Some Chiswick Streetspace Measures to Be Scrapped
Parking spaces to be restored on Turnham Green Terrace and Old Market Place
Wands have been installed to prevent parking on Turnham Green Terrace
Hounslow Council has announced that it is to scrap some of the Streetspace measures introduced in Chiswick last year as part of the response to the Covid-19 outbreak.
The reopening of Turnham Green Terrace is to be made permanent and the use of some parking bays to widen the footpath will end. Loading and disabled bays will be retained as trial measures subject to further review.
The trial outside the George IV pub on Old Market Place in which the footway has been widened at the expense of some parking bays will also end.
The trial at Devonshire Road, where access for motor vehicles has been restricted and parking bays replaced with planters, will be determined in the next 6 weeks. The council says this will follow further local engagement to assess whether they should be removed or whether there is support for a ‘community-led plan’. A survey recently published by the Chiswick Shops Task Force, a group of opposition Conservative councillors, showed majority opposition among businesses on Devonshire Road and Prince of Wales Terrace to the access restrictions although there was support for more limited seasonal restrictions to allow more outdoor dining.
Simon Johnson who owns Marmalade Jewellery on Turnham Green Terrace said, "We are delighted that finally someone has seen sense. The ill-conceived plan was poorly thought out and executed terribly badly with no thought given to residents with mobility issues or busines needs. I just hope this extends to Devonshire Road as soon as possible so they can resume normal business."
The changes are a result of the Interim Review by the Council of the first phase of its Streetspace trials. The Council commissioned independent reviews of the schemes trials last October to assess their impact on traffic and to analyse feedback from residents and businesses. Some 10,000 individuals have taken part in the consultation, both in writing and in a series of online engagement events organised by the Council, including events aimed specifically at businesses.
22 Streetspace trials will progress to the Final Review, which is scheduled to be completed by the end of July, taking into account fresh traffic data collected outside of the last lockdown period to help assess the impact of the measures
Hounslow’s Streetspace schemes were introduced in the borough last year at the Government’s request in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, to aid social distancing, promote cycling and walking, and reduce pollution.
The review process consists of two stages to allow the Council to make faster changes where it is clear the trials have not worked as intended. The schemes that will be made permanent will be decided at the Final Review stage following consideration of fresh traffic data.
Councillor Hanif Khan, Cabinet Member for Transport and One Hounslow, said, “We recognised that many residents feel very strongly about Hounslow’s Streetspace trials and that’s why it was important for us to listen, to show we’re listening, and to commission these independent reviews. We need to be sure that the decisions we take reflect where the schemes are working well and where changes need to be made, and that we have heard both the facts and the voices of our communities.
“The decisions we’ve announced today make clear that – as I have said throughout - we are listening and making changes based on what we’re hearing as well as what the traffic data is telling us.
“I want to thank every resident, councillor and business-owner who took part in the consultation, whether you were for or against the trial in your area, or somewhere in-between.
“By listening to residents and assessing the most accurate and up-to-date data, we are making sure our final decisions will be right for local residents and the wider borough.
“Many residents told us our online engagement meetings were particularly helpful, which is why we will begin a series of online meetings throughout the final review stage.
“We will hold these every 3 to 4 weeks, providing regular opportunities for residents to drop-in for the latest updates and raise questions as we progress towards the Final Review.”
The Streetspace review reports will be available at www.hounslow.gov.uk/streetspace-review from 12 noon on 17 May. 21
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May 17, 2021
