Forum Topic

FAO Cllr. Guy Lambert

GuyI know that road design is not withing your cabinet brief but please pass this on, in urgency, to the appropriate portfolio holder.Sitting behind a row of trucks ranging from an artic to a couple of 7.5 tonners eastbound by the Premier Inn it become obvious, VERY quickly, that  redesign of the chicane created by CS9 is needed.It was at 06:40, dark and pouring, not uncommon conditions at this time of year. The first 'bang' was a 7.5 tonner hitting the kerb as the road changes direction, some might say dramatically. What was really worrying though was the artic that swerved to avoid the sudden change in direction. It swerved halfway into the westbound lane. Fortunately that stretch is current SALT controlled by lights. Had it been 'normal running' it would have been, at the least, 'messy'.Lo and behold the second 7.5 tonner did exactly the same.Guy, please, before there is an accident can you get the layout reviewed?Thanks,Nigel Brooks

N V Brooks ● 503d51 Comments

It is indeed a commercial arterial road that does not follow the Bath Road. It leads south West to Twickenham, Teddington while the A4 and A30 lead west and south west at a further point.  Thats why the 3 in 316 is linked to the 3 in 316 = Points south west. 4 Designates west and north west .The M4 is a relief for the A4 but the A315 does not have a relief road and is a key arterial road. So who changed that?  It still carried heavy commercial traffic and core bus routes which do not parallel the A4 .All ignored by bl***y minded ignorance. and very much why so much industry has moved away and will continue to move away.

Raymond Havelock ● 469d

It is not well lit and there are already marks on the kerb; and the 'lump' is unnecessary.

N V Brooks ● 470d

It IS in fact arterial hence its A road designation - A315

N V Brooks ● 470d

I agree.  The old road markings are still visible and are confusing for drivers.  However, if you follow the kerb line there is no problem.  When the works are finished things should be ok.

Jonathan Palmer-Wright ● 470d

The High Street is not an arterial road.  There is one quite nearby.  Its called the A4.

Jonathan Palmer-Wright ● 470d

Thanks, That 'lump' really has to go though. It is more an artistic sweep than practical.

N V Brooks ● 475d

I agree it is the redundant lines which are the main problem.I have already raised this but will do so again

Guy Lambert ● 475d

The old markings need completely burning off and then repainting to mitigate drivers following them and veering to the wrong side of the road full stop the design though is still very poor with an excessive q bulge in the pavement. I drove through very early this morning behind a catering truck which was all over the place following the lines presumably until he then hit the kerb.

N V Brooks ● 475d

Having driven that narrow stretch of road again by the Hotel i think its the poor manner in which the existing road markings have been covered by the contractors thats confusing drivers. I kept fairly close to the new kerb and ignored the old markings and had no problems.it seems to me there is a need to paint new road markings asap.

David Cook ● 475d

I was thinking more of the unecessary loss of a life and the grief caused to the families of possible victims than compensation,but you make a good point.

Keith Iddon ● 480d

Many people on the forum have mentioned how bad the road design is and how narrow it is. It will interesting to hear if Cllr Lambert got a reply to his letter he wrote to the authorities back in December.God forbid if somebody is seriously injured of killed that would open TFL up to all sorts of compensation claims.

David Cook ● 480d

I suppose if someone gets knock down by a vehicle again,it might stir someone into action.Particularly if the victim is killed.

Keith Iddon ● 480d

It is not just ridiculous it is downright bloody dangerous but, as usual, the cabinet member with responsibility for this debacle is totally silent on the matter.

N V Brooks ● 480d

London Rd immediately east of the old Morrison's site is a ridiculous road layout.

Keith Iddon ● 480d

Not aware of the rules but a large part of the problem on Brentford High STreet and Kew Bridge Road is because the old centre lines have not been effectively covered and are still very visible and confusing (including to me when I occasionally drive that way).It is nothing like as narrow as parts of Windmill Road and to a lesser degree Half Acre are. It's also messed up in Brentford by delivery vans (and some cars) for Morrisons and for flats within Ballymore (in particular) thinking that double Yellow lines don't apply to them, particularly if they put on hazard lights. If they think it's a bit dodgy, there's always the pavement to park on, which is a bit of a problem when you're trying to keep them decent for pedestrians

Guy Lambert ● 480d

Does anyone know if there is a statutory minimum width for a road with a carriageway in each direction?  I have looked online but can't find a definite answer.I followed a 65 down from Kew Bridge to Brentford yesterday and it's clear that the new cycleway has reduced the carriageway so that there is barely enough room.  The offside wheels of the bus were straddling the central white line and the nearside wheels were less than a foot from the kerb.  This morning two doubledeckers going in opposite directions were only just able to get past each other. This evening there was a near miss between a van and a car going in opposite directions - simply because there is now so little roadspace left. It's not helped by the fact that there are sections of the kerb which suddenly jut out.  It's like an obstacle course.If I were designing a road in an urban area I'd prioritise public transport and pedestrian safety. I'm all in favour of segregated cycle lanes where space permits but it seems to me that this section of the cycleway could well have the effect of compromising the safety of pedestrians and other road users. But I suppose that doesn't matter as long as the cycle lobby gets what it wants.I'd also be interested to know the width of the redesigned carriageway at its narrowest points - perhaps Guy might have the answer?

Alison Robins ● 481d

Guy, I wasn't referring to you in particular.

Keith Iddon ● 496d

Keith I do an update every week on this site and I frequently post here about traffic and other matters.I also updated those who attended the Area Forum last night and was able to clarify that the particularly bad congestion we had for the last few days was down to anew sewer being provided into the former Heidelberg site. I am told this will be there for the rest of this week but gone by the weekend.

Guy Lambert ● 496d

Sounds as though you live near a clicker which is undoubtedly annoying. That's only one, though. I stand at bus stops and walk around Brentford on a daily basis and I truly haven't witnessed a clicker in months. Having said that, today could be the day.

Anne England ● 496d

Those forums are always such a farce so I won't go to any. In fact stopped at least a decade ago.As for the clicking it is not rubbish at all.I suppose those clearly under age is a figment of my imagination too.or the kid locally ( no longer a kid ) who has ridden around Brentford on a Barclays Liveried Boris Bike for years and now rides around on a ...clicking Lime Bike.Or maybe its all a dream and really I'm an Oil Baron in Dallas

Raymond Havelock ● 496d

Perhaps if we were treated with the odd update about which councillor is doing what about whichever issue rather than keeping everyone in the dark about what they are doing about those issues,certain forumers wouldn't have quite so many grumbles about them.

Keith Iddon ● 497d

Sadly, far more pressing duties (babysitting three year old twin grandchildren) beckon. Need to catch up on Hey Duggie!Hope that the evening is informative both ways.

N V Brooks ● 497d

I haven't heard a clicking bike in a good couple of months - so much so that I'd virtually forgotten about them. I'm out a lot too and standing waiting for buses.

Anne England ● 497d

Raymond, that is rubbish.Hope to finally meet you at the Area Forum this evening. You have trenchant news about everything that happens locally so it would be good to see you (and NV) in person.

Guy Lambert ● 497d

It's quite easy to identify a hacked Lime Bike.Whilst they can be accessed several ways the easiest results in a clicking noise coming from the bike - Like a piece of plastic slicing over spokes.By far the majority of Lime Bikes being ridden around the district make this noise.

Raymond Havelock ● 497d

"He would say that, wouldn't he?" Is hardly a defence given the traffic xhaos self evident across the borough  As to Lime bikes not clicking, get yourself down to Albany Road and Brook Road South. The distinctive 'mating call' of the Lesser Spotted Green Lime was clearly audible when I popped into the wonderful Best Kebab on Friday.

N V Brooks ● 497d

They claim they have solved the hack problem. Whether they have I don't know but I haven't heard the clacking nor seen kids on them for a while. No doubt this will be covered at the Area Forum.As to NV's comment about effectiveness, he would say that, wouldn't he? In my opinion she is a very effective councillor and I see evidence all the time.

Guy Lambert ● 497d

I believe Lime bikes can be hacked (web search for BBC article "London e-bikes hacked and used for free after viral videos")If this is the case then presumably most if not all of the dumped bikes will have been hacked.Can Lime confirm this and if it is the case they need to address the flaw in their product that allows this hacking.

Andy Herrick ● 497d

There is working long and hard hours and there is working effectively. In your colleague councillors case I can't comment on the former but I see little evidence of the latter.Apropos Lime bikes if they are imposing fines then it isn't working. Perhaps adopting the LBHF approach of collecting 'mislocated' bikes and returning them to Lime upon payment of a storage fee may be a solution.

N V Brooks ● 497d

I'm not the expert but in most occasions they are not dumped. They are simply 'parked' in the place not asked by Lime and committed to the council.I have done a couple of 'secret shopper' trials. On one occasion I was told 'you cant park there' when I tried to park outside the doctor's office in Chiswick. I had to repark it in a 'pen'. When I returned home I parked where I live, which is a few yards outside their service zone (ie I'm not supposed to go there at all). I parked it anyway to see what would happen. They texted me to say it was not parked properly, so they charged me a £10 rental for overgoing my time and warned me that if I did it again I would be banned from the service. Which is what they are supposed to do.For what it's worth (you won't believe me I'm sure) Katherine works very hard and long hours and I imagine has to deal with hundreds of letters. I have less letters, but I have sent over 200 emails so far in December so far - the vast majority are responses to residents correspondence. I am not complaining about this - I believe with engaging with people who re our local residents - but it irritates me when people have no idea accuse me (and Katherine) of not working at it.

Guy Lambert ● 498d

I read with great interest this story. Eg five bikes by Boston Manor Station. What I don't understand is the finance behind this operation. I wonder if someone could explain. I genuinely wonder what is driving this.

Nicholas Beard ● 498d

Raymond, I was sorry to hear about your experience on the bus. I hope you get well soon, and wish you a pleasant Xmas.

Nicholas Beard ● 498d

Total and utter twaddle.Officers need to get out on their bikes and see the sheer numbr dumped in Brentford alone. There were five by Boston Manor atation this morning (on the Brentford side) and three more by WLU at the Great West Road.More economy with the truth, ultimately with the portfolio holders for this debacle.BTW it's exactly the sme in Ealing with the bloody things dumped everywhere.

N V Brooks ● 500d

Does Hounslow council employ a 'Liar in residence'? The latest  hilarious edition of 'Hounslow Matters' has just come through our letterbox and on Page 16 is to be found one of the the biggest porkies imaginable. 'Partnership with Lime Bikes'. First this gem 'As a council that listens' well that IS news in itself, this is followed by this delusional statement - 'Lime have committed more resource to tackling this issue (unsocial? and unsafe use of their bikes) which has resulted in parking compliance increasing to 95% and a steady decline in complaints.' Well, you have to give it to the imagination of the author of this piece, a bigger load of old sphericals I have never read. The bloody things are still dumped all over the place, lots with saddles missing, they are a dangerous eyesore on our footpaths, and some person who is clearly away with the fairies saying everything is great - does not make it so. What really sticks in the craw is the insult to the intelligence of borough residents.

Vanessa Smith ● 500d

'Perhaps because if you have been in power too long you get a sense of entitlement and unaccountability, and develop a 'let them eat cake' mentality,subliminally or otherwise.'Sharp intake of breath! Keith, Keith, how could you possibly think that? Quite easily if what my experience has been anything to go by!

Vanessa Smith ● 500d

Perhaps because if you have been in power too long you get a sense of entitlement and unaccountability, and develop a 'let them eat cake' mentality,subliminally or otherwise.

Keith Iddon ● 500d

I ask again, why is Cllr. Dunne totally silent? Surely she must do something to justify the £37.000 that she receives in allowances.

N V Brooks ● 500d

They have all got their fingers in their ears chanting 'la la la'etc.

Keith Iddon ● 500d

There’s form for this sort of incompetent meddling with road layouts. Boston Road, right outside the Tube station is a prime example. A huge swerve in the carriageway on the brow of the hill, all to accommodate a cycle crossing very few use. Drivers of all types of vehicles simply cannot see what’s on the other side of the rise.Of course, should an accident occur on one of these sites the pro cycling lobby will instantaneously point the finger at the drivers, rather than the poor - and avoidable - road design.

Simon Hayes ● 500d

It's the bit approaching Wilkes Road near the Old Fire Stn. And its causing regular heavy braking by HGVs and very close calls.The road is no longer safe for larger vehicles in the mix.Quite how crass statements about enabling walking ( when there are safe pavements in the first place ) and creating road safety hazards that the last 70 years have been spent ironing out is not just bizarre it is completely irresponsible.It is an Arterial road vital for everything. Not a playground for idealists.With major building works looming in both areas this is likely to finish off what is left and will leave the whole district as crippled as it has been for the past year.

Raymond Havelock ● 500d

No worries, safe riding.

N V Brooks ● 502d

Thanks, I haven't noticed anything there before. I'll take another look (particularly after seeing the front page story of the bus wing mirror).

Tim Henderson ● 502d

You are too far up Tim, the bulge in the pavement is eastbound but just before the Premier Inn and just after the old fire station in Brentford. For no good reason the pavement doubles in width

N V Brooks ● 502d

All these cycle lanes kind of remind me of a phrase that Churchill used,only in reverse,when it comes to the sheer inconvenience,stress and unecessary delays to thousands of motorists everyday to cater for a few dozen cyclists..'Never has so much been owed by so few to so many'.

Keith Iddon ● 502d

I had a look this afternoon and (on my bike travelling eastwards) didn't notice a sudden change in the road direction, but what was obvious was the hatching marking protecting west-travelling drivers who want to turn right into the Musical Museum makes the eastbound carriageway too narrow. You have to drive over the hatch markings (or else if you avoid them to stay on your side of the road, you will crash into the low kerb of the cycle lane). I guess the current hatched markings are from the historic layout of the road but would agree that leaving them in place with the new kerbs is dangerous.

Tim Henderson ● 502d

David, the trucks and lorry that I was following were not speeding at all, in fact were were all pulling away from the temporary traffic lights. The design is abysmal and has narrowed the road, to the point, as you rightly observe, where it is way too narrow. I really hope that common sense will replace ideology and the situation will be resolved for the benefit of all road users. The carriageway is far too narrow as is the apology for an eastbound cycle lane.

N V Brooks ● 502d

Have followed buses and HGVs down this route and it's obvious that the carriageway (in both directions) is no longer wide enough safely to accommodate them.  This, together with the chicanery, means that there is absolutely no leeway/room for error.The whole thing is a triumph of dogma over common sense.

Alison Robins ● 502d

It does urgently need looking on it. Today I was on a 235 which lurched suddenly to avoid a collision with an HGV coming the other way. Bashing my head on a grab pole in the process.This very busy key road is now simply too narrow as it is and a chicane is far too dangerous even for bus passengers.I am now sporting a lump on my head and probably a black eye by the morning, so reporting this to TfL. Requesting video from the bus.How on earth has such retrograde works been allowed compromising road and passenger safety?Too much reliance on computer modelling perhaps? Or is it dogmatic politics? Or just plain incompetence?None of which are acceptable.

Raymond Havelock ● 502d

Having driven through that new part of the road a few times its quite obvious that the road had been made way too narrow and too much space given to the foot and cycle path. Too many drivers still driving way too fast and its a limit of 20 mph.

David Cook ● 503d

It isn't the works in progress per se Guy, it is the sudden change in direction caused by the very wide buffer pavement between the cycle lane and the carriageway. The way that this 'lump' of pavement sticks out catches larger vehicles out. I was there again this afternoon and a Mercedes Sprinter swerved onto the opposite side of the road to avoid the change

N V Brooks ● 503d

Thanks, I was caught in this myself as I live by there. I think the real problem is not C9 (though that is obviously a factor) but Thames Water 'works' outside where Heidelberg was, I know not for what purpose.Will see what I can find out about what's going on, how long, and if it can be mitigated.

Guy Lambert ● 503d