Council Rejects Plea to Delay South Parade Roadworks
Concerns raised they will cause disruption to Christmas trade
Work has already begun on the northern side of South Parade
November 5, 2023
Ealing Council is refusing to reconsider rescheduling roadworks on South Parade which councillors in Chiswick say will disrupt Christmas trade in the area.
The initial phase of the project has already begun and is scheduled to continue into December. This will see work taking place on kerbs, channels and footways on the northern side of South Parade between Fishers Lane and The Avenue. To enable this work, one lane has been closed and temporary traffic lights have been put in place.
As soon as these works are complete, resurfacing of this section of South Parade will take place requiring three days of total closure from Fishers Lane to The Avenue. Access into Esmond Road, The Orchard, Newton Grove and Bedford Corner will be blocked. This work is expected to take place in the second or third week of December although the dates remain provisional due to the possibility of it being delayed by weather or other factors.
A diversion route has not yet been announced but, for past closures of South Parade, traffic was directed up the Avenue, along Southfield Road and Acton Lane. This resulted in a significant amount of extra traffic on other residential streets in the Bedford Park and Acton Green area.
Ealing Council has stated categorically that suspending the restrictions at the Fishers Lane underpass during the closure of South Parade is not being considered.
The three councillors for the Chiswick Gunnersbury ward, which is in Hounslow borough but adjacent to South Parade, have contacted Ealing Council urging it to delay the work until next year during a holiday period. Cllrs Joanna Biddolph, Ranjit Gill and Ron Mushiso argue that the work being undertaken is not urgent and will cause significant disruption in the run up to Christmas with a possible impact on trade on Chiswick High Road. They have asked Cllrs Katherine Dunne and Guy Lambert to make representations to Ealing on behalf of Hounslow Council.
The Chiswick Gunnersbury councillors say, “Ealing's roadworks are not urgent. Even with traffic lights attempting to control traffic flow, South Parade is likely to be gridlocked and that will mean diversions to other roads, making them gridlocked too - just as happened with Acton Lane was closed.
“The run-up to Christmas is the most crucial time for our retail and hospitality businesses. Gridlocked roads will put off not only local shoppers and diners but also people who come to Chiswick to shop because of our outstanding range of independents and chains. If locals shop online, or go elsewhere, and if visitors don't visit, our shops, bars, cafes, restaurants, hair, beauty and grooming salons, and many others, will not achieve the level of business they need at this time of year, to help them survive the quieter months of the year ahead. “
A spokesperson for Ealing Council said that the planned roadworks had not caused any issues for London Buses or the emergency services and this was a good indication that there would be no problems with the works that would require them to be reconsidered. They said that the initial works to repair kerbs, footways and drainage were not normally disruptive and were likely to be finished within 3 to 4 weeks and the date for resurfacing and full closure of South Parade had yet to be confirmed.
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