Residents Want Action on Duke Road Pavement Narrowing

Say tree roots are making them impassable for those with mobility issues

Pavement narrowed by a tree root on Duke Road. Picture: Bhavesh Gohil

September 13, 2025

Residents of Duke Road are calling for action over the escalating problem of pavement narrowing on their street.

They are raising concerns over pedestrian safety and accessibility, citing overgrown street trees that have significantly restricted the width in several locations. In some areas, the usable footway is reportedly reduced to less than a metre, making it difficult for wheelchair users, parents with prams, and those with mobility challenges to pass safely.

Local resident Bhavesh Gohil has written to the council to highlight the issue, stating that the current conditions are forcing pedestrians into the road, which sees a significant amount of traffic, posing a risk to public safety.

“This is not just a matter of inconvenience,” Dr Gohil wrote. “It is about basic accessibility and public safety.”

He confirmed that Hounslow Highways and the Council have acknowledged the problem and conducted site visits and measurements. However, he expressed frustration that the findings have not been shared with residents. He is calling for the release of the investigation’s conclusions, a timeline for permanent solutions, and interim safety measures to be implemented without delay. It is understood that no final report has been made on the issue and any findings are in the form of an internal draft to guide future work.

Under the Highways Act 1980 and the Equality Act 2010, local authorities are required to maintain pavements that are safe and accessible to all users, including disabled residents and families with young children.

In response, Councillor Shivraj Grewal, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Recycling and Transformation, said, “The Council and its contractors remain in regular dialogue with residents and are working to address concerns raised about the number of mature trees on the road and their impact on the footway. However, requests to remove these large, old trees are considered carefully within our Tree Management Policy, Climate Emergency Action Plan, Nature Recovery Action Plan and Biodiversity Strategy.”

He added that the Council will continue to work with residents and service providers to manage the trees and highway safely, in line with industry standards and environmental commitments.