Local backing for English Heritage Campaign against clutter

Local Conservatives have backed calls by English Heritage to “Save our Streets”. The group is launching a campaign against the proliferation of street furniture and badly designed signage which is an increasing blight on the way our are looks.

Cllr Peter Thompson commented, “Hounslow is been being blighted by superfluous signs, haphazard paving and obstructed footways. As a result our streets are losing their local distinctiveness and character. It’s about time that we tackled the proliferation of traffic signs, bins, bollards, guard rails and street furniture."

He noted that English Heritage have pointed to the Brentford side of Kew Bridge as an example of an area that has been ruined by unnecessary clutter.

Cllr. Thompson dismisses claims from local authorities that all these signs, bollards and guardrails are required for safety regulations. He says in fact very little is dictated by law and points to examples across Europe where he says many traffic lights are being removed at busy intersections with positive results.

He added, " Guardrails between pedestrians and traffic can encourage higher speeds and generate a false sense of security. They reduce visibility for children and people in wheelchairs and inconvenience all pedestrians. There is little evidence to suggest they improve long-term safety. We need a nation wide campaign to review and remove whatever is not absolutely necessary.”

Chiswick Councillors will be conducting a English Heritage “Street Audit” on several streets to identify messy paving, unnecessary signs and guardrails, poorly located phone boxes, obstructive adverts and poor street lighting. They are urging people throughout the borough to join in this campaign and make their views known to the council. Any suggestions and ideas sent to us will be forwarded to Cllr. Thompson.

October 29, 2004