'No Enforcement Planned' at Fisher's Lane Underpass

Councillor says he has been told there is not enough money to install cameras

Fisher's Lane underpass

A local ward councillor says he has been told in a private meeting that there are no plans to introduce camera enforcement at the Fisher's Lane underpass in Chiswick.

During a meeting between Southfield ward councillors, who represent the local ward, and Ealing Council's transport team this Tuesday (25 August), it was indicated that the access restrictions are not going to be enforced due to “financial constraints”.

At present the restriction is being ignored by a significant number of drivers either because they don't notice the signs or are choosing to ignore them. Some residents have complained that the lack of enforcement means that the restriction now only applies to the law abiding.

Councillor Andrew Steed remarked, “This revelation shows that the Labour-run Ealing Council has a knack of pushing unpopular, disruptive policies at the expense of local residents without any consultation or proper planning. This Fisher's Lane mess is sadly, only one of many examples. The Council's review of the traffic scheme, initiated by Liberal Democrats, needs to happen sooner rather than later.”

The underpass is on the border of Ealing and Hounslow boroughs and the latter have removed parking space on the road leading to the underpass. It was originally argued that the restrictions imposed by Hounslow Council on Turnham Green Terrace made similar measures on Fisher's Lane essential because it would not have been able to handle the volume of displaced traffic.

Brentford and Isleworth Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson Helen Cross added: “This sorry episode demonstrates the breakdown of communication between neighbouring Ealing and Hounslow councils. Fishers Lane traffic measures affect residents in Hounslow too, just like the similar scheme in Turnham Green Terrace for Ealing Chiswick residents. Perhaps a conference call between the two Labour-run councils would have stopped this unenforceable mess that only brings confusion to the local community.”

According to Cllr Steed he has also been told that similar traffic control measures in Turnham Green Terrace in neighbouring Hounslow may not be enforced by Hounslow Council due to similar reasons.

Cllr Hanif Khan, Cabinet Member for Transport at Hounslow Council said, “All our trials will be properly but proportionately enforced through a mixture of mobile and fixed cameras to increase compliance and enable an accurate assessment when the trials come to an end.

“These trials, which have been introduced as part of our Streetspace programme, build on those already announced and aim to make Hounslow a safer place for pedestrians and cyclists, to enable people to socially distance while out and about, to support a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle for our residents and to have real alternatives to driving.”

An online petition has been started against the closures of Fisher's Lane and Turnham Green Terrace.

We have asked Ealing Council for comment but are yet to receive a response.

August 29, 2020