M4 open J1-J2, closed J2-J3 - traffic conditions
On Sunday afternoon, at the behest of the Borough, the Highways Agency agreed to reopen the M4 elevated between J1 (Chiswick) and J2 (brentford), so that traffic could bypass the Chiswick roundabout from early this morning onwards. With extensive media coverage warning of major delays (many drivers didn’t realise that J1-J2 had reopened), a large proportion of this morning’s commuter traffic appears to have opted for the M40/A40 or M3/A316, which were very heavy. Consequently, traffic wasn’t too horrific in Chiswick and Brentford, although there was considerable congestion around Kew Bridge junction and along the Chiswick High Road. There was also considerable queuing westbound on the A4 between GSK and Henlys roundabout.Notwithstanding many drivers having taken different routes this morning, this afternoon’s peak is likely to be very heavy on all approaches to the Chiswick roundabout /Kew Bridge junction area, with long queues eastwards from central London (via the A4 and A315) and inwards from Heathrow/Hounslow/Brentford and Richmond, Kew and Ealing. Eastbound queues are already building up on the A4.Traffic patterns are extremely variable: a lot of the morning peak traffic that diverted this morning may switch back tomorrow morning, until an unhappy equilibrium is reached on Wednesday and the viaduct hopefully reopens on Thursday.The advice remains the same: avoid the area if at all possible; walk, cycle or use the tube if you can; and if not, be patient and allow plenty of extra time for your journey.Chris Calvi-FreemanHead of TransportLondon Borough of Hounslow
Chris Calvi-Freeman ● 5016d2 Comments