Lights Installed on Deans Close Railway Bridge
Safety boost as efforts of the Grove Park Group finally rewarded
The lights on the Deans Close bridge were installed this week
The efforts of a local residents’ group have finally born fruit with the installation of lighting on a footbridge over a railway line in Grove Park.
This Friday (25 September) the lights were switched on at the bridge that links Deans Close and Ernest Gardens.
The crossing had been regarded as an intimidating route to use at night by many residents and in October 2015 residents of the Grove Park Group, local councillors and Ruth Cadbury MP held a site meeting to discuss how safety could be improved.
The Grove Park Group (GPG) kept the issue alive and recently secured the public commitment of council leader Steve Curran that the lights would be installed.
Nearly five years after the site meeting the project was included in the South Chiswick Liveable Neighbourhood scheme and the funding was found for implementation.
Andy Murray, acting chair of the GPG said, “Many thanks to Steve Curran, Leader of Hounslow Council and Mark Frost of Hounslow’s Transport, Parking & Environmental Strategy Department for the installation of these lights, but also to Chiswick Riverside Ward Councillor Sam Hearn, who helped organise the first meeting and worked alongside the Grove Park Group in keeping this issue alive. These pedestrian bridges are a knotty problem, because the land on either side of the railway line, and probably the bridge too, is owned by Network Rail, so a certain amount of negotiation and civil engineering has to take place. I am glad to be able to say that this bridge will be a safer place to cross as the evenings become darker.”
The group is considering exploring getting additional lighting on the other side of the bridge.
Mr Murray is currently acting chair of the group because the previous incumbent Jonathan Knight has moved away from Chiswick, and therefore resigned as chair of the Grove Park Group. As Vice Chair, Mr Murray has taken on the role temporarily until the group’s forthcoming AGM.
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September 27, 2020