Acton Lane Could Remain Closed Northbound Until End of Month
Sewer connection required after electrical utility work complete
Traffic can still travel southbound on Acton Lane
The closure of Acton Lane near the junction with Chiswick High Road is now set to continue until the end of the month according to Hounslow Council.
Originally, we reported that the work by Scottish and Southern Energy (SSEN) to install a new connection to the side of 440 Chiswick High Road would be complete by Wednesday 24 August.
However, the council has now clarified that the work to provide a sewer connection to new buildings in Essex Place will mean further closures are set to continue until Wednesday 31 August.
The Traffic Order issued by Hounslow Council allows for the closures to be extended up to six months to allow for remedial works or delays but, it is understood, that no further extension of the work will be needed.
Acton Lane has been closed northbound just outside the Old Packhorse pub. This means that eastbound traffic couldn't turn left into Acton Lane from Chiswick High Road and westbound traffic couldn't turn right. It is understood that the restrictions may be removed temporarily as the electrical works ends before the installation of sewerage begins.
Vehicles are being diverted via Chiswick High Road, Turnham Green Terrace, South Parade and Acton Lane. Since the closure, the already heavy congestion on the High Road due to roadworks on the A4 has become more severe. Over the Bank Holiday weekend more bus strikes are now planned.
Acton Lane blocked off to traffic northbound
Thames Water is working on Gunnersbury Lane during the Acton Lane works which will require multi-way signals to operate meaning an alternate route may be more congested than usual which means an alternative route to the area is also congested. This work is expected to be completed on 28 August.
The trench dug on Acton Lane. Picture: Mike Abbott
Cllr Jo Biddolph who represents Chiswick Gunnersbury ward said, "I went to Acton Lane to see two things: the effect of the closure and whether it was closed in both directions - the latter a mystery until the closure was in place as signage is so poorly worded. While there, seeing that no vehicle was able to move on to Chiswick High Road on a green light because of the surrounding gridlock, I rang Cllr Guy Lambert, cabinet member for roads. His first response was to say everywhere was gridlocked. Then it was to say it was Cllr Katherine Dunne’s responsibility (she’s transport, rather than roads). But, I explained, Acton Lane is roadworks and Hounslow Highways has been Tweeting about the closure - both are his responsibility. He was nearby on his bike and said he would come round and we met on the corner of Acton Lane and Chiswick High Road. After seeing the effect - and absolutely no work being done, just a cordoned off section around the rubble and trench that had been dug earlier - he agreed to talk to the lead officer.
"Of course I asked if Fishers Lane could be reopened. No. No hesitation. No thought. Just No."
She added that there appeared to have been a total lack of co-ordination between the various authorities over the scheduling of these works and events that were taking place at the same time.
She concluded, " Of course emergencies must take precedence but there is no evidence that these works are emergency works. Could it have been done before the A4 closed or not during a public transport strike? Were any requests made for traffic management on the ground directing vehicles, asking for lights to be re-phased? "
There have been calls from residents of Acton Lane, South Parade and Fishers Lane for the restrictions on the Fishers Lane underpass to be lifted temporarily to allow residents of North Chiswick easier access to their homes.
Ealing Council has not responded to a request for comment on its policy on this matter.
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August 28, 2022
