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CHISWICK TO HOST CAR FREE DAY Leader of Hounslow Conservatives blasts plans to close Chiswick High Road. The 22nd of September is In Town, Without My Car! (This is the new name for Car Free Day.) Every year, town centre streets are to be closed to cars and lorries, and to be opened up for people to enjoy walking, cycling, street theatre, live music, dancing, public art and children's play areas.
Last year's event saw over 1,000 towns and cities participating throughout Europe and beyond, including ten major British towns and cities, ten London boroughs, and the Greater London Authority's flagship event at Tower Bridge. The event now enjoys UK Government support and you can find out all about it at http://www.local-transport.dft.gov.uk/eurocar/index.htm. One 27th June Hounslow Council’s ruling Executive voted to support the event and close one road in the Borough. Several possible roads were offered that could be closed: Chiswick High Road, Devonshire Road, Brentford High Street, Hounslow High Street and Feltham High Street. The report that they considered is clear that the Chiswick High Road option was the professionals preferred choice. Closing 180 metres of the High Road between Townhall Avenue and Heathfield Terrace “would gain a high level of public exposure without unreasonably affecting traffic flows or bus routes.” (page 34) The Executive accordingly voted to close this section of Chiswick High Road on 22nd of September 2002. Further information on Hounslow’s plans see: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/itwmc-uk/files/regforms/hounslow.htm http://groups.yahoo.com/group/itwmc-uk/files/plans.htm#hounslow The cost of this event is £15,000. In my opinion this token gesture will do absolutely nothing to solve the transport problems that we all face daily. It strikes me as a cheek for Labour Councillors – none of whom represent wards anywhere near Chiswick – to push this on us without any consultation whatsoever. Chiswick High Road is congested every day of the week – even, or should I say especially, on Sunday’s. We suffer some of the worst air quality in London as a result. I have a confession to make. I am a motorist who sometimes has to use my car! I don't want to walk several miles laden with a week's shopping. I’m not out to wreck the planet. I do care about the environment but I often have no choice. We need real alternatives to car travel. Will this expensive PR stunt actually achieve anything? Cllr
Peter Thompson Reaction on forum to Chiswick Car Free Day
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