Forum Topic

Footbridge over railway.

As a resident of Layton Road I quite often use the footbridge over the railway between Layton Rd & Brook Lane North.Over the past weeks I have heard a couple of stories from people who have either been assaulted or have had ''near misses'' whilst using this bridge.It is quite a scary bridge to cross as you cannot see the other side & what with these early Winter evenings it is also very dark.There are people I know who will ''go round the long way'' i.e. Windmill Road or Ealing Road rather than risk using the bridge, my Wife & Son included.I wondered if Matt or someone could advise on who to speak to with regards of maybe getting some lighting or mirrors etc fitted.

Kevin Farnan ● 7065d9 Comments

Thanks for coming back on this Matt, hopefully we may see some improvement in the forthcoming months.

Kevin Farnan ● 7040d

Now here's a photo op Jim! I have pictures taken on this bridge last February and it is absolutely disgusting to see the filth and graffiti. Most definitely powerful lights are needed on here!

Audrey Walton ● 7041d

Have a peep at the bridge..a summertime view...with Matt knocking back his egg,bacon and fried slice in the cafe!Is the same chap still running the cafe..who was there 20 years ago?Please COPY and PASTE:http://www.google.com/lochp?hl=en&q=&ll=51.488921,-0.305665&spn=0.000738,0.001829&t=k

Jim Lawes ● 7042d

Sorry for the delay in replying to this. The bridge itself belongs to Network Rail and one of their representatives will be taking a look at it with a view to getting the graffiti etc tidied up. The lighting on the way to the bridge is Hounslow Council's responsibility.I use the bridge to get to the cafe on Brook Rd N and agree it is in a sorry state. Ruth pointed out to me that it should have been built so that it was a direct continuation of Brook Rd N rather than off to one side. I would imagine that any serious redesign could be done as part of planning gain if anything ever happens to the Alfa Lavel site.

Matt Harmer ● 7042d

Blimey. Anyway, I've asked Ruth Cadbury to check exactely who is reponsible for the bridge - either Hounslow Council or the Strategic Rail Authority or whatever they're calling themselves this week - and I'll keep you up to date on here. Will also ask for a Police report into the situation you describe.

Matt Harmer ● 7063d

MattNot sure if these have been reported to the Police or not, I'll ask the people concerned when I next meet them.Another resident of Layton Road told me that he was stopped by two plain clothed police who were sitting in a car at one end of the bridge a couple of months ago.After identifying themselves they asked the person how often he used the bridge & if he had ever experienced any trouble.When he told them that he had not they replied ''Consider yourself lucky'' or words to that effect so I would take it that there have been complaints of other incidents in the past.

Kevin Farnan ● 7064d

I would like to add my voice to Kevin's in this matter.  I too use the bridge quite frequently at night and always do so with misgivings as you cannot see from one end to the other when it's dark. I have long felt that it should be someone's responsibility to light it, presumably whoever is actually responsible for the bridge itself.

Bernadette Paul ● 7064d

MattI seen to recall from an Area Committee meeting in the dim and distant past that there was some work done to the station there precisely to improve safety and accessibility.Whose responsibility would it be to install lighting to the bridge?  Is it something which the Area Committee could play a part in?

Phil Andrews ● 7064d

It's a fair question. I use the bridge during the day to get to and from the Corner Cafe but I can see the potential problems of night time use. I'll find out what (if anything) can be done.Have the assaults or 'near misses' been reported to the Police, do you know?

Matt Harmer ● 7064d