Since the
discussions at the special Transport Committee meeting on September
6th about the Uxbridge Road tram proposals, Transport for London have
clarified their ideas about the Acton traffic diversions. Their earlier
plan showed some diverted traffic in Acton disappearing off the edge
of a map. I suggested to the Transport Committee members that TfL may
intend a long diversion on to the A40 and (presumably) down the M41
past the large White City Retail Park into a Shepherds Bush Green with
half its usable carriageway width removed. TfL now seem to be confirming
that. A request by residents'
groups in Acton for clarification about new information available at
the tram scheme exhibitions revealed that TfL propose now to divert westbound traffic
from the Uxbridge Road towards the A4 if the tram is implemented.
This gives rise to further concerns about noise, pollution and danger.
The future prospects are uncertain of businesses along the Uxbridge
Road without rear vehicle access.
It is not clear how TfL will promulgate these changes to its proposals,
so late in the consultation period, nor whether they intend to deliver
information to all households that would (a) experience any change in
the movement of diverted traffic, or, (b) suffer from the impact of
potential driver 'rat-running' in areas further away, due to difficult
or slow diversion routes.
Amenity societies had thought that the local consultative group meetings
in 2003 had been arranged to sort out these options but it appears that
we are starting again, with TfL "keen to hear people's comments".
The use of Askew Road as a westbound diversion for around 20,000 vehicles
a day with some unknown route from there "in the direction of the
A4/M4", as below, is a new proposal and will come as a surprise
to people in Chiswick and the boroughs of Hounslow and Hammersmith &
Fulham.
There are only three main routes from Askew Road to the westbound carriageway
of the A4. One is Chiswick Lane to Hogarth roundabout, which has a tail-back
of up to forty vehicles in the evening peak period. Another is Chiswick
High Road to Chiswick roundabout (on the North/South Circular roads).
The third is a route off Chiswick High Road around Turnham Green Common
and down Sutton Court Road to traffic lights on the A4 which provide
a short duration right turn opportunity but also with an evening vehicle
tail-back.
The likely traffic routes for the diverted traffic from the A4/M4 corridor
northwards, back to Ealing and the Uxbridge Road, can be only guessed
at this stage.
Peter Eversden
Chairman,
London Forum of Amenity & Civic Societies
September 21, 2004