gridlock this Sunday (October 1st) as two large events are scheduled to take place on the same day.

The Thames Bridge Bike Ride in aid of the Stroke Association, is expected to attract over 1700 cyclists and supporters to take part in circular races around the Thames bridges. The event will be based in Kings House Sports Ground in Dukes Meadows which will be a hub for the contestants and their families. There is a 55 mile and a 35 mile event going into Central London, but their 8-mile Mini is mainly on cycle paths crossing Chiswick and Hammersmith Bridges.

At the same time the Chiswick Car Boot Sale, based in the grounds of Chiswick School is expected to hold one of its largest sales on Sunday morning. Then there are the regular members of the local Allotments visiting their plots on a Sunday , and the Chiswick Food Market which is based in Dukes Meadows with access by Riverside Drive.

The area around Riverside Drive/Alexandra Gardens and Staveley Gardens has been a focal point of congestion in the past when more than one event is held on a Sunday. Motorists struggle to find parking- in January Hounslow Council introduced Sunday parking restrictions in the area as an experiment

The order made (Jan 6th 2017 ) includes;
Monday to Sunday, 9am-5pm, waiting restrictions in Alexandra Gardens; and
“no waiting at any time” restrictions in Alexandra Gardens, Riverside Drive,
Staveley Gardens and The Promenade, revoking in part the existing ‘first
Sunday in the month’ waiting and loading restrictions in Riverside Drive,
Alexandra Gardens and Staveley Gardens.

Locals often complain of traffic congestion when the area becomes busy at weekends, as it is close to several sports clubs, the Sunday food market, allotments, and the monthly Chiswick School car boot sale.

An emergency vehicle was unable to gain access due to traffic congestion at a previous event.

September 30, 2017