That Was The Year That Was In Chiswick

2018 provides ample evidence of how much W4 people care for the place where they live

Green Wall Chiswick Oasis

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As ever, it was an eventful year for news in Chiswick and over 2 million visits were made to this site during 2018.

The year ended on a downbeat two stabbings heightening an already elevated level of local concern about crime and 2018 was not without controversy with subjects like parking, reductions in bus provision and cycling generating heat.

However, it was not all doom and gloom and 2018 once again provided ample evidence of the way people in the W4 area care about where they live and are prepared to take steps to make it better. The many examples of this include the Chiswick Oasis project which successfully won funding for a 'green wall' between local primary schools and the A4 and the Chiswick Timeline initiative under the Turnham Green Terrace railway bridge.

House prices dropped locally amidst Brexit uncertainty. The trial of the orange Mobike rental scheme proved unpopular with some local businesses and residents complaining about the bikes being abandoned randomly. However, the distinctive bikes being ridden around Chiswick are now a common sight.

Two unpopular decisions were from the Royal Mail, which confirmed the Chiswick Sorting and Collection office would move to Bollo Lane, and TfL's announcement on changes in bus routes, principally the termination of the 27 bus route at Hammersmith. Another matter of great local interest was the public inquiry into the 32-storey Chiswick Curve - the Inspector's report is expected in early 2019. The Mayor of London hinted that there might be rerouting of Cycle Superhighway 9 but the situation remained unclear by the end of the year.

cafe

The Empire House Lendlease development remained vacant and there was still no clarification of what will happen to the site. The Third Runway at Heathrow remains a topic of intense local interest. Chiswick still doesn't know when the Piccadilly Line might get to stop at Turnham Green but the latest news is that may not even be operating by the end of the next decade. The new owner of the Chiswick Cinema, Lyn Goleby promised it would open in 2019/2020.

The Local Elections in May 2018 saw the three Chiswick wards return all Conservative Party councillors but there were some new faces as long-standing councillors retired.

mobikes and lime bikes

Chiswick lost many local businesses and restaurants during a difficult year for traders. Sara Stationers closed, as did Grove Park Post Office - the premises will re open in spring at a Co-Operative convenience store. The new owners of the former Carvossos's site delayed opening twice and renamed the place twice. It was to be called The Harlot but now aims to open in January 2019 as The Crown.

Other closures included Foxlow's, Carluccio's, Pain Quotidien, Giusi, Shafran, Sainsbury's Cafe, Evans and Peel Pharmacy, Jackson & Rye, Quantus, George's Diner.

New openings included Casa Dino (on Quantus site) and Avanti in Bedford Park. Patisserie Valerie survived a turbulent few weeks of trading. A new Starbucks opened when Fatface closed on Turnham Green Terrace.

The Chiswick Timeline was launched and St Mary's Primary School achieved funding for its Green Wall. Concern grew about air pollution for local schools near the A4.

chiswick high road cycle lane iage

Ant McPartlin made headlines after his arrest for drink driving and his divorce - he has since moved out of Chiswick, while his friend and co-presenter Declan Donnelly welcomed baby Isla with his wife Ali.

ant and dec

From the world of acting, local resident Fenella Fielding OBE passed away as did Roger Llewellyn (Sherlock Holmes). The death was announced of Cllr James Duffy, one of those who helped to found Chiswick Women's Aid.

January

Hounslow Council Says Cycle Superhighway Plan Needs to Be Revised
Changes necessary to make it acceptable to residents and businesses

Strand on the Green Residents Oppose Chiswick 'Beach' Plan
Proposal for motorboat club and 'fast pedalos' would be hazardous to area

The Magic Lantern Festival And Its Mysterious Aftermath
Local anger at the delay in clearing up Chiswick House grounds

chiswick timeline

February

Large Turnout For The Launch Of The Chiswick Timeline
The mural was unveiled at a street party at Turnham Green Terrace

Dukes Meadows Masterplan Gets Go Ahead
Work to start on multi-million pound regeneration next week

Local Road Retains Title of Nation's Most Congested
Peak delays on A406 from Chiswick Roundabout to Hanger Lane worst in UK

March

Call For An End To The 'Hate Campaign' Over CS9
Group opposed to design of cycle highway say they are under attack

Lend Lease Puts Empire House Site Up For Sale
Say that value could be added through a 'masterplan' with adjoining Sainsbury's site

Ant McPartlin Back in Rehab After Drink Drive Arrest
TV shows cancelled as star takes time off 'for foreseeable future'

April

Major Plans To Redevelop Chiswick Health Centre
Patients face disruption for two years as GPs relocate during rebuilding

Turnham Green To Be Labour 'Battlefield' In Local Election
As Lib Dems and Greens forge electoral pact to defeat Conservatives

Film Industry Entrepreneur Takes on Chiswick Cinema Project
Picturehouse founder Lyn Goleby submits application to revise original proposal

May

Labour Tighten Their Stranglehold on Hounslow Borough
Conservatives lose their only remaining seats outside Chiswick

TfL Refuse to Disclose Level of Local Support for CS9
Claim publishing how many were for or against scheme by area 'not in public interest'

Meghan and Harry Travel Through Chiswick on Way to Wedding
Royal couple's convoy spotted on the High Road

June

Public Inquiry Told Chiswick Curve 'Would Harm' Heritage Assets
32-storey building would be seen from Gunnersbury Park and Kew Gardens

Council Accused of Lying Over 'Slapdash' Approach to Shared Bay Policy
Zones selected on basis of officer convenience rather than available parking spaces

Chiswick-Based Longest Serving Poppy Collector Given MBE
Rosemary Powell's epic service for Royal British Legion honoured

July

Task Force Set Up To Tackle 'Crisis' Facing Independent Traders
Chiswick at risk of becoming a 'ghost town' say concerned councillors and shopkeepers

Livia Firth Drops Charges Against Alleged Stalker
Private settlement agreed between wife of film star Colin and her former lover

Local Anger Over 'Shambles' Gunnersbury Festivals
Complaints about noise, litter and crowds as events draw crowd of 40,000

August

Middle Class Cocaine Use Blamed As Crime Rises in Chiswick
Sharp rise seen in offences involving violence, robbery and burglary

Chiswick Proves to Be Oasis in Property Market Desert
W4 not seeing the evaporation of demand happening in nearby post codes

Will Smith Wields Sword at Chiswick Restaurant
Joins Idris Elba and family and tries sabrage at Le Vacherin

September

Baby Girl For Declan Donnelly And Wife Ali Astall
Chiswick-based star and his wife welcome daughter Isla

Ruth Cadbury Describes New Constituency Boundaries as 'Undemocratic'
Boundary Commission confirm borders of new Isleworth, Brentford and Chiswick seat

TfL Admit Cycle Superhighway 9 Consultation Was Flawed
Report on responses to be published soon as they work on 'evolving proposal'

October

High Court Ruling On Third Runway 'Gives New Hope'
Chiswick group CHATR heartened by decision to allow full legal challenge

Bid To Save Sainsbury's Chiswick Cafe Fails
Supermarket says changing to Argos concession is priority to give 'enhanced range to shoppers '

Ant McPartlin And Lisa Armstrong Divorce
Former Chiswick resident officially splits from wife of eleven years

November

Sainsbury's Evicts Poppy Collectors For Photo Booth
Takings fall 'massively' as stall that has been in place for a decade is removed

Report Links Chiswick-Based TV Channel and Khashoggi Murder
Guardian claims Saudi crown prince is funding Iran International TV

Double Digit Fall In Chiswick Property Prices
W4 feeling the fallout from wider economic and political problems

27 Bus Chiswick Service To End Despite Significant Opposition
Over 70% of respondents to consultation against proposal

December

Chiswick Memorial Garden For Tommy Hollis Nears Completion
Turnham Green garden will celebrate the life of the little boy who was tragically killed

Rocks Lane Centre To Take Action After Spate of Muggings
Police commit to increase presence around Chiswick Common sports facility

Chiswick Oasis Reaches Fundraising Target
'Green wall' can now be installed to improve air quality at local schools

 

December 28, 2018

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