Local enclave gets a speedy make-over

Locals would have by now noticed the recent renaissance of Devonshire Road.  Featured this week in the pages of the Evening Standard's Save our Small Shops, Devonshire Road's project, which was set to take 17 weeks but which was in fact completed in only 5, will be rounded off with the road being resurfaced on Sunday 26th March.

Hounslow Council's Chris Calvi-Freeman told ChiswickW4.com "The Council applied for and received full funding for this scheme from Transport for London from their town centres programme, which aims to promote the continuing viability of borough town centres by making them attractive and easily accessible to pedestrians."

He went on to say "Devonshire Road is also a busy walk route between the Hogarth housing and industrial estates and the busy Turnham Green tube station.   The scheme has succeeded in achieving a balance between improved footway space and the need to retain carriageway space for parking, servicing and through traffic.   Under the Mayor of London's London Plan (2004), Chiswick is classified as a Major Town Centre, second in the borough only to Hounslow town centre, which is a Metropolitan Centre."

And it seems that everyone is talking about the makeover.  Writing on the forum, Mark Tompkins of Djinn Interiors said "What has been achieved (in record time) is much improved pedestrian access and a profound disincentive to outsize vehicles using the road as a cut through to the Hogarth Roundabout. That buys the vote of virtually all the residents. Oh, and trees, proper lighting and an additional pay and display parking space. Given the dilapidated persona that the street used to exude the new 'look' and demonstrable improvements have received a very positive vote from residents, businesses and customers alike. There are few quibbles, but donations of gold paving would be carefully considered!"

He went on to say "The original intention was to put a raised table at the junction of Devonshire Road and Ingress St which would have calmed things further. Crossing the road would also have been easier for the wheelchair bound and other disabled who very definitely frequent the street. Many of their needs have in fact been anticipated, not all. We can't all have 'our streets' free of danger and disamenity but looked at carefully some thought has gone into this. It is a pity only that more could not be done in the surrounding residential areas."

Although the original plans were indeed altered, the council is currently looking into installing traffic calming measures and speed restrictions.

Landlord James Holmes-Seidle who owns properties in Devonshire Road said "As a regular user of Devonshire Road and a landlord in the street I am really pleased with the improvement. I am assuming that it is not 'finished' but the improvement to the environment is already palpable. The trees will look fab in a year or so. The street lighting has lifted the street in the dark evenings. We have liaised closely with the council and their contractors during the re-fit and they made every effort to help shopkeepers and residents - all credit to them. Devonshire Road is one of the remaining enclaves of 'local' shops and would really use your footfall! - great restaurants, furniture, kitchen equipment and everything for your pets or electricals!"

September 27, 2006