Full Opening of Chiswick Cycleway Planned on Friday

TfL says once this happens 'traffic flow will settle and improve'

Barriers and closed signs to be removed this week according to TfL

Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed that it intends to fully open the temporary cycleway through Chiswick this Friday (18 December). It believes the issues with congestion recently experienced in the area will be mitigated after this occurs.

Closed signs and barriers are currently installed along the length of the cycleway, which is complete other than the activation of the new traffic lights to manage crossings and junctions. Issues had been raised about the safety of cyclists using the new lanes without the signals being operational.

It is believed that the delay to the launch of the temporary cycleway has mainly been caused by operational issues with the installation of traffic lights at a number of junctions including Heathfield Terrace, Dukes Avenue, Turnham Green Terrace and Chiswick Lane. Local sources have suggested that the phasing of lights at the junction with Chiswick Lane and Turnham Green Terrace has been particularly problematical with concerns about the dwell time for motor traffic on Chiswick High Road. TfL hopes that the activation of the new light phasings during the Christmas holidays will minimise any tailbacks during their initial operation.

In a mass email sent out to people who responded to previous consultations about the matter, TfL acknowledges that the changes introduced to Chiswick High Road ‘have caused some problems initially’.

The email from Fraser MacDonald of the TfL Streetspace engagement team, states, “The disruption to traffic flow in the local area has been caused by a combination of the construction of the temporary improvements, and some additional works being undertaken by Thames Water in the area.”

Protracted works by the water company on Acton Lane led to the closure of the road northbound and, not long after this work was completed, another water main burst on Sutton Court Road, leading to another closure of a lane on an important road in Chiswick.

TfL says it expects that when both the cycleway works and the Thames Water works have completed, traffic flow will settle and improve.

Many residents believe new road configuration is causing delays

TfL says it wants to hear continued feedback from residents on the project and that it has already made changes in response to issues raised by members of the public including removing incorrectly installed signage at Dukes Avenue and introducing new loading bays along the High Road.

The email states that there is a temporary ban on a right turn from Chiswick High Road into Chiswick Lane which will end when new traffic signals are installed. This contradicts an earlier statement from TfL which said that the signs indicating no right turn were place in error. They are currently covered up and no such ban is in place.

Signs banning right turn at Chiswick Lane covered up

Mr MacDonald also defends the use of the controversial new arrangements for waiting a bus stops. He says, “Some people have told us they are concerned about the safety of people using the new stops. Others have made clear they are disappointed that in some cases the bus shelter is some distance from the stop.

“Bus stop ‘bypasses’ are in place in several locations across London, including Blackfriars Road, Stratford, Oval and Whitechapel, and were first introduced in 2014. Following their introduction we worked closely with organisations such as the Royal National Institute of Blind People, Guide Dogs, Transport for All, Age UK London, and the London Cycling Campaign to commission independent research to understand how people walking and cycling would interact with each other at these stops, and how disabled people would feel using them. This research helped us to refine and improve the design, for example by including mini-zebra crossings to make clear to people using the cycle lane that pedestrians have priority.”

Bus shelters are some distance from the stop islands

Concerns have also been expressed about the configuration of the cycleway at its junction with Goldhawk Road and King Street. As the bidirectional flow of cycles is interrupted at this point, eastbound cyclists are directed across the road through a complicated junction and doubts have been raised about the safety of the arrangement.

Concerns raised about safety of configuration at Goldhawk Road junction

Some cyclists who have started using the cycleway prior to its full opening have pointed out that standing water and uncleared leaves present another potential risk which may discourage people from using it.

TfL has set up an online feedback form for you to comment on the scheme.

You can also email them on streetspacelondon@tfl.gov.uk however they saw they will not respond to individual emails.

December 13, 2020