Locals May Have To Pay For Security Wall

No funding for crime 'hotspot' measure from Council

Residents in a crime hotspot in Chiswick have been refused Council funding to build a security wall.

Airedale Avenue South locals signed a petition earlier this year calling for a high wall be built to deter thieves. They said they had been victims of car crime and attempted burglaries with increasing frequency over the past year and their proximity to the A4 provided an easy escape route for offenders.

They asked the Council to fund a security wall which would help to prevent this by blocking access.

Airedale Avenue South is a cul-de-sac, so access to the A4 is for pedestrians only. The nearby subway provides access to the area north of the A4, such as Chiswick Homefields and East Chiswick.

Since the receipt of the petition, a serious physical assault has taken place locally with the perpetrator(s) again making their escape along the A4.

However while Hounslow Council said it was "feasible to pursue the request" they needed to identify a source of funding. The Council estimate it would cost £10,000 to build the fence, not including future maintenance.

The measure would also require a stopping up of the road (for curtailment of pedestrian access) and planning consent would also be required to erect a fence greater than 2 metres.

All stopping up requests progressed by the Council to date have been funded by the applicants, according to a report by Council officers into the matter.

The council report to be presented to Tuesday's meeting of the Chiswick Area forum will suggest a meeting with local residents/petitioners to see if they can support funding.

Officers will also investigate alternative funding sources and will report their findings to the January 2015 meeting.

November 7, 2014