'Liveable Neighbourhood' Plan For Chiswick South

Aiming to make local streets more cycle and walking friendly

An area designated as Chiswick South, is to become one of eleven 'Liveable Neighbourhoods' across London which could see cars banned from 'school streets', new cycle connections to the Cycleway 9, and the new Grove Park 'Piazza' public square developed.

Hounslow Council says the scheme will focus on unlocking potential for more trips to be made by foot, bike and public transport, while improving public spaces in the area referred to as Chiswick South (south of the A4), which takes in all of Grove Park (see map) and is bordered by Kew and Chiswick bridges and includes Sutton Court Road and part of Dukes Meadows.

New cycle connections will be made between the Thames Path and the upcoming Cycleway 9. Grove Park piazza will be redesigned, school streets introduced and low-traffic neighbourhoods developed in the residential area.

The Mayor has set aside over £53.4 million for the Liveable Neighbourhoods scheme across the city to make areas cleaner, greener and 'more pleasant to live in'. Other neighbourhoods to benefit include Brixton, South Bermondsey, Holborn, Croydon and Enfield Town.

The Chiswick Liveable Neighbourhood project also encompasses some of the improvements at Dukes Meadows, such as the pedestrian walkway to Barnes which links up with the Thames Path.

Hounslow Council is now looking for feedback and has launched a public consultation, the first part of which runs until 15 November.

The Council says,"The South Chiswick Liveable Neighbourhoods project combines a range of schemes across the Grove Park and Dukes Meadows area that focus on increasing the number of trips made by foot, bike and public transport while improving local public space.

"Certain elements of the project are well defined, such as the proposed pedestrian bridge under Barnes Bridge and a new public square in Grove Park near to Chiswick Station. Alongside this there are also broader aims to provide improved walking and cycling links across the area while also looking to address well known issues of excessive traffic volumes and speeds in residential areas, which are often used as cut-through to access major roads.

"The project covers the wider Chiswick riverside area within the bend of the River Thames, primarily to the south of the A4 (Great West Road / Ellesmere Road), but also including Sutton Court Road. The scheme extends as far as Kew Bridge and the A205 South Circular in the west, with the Hogarth Roundabout marking the eastern limits of the scheme.

"The council wants to hear your views about the streets and spaces within the project area. This can be what works well, or any issues that people in the area experience day to day, such as roads people don’t feel safe crossing, areas where people struggle to access public transport, or streets that people consider to have too much traffic. However, the council is keen to get feedback on all local transport issues."

For example one resident has complained about a pedestrian crossing near a school saying, "This crossing is an absolute nightmare in the morning. Pedestrians and cyclists with kids have to wait at times around 2 minutes to cross because of the road priority. I understand there is a need to avoid a build up of traffic near the Hogarth roundabout but other crossings have far shorter waiting times. Please can something be done. "

Councillor Hanif Khan, Cabinet Member for Transport at Hounslow Council said, “This Liveable Neighbourhood project will be very beneficial for the South Chiswick area. There are issues in the area around traffic that this scheme can address to improve air quality and make the area more pleasant for everyone. Now is your chance to have an input and ensure that the project proposals reflect what local people want. Please visit our web portal and have your say.”

There are several drop-in sessions with traffic officers at St Paul’s Church hall, 64 Grove Park Road, W4 3SB on the following dates:

- Tuesday 8th October: 5-7pm

- Saturday 12th October: 10am – 2pm

- Thursday 17th October: 5-7pm

September 24, 2019