Ms ShawThe Council’s contractor, FM Conway, is currently working on the southern footway of Kew Bridge Road, between the public house and Regatta Point. The work involves the removal of the on-footway cycle path, reinstatement of the kerb-line to its original height, installation of weir drains, and repaving of the footway. Details follow:• The cycle path is being removed as it is used by only a tiny fraction of the cyclists who ride along that stretch of road. The vast majority of cyclists prefer to use the carriageway because, in so doing, they are not forced to give way to traffic turning into and emerging from the various vehicular access-ways including Regatta Point, and they do not have to cope with the cross-camber of the cycle path or the pedestrians who stray into it. This issue was first raised early last year when a comprehensive review of this cycle route was undertaken, which involved consultation with the users of the route. While cyclists were under no legal obligation to use the on-footway cycle path, there have been many instances of motorists abusing cyclists who rode on the carriageway.• The kerb-line is being reinstated to its original height, prior to resurfacing of the carriageway. This is normal practice – kerbs sink under the weight of heavy vehicles that are driven onto them.• The drainage gullies are being set into the kerb-line as “weir drains”. This is becoming standard practice on cycle routes, as it removes the exposed ironwork from the cyclists’ path and provides a smoother and safer ride. • The footway is being repaved, from the reinstated kerb-line back, to eliminate the on-footway cycle path. Conway is reusing the existing 400mm x 400mm x 65mm pavers. This is preferable to laying new pavers in place of the cycle path and having unsightly high-maintenance cuts and joints, and it provides the opportunity to address any areas of footway that have cracked or subsided. Conway’s work is first-rate, and includes the provision of new tactile paving at the access-ways, to current DfT specifications.You have complained that residents were not advised that the work was to commence. This is true, and I offer my apologies for this. Conway made a faster-than-anticipated start on this project immediately after the Christmas break when some other work elsewhere did not materialise. Normally, local residents are advised of such works by circular, however they are not normally consulted beforehand unless there is a significant change to the layout of the road or footway. In this case, we believed the removal of the on-footway cycle path to be a logical and positive step for the reasons given above. The work is being done at this time, in preparation for the complete resurfacing of this stretch in the spring. Last summer, the Council placed a bid to Transport for London for funding for carriageway resurfacing of this stretch of road, and TfL announced its funding allocations for 2007/8 only immediately before Christmas. The Council has some funds available for cycling improvements on this route in its 2006/7 budget (from TfL), and I therefore took the decision to address the cycle path issue at this time and prepare the road for the resurfacing at the start of the new financial year. Contrary to your assertion, this in fact represents a co-ordinated improvement to this stretch of road, which will not involve re-work or sunk costs. When the resurfacing contractor arrives he will be able to progress very quickly and the new surface will cover the patches that have resulted from the removal of the gullies etc. A green-surfaced cycle lane will then be installed on the edge of the new carriageway and the work will hopefully be completed before the traditional increase in cycling that occurs with the longer warmer days. (The only possible reason for a delay will be if Thames Water changes its anticipated programme of water mains replacements in west London, and if so we will adjust the resurfacing programme to fit, if at all possible, to minimise the chance of the new carriageway being dug up again.Unless in an emergency, contactors are not expected to commence noisy works before 0800 hrs on weekdays, although site set-up before that time is generally permitted. The fact that Conway appeared to have started noisy works prior to 0800hrs was helpfully drawn to my attention towards the end of last week and I reminded the contractor of the Council’s expectations in this regard.Contrary to your assertion, the footway in front of Regatta Point is not being narrowed. In fact the effective pedestrian area is being widened by the removal of the cycle path. There is already adequate road width to provide an on-carriageway cycle lane to current specifications, with the very slight narrowing of two of the median islands. East of Regatta Point, we will, however, be setting the kerb-line back by 200mm along a very short length, which will be a tiny adjustment to a footway that is more than 4 metres wide. This work will be done in February.In response to your other statements:-“..ripping up trees..” No trees are being removed as part of this scheme. (I believe one small tree was recently removed by the highways maintenance team in order to address a trip hazard due to the tree roots having come up through the footway. In these situations it is not always possible to save the tree, as cutting a major root can cause instability. I don’t have the details but I believe the tree will be replaced shortly.)“Are you aware that to widen the road as we think is your objective, will simply increase the speed on this road?” There is no wholesale widening of the carriageway. In fact the presence of a marked cycle lane of contrasting colour will visually narrow the westbound carriageway and can be expected to actually reduce traffic speeds.“Have you considered that the bus lane is a joke?” No I haven’t. What is funny about it? “Are you aware of the dangerous situation outside this building when people coming from the west wish to turn right in and all the oncoming traffic is pulling into our path?” I inspected the site most recently on Saturday afternoon and was quite satisfied that the worksite was safe. Drivers need to take care and adjust their speeds when the carriageway is temporarily narrowed by street works. Turning traffic should heed the presence of through traffic and drivers should position their vehicles accordingly.“..access to our car park seriously disrupted…” The only disruption to the car park that I observed on Saturday afternoon was due to cars parked across the footway on each side of the access-way, presumably by visitors to Regatta Point. All street improvements involve a little disruption and I am confident that Conway is doing everything possible to keep this to an absolute minimum.If you would like to discuss this issue further with me, please feel free to email me at chris.calvi-freeman@hounslow.gov.ukChris Calvi-FreemanHead of TransportLondon Borough of Hounslow
Chris Calvi-Freeman ● 6705d