Forum Topic

Consultation on the Isleworth cycleway

Hounslow council are 'consulting' on the above and council officers will be at Isleworth Public Hall Weds. 27 Nov. from 2.00.p.m. - 4.00.p.m.There is considerable disquiet - especially about the part of the cycleway that goes from Worple Rd. across South St. to IPH and beyond. The plan is to divide the pavement by way of a 'kerb' along the middle between pedestrians and cyclists and also to move the bus stop down South St. The reason for this is the nonsense that if two buses are passing there is not enough room, rubbish - as there is a lay by for buses going towards Hounslow to pull into. The new bus stop will only be a 'half stop' which will not afford much shelter for passengers. The conflict between pedestrians and cyclists in several places has been entirely overlooked. The proposed new bus stop will also affect traffic turning out of Worple Rd into South St. and also those wishing to turn into Worple from South St. This 'consultation' is the second attempt to foist this on local people, the first being a recipe for disaster. The 'consultation'on Hounslow's website consists of just one question - Do you agree? Yes - No - Don't know! What an insult - this is a Conservation area, there are NO comments from the Conservation officer, so much for that.Hounslow are desperate to get this thing through by hook or by crook, if you live locally please try and get along to the IPH on the 27th or go on to the website and give your views.https://haveyoursay.hounslow.gov.uk/traffic-and-transport/twickenham-to-brentford-cycleway-revised-proposals/

Vanessa Smith ● 2093d15 Comments

The problem with the smoothing out of the road humps especially at the Worple Rd. end is that this may have the effect of also speeding cars up. At the moment several of them are evil and you slow down when you are negotiating them, which is what they are there for. So that idea may well work against the safety of cyclists. The idea put forward of diverting cyclists around Magdala Rd. should be taken on board and given consideration. If the cycling fraternity are so precious then it's a pity that where there are dedicated cycle lanes they don't use them, for instance Mogden Lane and the A316.

Vanessa Smith ● 2075d

There isn't actually a cycle path on Worple Rd.  All that is being done is resurfacing and re-doing the speed humps which are currently a hodge lodge of different positions and shapes.Many people prefer to cycle along Worple Rd because it is considerably less busy than Twickenham Rd.Did I say Twickenham Rd. "isn't suitable for cyclists"? No, I said that a painted bike lane has no legal meaning.  Paint does not provide protection. The point is, you will generally only get confident, usually younger male, people cycling along a busy road like Twickenham Rd. Painted lines do not encourage less confident typically females or older people to cycle there. I assume it was painted there to pay lip service and drivers won't object to paint because they ignore it.As I said, you really should get on a bike and cycle around the area to see what it is like.  What road would you choose to cycle along?

Michael Robinson ● 2075d

Why so aggressive - could you be a cyclist by any chance? And if the cycle path along Twickenham Rd. is ignored then isn't there a good chance that the potty idea of using the heavily parked and busy Worple Ave./Rd. will be the same? The idea from a resident is to take the cycleway off Worple Rd. along Magdala Rd. thus avoiding any conflict between cyclists and pedestrians outside Isleworth Public Hall. My final point is if Twickenham Rd. isn't suitable for cyclists then why have a cycle path there in the first place?

Vanessa Smith ● 2076d

Thousands of pounds was wasted years ago on some mad idea to increase cycling through the back streets of Isleworth which basically involved painting boxes at the end of some roads with a number in it which I presume was some kind of code for cyclistsI e-mailed Chris Calvi-Freeman at the time who was Head of Transport at Hounslow Council and was even more confused as he attempted to justify the waste of money

Paul Fisher ● 2076d

“A perfectly sensible alternative has been put forward by a local resident”What is it? You haven’t said what it is, so how does anyone know it is “perfectly sensible”?“There is already a cycle way along the Twickenham Rd”Where? Painted lines aren’t a cycleway. They have no legal status so are ignored by drivers. Why don’t you go for a bike ride along Twickenham Rd to see what it is like?

Michael Robinson ● 2076d

You're not listening are you? The changes are pants - Hounslow is determined to foist these stupid things on us regardless. A perfectly sensible alternative has been put forward by a local resident - but was quite frankly given little credence or time by the officers in attendance. No - they know better and we can all get stuffed, what is the point. You are supposed to represent the local people not push your own flawed schemes. There is already a cycle way along the Twickenham Rd. - please explain why on earth you imagine two are needed? Like it or not this daft idea will bring pedestrians and cyclists into conflict outside the Isleworth Public Hall - still what do we know?

Vanessa Smith ● 2085d

As I undersatnd it the design has been modified as a result of the first round of consultations. You might not like the outcome, but consultation has led to changes. Just like on CW9, and the Boston Manor cycle lane.

Guy Lambert ● 2086d

Yes, I think we're pretty much resigned to this waste of money and space. Someone - as cynical as me - reckons that we have to go through this farce because if they fail to 'consult' it leaves the council open to a Judicial Revue. So what bloody good is any of it if it is just wasting even more money going through the motions?

Vanessa Smith ● 2086d

I wish you all the luck but if Chiswick is anything to go by the powers that be are just pretending to give you a consultation - rubbish they have made up their minds and a cycle way you shall have!

Jennifer Selig ● 2086d

The 'revised' plan is even worse than the previous one! The kerb they are planning to install to delineate the cyclists from the pedestrians along outside the IPH will stick up 20mm which will likely be a trip hazard and the 'half' a bus stop further down the road will be neither use nor ornament, a sensible alternative has been put forward but don't think anyone is listening. A disaster waiting to happen.

Vanessa Smith ● 2088d

Neither it seems do these various people talk to one another!

Vanessa Smith ● 2089d

There is one conservation officer with an assistant, but I understand they don’t do ‘Highways’.

Robin Dickers ● 2089d

"Yes, 2 I believe"Perhaps they should be introduced to the brains that dreamed up this disaster waiting to happen? Wonder if the conservation areas in other parts of the borough would be treated in such a cavalier fashion? Chiswick would go berserk!

Vanessa Smith ● 2092d

Yes, 2 I believe

Guy Lambert ● 2092d

Does Hounslow still have a Conservation Officer?  I'm not sure that Ealing does.  Some posts are now shared between boroughs to save money.

Philippa Bond ● 2092d