Forum Topic

Boston Manor Road cycle lane works

I have to agree with Guy that the works here have been done to a very high standard and it does look good. However, in view of the fact that it stops and starts and has made BMR much narrower I think the jury is out on whether or not it was such a good idea.

Pat Kingham ● 2683d90 Comments

JosephThank you for info re park gates. Whoever hit the gates must have had third party insurance so I wonder why the council is not dealing with it directly. If J2 was cancelled this would send out a clear signal. Residents will once again have to suffer. Many thanks once again Joseph.

Nicholas Beard ● 2656d

Nicholas,seems that the contractors hired to repair the pillars and rehang the gates got caught-up in the Carillion liquidation and are holding onto the gates while payment for work done gets dealt with. Should be sorted out after the J2 festival in the Park on June 9 next month.Several points were raised by Boston Manor Road residents at the BMRA AGM tonight, principally around the bike lane safety issues as raised in this thread. The residents association will be sending a summary to Brentford councillors with a request for council liaison with TFL to address these concerns.

Joseph Gerald Bourke ● 2656d

I understand the gates are not lost but in a safe place. It will take some doing to build those huge pillars and hang the gates in a few weeks. Thanks for your post.

Nicholas Beard ● 2657d

Nicholas,this appears to be the case. The BMRA newsletter advises that J2 have been warned that unless they sort out the damage to park pillars and loss of gates, the license may be revoked.

Joseph Gerald Bourke ● 2658d

Of coursee they should! Road safety ?????

Nicholas Beard ● 2658d

Can't understand why the arrow road markings which lead traffic straight onto the kerb and cycleway are still there.  Surely for safety's sake it the straight ahead arrow should have been painted out even if only in a temporary way.

Philippa Bond ● 2658d

Under this regime there could be a 2 year wait to get potholes filled.

Steve Taylor ● 2659d

Potholes are very serious. I saw where a lady was on her horse and the road wet. The pothole was not visible because of the rain, the horse went over as his hoof went in the pothole. The picture of her face was really bad. She said she had been riding for many years and never experienced anything like it. So your point is very very relevant.

Nicholas Beard ● 2659d

Don't know what others think but I would like to know how much this scheme has cost. I also can't help thinking that the safety of cyclists and drivers would be better preserved by using the no doubt considerable amount of dosh spent on filling in the borough's growing number of potholes, many of which are reaching crater proportions.

Keith Iddon ● 2659d

Seeing J2 is on the agenda what about the park gates? I thought the two were linked. No gates no J2.

Nicholas Beard ● 2659d

The Brentford councillors are not expected because it clashes with our Labour Group AGM. We have urgent business after the election to form the new administration and it needs to start happening this week.Hopefully our Northfields colleagues will attend - now 2 Labour and one Conservative, I believe.

Guy Lambert ● 2659d

The Boston Manor Residents Association is holding its AGM at 7.30pm on 9th May, at the Hanwell School of Boxing, Wildberry Close (behind Boston Parade off Cawdor Crescent.Ealing and Brentford Councillors are expected. The Boston Manor Cycle lane is on the agenda together with discussion of the Junction 2 festival, refuse and recycling problems, CPZ extensions, school expansions, parking and advice from the Police safer neighbourhood teams.

Joseph Gerald Bourke ● 2659d

Except that the cycle lane is not yet finished. I'll take a look at the bus stop Jean refers to next time I pass.

Guy Lambert ● 2667d

Thank you for that Jean. Expert evidence as they say!

Nicholas Beard ● 2668d

Many thanks for reply guy but just because floating bus stops are in other places do we have to follow when a potential problem could be avoided as to markings if path was same width beginning to end no problem for all users but bmr is varied all the way along as l experienced  last Sunday going to Boston manor house getting off at stop nearest to house on the bend having to look both ways getting off busbitof blind spot for cyclists too

Jean Harrison ● 2668d

When people get onto the subject of cycling we learn how motorists are the bad guys. Pedestrians step out in front of bikes. Everybody is at failt except cyclists.

Nicholas Beard ● 2668d

Thank you for the evidence Alex

Nicholas Beard ● 2668d

"Cllr Guy makes it clear that "BMR has historically had a high incidence of injury accidents to cyclists, and cycling is increasing as a means of transport.""And this is simply not the case.

Alex Shpinkov ● 2668d

Who was the smart person who painted 20 mph in a large circle in Twickenham Road southbound just 8 yards BEFORE THE END of the 20mph zone? Can the person who made it happen actually reimburse the taxpayers for the stupid waste of money?

Alex Shpinkov ● 2668d

Sorry Guy. In 2016 police recorded 11 accidents in BMR:11600001141160001616116001789411600253100116TX200750116TX202190116TX203050116TX203150116TX206120116TX206340116TX20649All slight. None involved pedal cycles.So - it is not about safety. It is about ticking the box without proper prior analysis.By the way, what's the cost of the new cycle lane?

Alex Shpinkov ● 2668d

I would imagine that this is a big vote loser as well. Still, we have ' experts' on the case, so what do members of the public, the ones who use that road every day, know? If that's the best design that they can come up with, I want my money back.

Keith Iddon ● 2668d

This is just another example of the Labour Party squandering our money without consultation on projects which are not required while at the same time complaining about increased food banks.  So people can starve so that a few cyclists can have a path and cause major disruption and danger to pedestrians and motorists. Go figure!

Steve Taylor ● 2668d

It does indeed 'figure' Guy, as you are the only one who seems to have confidence in these 'experts'. You can sometimes judge a person on the company that he keeps.

Keith Iddon ● 2669d

That figures

Guy Lambert ● 2669d

My father had a similar description, An 'ex' being a 'has been' and a spurt being a drip under pressure.

Steve Taylor ● 2669d

'..the experts don't expect problems'. Well, we can all stop worrying now and tolerate the traffic jams that will ensure your usual journey on BMR will take twice as long. My father was a plumber and he used to describe an expert as 'X being and unknown quantity and a spurt being a drip under pressure'

Keith Iddon ● 2669d

Jean, as I'm sure you know, most of BMR there are segregated pedestrian and cycle lanes. There are some places where the pavement is shared, and I don't think these will be marked. This is not an unusual arrangement where pavements are wide and the experts don't expect problems: do tell me if you experience any trouble or anxiety.As to the 'floating bus stops': these are widely used in other countries and across the UK, and whilst people clearly worry about them I can not find any evidence of genuine danger. There are several on the A4 cycle lanes, though these are mostly very poorly designed - more a case of the bus stop left plonked in the middle of the cycle path. Again, I have heard of no actual problems, though they cause me to be very cautious when I pass them on my bike, and no doubt they worry pedestrians at times too. Again, let me know if you have problems.

Guy Lambert ● 2669d

Sorry Jean. Cllr Guy makes it clear that "BMR has historically had a high incidence of injury accidents to cyclists, and cycling is increasing as a means of transport."Pedestrians seem to be of little concern. The new world under labour would be only for cyclists and buses. Nobody else counts

Steve Taylor ● 2669d

As far as I can see pedestrians get the worst of all worlds, excepting the disabled. Walking along with a stick and having bikes whizz past. WELL!!!!

Nicholas Beard ● 2669d

As an older person l find it difficult to  know where l can safely walk and not be in the intended cycle lane on some sections in Boston manor roadpresume markings will made clear at some point to both pedestrians and cyclists.

Jean Harrison ● 2669d

I wonder if the blokes who painted the almost surrealist road markings on Field Rd will be painting BMR too. I do hope so.The council have now marked some potholed areas of Field Rd prior to them being repaired.As these areas have already been painted over with wonky yellow lines, after the areas have been repaired, they will have to be painted again. Surely it would be a better use of public (our) money to repair the road and then paint it?

Keith Iddon ● 2669d

But is it safe for pedestrians to have a bus stop in the middle of the pavement outside Boston Manor Park?  Will the cyclists dismount and walk their bikes along this part of the route.  I would be surprised if they did.

Pat Kingham ● 2669d

NoThat's exactly what it's for. BMR has historically had a high incidence of injury accidents to cyclists, and cycling is increasing as a means of transport. Electric bikes and Mobikes (or the next generation of such shared bikes) will clearly accelerate this increase and the previous cycle lane on BMR was clearly inadequate.

Guy Lambert ● 2669d

"... they anyway have a priority of providing safe cycle infrastructure"Sorry Guy, this cycle lane is not really exactly for safe cycling. This one is an example of taxpayers' and farepayers' money not wisely spent and about ticking the box.

Alex Shpinkov ● 2669d

Finishing off to be done! Like Boston Manor Park gates!!!!!!!!

Nicholas Beard ● 2670d

I agree about the grass verge.I will raise that specifically with the team.No, Alex, it was mainly TfL money spent on the scheme (though that is also tax and farepayers money). Removing it would be  a new project that TfL would not support, surprisingly enough, since they too have read the consultation results and they anyway have a priority of providing safe cycle infrastructure.

Guy Lambert ● 2670d

A lot of finishing off to be done! What was once a lovely grass verge has now been reduced to a slither of clay and stones. But that hasn't stopped the grass cutting schedule which commenced this week. I hope re landscaping of the verge is on the snagging list of Hounslow Highways. As leaving it as it is is both unsightly and dangerous. The majority of points raised on this thread have subsequently been raised before and during the works but have not been addressed. Let's hope it doesn't result in a serious accident before notice is taken.

Sarah Spain ● 2670d

"...but to imagine we will spend taxpayers money ripping out something ..."So it was taxpayers' money used to build it in the first place, not TFL's?

Alex Shpinkov ● 2670d

I won't attempt a reply to Kinsuk's rant. The cycle lane is not yet complete - in particular road markings. The construction was accelerated to minimise the period when parking and rubbish collections etc were compromised.The petition is a Tory stunt, though I do take seriously that 13 households in the affected area are represented amongst the signatories. We will continue to engage with people who are seeking improvements as it gets completed but to imagine we will spend taxpayers money ripping out something which has been consulted upon widely over 3 years and was - on balance - supported by residents is in the realms of fantasy, like the Tory manifesto!

Guy Lambert ● 2670d

I dont know if you know you made a very important point. UNCLEAR ROAD MARKINGS.  I was some time ago on a three week police driving course and it was drummed into us to use road markings. They can in a way do the driving for you. So you make a very important point that would benefit cyclists, motorists, buses and lorries.

Nicholas Beard ● 2670d

Sorry Guy,I beg to differ, and I know you do cycle so should be familiar with the whole district on a bike.The works  are so far, neat and tidy,But it's not a great design. Its made the road dangerous. I Don't know about full on accidents, but I've been on two buses in 10 days, one of which nearly hurled me into the top deck window when it had to emergency stop when a truck lost it at the chicane of a road island. Another had a puncture when it had to mount the pavement to avoid another HGV. Boston Manor road is the only road suitable for HGVs as heavy industry still operates in the Trumpers way industrial estates in Hanwell and on estates on Windmill Lane, Southall which is only accessible from the South via BMRThe new kerbs are razor sharp and unless the top surface is going to be raised , hits pedals of bikes, Why they are not slanted like in Europe is quite beyond me.If you come off you will really get hurt.And cyclists including myself, simply won't use it heading south. It's too convoluted and time consuming. Few will bother.  It's the same on several of these TfL routes and still they do not listen and adapt.And as I will continue to press. The best way to cycle safely and easily allowing the most people to participate in cycling, is to sort out all the quiet back streets rendered unridable by potholes, ruts and unclear road markings.Sorting that would be far more sensible and a far better use of our money.The consultation did not go wide enough as this affects a far wider range of people than just the residents of BMR. It affects all those who use BMR.Sadly the petition might well be politically led and I think it is way,way too late. But who knew it was going to be so complex, elaborate and dangerous?But it is a wake up call for the CS9, parts of which verge on total insanity.If we cannot make a long established cycle route work and get it right then forcing routes into already over congested roads which are largely commercial traffic which is why we all make a living here then it is a gamble with money that is not in abundance.

Raymond Havelock ● 2670d

Thank you for your detailed and well researched response.

Nicholas Beard ● 2670d

Dear Alex, Nicholas, Steve, Pat and other affected Brentford residents,Both myself and Christian Vinante who are running as Conservative candidate councillors in the forthcoming elections on May 3rd have been deeply shocked with how Brentford councillor's from the Labour Party have taken such little interest in this matter of road safety for local Brentford residents. Only 6% of local residents responded in the 2nd consultation before Xmas or 46 people with about 23 people in favour of the new lane. Those results were not representative of local Brentford residents who missed the deadline to respond due to the seasonal holidays. Labour councillor's in Brentford have been largely passive as £38bn per year for roads is raised from motorists VED and Brentfords new cycle lane on Boston Manor rdl and funding of CS9 comes mainly from Labour controlled TFL 's £70 m per year budget which could be much better spent on bringing back Police services the Mayor chose to cut instead and allow the council to better manage your council tax budget for example actually recycling your waste rather than dumping straight to Landfill as reported in the Evening Standard. The Conservatives are listening to residents concerns loud and clear especially Boston Manor road residents who are very unhappy about the serious accident on April 5th in Swyncombe lane with the  junction of BMR and Swyncombe lane unable to handle a safe flow of traffic afterwards due to the new narrow road layout and T junction that replaced the roundabout which your current Labour councillor's are happy to ignore. Well enough is enough, you have a choice of who represents you now in Brentford and we will take remedial action on your behalf if given the opportunity. Please vote for us on May 3rd, vote for change and sign the Petition which has attracted 76 signatures in 2 weeks. Let's make Brentford a better and safer place together. Thanks Kinsuk Mitra , Conservative Candidate Councillor for Brentford

Kinsuk Mitra ● 2670d

It has not attracted 70 signatures from local residents.Of the 75 who have signed so far, 10 are conservative candidates from around LBH (4 of these are Jarches - former Labour members who became Tories having failed to be selected by Labour), one is another member of the Jarche family (from the Ivybridge area of Isleworth), 10 are from other parts of Hounslow and 26 are not registered in LBH at all (they could of course be in Ealing, and nearby). 20 are registered in or near Boston Manor Road and a couple of others in Brentford.The petition claims there have been 'accidents and car write-offs' but the LBH traffic people have been informed of no such accidents and I have had no confirmation of any from the police. Vasken Tchengrakian mentions a collision between a car and a motorcycle further up this thread - I'd be grateful for any details.The cycle lane is not poorly designed, and has been extensively changed following consultation with residents, in particular restoring virtually all the parking spaces lost in the original proposal. It is not yet finished, and will not be for a while. It is likely to reduce speeds on this suburban link road and reduce the number and severity of accidents as well as providing a safe route for cyclists and supporting growth of this clean and healthy means of transport which is also proven to reduce congestion.

Guy Lambert ● 2671d

And if it is funded by TFL - don't TFL have better and more important things to fund rather than this unnecessary cycle lane? As far as I remember they complain about cuts and lack of funding as well.

Alex Shpinkov ● 2671d

When I raised the query of funding the cycle track on another thread (Potholes) Councillor Lambert replied "It's funded by TfL - mainly if not completely".  It would be interesting to know how much LBHounslow contributed.

Pat Kingham ● 2671d

"My biggest concern about this cycle lane is the money wasted. LBH Council increased council tax, constantly complain about central government cuts"Spot on. There is an incredible amount of money wasted on cycle lanes in Hounslow Borough which are rarely used, or used my a minimal number of cyclists. So much money down the drain. Look at the totally unused cycle lane on the A4 to the A30. Look at the largely unused cycle lane on Twickenham Road and the NEVER used track on Mogden Lane. The problem is our Cllrs are completely out of touch with the majority of people or are to weak and wet to speak out when these ridiculous money wasting projects are dreamed up by someone who feels the need to contribute to a meeting.Our Councillors love complaining about cuts to the central government handouts instead of looking to where they can really stop wasting the millions we pay them.

Steve Taylor ● 2671d

This seems to be prevelant in councils and indeed governments. Cycle lane works seem a highly charged subject. As indeed cyclists vs car drivers and pedestrians are. Listen to any phone in  on these subjects. The Chiswick High Road cyclists superhighway !!!!!!

Nicholas Beard ● 2671d

My biggest concern about this cycle lane is the money wasted. LBH Council increased council tax, constantly complain about central government cuts - and yet are so tremendously inefficient in spendings(((

Alex Shpinkov ● 2671d

If you feel strongly about the poorly designed new road layout on Boston Manor road and wish to improve road safety please sign our petition which has already attracted 70 signatures from local residents. We wish the council to urgently review the situation and take remedial action. The deadline to sign the petition is this Friday April 27th. Thank you, Kinsuk Mitra, Conservative Candidate Councillor for Brentford http://petitions.hounslow.gov.uk/SafeBostonManor/

Kinsuk Mitra ● 2671d

Excellent idea to put Heathrow's third runway next to Boston Manor Road.....nobody has noticed.

Nick Jenkins ● 2672d

Can anyone give us a date when it is officially finished and open for business.  I dont really we can properly comment much further until the white lines are put in, new parking bays marked, and all works finished and gone.

Emma Renton ● 2672d

The buses actually seem to manage well, the only thing is when they stop all the traffic behind has to wait until they move again because there is no room to safely overtake.  It will be such fund in the late afternoon rush hour. And still hardly any cyclists use it.

Pat Kingham ● 2673d

How are buses coping?

Nicholas Beard ● 2673d

There was a car parked in an inappropriate place on the kerb side.  I would imagine that there are going to be new road markings in place soon, and that hopefully there will be less parking space next to the islands in the middle of the road.  I dont think we can really fairly judge until white lines etc go down.  Its a dangerous mess at the moment

Emma Renton ● 2673d

Basic question. How will buses get on if you were in a smallish car?

Nicholas Beard ● 2674d

"Councillors or council officials really failed in ensuring it was a sensible and beneficial scheme and not one that penalised every other road user. Bus passengers in particular."Yes that is what they did for Twickenham Road too when they foolishly closed Church Street

Steve Taylor ● 2674d

We drove down both ways on Boston Manor Road early afternoon and its a dangerous nightmare - this in the middle of a relatively quiet Sunday.  Coming back down BMR there is an island that we literally had to slow to a crawl to get thru (a couple of hundred yards north of the roundabout).  We were in a smallish car, and driving carefully.  Just made it thru - its a massive accident waiting to happen.  The road now feels threatening, and desperately unsafe for motorists.  There just isn't enough room left for two way motor traffic.  There isn't an alternative route to easily use as an alternative.

Emma Renton ● 2674d

Thanks for highlighting Northfields Ave and South Ealing. I think you are expecting a lot if you think the council could have seen that far ahead. Short term blinkered view is the order of the day in this country.

Nicholas Beard ● 2674d

This seems to have more to do with TfL than the council, However it should have been tested with a temporary layout before carrying out the expensive works which will be equally expensive to remove.It is a really nonsensical, badly researched scheme and Hounslow have failed in not being more pragmatic in dealing with TfLs political showcase initiatives which are not really quite right. Certainly not for the money being lavished.Who chose a link to a tube station with stairs, no space for mass cycle storage and on a road that was easy to cycle along in either direction?As it is bikes will never be permitted on tube lines for quite obvious safety reasons.  So the use will always be minimal.Just along the line is Northfields with enough space for several hundred cycles.And still just a few mins Cycle to GSK.The knock on is that both South Ealing Road and Northfields Ave have suddenly become much busier and are carrying HGVs and traffic that has increased the hazards for cycling. I know as that's my regular cycle route. This is causing tailbacks and idling and hiking up pollution. Likewise with the heavy braking and queuing now in Boston Manor Road.Well done Hounslow and TfL another example of fixing something that ain't broke and inflicting a big problem of far too many.This was the worst fear and it's happened.  Yet another opportunity to make things useful and better for many, stuffed up to please the few in power.Councillors or council officials really failed in ensuring it was a sensible and beneficial scheme and not one that penalised every other road user. Bus passengers in particular.

Raymond Havelock ● 2674d

Sucking up to the leadership. Perverse enjoyment of doing the opposite of what is requested. Enjoyment of the temporary power. There are loads of reasons people behave perversely and feel good about it.

Steve Taylor ● 2674d

What could the personal reasons be?

Nicholas Beard ● 2674d

Of course it will never go back. Unfortunately this borough has councillors who are very, very stupid or just intent on ruining the borough for their personal reasons.

Steve Taylor ● 2674d

I like you description. Especially those black and white films with all the workers on bikes. Of course it wont come back. Who believes all this????

Nicholas Beard ● 2674d

Shouldn't the road markings be changed so that the left hand lane knows it can't go straight ahead - or they'll hit the new widened raised lane/pavement?

Philippa Bond ● 2674d

I really can’t subscribe to Guy & Khan’s fantasy world of hundreds of eager workers disgorging from the step free, super hub Boston Manor Stn every morning, scrabbling for The nearest Mobike & setting off on mass down the super duper new cycle highway to flood though the gates of the factory’s & offices of the Great West Road & environs, like the scene from a 1930’s British black & white film.Ain’t going to happen son, it’s a world long gone & it’s not coming back, no matter how much you would like it too!Spend the money on fixing the frigging potholes & keep us all happy.

Robin Dickers ● 2674d

Another very,very stupid idea to have a cycle path there. Which idiot thought of that one?

Steve Taylor ● 2674d

Holland is largely flat and the few regions of the Netherlands that are undulating have a significantly lower proportion of cycle use.London is quite hilly. It's why it did not develop like a lowlands country and why cycling reduced significantly when alternative means came along.  It is simply not the best option in a wet windy hilly place, unless you are young and fit.The fact that so many are so deluded on this is why we are getting the wrong sort of cycling solutions - which are out there but are not shiny and showy.

Raymond Havelock ● 2674d

"The experience of provision of cycle lanes around London (and elsewhere - Holland is a case in point!) is that over time they lead to more people cycling, just as roads lead to more people driving."Sorry I cant buy into this school of thought: lets spend money now, lets make life miserable for many people now, and... may be... may be!... in future there will be people -we don't know it there will be and if yes - when and how many - who benefit from this.And - by the way - Holland is not the best example for London. Perhaps Paris is more appropriate.

Alex Shpinkov ● 2675d

The cycle lane isn't finished yet. I believe the bus shelter will move - in any case I had to dismount to get around the large pile of sand and digger in the middle of the cycle lane.The experience of provision of cycle lanes around London (and elsewhere - Holland is a case in point!) is that over time they lead to more people cycling, just as roads lead to more people driving.By the way, using Chris Boardman's definition from this video, I'm not a cyclist:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDLb6biq39AThere is little doubt that our environment will improve as more people cycle and the BMR cycle lane is a step in that direction.

Guy Lambert ● 2675d

Presume you have managed to cycle either side of the bus shelter in the middle of the cycle track safely then guy, at least the bus stop is on the pavement.

Jean Harrison ● 2675d

Well... I can see another 20mph limit coming(((

Alex Shpinkov ● 2676d

"...but I certainly use it, and I have seen a number of other users ..."Sorry Guy. This is the problem I see with the current administration. It spends money just for the sake of ticking the box without any proper surveys. The ones that are done are biased, fail to address specific root causes and are just designed to prove the desired outcome. How many cyclists used BMR prior to cycle lane? How many accidents happened there involving pedal cycles? What was the cause of those accidents? How many cyclists do we expect to use BMR after the new cycle lane is built? How will it affect road safety? Environment?And - the fact that you and some other cyclists use it... does it prove that it was a well justified investment if there is hardly any increase in the number of cyclists in BMR, and the total number is a couple of dozen per hour if that?

Alex Shpinkov ● 2676d

Never mind Robin. A 20mph speed limit will be introduced there shortly. It will make it safer.

Alex Shpinkov ● 2676d

Just for the record. The 1st road accident did happen a week  ago on BMR.  A car and a motorbike. Car right off - Don't know about the bike.

Vasken Tchengrakian ● 2676d

I'm afraid that simply is not true about the GWR. The Boston Manor cycle path is not completed yet, but I certainly use it, and I have seen a number of other users despite the fact it currently does not have the feed from Boston Manor Station (and last time I looked had a large pile of sand and a JCB in the middle of it).

Guy Lambert ● 2681d

This what I always wonder about. Why dont cyclists use cycle track. They use the Great West Road not the tracks there as well.

Nicholas Beard ● 2682d

This is the point I keep going on about and I note that others who are cyclists on other websites are also attacked by a group speaking for cyclists for expressing a view which is not theirs.That is Local cyclists find the best safest and easiest routes and always have.But the only spanner in the works to that is the terrible state of road surfaces in the many safe and low incline routes in both Ealing and Hounslows parts of this district.The other is it is a route to nowhere and Boston Manor does not accommodate mass bike parking or have a lift.  I(t is in zone 4 so Cyclists from GSK go via the quieter routes to Northfields where cycles can be accommodated and is in Zone 3 .I know it is a TfL led project but it is way too damaging for too wide a range of road users bus passengers in particular for it to have ever been justified and throws serious questions up about the real benefit gains for the East west superhighway.When will they realise that this is not flat Holland and learn basic geography.

Raymond Havelock ● 2682d

We've just had a walk along BMR toward the A4. Counted 8 cyclists (including one with a child seat and a small child on a bike) and only ONE of them used the cycle track. The turn from The Ride onto BMR is very tight and will be interesting to see what happens when the school food delivery lorry starts back on Monday.

Pat Kingham ● 2682d

Remembering of course the ambulance station on Boston Rd, which Boston Manor Rd feeds into.With the Church Rd. nonsense, I am surprised local ambulances can reach either Ealing or West.Mid. hospitals within acceptable timescales. They perform their essential business despite and not because of councils and planners.

Keith Iddon ● 2682d

Don’t usually use BMR, but from what I’ve experienced this week, this once pleasant, safe, wide highway has now become a very narrow, frightening & I would say quite dangerous road for motorists. Very worrying to see what’s happened here, to placate a few PC egos.

Robin Dickers ● 2682d

I agree with everything that's been said.  Can't see the point of a petition though.  Will sign it anyway.

Pat Kingham ● 2682d

I agree with you 100%

Nicholas Beard ● 2682d

,,'at several points' even...although the 'several pints' may have been quaffed by he/she /them wot designed it.

Keith Iddon ● 2682d

From the look of it, I don't know whether it's a footpath, in which case people should not cycle on it, or a cycle path. If it is a cycle path, whoever envisaged this must be daft.There is room for a dozen or more cyclists to ride abreast at several pints. I'll also wager, that with everyone and his brother walking around with earphones in, that we will have more than a few accidents between cyclists on the footpath and pedestrians.It is just an anti-motorist initiative designed to slow traffic and frustrate drivers. The sheer size of the footpaths relative to the size of the highway is ridiculous.

Keith Iddon ● 2682d

As I have pointed out on another thread its UPHILL going north - pretty steep incline.  I suspect that many cyclists would rather find an easier route.  And then the cyclist lane wont be used.  Hmmm

Emma Renton ● 2682d

I agree with you. The pholosohy is we want a cycle lane. Build one and dont worry about anything else. Look at Holland and their cycle routes.

Nicholas Beard ● 2682d

The new road is so narrow.  Its a major road running north to south, and there are NO alternative routes!  I see trouble ahead

Emma Renton ● 2682d

It's a bloody stupid idea.

Keith Iddon ● 2682d

There is a petition against the BMR Cycle Lane on the Council websitehttp://petitions.hounslow.gov.uk/list/open

Cllr Sam Hearn ● 2683d