Cycleway 9 To Stay But Changes Planned
Route to be 'tweaked' to deal with additional delays to buses
Delays to buses on Cycleway 9 causing concern to TfL
Transport for London (TfL) has indicated that it remains committed to continue with the trial operation of Cycleway 9 (C9) although some changes are planned to the way the segregated cycle route operates. A consultation is to be held into the ‘tweaks’ being proposed as well as the long term future of the scheme.
It is acknowledged that there are longer traffic queues in some parts of Chiswick and this is leading to slower bus journey times. TfL give a figure of buses being up to 1.3 minutes per km slower in May 2021 than the average in 2019.
TfL says that it has looked in detail at traffic data and listened to the people who have raised concerns about C9 and in particular those who have suggested reinstating a left turn filter lane at the junction of Chiswick High Road with Chiswick Lane.
Other changes that are being considered are the reintroduction of an eastbound bus lanes between Netheravon Road and Homefield Road as well as a westbound bus lane between Airedale Vanue and Netheravon Road.
Also more bus shelters are planned along the section of the route running through the main shopping district of Chiswick as well as more places for taxis and other vehicles to drop off passengers with the aim of reducing the impact C9 has on elderly and disabled residents.
If Hounslow Council approved the proposals, these changes will be subject to a new consultation on the scheme with local people and other stakeholders. Any changes made will be part of the experimental introduction of C9 and the effects will be monitored.
The consultation will also be used to determine what the longer term future of the scheme will be.
Temporary C9 has proven controversial with opponents but TfL and the council issued figures this week that they argue show that has significantly boosted the number of people cycling in the area and made the roads safer for cyclists as well as improving air quality. In addition the claim is made that the scheme is popular locally. This interpretation of the available data is strongly contested by those opposing the scheme including One Chiswick and councillors representing local wards who say that the new arrangement is causing congestion and pollution, does not make cycling safer and is opposed by the vast majority of local people.
In a statement campaign group OneChiswick said, "OneChiswick has been trying to engage with Hounslow Council for several months to consider proposals for safe cycleways, both within and around Chiswick. OneChiswick has consulted two sets of traffic expert witnesses in the Judicial Review process. The traffic experts are still awaiting a response from Hounslow to their questions about C9(T).
"Despite being required by the Court’s Civil Procedure Rules that is should engage with OneChiswick, Hounslow Council has so far refused to do so. Instead, it appears to have accepted the flaws in its current C9(T) scheme, acknowledged that it was installed without adequate consideration of its public sector equality duties, and is seeking to start again with another “experimental traffic order”, through which it seeks to implement largely the same flawed scheme at further taxpayer expense."
In a statement the Hounslow Cycling Campaign said, "Seeing more families and children cycling to and from Chiswick High Road shows how important segregated cycle lanes are - allowing young and old to go to school, to work, shop and exercise. We are really pleased that safety data from the Metropolitan Police show that the cycle lanes have also made it safer, reducing collisions and injuries to people cycling.
"TfL has also released the findings of independent market research of residents that shows that there is a silent majority in support of the cycle lanes in Chiswick High Road. Despite heated local debate, this backs up our view that everyone who is using the cycle lanes is a voice of support that is greater than the often noisy campaign in opposition. We urge the council to think carefully about how they get a balanced view on active travel schemes rather than focusing on people who shout the loudest."
Comments and suggestions about C9 can be made by emailing haveyoursay@tfl.gov.uk.
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July 11, 2021