Undertakers Could Be Forced to Carry Coffins Along High Road

New TfL plans for cycle lane would see WS Bond lose their loading area

A local undertaking firm could find its staff having to carry coffins some distance along Chiswick High Road to load the deceased into a waiting hearse, because of the latest design of the proposed cycle highway.

TfL has approached WS Bond Undertakers, at 129 Chiswick High Road this week and informed them that a new loading area would be built at 111-113 Chiswick High Road (outside the vets) and they would have to use this in future instead of loading coffins directly from the front of their premises. They usually park the hearse on a wide pavement outside their front door.

A source said, "That would not be very appropriate for the deceased to be carried 50 yards along the street. And would it involve having to cross over the cycle lane?"

The new loading bay would be for generalised use and the undertakers would have to share it with other vehicles, which they believe would be very difficult as there would be no guarantee that it would be vacant.

We have asked their Head Office for a comment. It is understood that the company, which is now owned by Dignity, will contact TfL to respond to the proposal.

Councillor John Todd said he was shocked by the idea of having to carry coffins along the street.

"Bond Undertakers currently operate with dignity and discretion in discharging their difficult role in a busy High Road.

"However, TfL's new tactless and unacceptable option places Bond personnel at additional risk and yet again highlights the gross intrusion, damage to business viability, and pedestrian safety in the proposed new two-way cycle lane."

The Catholic Church at Our Lady of Grace & St Edward successfully challenged TfL when it was proposed to decrease the pavement width outside their church front door which is used for congregating after Mass and as the main entrance for funerals and weddings.

TfL has recently concluded its consultation about the cycle highway relating to Dukes Avenue/Duke Road, and the Kew Bridge area. It is understood that the new loading arrangements for the undertakers were among a number of changes considered too minor to be part of the consultation. TfL have been heavily criticised throughout the process for inadequate consultation with local businesses and residents.

TfL say that, due to the presence of mature trees and the change of the existing two stage zebra crossing to a signalised pedestrian crossing, it is not possible to place a loading bay nearer the undertakers and, after 'careful consideration' of their requirements a new 7m bay is being proposed outside 111-113 Chiswick High Road for their use. The bus stop at that location is to be moved further down towards Chiswick Lane.

Nigel Hardy, TfL's Head of Programme Sponsorship, said: “Cycleway 9 will make cycling and walking easier, safer, and more appealing in neighbourhoods right across west London. We have made significant changes to our plans in response to the feedback received from local businesses and will continue to work closely with Hammersmith & Fulham and Hounslow Councils to make sure that our plans work for the local community.”

Cycleway 9 is the new name to be given to the segregated cycle lane between Brentford and Olympia that was previously called Cycle Superhighway 9.

April 6, 2019