Forum Topic

Closing off Albany road

As usual no mention of this when proposing the extension of the school to a second site which is a good idea.But as usual, done on the cheap and will lead to constant and costly upheaval every time children need to move sites.A simple solution would be a subway linking the sites as it is a relatively short distance.The problem closing the road is it does not achieve much.For cyclists it is not a logical route as Grosvenor road and the park to the half acre has already  been opened up as a cycle route avoiding buses and most other traffic. But Lateward road is the more logical west -east route - apart from the potholes.But this will force almost all local traffic into Lateward road . It will also cut Morrisons off from all shopping traffic from the east side of the area, adding to the congestion at Half Acre and small roads like Wilkes road and Albany road itself will also be subject to blockages and increased diversionary traffic.It will also lead to Lateward road being blocked by the 50% increase in school run drop offs and collections which currently affect three roads so water down the problem.This will concentrate the problem to one road which potentially traps a whole neighbourhood.The same applies to the severe reduction is access to the whole area for emergency vehicles.Cyclists wont and don't use the road up the side of the court as it is mainly used by buses and Morrisons traffic and HGVs and is a short steep incline.  It will also be hazardous for cyclists then turning right across channelled traffic and then into a blind corner occupied possibly by school children.Would be better to make Albany Road  one way for the last 50m and leave the cycling route as it is.But a footbridge or a tunnel keeping the children away from all traffic and keeping them within the secure confines of school premises would be a far better solution long term.

Raymond Havelock ● 3913d5 Comments

Raymond H, Paul B and Kath R all make very good points about the unnecessary planned closure of Albany Road to accommodate the school plans and they give useful alternatives.In particular, I would emphasize the impact on Albany Road residents and other local road users should the west side be blocked off, and the reduced access for emergency vehicles.  For those of us living near the Wilkes Road junction along Albany Rd, more congestion than at present would seem certain even with double yellow lines under the proposed council scheme. This would lead to more frequent occurrences of road rage by motorists headed in different directions than already happen at the junction.  Thus congestion would be worse and on match days, as pointed out, it would be horrendous.Making Albany Road one way from the Wilkes Road junction or at least for the last 50-100m would seem sensible, and if the Council want to spend money, introducing a footbridge or tunnel or a pelican crossing with traffic control lights + speed hump hopefully will be considered rather than blocking off the road completely which won't be helpful to anyone.Albany Road residents voted against introducing a CPZ scheme when last consulted, though with the new hotels, new building developments in Brentford, new CPZs nearby and strict enforcement of the Wilkes Road car park, sentiments have changed and new petitions are with the council.  Residents will be able to park more easily if Albany Road joins the CPZ ranks and local congestion could be eased, and it is hoped the Council will agree to a fresh consultation very shortly

Nicholas Wright ● 3906d

I can't see any problem with the current idea, it will help keep the kids safe and it isn't really a burden on anyone else that I can see.

William Prentice ● 3912d

It seems unnecessary but all I can fathom is that it will prevent vehicles connecting from Albany Road to visit Morrisons, or to connect to Half Acre.  Traffic from Alexandra Road's one way system is already prevented from entering Albany Road due to the "no entry" sign. In 20 years I've never seen a vehicle go down Alexandra Road in the wrong direction. So this is a red herring - with cycle lanes and bollards etc. The notion that it must be pedestrianised for school children and staff to walk safely with ease back and forth to the new wing strikes me as bureaucratic nonsense and health and safety gone mad. Surely the simplest, cheapest and sensible option would be just to put a pedestrian crossing preceded by a traffic calming hump at the junction of Albany and Alexandra? Traffic cannot get up to speed anyway in Albany Road (rightly so) - they already travel cautiously because of the recreation ground and traffic calming humps. This whole business is nonsense and a complete waste of money. Then there is the impact on Wilkes Road, which will be used as a shortcut to access London Road from Albany Road. It's small enough as it is, and double yellow lines are unlikely to make any difference to the current layout - again an unnecessary expense. Besides, it will compound the current problem due to the increased traffic when vehicles from opposite directions enter Wilkes Road - and struggle to reverse to allow one or the other to continue. The new CPZ's have increased parking and congestion in Albany Road, so how worse can it be if Wilkes Road becomes a major conduit - a road never designed for such a purpose.Consider also match days – which clog up the area. Sure Brentford are moving to a new ground, but that's not likely for at least 18 months – probably longer – so how worse will it get when Albany is closed off if this crazy scheme gets approval? I cannot believe that anybody actually came up with this hair-brained scheme - not to mention the cost involved of even proposing it in the first place.

Paul Brownlee ● 3912d

I don't see the necessity for either. The school managed to cross the road on a regular basis to go to church so why do they need Albany Road pedestrianised for them to cross the road?It wasn't mentioned as an issue in the planning application to use Alexander House. I've gone back and checked.

Kath Richardson ● 3912d

A tunnel or bridge would cost an absolute fortune compared to a few bollards and a little landscaping.

Paul Scullion ● 3913d