Meeting Shows Level of Concern over Grove Park Traffic Measures

Local groups propose alternative scheme to road restrictions

Access from Burlington Lane is restricted. Picture: Google Streetview

A public meeting was held this week in Grove Park (Thursday, 17 March) to discuss the controversial changes to traffic management in the area.

The meeting, which was organised by the Strand on the Green Association (SoTG) and the Grove Park Group (GPG), heard that initial 'positive' dialogue with Hounslow Council had been followed by 'intransigence'. The groups have proposed an alternative scheme.

It was also attended by Councillor Hanif Khan, who was the lead Cabinet member on Transport in Hounslow Council during the introduction of the Street Space schemes. He is currently a Labour Party local election candidate in the Chiswick Gunnersbury ward and there was some surprise and even admiration at his presence.

The two residents' groups have carried out their own surveys and say a majority of respondents want a reconsideration of the schemes, which currently restrict access into Grove Park from Burlington Lane (from the A316) during certain hours, as well as from the eastern section of Staveley Road.

Local pharmacist Sue Busby said her revenue was down by 15-20 per cent on non-prescription products as people were unable to access her premises. Two local primary schools also complained that they were losing staff due to traffic restrictions. One head teacher said they would be glad to pay for permits for some teachers if it were permitted.

Other Grove Park businesses affected include local shops, a post office, the railway station, two churches, two primary schools, two doctor's surgeries, a physiotherapy, a veterinary surgery, and pubs and restaurants.

Residents spoke of visitors, family members, delivery drivers and carers incurring penalty charge notices. Some taxi drivers have refused to enter the zone fearing a £65 fine due to the complexity and constantly changing nature of the restrictions.

Measures to limit access to Hartington Road from the A316 have earned over £2 million for Hounslow Council in ANPR fines.

There were complaints of a lack of clarity over which areas they were allowed to access. For example, residents in certain streets had been able to register their car number plates to travel in and out of Hartington Road but were unclear whether they were allowed to exit along Thames Road to Kew Bridge. People were confused as to whether cameras were operational, or what 'access' meant.

Some speakers pointed out that under the new restrictions, traffic now had to travel further along the A316, as far as Hogarth roundabout and enter Grove Park from the A4, thus generating more air pollution.

It was suggested that, with five CPZ zones in the area, the most sensible course of action would be for all residents within those zones to have right of access. The current scheme provides exceptions for some residents east of the A316 and for those with allotments.

Many of those who attended felt that the proper procedure for making the decisions was not followed and that the consultation on the measures was so inadequate that it made the measures invalid.

The alternative scheme proposed by the GPG and SOGA involves up to 9 ANPR cameras, linked via timed access, which they say is similar to a scheme in Fulham. They claim this would achieve the core principles of a Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN), with access for residents, visitors, shops, deliveries, and taxis and no access for through-traffic.

They say this scheme is preferred by a majority of residents and would be deliverable at a lower or comparative cost.

The residents' groups now want engagement with the Council, full consultation with residents, consideration of the alternative scheme proposed, and improvements to the existing scheme.

The mandate from their survey showed that the majority of people do want to eliminate rat running and make cycling and walking safer, and they want amendments to the restrictions currently in force. The general feeling was that people did not feel their concerns were listened to by Hounslow Council.

The meeting agreed that next steps would be to share the results of the survey with senior officials in Hounslow Council and to meet with the new Cabinet member for Transport following the May local elections. An email campaign and peaceful demonstration is planned for 31 May prior to the AGM of Hounslow Council.

The last Census showed there were 2,334 residents, 255 over 65 and 490 under 16 who reside in 1,000 plus houses and flats in this part of the borough. Following the closure of Hammersmith Bridge to vehicle traffic in April 2019 the A316 has carried significant additional traffic and this regularly causes serious back-ups of traffic from Hogarth Roundabout to Kew Bridge.

Hounslow Council asserts that the traffic measures introduced so far have significantly reduced the amount of motor vehicles travelling through the area and improved air quality in Grove Park.

March 19, 2022