Forum Topic

Guy Lambert Should Stand Again

I know there are those who will disagree but I think he should.I am not of the same political hue as he is but whenever I have contacted him about a local issue I have found that he has responded promptly and effectively - unlike some other councillors. I think he is unafraid to speak his mind and to be unpopular if necessary - a good thing in my view. I also think he has a genuine concern for the local area.So I hope he will stand again as an Independent.

Alison Robins ● 40d42 Comments

What rubbish you spout Philippa.Objecting to clearly detrimental plans isn’t being negative. It’s called having an opinion. God knows, you voice yours often enough across forums where you don’t even visit, let alone live.Change doesn’t necessarily mean improvement, and the LTN experience was certainly a horrible experience. Hence the massive public protests in Ealing and their eventual removal. This thread has shown that there are problems with the Brentford ones, but as all Labour councils are wont to do, ignoring the majority is the response.You’ve probably noticed that many new developments are car free. Except the estate agents don’t tell prospective buyers that, with many new residents finding themselves without anywhere to park after purchase. It’s seen an increase in on street parking on neighbouring roads, often necessitating vehicles being moved once or twice a day. More unnecessary journeys.You don’t take any sort of notice of how others choose to live, even if it has zero impact on your life. People aren’t driving around for the joy of it, usually it’s for economic activity or just to facilitate family life. You noticed that those 15 minute neighbourhoods don’t exist, and probably won’t beyond the minds of a few well-paid consultants.There are plenty of people who happily cycle without incident or feeling in danger, just open your eyes and you will see them. They often ride without lights at night and are fond of using a phone while travelling.You might be happy to swallow the propaganda and outright lies put out by many elected representatives and their officers, but a lot of people are not. Maybe that’s where the change you so adore should really be happening.

Simon Hayes ● 12d

I'm sorry Alison I shouldn't allow myself to be baited by the ever negative Simon Hayes who seems to hate all changes and fight against them.I couldn't agree more about better public transport.  I too walk just about everywhere or take public transport although I can also drive.Since there isn't enough space for everyone who can drive to have and drive a car (especially now so many houses are extended) and the majority of our streets and homes were not built with that in mind - it has become far more dangerous and unpleasant for those who want or need to walk and cycle.  We shouldn't be in the position where people feel it is necessary to drive because of this.I have to say I also enjoy not having so many helicopters circling overhead at night now that the road by the cemetery isn't available although it was a useful way to avoid a busy junction. I bought a bike many years ago when I moved to London but found it quite frightening and was disappointed that it had became so competitive and aggressive on the roads.

Philippa Bond ● 12d

As the original poster I suppose I'd better add something.  I've contacted Guy more than once about local traffic matters and found him willing to listen and helpful and not anti-car.  From his input on this forum and his newsletters it seems that  he is trying to serve the community and keep people informed, whether you agree with his views or not. I am not saying that I would necessarily vote for him - and from a comment he has made on this thread, unfortunately, I think he has pretty much shot himself in the foot on that front.I do not agree with LTNs - I do not think they work.  They do not deter people from driving, all they do is displace traffic onto other roads as people negotiate their way around them. What would deter drivers is a mutt's nuts public transport system, but we don't have that. I do a lot of walking - if I want to go up into Ealing or into the centre of Brentford I will walk (as I always have done).  If I'm going to visit friends in other parts of London or to work then I will drive (as I always have done) and work my way around any LTNs. This is because the places to which I am going are not well-served by public transport and certainly not at the times I have to travel.  And I reserve my right to drive my car whenever and wherever I want provided it's in accordance with the law.  And - shock,horror - I do execute three point turns if I need to and it's safe to do so. Please don't judge people who drive and suggest that their journeys must be "unnecessary" - you don't know their personal circumstances, where they are going or why.There may well be circumstances where traffic-calming measures or restrictions need to be introduced because of speeding or rat-running but surely those can be implemented on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with local wishes rather than in pursuit of some blanket policy.I have never seen anyone drive on the wrong side of the traffic island on the South Ealing Road - there's generally too much of a jam for anyone to be able to do it. But I've seen it dome by plenty of cyclists and motorcyclists.I'll stop - because this wasn't meant to be a rant about driving.

Alison Robins ● 13d

Of course you used to see bad driving Philippa. It’s nothing new but you like to pretend that it is. However, the incidences of what you allege are rare, and despite your assertion there are very few collisions or incidents in relation the the number of vehicle movements.As for ‘too many motor vehicles’, what’s your solution? Ban them? Tax people off the road so it’s just the preserve of the rich? Just because you dislike it doesn’t mean anybody is doing anything wrong by using a vehicle.

Simon Hayes ● 13d

There are too many motor vehicles and many of them will be being used unnecessarily but everyone seems to think they have the right to drive wherever and whenever they want with little or no consideration for others.  Never in the past would you have seen cars recklessly racing up the road on the wrong side of the traffic island as I've seen on South Ealing Road or driving through the petrol station as a shortcut as I've seen several times - or all the three point turns you now see on major roads.

Philippa Bond ● 13d

I tend to agree with Simon, although not necessarily with his tone. I've lived in the same area (north of the A4) for 20 years and brought up three children - the area has always been safe - I can't remember any serious accidents affecting pedestrians or cyclists during that time and they were seldom used as cut-throughs, except at times when accidents or roadworks closed other roads. The council are using scare tactics and outright lies to justify a change that was never wanted or needed by most of the people that lived on those roads. The consultation proves that - but even that was a con - by not restricting it to the local area, our weaselly councillor can claim that all the responses were from Ealing and use that as a reason to ignore the results. Going back to the original question of whether we should have this man representing us, the clear answer is "NO". Taking aside the pros and cons of this debate (and there are two sides), if he can't support the clear mandate of the majority, he doesn't deserve the job.

Marcia King ● 14d

Sorry Philippa but you aren’t making any sense.Mid you know Junction Road and its surrounding area you will know that there weren’t endless motor vehicles racing through. It’s pretty quiet on the whole. The only time there’s an issue is when roadworks or an accident cause queues, although the screwing up of the lights at the A4/Ealing Road intersection has made things more difficult.If there’s a speeding problem then it’s a matter for the police, and closing roads might actually make any such problem worse as there is always an element of people who behave recklessly. They will do so whether on a bike, in a car or just throwing litter about.I wonder if you live on the same planet as most of us. You seem to share the same utopian idealism that Lambert and his LCC chums want to create in London, when all they have done is actually make life much less pleasant for normal people. Pop into your local Screwfix or Howdens and ask the people there if they think closing all the roads makes economic sense.A better grasp of reality might be a benefit for you and the rest.

Simon Hayes ● 14d

So you don't think it was people racing through the streets in motor vehicles from from one part of London to another and not locals either.  Why then was there so much motor traffic racing through when it wasn't actually at a standstill - which it often was - and where do you think it came from?

Philippa Bond ● 14d

What makes you think all these car journeys are by local residents? You have fallen into the usual complacent mode of assuming that’s what all the traffic is. Active travel is a made up term. You won’t be very active on an e-scooter or an e-bike where most of the work is done for you.And did you not read the reports about research showing that LTNs don’t reduce car use by those people living within them?

Simon Hayes ● 15d

Active travel keeps you fitter but once people have bought and have access to a car it can be just too easy for them to jump in it and use it.  It takes more than just nudging people to get them to change their routine.  You can see and enjoy and be inspired by the best bits of your environment a lot more - and get to see and say hello to your neighbours.

Philippa Bond ● 15d

You’ve missed the point as usual Philippa. The Junction Road LTN wasn’t backed up by any evidence that there was a problem. It was the likes of Lambert and his cronies pandering to the whim of a few of their LCC chums. It was never difficult to walk or cycle in the area. Ever.He has never produced any accident statistics. Consultation is not a box ticking exercise after a decision has been made. It’s supposed to happen at a formative stage. Never happens, and dishonest politicians take advantage of that.Of course closing everything makes things safer but that is a non argument. You’d stop people getting fat if you prevented them from eating.And once you start bleating about children you have lost your argument. How about the elderly or disabled too? Or those trying to make a living that doesn’t involve sitting at a desk at home?

Simon Hayes ● 15d

It's so much easier to walk and cycle along a lot of roads in the area now.There are many different sorts of democracy and it isn't considered to be so wonderful by everybody who believes in it but that it's just the best sort of government there is.  There are whole series on it which are worth listening to.Long straight roads wherever they are unfortunately attract speeding wherever they are which is worse and worrying anywhere near schools and school times.  Children should feel and be safe to cycle along the roads and not be cycling along the pavements

Philippa Bond ● 15d

Lambert produces no statistics to back up his arguments, save for pieces in the Guardian that are so biased they are almost unreadable.What were the accident statistics for, say, Whitestile Road, in the years preceding its closure? Come in, councillor, you have time to invite people for coffee, so spend some producing detailed figures to back up your claims.And where do those Whitestile residents go to get to South Ealing Road but avoiding the A4? Oh yes, along Ealing roads like Darwin and Carlyle. Perhaps they should pay a toll to use them.The problem with Lambert, Dunne and others is that they are paid up members of the LCC. Their egos are fed and they can’t countenance listening to the more persuasive voices beyond.Old Lambert might care to think about the judgment of the High Court earlier this year, which deemed the West Dulwich LTN to be unlawful and ordered its removal because the council there ignored residents and failed to consider the possibile impact of the scheme. A victory for common sense over dogma and doctrine.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckg4178plvdo

Simon Hayes ● 15d

Yes, I talk to people who live in Brentford and I am more than happy to engage in arguments. I have a position, some disagree. I will make my case and others will make different cases, including I'm sure the Labour party. I am more than happy to take the preferences of the residents in my ward, because I believe in democracy (and I know what it means). The Demos in Brentford West are the people who live there!

Guy Lambert ● 15d

The councillor has spoken - he refuses to consider the views of the majority - thinking perhaps that representation isn't important (the word "democracy" is derived from the Greek word "demos", meaning "people"). But one person has saved 15 minutes in their day, and we're keeping those dreadful Ealing people off our roads, so that's ok. I suggest we call his bluff and vote a new representative - I hear the Monster Raving Loony Party have a more sensible transport policy than the current incumbents.

Marcia King ● 15d

What tripe for Cllr Lambert. So ‘people from Ealing’ are at fault? Who are you Donald Trump? Nigel Farsge? You are coming across as a bit of a bigot. Brentford streets for Brentford people.Don’t you think a fair amount of traffic might be generated from within Brentford? Or has your wet dream of a car free borough finally turned you crazy?Roads are paid for out of general taxation. Closing them on the whim of a few individuals has simply shifted traffic movement elsewhere, as has been definitively proven.If you can cast your mind back to 2020, when LTNs were thrust on an unsuspecting populace, the chief reason given was for social distancing. Now not an issue.Since then every challenge has been met with a shifting argument. None of which adds up. They are not no traffic neighbourhoods, so there’s a risk inherent in them all, often exacerbated by frustrated delivery drivers speeding to make up for lost time.As for consultation, I suggest you check the guidance from the LGA, which labour councils seem happy to ignore. The key is to carry it out at a formative stage to shape decisions, not as a box ticking exercise tacked on at the end, which is what actually happens. Most residents consulted opposed the Junction Road LTN, while your reminisce about a crying lady on Green Dragon Lane is frankly laughable.Do try harder. And be more honest.

Simon Hayes ● 16d

No petitions I am aware of. There was consultation. They are controversial and a lot of people from Ealing like some on this thread (and a few from Brentford) noisily complain about the changes we made in Brentford, many of which were to stop people from Ealing using our residential roads as short cuts, and many were initiated because people were fed up of people blocking their residential roads to save a few seconds on main roads. I can't forget the woman who said she had cried when we put the restrictions on Green Dragon Lane that let her get home 15 minutes earlier from her job in Isleworth. We've all used short cuts, but I still get a lot of complaints about rat runners and danger to children and pets.I will stand for the existing LTN's and campaign for more, because I think that will make for a better Brentford. And I am happy to win or lose based on my record. It's called democracy.

Guy Lambert ● 16d

There were petitions at the time the LTNs were created - these were ignored by our elected representatives as well as the results of the "consultation". Ealing residents were successful in getting their LTNs removed by organising protests - does anyone want to take this on? Otherwise a change of councillors is the only way we would get proper representation.

Graham Thorpe ● 16d

You folks need to get a petition up to rescind those unpopular LTNs!Remember there are local elections coming up next year!

David Cook ● 16d

This seems a bit anecdotal and short on facts Philippa. I don't recall many cars racing on the road I live on, or large volumes of cars using it as a cut-through before it was blocked. The fact that fewer road journeys are being made due to post-covid work changes would seem to make the road closures much less of an issue, not more. I agree that all road users (even cyclists) should follow the rules, but we have camaras, speed-bumps etc. to help with this. Surely the point is that it should be a decision made by the people who live on these roads on whether to restrict them, not a top-down decision that ignores local views. There was a "consultation" which overwhelmingly rejected the LTNs - the issue here is that Guy Lambert and co. failed in their duty, and the DoT rules, to act on local views and imposed changes that were, and still are, massively unpopular for the majority of road users and severely impact on our daily lives. For this reason, I believe we shouldn't even consider reelecting him.

Graham Thorpe ● 16d

It may have slipped your notice Phillipa that car ownership is down massively in many parts of London. There are certainly not 'ever more cars' as leading academics like Tom Pike have proven time and time again . What is true however is that the fewer cars are being driven more and more often.What is equally true is that due to the decimation of the Met's Roads Policing Unit by the hapless individual masquerading as a London Mayor that speed limits are not enforced. No one would object if they were but it is easier for Khan to charge around in his bulletproof Range Rover ignoring all restrictions and fining speeding motorists than it is to actually get the law of the land enforced.

N V Brooks ● 16d

Without closing any roads to motor traffic many drivers will have continued racing along routinely and relying on apps to take them through even more residential streets as if they were on main roads. Many people have changed their routines and found ways other than just by car or van to travel perhaps not all the time but some of the time and would never have done so previously.  The pandemic gave many of us time to rethink priorities. Racing around frantically in ever more cars, vans and lorries making it more dangerous for those other people who won't, can't, don't need to and who are more vulnerable using those same roads should be given a much higher priority than it is.  Marked speed limits however still need to be addressed as do the rules of the road by everyone!

Philippa Bond ● 16d

I can't understand why anyone would want Guy Lambert to remain as their councillor when he has demonstrated again and again that he has no interest in representing the views of the majority of his constituents - surely the most important part of the job? Simon is completely correct that the LTNs were imposed on us despite massive opposition. Anyone can see that closing roads will only lengthen journey times and increase congestion and pollution. The Department for Transport set out clear guidelines for the implementation of LTNs saying, for instance that the schemes are "locally supported" (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/implementing-low-traffic-neighbourhoods/implementing-low-traffic-neighbourhoods) - this is clearly not the case in Hounslow. I propose, if the unpopular road closures are not reviewed and reversed by the next election (which seems unlikely), that the election be a referendum on the LTN scheme, and the councillors that support it (Lambert, Dunne etc.) being replaced with people who will be prepared to actually listen and act on our views instead of pushing their own agendas. With changes in national politics since the last election, it seems possible that the long-standing status quo could be changed and we could get true representation!

Marcia King ● 17d

The ever predictable Lambert changes the story to suit his own needs, plus ca change?You deny that the majority of residents in the Junction Road LTN rejected the plans but it went ahead anyway? All fuelled with propaganda based on now discredited ‘research’ by a cycling lobbyist ‘academic’, Rachel Alfred.What the binned report (costing £82,000) showed was that car use didn’t diminish. As it wasn’t what TfL wanted to hear it was shelved. Pretending it isn’t a valid story because it was reported in what you laughingly call right wing media merely illustrates that you are still as ignorant being outside the Labour fold as you were when in it. And the your argument is supposedly supported by an article in a left wing paper written by a fervent cycling nut, Peter Walker.Did you read the article? It includes this gem: ‘One phenomenon that was apparent between schemes was that the safety benefits of being within an LTN in outer London seemed notably less than those in inner London. Some outer London schemes have been shown as less successful in reducing overall traffic.’Note that last line, councillor. Rather like alleged traffic evaporation claimed by Aldred, mainly because her measurements excluded vehicles travelling at less than 10k/ph.I’m not anti-cycling, that’s your usual lazy labelling and projection. What I dislike are lying political types who make things up to fit a narrative that suits their ambitions.

Simon Hayes ● 17d

A Consevative member of the GLA has accused TfL of suppressing a report. There is scant or non-existent evidence that this is true. Naturally this has been jumped upon by the unholy quartet of The Times, The Telegraph, the Hounslow Conservatives and Simon Hayes. The first two are rightwing  media companies owned by overseas interests who seize any opportunity to criticise the three times elected Mayor of London.The other two, in the case of the Conservatives in Hounslow,  have been pathologically against anything that a car user could complain about for years and jump on any bandwagon against the Mayor. They are also desperate for a story to stop their members defecting to Labour The ever-predictable anti-cycling Simon Hayes of course jumps on the same bandwagon, though LTNs have little to do with cycling.The reality about LTNs is that they save lives as well as making residential streets much more pleasant for the people who live there, though of course they are inconvenient at times for people looking for a shortcut from our overburdened roads.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/07/londons-low-traffic-zones-cut-deaths-and-injuries-by-more-than-a-thirdI will continue to support LTNs when they make sense if re-elected next year. I greatly value those huge benefits. I hope they will become more powerful over time, as people, like me, use their cars less.

Guy Lambert ● 17d

I have to say LBH did listen to the views of Brentford Dock residents on the implementation of a CPZ on Augustus Close. Majority voted against it and LBH listened and now it won’t happen. I happened to disagree with the majority in this instant. Now means Augustus Close is still a free parking area and there are not many in Brentford.

David Cook ● 17d

It’s the lying that really undermines the arguments put forward to support these schemes.Rachel Alfred was the anointed researcher used by TfL and her findings have largely been discredited since 2020. Traffic doesn’t ‘evaporate’, particularly when measuring equipment doesn’t register vehicles moving at less than 10km/h.This latest report, taxpayer funded to the tune of £82,000, wasn’t producing the results wanted, hence the suppression of it. Any academic worth their salt would never support incomplete data collection and manipulation of results. Worryingly this is what happened:‘Emails between TfL and the institution, first revealed by The Times, saw one researcher saying the findings were "a bit underwhelming" and offered to create a "suitably contextualised and caveated summary" that TfL could publish.’One expects politicians to be economical with the truth but to outright lie about things is unacceptable. These decisions have a lot of negative consequences Of course Lambert is a paid up member of the LCC and has in the past spouted its policies verbatim, passing them off as his own ‘musings’.Political change is coming nationally and even Labour are waking up to the fact.

Simon Hayes ● 17d

I always thought that where LTNs were concerned one of the biggest mistakes that the council made was not listening to local people properly. It may well have been the case in an area where local residents would be the best people to be aware of pitfalls and practicalities of the local roads, that these may have worked to everyone's benefit. But quite honestly the headlong rush to stick them in irrespective of what people thought or, as always, any proper consultation doomed most of them to abject failure. It's probably fair to say they've been more pain in a*se than useful. One day - maybe - the powers that be will get it into their heads that living somewhere gives you inside knowledge of some things, and instead of treating local residents like mushrooms, they actually try listening.

Vanessa Smith ● 18d

Strangely silent about the revelation that TfL suppressed a report showing LTNs don’t reduce car use. Given his support for these schemes in the face of overwhelming resident opposition (and he better not dare deny that as it is a matter of record) and the now discredited ‘evidence’ used to justify them perhaps he should admit his arguments were wrong.But then, ‘legend’ or not, like every other politician he’s selective with the truth.

Simon Hayes ● 18d

Yes he should stand again, compared to most Cllrs. he has a good reputation and for the sake of local democracy he should give people something to vote for not just something to vote against or just ignore .

John Bryan ● 18d

An absolute legend in every sense. He earns respect through tireless dedication and genuine approachability. If I had a vote, it would go to him without hesitation.

Bradley Taylor ● 19d

He has been a decent,hard working councillor as far as I can see and if he stands again as far as I am concerned he has an advantage as he is no longer part of the current local administration.If his manifesto suits I will certainly consider voting for him.

Keith Iddon ● 27d

Guy has always been an excellent responsive councillor, and I would definitely vote for him should he choose to run as an independent. Interesting that Labour in Greenwich are also proving to be so intractable that they are also alienating their own members: https://greenwichwire.co.uk/2025/09/10/ann-marie-cousins-lakshan-saldin-quit-greenwich-labour

Gary Padbury ● 27d

Eric, I think you have voiced what so many of us have been saying for a long time. When will Labour finally find some spine? It was always a party where you could have a really fiery debate without falling out and eventually reach a consensus. Now, things seem so dictatorial and it's appalling the way things are controlled. Locally I think they lost the plot some years ago, until we now have something reminiscent of Fred Karno's Army. Keir Starmer really needs to get a grip, the next four years will pass all too quickly. As for that lying rat with the big mouth who denigrates this country at every opportunity, we can only hope his orange mate offers him a job on the other side of the pond, that man is despicable.

Vanessa Smith ● 31d

Agreed - we need involved local councillors. Who cares if they have a political party label? And if, for saying that,  local Labour want to cancel my membership (taken out mainly to get rid of Momentum locally, achieved) then go for it. I am sick and tired of Labour's cowardice in refusing to do anything about fair voting, Brexit, locking up peaceful protestors or ending the genocide. But I could never vote for someone as fraudulent as that stockbroker with a French name, smarming his way around the far right US speaker circuit and lying about buying a house in his constituency.

Eric Baker ● 31d

I strongly second your comments Cathy.

Joan Adamson ● 36d

A Councillor who responds to your emails and tries to help sorting out your problems with the Council.  That would always get my vote!

Philippa Bond ● 36d

He has my vote as an Independent.  Always helpful, replies promptly to emails and tries to sort problems out.  Definitely has the local community in mind at all times.

Cathy Jones ● 36d

"but would have to be very thick skinned and savvy to the spite and venom that they will endure from the party machines." Given the appalling state of the current Labour group on the council I'd think being on the end of 'spite and venom' are meat and drink to anyone who has a shred of independent thought. This regime is authoritarian and does not seem to allow for free debate and disagreement, which is usual in any organisation. I too have not always agreed with Guy, it would be miracle if we all agreed with everyone all the time, but he always responds to people, and truly represents his constituents. 

Vanessa Smith ● 39d

Yes.May not agree very often with him, but he is clearly a tireless and diligent local Councillor. Sadly, just one of a diminishing handful. As an independent, open about being aligned to Labour . I suppose so. Mainstream political parties are all increasingly a bit toxic in their make up and methods.More independents who live in their ward and really care about what is happening would make a difference, but would have to be very thick skinned and savvy to the spite and venom that they will endure from the party machines.Too many with ambition, fingers in pies and policies over realities.But a proper councillor with a strong sense of community, always out and about and does his best is better than the behind closed doors or highly evasive alternatives with secret agendas.

Raymond Havelock ● 39d

Another secondment

David Burke ● 39d

Seconded.

Susan Kelly ● 40d