Council Agree to Scrap Harvard Road Kerb Buildout
Petition gathered after consultation responses initially ignored
The proposed location of the buildout on Harvard Road
March 8, 2025
A group of residents in the vicinity of Harvard Road is celebrating after being informed that the council is scrapping proposals for a kerb build out.
73 of them had signed a petition against the plan for changes at the junction with Grosvenor Road.
Hounslow Council consulted on the measure towards the end of last year. The intention was to reduce the distance required to cross the road to improve pedestrian accessibility.
This was to be achieved by narrowing the road from the east side of the junction and the intention was also to add some green planting space at the location. The measure requires the removal of two parking bays.
There were only 15 responses to the consultation with 11 of those expressing opposition to the plan. Despite the council acknowledging that the consultation “had very low response”, it initially decided to proceed with the changes.
As a result, residents started a petition opposing what the council is described as the Harvard Road Improvements scheme. Opponents disputed this term saying that the existing layout is already functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing. Some claim that the changes could increase hazard at the junction.
“The Harvard Road junction has had a clean and predictable layout for the past two decades, offering good visibility for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers,” said a local resident. “It features a sweeping curve, present for at least 180 years, that adds to the area's visual appeal. There have been no major safety concerns, and even local driving schools frequently use it for learner drivers.”
The campaign against the changes received support from Cllr Joanna Biddolph who represents Gunnersbury ward. She has asked council officers to withdraw it saying that the money could be used instead to carry out the council’s proposal to remove the bus gate on Chiswick High Road near Acton Lane.
She said, “If the council were to do this outstanding work, business owners and residents would applaud the council rather than criticise it for yet another undemocratically imposed scheme. The Harvard Road buildout is fixing a problem that does not exist while a known problem remains in place on Chiswick High Road that could easily be fixed”.
This week the council said, "We’ve agreed to cancel this scheme for the foreseeable future. We will revisit the area with a fuller consultation and engagement with local residents of the area, with Ward Councillors and perhaps with various updated design options, but this won’t occur until mid-late 2026 at the earliest, if at all."
Many residents remarked on how good it was that their voice had been heard. One said, "Its heartening that coming together to put forward a local point of view can make a difference" with another adding it was the "best present on my birthday."
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