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My colleagues and I have been monitoring the effect of the St John's Rd closure on buses and general traffic since the scheme started on Monday morning.  I would agree that there have been sporadic problems on Linkfield Rd between London Rd and Grainger Rd, and also on Mill Plat Ave.  A number of diversion schemes were considered but the one implemented was shown to be the most effective in coping with the diverted traffic without adding to the complexity of the picture by creating more one-way streets.  Yes, the whole of Linkfield Rd could arguably have been made one-way, but we were keen to encourage diverted traffic for London Rd to return to St John's Rd via Grainger Rd where it could then access London Rd via the signalised junction, rather than attempting to come out from Linkfield Rd onto London Rd where there are no signals and limited visibility. Over the past three days the Council has erected additional signage in the locations where drivers appear to be unsure as to which way to go, and the message will be reinforced by some additional lines and arrows to be painted onto the carriageway tomorrow.  And yes, drivers will increasingly take their cue from vehicles parked facing in the new correct direction.In situations like this one, a small percentage of drivers on "autopilot" can always be expected to fail to heed new signage, no matter how plentiful, but the result has been more annoying than dangerous as vehicle speeds on the local roads tend to be relatively low due to road width and traffic calming.  The situation has not been helped by the fact that someone appears to have removed several of the new signs, but these are being replaced.  Thankfully, drivers appear to be getting the message now and the diversion is settling down well. Chris Calvi-Freeman Head of Transport Street Management & Public Protection Directorate London Borough of Hounslow The Civic Centre Lampton Road Hounslow TW3 4DN Tel 020 8583 5215 Fax 020 8583 5233 Email chris.calvi-freeman@hounslow.gov.uk

Chris Calvi-Freeman ● 6933d