Council implement emergency measures due to Hammersmith Flyover closure

Hounslow Council are to introduce parking restrictions on Sundays and 24 hour bus lanes along Chiswick High Road from this weekend.

The measures are their response to the closure of Hammersmith Flyover which has caused traffic chaos in the area since its closure at the end of last year.

The following 'temporary' changes to bus lanes and waiting restrictions along the full length of Chiswick High Road between Chiswick Roundabout and Goldhawk Road are to be implemented immediately:

• Extension of current Monday-Saturday 7am-7pm waiting restrictions (outside of the bus lanes) to Monday-Sunday 7am-8pm. Inter-peak and evening loading (from 8pm) will not be prohibited, except in the bus lanes.

• Conversion of the current 7am-7pm (and other part-time) bus lanes to 24 hour 7 day operation

• Extension of current waiting and loading restrictions in the bus lanes to Monday-Sunday 24 hour 7 day operation.

The measures are to apply only while the Hammersmith Flyover is closed. There is no indication as yet when this will be other than a statememt from the Mayor today (6th January) that it will definitely be operational in time for the Olympics. There is increasing speculation that the state of the flyover is so bad that it will have to be rebuilt after the games are over.

TfL have implemented local traffic diversions supported by Variable Messaging Signs, advising drivers to avoid the area. Many commuters and commercial vehicle operators are now following the signed diversion routes including the A40 and the South Circular. However, others have switched their route to Chiswick High Road in the hope of a faster journey.

The council has also postponed scheduled tree maintenance work along Chiswick High Road.

Cllr Corinna Smart, Hounslow’s cabinet member for environment said, “We have acted swiftly to make these changes and improve traffic conditions in the area, and we’ll be requesting that TfL reimburses the council for the costs associated with this work.

“Despite these emergency measures, bus journeys along Chiswick High Road to and beyond Hammersmith or Shepherd's Bush are expected to continue to be slower than usual."

New signage will be installed on Saturday 7 January to convert the bus lanes to 24 hour operation. Changed waiting and loading restriction signs at other locations along the High Road will be installed on Monday 9 and Tuesday 10 January.

January 6, 2012