Council Questions Need for Church Street Closure

Expresses reservations in response to Hogarth Roundabout consultation

Council says in its response to feedback that it is 'necessary' Church Street remains open

October 8, 2024

Hounslow Council has published its official response to Transport for London’s (TfL) proposals for Hogarth Roundabout in which it expresses significant concerns about various aspects of the scheme.

Specifically, it questions the closure of Church Street and endorses many of the concerns that local residents have about its impact concluding that shutting off access does not appear to be necessary.

The council is reserving backing for the scheme pending answers to a number of questions adding that it wants TfL to be ‘far more ambitious’ particularly with regard to safer crossings for pedestrians and cyclists.

The response expresses significant issues with the proposed sharp left turn off Burlington Lane into Church Street. Specifically, it highlights the risk of a confusion over signals by drivers seeking to enter Church Street and the possibility of an increase in rear shunts which it adds would undermine the intention of the overall scheme.

It is also pointed out that the swept path drawings provided to by indicate that larger vehicles would have trouble turning right towards Church Street. Although a van might theoretically be able to make the turn, the council’s transport team point out that this would depend on it being correctly aligned as it began the turn. The suggestion by objectors that the configuration could result in vehicles having to reverse back across Burlington Lane is endorsed by council officers who add, “In particular, pantechnicons would have to reverse from the A316. It has not been demonstrated that other vehicles such as hearses or emergency services vehicles would be able to access the area.”

Additional concerns are raised about the suggested U-turn that vehicles exiting Church Street to access the A4 would be required to make just beyond the entrance to the flyover.

Issues are also raised about the merging of the two southbound lanes entering Burlington Lane and the council says it has not been able to review the Road Safety Audit for this configuration which was sent to it on 11 September. It is also says that modelling would normally be undertaken for such changes but it understands that this has not taken place and a request was made for more evidence that these do not impact traffic flow.

Council says it needs more time to review Road Safety Audit for Burlington Lane southbound junction

The council therefore concludes, “Given the access requirements for the local community and businesses it would therefore appear necessary for the access from Hogarth Roundabout to Church Street to remain open. It has not been made clear what options were reviewed when
drawing up the current proposal. For example, the access to Church Street is not required to be closed to facilitate the left-turn lane from the A4.”

Should TfL insist that the closure of Church Street is necessary, the council points out that this would result in greater usage of the right-turn movement from the A4 eastbound onto Netheravon Road South. This is currently un-controlled across three-lanes of oncoming traffic and the council asks what data is held about this junction and whether the impact of increased usage has been assessed including on grounds of safety.

The council also says that details of any future beyond the current proposals have not been shared with them including what is envisaged for the Hogarth Flyover which is coming to the end of its life.

The response also highlights the possibility of displacement of parking by brewery workers from the slip road on Mawsons Lane into adjacent residential areas. It asks what engagement there has been with Asahi and what surveys have been done on the impact on parking space in the area.

Council concerned that loss of parking for brewery workers will put pressure on parking spaces for residents

The addition of Advance Stop Lines for cyclists on carriageway approaches to junctions is also questioned given that the road is not used by many cyclists. Instead, it is suggested that better linkages be provided to the shared pathways beside the A4.

The council is stressing its support for more overground crossing facilities at Hogarth Roundabout. At the moment very few people cross the A4 at this point, preferring to use the subway.

The council’s response states, “There are a series of subways beneath the roundabout which allow pedestrian and cycle movements across the junction. However, these are poorly signed and personal safety is a concern for people when using subways. It is also noted that elsewhere TfL promotes their removal and replacement with at-grade crossings.”

The council’s Cabinet Member for Climate, Environment and Transport, Cllr Katherine Dunne, said, “The Council has thoroughly engaged with this consultation, we have met with TfL, and listened to feedback and concerns raised by residents, businesses, councillors and the local MP. We have also raised a number of significant questions with TfL regarding the data used to evidence the need for the improvements and the impact of the proposed designs.

“As a Council, we welcome any proposals to make the roads around our borough safer and more suitable for pedestrians, cyclists and other road users.

“However, our investigations into these proposals have raised a number of questions that we would need the answers to alongside changes to the design before we would support the scheme proceeding.”

You can read Hounslow's Council response in full here.