Council Blames Thames Water for 'Not Suitable' Acton Lane Diversion


Now says no PCNs issued but new route is still to be via Goldhawk Road


Acton Lane closed northbound

Hounslow Council have blamed Thames Water for what they describe as a ‘not suitable’ diversion route in place for the closure of Acton Lane northbound.

The signs placed by Thames Water directed motorists up Turnham Green Terrace which was subject to access restrictions and camera enforcement of any breaches. The diversion route has now been amended to take Goldhawk Road and the work is expected to continue until 3 November.

The council initially said they would cancel any PCNs issued between 8.30pm on Friday and 5pm this Monday (26 October) if the owner of the vehicle appeals against the fine.

However, after we asked them why they were not automatically cancelling all fines during this time we received the following statement from Cllr Hanif Khan, Cabinet Khan, Cabinet Member for Transport at Hounslow Council, “The parking team stopped PCNs going out following notification of these emergency works by Thames Water and ceased enforcement until the diversion via Turnham Green Terrace was changed to Goldhawk Road last night. It was initially thought that some PCNs may have been issued automatically on Monday morning, but we can now confirm that no PCNs were issued.”

Acton Lane was closed to northbound traffic late on Friday evening due to water main emergency works. Traffic management plans need to be submitted to the council within two hours of commencement which Thames Water did but council staff had left for the weekend. They were not able to review the plan made by the water company until Monday. When the council got round to doing this it deemed Thames Water’s diversion route ‘not suitable’ and instructed the company to revise it.

Cllr Khan said, "We have worked with Thames Water to revise their traffic management arrangements and can report that the diversion route will now be amended to utilise Goldhawk Road which will reduce the impacts of these emergency works during the Low Traffic Neighbourhood trials.

"Thames Water is entitled to undertake emergency repairs and need to submit Traffic Management Plans for our approval within 2 hours of work commencing.

"These works commenced around 8:30pm on Friday. Traffic Management Plans were reviewed by Hounslow Highways at the first opportunity this morning.

"On review it was apparent that plans to use Turnham Green Terrace were not suitable and Thames Water were advised to amend their diversion route to Goldhawk Road.

"The diversion route will be amended from 5pm and will go live this evening (Monday 26 October). “

Diversion sign points drivers towards Turnham Green Terrace
Diversion sign pointed drivers towards Turnham Green Terrace

Cllr Khan added that council inspectors will continue to supervise to try and ensure the works are completed at the earliest opportunity and that it is hoped that as schools are on half term this will help the traffic situation.

Chiswick High Road has had serious traffic jams since last week and many local residents have called on Hounslow Council to suspend the access restriction on Turnham Green Terrace and Ealing Council to suspend theirs on Fisher’s Lane to ease congestion on the High Road.

To have your say on any of Hounslow’s trial Streetspace schemes click on this link or email the transport team on traffic@hounslow.gov.uk.

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October 27, 2020