Forum Topic

Traffic Jams at Kew Bridge Traffic Lights

Every morning and evening, we see a huge traffic queue of cars and buses waiting to cross the Kew Bridge Traffic lights (upto McDonalds and even further). 2 Questions:1. Does anyone have any suggestions about how we can make this a bit better? 2. What is the usual procedure to suggest these recommendations to someone who can do something about it? For Question 1, I have one idea(which only fixes part of the problem): The Bus Lane between the Petrol Pump and the Traffic Lights is applicable "At Any Time". 90% of the time, this lane is unused. Wouldn't it help if at least we can restrict the Bus Lane only rule to  Monday to Friday 7am to 7pm, like many bus lanes? That way all weekends and in the late evenings, both lanes are fully utilised. What do others think?

Raj Patel ● 4551d18 Comments

"almost all are going to be on high incomes so will almost certainly have and use cars."Not necessarily.  Not been the case in London over the last dozen or so years, large increase in population but using cars a lot less*.  A lot depends on political will to encourage developments that don't require car use or make it too easy, which is where my concerns are around planning and long term spatial strategies in the capital - the last thing we want is to move away from the position that's enabled us to cope with population growth that turned out to be bigger than everyone thought.* For instance, your high income earner will quite possibly work in the City, and certainly won't be driving there at rush hour given the sharp move away from car-based commuting in London.  It's the railway, not the roads I'd be worried about.

Thomas Barry ● 4546d

"Those going into Chiswick have to wait until the bus lane ends"Those going to Chiswick *who aren't in a bus*. Slight but important correction.

Thomas Barry ● 4546d

"1. Does anyone have any suggestions about how we can make this a bit better? "Drive less, obviously." 90% of the time, this lane is unused."Do you understand how bus lanes work, Raj?  That's what they look like when they're working, because the bus isn't held up by the car drivers.

Thomas Barry ● 4547d

Sorry Raymond but I'm not convinced, traffic is much much lighter at the moment because it's the school holidays.  Even on Sunday lunchtimes the queue back from Kew Bridge along the A315 hasn't been as bad as it normally is (forgetting last week when there were roadworks at the junction).The only change I've noticed in the Kew Bridge lights is that the time to go straight on (i.e. from Brentford towards Chiswick Roundabout) seems to have been reduced slightly, although it's clear most of the time anyway.

Adam Beamish ● 4547d

Estimated 4000 extra people due within the next 8 months, almost all are going to be on high incomes so will almost certainly have and use cars.As so many have said for so long, None of the local infrastructure can support this influx.Let alone that the full figure for the next 3 years is nearer 33,000 almost doubling the local population.But the problem with the traffic is recent over the last 2-3 months.It delays the buses very badly in both directions with up to 80 min delays on the 65 and the 237.267 can take 40 mins to get to Gunnersbury. Six months ago it would take 20 mins in the morning rush hour so something is really wrong.It seems to be the traffic lights at Kew Bridge and the traffic lights at the SCR junction.

Raymond Havelock ● 4547d

It already is three lanes - two northbound and one (admittedly  quite wide lane) southbound !

Adam Beamish ● 4547d

What about making the bridge three lanes, with the central lane allocated to the north or southbound flows (or closed) depending on the time of day? There is plenty of room for three wide lanes.

Bryan Betts ● 4547d

Can't disagree but there's no solution apart from trying to get people to use their cars less.

Adam Beamish ● 4547d

This situation will only get worse as hundreds of new residents move into St Georges, St James and Notting HIll Developments in same road. The turn to Richmond from Brentford clsoes off the left turn to Chiswick which does not make sense at all. The 65 uses the bus lane and then blocks the Chiswick/London lane as it tries to cross 3 lanes.

Richard James Hunt ● 4547d

The option to widen Kew Bridge using the same method as Kingston Bridge but widening only on the Middlesex bank, was quoshed by  objectors on grounds of Kew Bridge being listed. Funny how the same lot could not stop some of the other debacales now blighting the whole area.Now the vacant land has been built on and it's now impossible.

Raymond Havelock ● 4549d

I agree, Keith. Imagine all the fumes you'll be inhaling while enjoying your G&T!

Susan Kelly ● 4549d

I don't understand how someone could spend up to 1.5m on a flat in that new development on the bridge. I'm sure the flats are very nice blah blah, but they are still located on one of the busiest junctions in west London. I don't know how an occupant is supposed to 'enjoy' their balcony.

Keith Iddon ● 4549d

I'm sorry but that often isn't true, at rush hour traffic heading northbound is queuing back from Chiswick Roundabout to those lights (with most of the queue formed by traffic coming from the A205 over Kew Bridge).I'd had the 'pleasure' of living on this part of the High Street/Kew Bridge Road since 2002 so I base my observations on what I've seen day in day out for 11 years.I don't personally think there's an easy solution because you can't make Kew Bridge any wider.  Ultimately in my view it's an unavoidable consequence of living close to a junction where a number of major roads join, and unless people get out their cars the situation won't improve.

Adam Beamish ● 4549d

Adam, It might seem to be 60/40 to you because the traffic going towards Chiswick roundabout gets clear so quickly that people think there's less traffic. Plus the lights are green for much longer than the one going towards Kew Bridge.Either way, its a pain in the arse for everyone and there must be something that can be done

Raj Patel ● 4549d

Most of the traffic ? - I'd say at best it is 60/40 (and probably nearer 70/30) in favour of traffic heading over Kew Bridge rather than going towards Chiswick Roundabout.

Adam Beamish ● 4551d

Raj, you're right about the bus lane. Most of the traffic wants to go straight on into Chiswick but cannot due to the backlog going over Kew Bridge. Those going into Chiswick  have to wait until the bus lane ends just after Green Dragon Lane where they can then switch inside & carry on. As you say the bus lane is empty most of the time yet people both in the mornings & evenings have to queue for ages.

Kevin Farnan ● 4551d

This weekend probably saw this junction at its worst due to the roundworks on the junction reducing the lanes available.As Chris says, the biggest problem is the bridge heading southbound as the carriageway it isn't wide enough for two lanes of traffic.  Changing the hours of operation of the bus lane from the Wells bric-a-brac shop heading eastbound would increase the likelihood of drivers speeding down the inside lane and then trying to cut across to the two lanes for heading over Kew Bridge, which inevitably leads to drivers heading from Brentford towards Chiswick Roundabout being blocked from progressing.

Adam Beamish ● 4551d

The fault lies on the Richmond side of the river and on the bridge itself.  This has been raised with TfL as part of the cycle superhighway design process.  Traffic queues back and obstructs the Kew Bridge junction.Reducing the hours of the bus lane takes away a safe route for cyclists.

Chris Calvi-Freeman ● 4551d