Call For Restrictions On Cycling And Jogging On Local Riverside Walk

Strand on the Green locals want action taken to help social distancing

Strand on the Green Resident's Association (SoGA) is calling for restrictions on cycling and jogging along the popular riverside walk.

SoGA is writing to Council leader Steve Curran asking for cycling and jogging to be banned, at least on weekends, on the popular walk which straddles the river from Kew Bridge along Strand on the Green.

This would be a similar measure to that taken on the Thames Path between Chiswick Mall and Putney Bridge, which has closed off by the local council (Hamersmith & Fulham) to joggers and cyclists. Marshalls have been introduced to enforce the restrictions.

While cycling is prohibited along the river at Strand on the Green, many people to continue to cycle along the narrow path which is also shared with pedestrians and joggers. This does not comply with the current 2 metre social distancing being advised by the government.

SoGa had recently asked Hounslow Council to put up different NO CYCLING signs similar to those along the footpath from Chiswick Mall to Putney, which comes under the control of Hammersmith & Fulham Council. These signs have a distinctive red band through them.

The No Cycling signs currently displayed at Strand on the Green

Hounslow Council has told the residents that NO CYCLING signs with a red band do not meet official criteria and are classified as 'non official highway signs'.

However, SoGA say exactly those signs, with the red band (in the large photograph at the top of the page) have been used by Hammersmith & Fulham Council along the footpath from Chiswick Mall to Putney.

The Thames Path route was originally shut off to cyclists and joggers by Hammersmith & Fulham Council over the Easter weekend between 10am – 6pm in order to help enforce social distancing laws and this has now been extended until further notice.

Hounslow Highways says that the signs with the red band, which the residents in Chiswick want used, "are not compliant with national guidance which means the police would technically not be able to enforce them." The sign currently listed to be used as No Cycling signs under those guidelines is this one below.

It is not clear what the status of the signs in H&F are on the Thames Path- it could be that it is not adopted highway, or the signs could be temporary. Hounslow Council says it is applying national guidance across the borough in terms of signage.

However, SoGA was told that given the current situation Hounslow Council could investigate adding some additional 'no cycling' wording below the statutory signage. This might help reinforce the signage in place whilst the current restrictions are in situ and support the social distancing outcome they were trying to achieve.

April 17, 2020