Locals Advised To Avoid Gunnersbury At Peak Hours

TfL considering managed queuing system at station

Chiswick residents are being advised not to travel at their local station during rush hour due to congestion being caused by an increased number of office workers.

Transport for London (TfL) has suggested to local residents in the Gunnersbury area that they should consider travelling outside the busiest hours of the morning.

The station, which has been the subject a long running local campaign for an upgrade, carries thousands of commuters to Chiswick Business Park every working day. This number is set to increase further as the next stages of the development are occupied. TfL says it is considering using a managed queuing system during the busy hours to prevent overcrowding.

The email has prompted a discussion on the the Chiswickw4.com forum as one local resident described the email as "infuriating"

The TfL email says: "I am writing to advise you that local housing and business developments have increased the number of customers travelling to and from Gunnersbury station in the morning peak. As a result, this station has become particularly busy between 08:30 and 09:00.

"We may use a managed queuing system at busy times to help prevent overcrowding. We are investing to improve the capacity of Tube and Overground services, but we know that at certain times and places the network can be very busy. If you are able to travel outside of the busiest times, you could have a more comfortable journey."

When Chiswick Business Park was build a fund of £14 million was set up with money from the developer with the original intention of building a new station on the Piccadilly line. However, TfL refused to consider this and the money has been spent on local road improvements, increased bus provision and Controlled Park Zones in the area. Some regular users of the station feel that the money would have been better spent opening up a Wellesley Road access to the station.

The Mayor Boris Johnson recently pledged support to Mary Macleod MP, who chairs the Gunnersbury Station Action Team, to fast track moves towards providing a safer station. Work is also to be carried out on a pedestrian crossing outside the station.

Another related issue is the building of a long-awaited pedestrian bridge from Bollo Lane to Chiswick Park tube station which it is hoped will ease the pressure on Gunnersbury. There were reports recently that discussions between Ealing and Hounslow Councils and Chiswick Park on the building of the bridge were close to completion.

March 28, 2015