Controversial Staveley Road Works Begun Overnight
Contractors thwart protestors by sealing off road under cover of darkness
Workmen appear in the early morning to fence off the site on Staveley Road
The protestors trying to prevent workmen from Hounslow Council removing traffic islands on Staveley Road and installing a barrier appear to have been confounded.
The work site on Staveley Road has been sealed off with fencing reportedly installed overnight on Wednesday (30 September).
Two previous attempts to begin work which is part of the South Chiswick Liveable Neighbourhood scheme were blocked when local residents occupied the site and told workmen that it would be illegal for them to proceed. Despite the attendance of the Metropolitan Police the work did not proceed.
Now with the public excluded from the site the traffic islands have been removed and the barrier is in the process of being installed.
The diagonal barrier is to be placed at the junction of Park Road and Staveley Road. It will prevent vehicles travelling the length of Staveley Road which, it is hoped will reduce rat-running and speeding on the road.
Most of the residents objecting to the scheme were from Park Road. They claim that the barrier will increase traffic on their formerly quiet road and make it unsafe.
Cllr Hanif Khan, who has responsibility for transport in the borough said, “ Following the most recent obstruction to works on Tuesday 22 September, the Council has engaged further with this resident group to understand their concerns. The key concern expressed in these discussions is the removal of the existing traffic island necessary to accommodate the new barrier, and the impact of this on the safety of those crossing Staveley Road. This concern is understandable, but our research indicates the barrier will significantly reduce volume and speed of traffic on the road, making it much easier and safer to cross and therefore removing the need for a dedicated pedestrian crossing.
Workmen on site at Staveley Road
“However, to provide further reassurance to residents, the Council has offered to incorporate a temporary, traffic-signal-controlled pedestrian crossing into the scheme. This offer has not been accepted by the residents’ group who have proposed an alternative camera-enforced set of road closures for the whole of the South Chiswick area. This would seek to restrict through traffic whilst maintaining full access for all resident vehicles.
“This proposal would place an administrative burden on every resident in the area to register both their own vehicles and those of all visitors and deliveries. It would come at a significant cost as a result of the need for many cameras and back office staff. This cost would be far greater than the proposed trial barrier, and the scheme would take many months to develop, procure and install. Furthermore, central Government has called for traffic-calming measures to be brought in ‘as swiftly as possible’ so that people can walk or cycle safely without fear of high volumes of traffic, while also observing social distancing.
The new barrier at the junction of Staveley Road and Park Road
“It is for all these reasons that the Council is committed to proceeding with implementing the original proposed trial. However, the Council has offered to work with residents to explore whether an alternative camera-based solution which doesn’t place significant administrative burden on residents could be adapted to work in practice. Such a system could then be presented as possible an alternative arrangement when the future of the trial scheme is formally considered next year.
“To ensure we can implement the scheme safely and quickly, keeping disruption to a minimum, we will be closing the junction via a temporary traffic order to traffic and pedestrians while works are underway. Any attempt to obstruct the scheme from being implemented will be considered a breach of that order and will be enforced by the police as appropriate.
“We understand there are differing views on the merits of this proposal and remain committed to reviewing all the feedback on this scheme once it is in place. We are keeping an open mind on what the final arrangement for this junction will be but we ask all residents to engage with us on this matter through the proper process, and not to take further illegal direct action to prevent our Highways team from implementing the scheme.”
You can make comments either by participating in the Council’s online consultation or by emailing the transport team on traffic@hounslow.gov.uk.
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October 4, 2020
