Forum Topic

Albany Road Closure and St Paul's School

I was walking to Morrisons around lunchtime today when I came across a major health and safety exercise involving the pupils of St Paul's School - they were learning how to cross Albany Road to the new school wing at Alexandra House. They were all lined up regimental from the park and proceeded to cross single file at the traffic calming hump on the junction of Albany/Alexandra Road and Back Lane. It looked like most of the teachers were there supervising. Unfortunately as I approached (wondering whether to wait or just dodge through a gap) one of the first pupils fell over in the middle of the road and subsequently lay there crying and distressed, thus causing a knock on effect with those behind, and the whole train came to a sudden halt. Panic ensued with the adults in a dizzy fit shouting orders to remain calm because at that moment a car driving a snails pace was approaching them on Albany Road. Horror of horrors! For all the preparation they hadn't planned for someone tripping up which threw the whole exercise into chaos. (I say exercise, but they could have just been on a short trip to acquaint themselves with their new premises). Whilst I understand that primary school children should be afforded every possible safety when crossing a road, I consider it excessive that this reasonably quite road should be closed off permanently to allow it. Indeed, cars must approach the junction with Alexandra Road with caution in any event due to buses and other vehicles going up it. The only entrance to Morrisons car park is via Alexandra Road past the County Court so presumably everyone from an easterly direction will have to go to the Ealing Road/High Street Junction and turn right and then right again into Alexandra Road, or take a short cut from Albany Road down the already congested and narrow Wilkes Road. Surely a better solution can be implemented - such as a zebra/pelican crossing, or a large "CAUTION SLOW - CHILDREN CROSSING" or other such sign. The council should exercise some common sense here - assuming they have any left. Call me an old fuddy duddy (and bring back the Green Cross Code blah blah) but really - there's far too much bubble wrap these days and it's bad for the environment.

Paul Brownlee ● 3627d4 Comments

They do not own the road or the footpaths.There are schools all over the UK on split sites, many on A and B roads, but they don't close of the road and shaft all the residents.This has been pushed through by officers who have a dreadful track record on road management and has all the detail of one of year ones colouring books.In other places, Amber and Red flashing lights are in operation when ever movements are required.The Red flashing lights require all vehicles - including cyclists to stop.They are coupled with ANRS cameras and good signage.Add to that a no entry to Albany Road heading East at Back Lane and that solves everything.The reality is they do not want to spend money and display their usual contempt for all residents paying their salaries.As for shouty and ragey parents, well they have probably increased the odds of a mishap to one of their children as the traffic passing the main entrance will increase by 100% and the two way congestion will no doubt lead to an accident.

Raymond Havelock ● 3622d

I think they may close the road at the end of Albany road, because St. Paul's school has purchased the building on Alexandra road to extend their school... The building work has almost finished, the teachers may have been doing a test run with the kids.....

Nemesh Patel ● 3624d

The council carried out the usual mock consultation back in May. I responded saying more or less the same as you, I got a reply saying "Your comments have been noted and will be reported to local Councillors on the 9 July meeting of the Isleworth and Bretford Area Forum."By the look of it, this was postponed a week doe to the by-election. The relevant documents are here:http://democraticservices.hounslow.gov.uk/documents/s117557/Alexandra%20Road-Albany%20Road%20-%20Appendix%20A%20-%20Consultation%20Plan.pdfhttp://democraticservices.hounslow.gov.uk/documents/s117558/Alexandra%20Road-Albany%20Road%20-%20Appendix%20B%20-%20Summary%20of%20Consultation%20Responses.pdfAs you can see, the responses were a mix of canned "support", presumably from the school's promoters, and objections dismissed with fatuous and/or nonsensical Officer responses. Basically it's a done-deal, we've been stitched up by the vested interests and council mandarins as usual.

Bryan Betts ● 3626d

The grown ups in schools are a bigger danger than the kids or vehicles.They seem to have no common sense, panic and over react to almost anything.Very few keep a cool calm head. They don't seem to realise that being cool ,calm pragmatic and matter of a fact rubs off on the kids.Unfortunately so do hystrionics and high drama!Two speed humps, clear signage and make the exit from Albany road one way would be far safer.Given the incident just two weeks ago, how will the emergency services access the helicopter landing site? Albany Road and Wilkes road were blocked by two vans and traffic and the police vehicles ferrying medics accessed the river area via Back Lane and Alexandra road. This serves the river, Ferry quays and the High street. Surely this has been considered in this rather toshed decision?

Raymond Havelock ● 3626d