Local Politicians Question Chiswick Park Footbridge Delay

Say it needs to be built to take pressure off Gunnersbury Station

Local councillors have failed to pursuade LBH to allocate £250,000 for the construction and maintenance of a long-awaited footbridge linking the Chiswick Business Park with Chiswick Park Underground Station. Local MP Mary Macleod and Labour's Ruth Cadbury also want to see action taken on the bridge.

They say the footbridge would take pressure off the use of Gunnersbury Tube station as it would give commuters from the business park the option to easily access Chiswick Park tube.

During the Hounslow Council meeting to debate the Budget, an amendment was proposed by Cllr Peter Thompson and seconded by Cllr Todd to get funding for the bridge. The amendment was not carried. It is understood that talks are still in progress on the matter with Hounslow, Ealing Council and the developer. A spokesperson for Chiswick Park said; "Blackstone is currently in discussion with Hounslow Council regarding the footbridge."

In 2012 Blackstone submitted a new application for the footbridge bridge to Ealing Council as part of its application for the Colonial Drive development on Bollo Lane. Permission had already been granted in 2007 but the revised application was for a more sustainable and efficient design, given advancements in engineering and building technology.

The delay in building the footbridge has been criticised by local MP Mary Macleod and Labour parliamentary election candidate Ruth Cadbury.

Mary Macleod is currently leading a group of interested parties including TfL, London Underground and representatives from local community groups to improve both Gunnersbury Tube facilities and the adjacent Chiswick High road traffic light crossing.

Ruth Cadbury said recently that she had raised the matter with the LBH Planning Dept and had been assured that both the leader of Ealing Council and LBH fully supported the building of the footbridge and officers had written to the developer reiterating their position.

Hounslow Council have allocated £600,000 to help improve pedestrian movement and safety at Gunnersbury Tube Station. The increasing footfall is considered to be a safety concern.

February 27, 2015