That Was The Year That Was..
Cycle superhighway causes heated debate and local police front counter closed
There were over 2 million visits made to the ChiswickW4.com web site during a year which brought major changes for the area, from the proposal to run a cycle super highway through the High Road, to the closure of Chiswick Police Station.
One of the biggest issues for residents in 2016 was the CS9, which was the subject of heated debate ranging from pedestrian safety, to loss of trees, air pollution, and whether it would benefit or lead to a reduction in business for shops and cafes. There was widespread publicity given to the campaign of Our Lady of Grace and St Edward when the congregation objected to having the pavement outside the church door, a gathering point, reduced in size to accommodate the cycle lane.
The closure of the Chiswick Police Station was an important local story with fears from both residents and businesses that it could lead to an increase in crime. There was anti-social behaviour on Chiswick Back Common, leading to the removal of the memorial seat to Izzy Reilly. There were several 'moped' crimes reported and the area remained a hotspot from theft from motor vehicles.
Concerns by locals over the future of the Chiswick Postal Sorting and Collection Office being relocated to Bollo Lane, were also raised. A local post office in the NISA store Burlington Lane is also closing when the store becomes a Co Op.
Carvosso's restaurant and wine bar closed amid reports of it becoming a gastropub, and there were rumours of financial difficulties for the Foxlow and Byron Burger chains who both have local branches. Italian restaurant Valentina closed, citing the lack of progress with the Lend Lease residential scheme as a factor in lost business. That development stalled with unconfirmed reports that the developer might be in talks with Sainsbury's about a joint project which would incorporate the large car-park used by shoppers.
Bedford Park's Melody cafe, which was ordered to remove its controversial gazebo, closed in November. Smokehouse, which had taken over The Hole in the Wall, had also closed by the end of the year. Clifton Newsagents, well known for selling papers from overseas, closed, as did the Chiswick Bookshop. The Cabin closed and the premises became part of the Honest Burger chain, while Nova restaurant closed and George's Diner opened on the site. Chiswick also gained a number of sushi cafes and takeaways
The Picturehouse cinema story rumbled on with no satisfactory outcome. The Third Runway and the 32 storey Chiswick Curve were also of interest to local groups, the latter which was refused planning permission is expected to be the subject of an appeal by the developers.
There was progress in the long delayed Chiswick Park Footbridge which is now heading into its third phase of development, amid hopes this will ease congestion at Gunnersbury tube station. Plans for upgrading of the leisure area Dukes Meadows, including the building of a pedestrian bridge across the river, were announced. The Chiswick Timeline mural under the railway arches in Turnham Green Terrace, is expected to be unveiled in early 2018.
Chiswick also lost one of its most notable residents, with the passing of Cardinal Murphy O'Connor.
Here are some reminders of the stories that made local news in 2017.
January
Chiswick
School Head Steps Down Suddenly
Tony Ryan decides to leave for 'professional and personal reasons'
'Boutique'
Developer Fruition Properties Acquires Pissarro Site
A new bid to turn the former riverside restaurant site into flats
Ant
and Dec Get Their OBEs
Chiswick-based TV presenters receive honours from Prince Charles
February
Storm
Doris Brings Destruction To Chiswick
Some of the strongest gusts recorded in London led to several
trees blown down
London
Irish Gain Permission to Play at New Brentford Stadium
Rugby club plan to play fixtures there from 2019
Chiswick's
MPs Refuse to Back 'Hardest of Hard Brexits'
Ruth Cadbury and Rupa Huq defy party whip on Article 50 vote
March
Investors
Being Sought To Redevelop Sainsbury's Site
Hounslow Council to market the site at Cannes property conference
Work
Begins On New Brentford Community Stadium
Clearance has started at the site on Lionel Road in preparation for building
Chiswick's
MPs Were Caught Up In Westminster 'Lockdown'
Ruth Cadbury and Rupa Huq say their thoughts are with the families of
the victims
April
Suspected
Unexploded WW2 Bomb Found Near Boat Race Route
Decision to be made on possible cancellation a few hours before start
Jeremy
Vine 'Road Rage' Driver Jailed
Shanique Pearson's appeal fails and she was already serving a suspended
sentence
Police
Clamp Down After Youths Run Amok Near Chiswick High Road
Eight arrests in past week after disruptive behaviour by gangs of teens
May
Theresa
May Visits the Local Constituency
Support for local Conservative candidate Mary Macleod
Chiswick Property's
'Long Winter' Predicted to End
New instructions reach record low as political uncertainty weighs on market
Colin Firth
Reported to Be Applying for Italian Citizenship
Chiswick based actor reported to want same passport as wife and children
June
Chiswick
Plays Key Role In Huge Election Victory For Local MPs
Frustration over Brexit and social care led to switch in political loyalty
Plans Revealed
for Redevelopment of B&Q Site
Huge mixed use scheme proposed near Chiswick Roundabout
Huge Response
By Chiswick Residents To Call For Donations To Grenfell Fire Victims
Local van hire company 'overwhelmed ' by generosity after issuing appeal
July
Baby
Delivered Outside Chiswick Police Station
Bobby arrives unexpectedly in car park on High Road
Chiswick
Oktoberfest Beer Festival Cancelled
Residents pleased that next month's event on Acton Green is called off
Man
'Covered in Blood' Attacks Six People on Chiswick Back Common
Four taken to hospital including two police officers
August
Conservatives
Look To Brentford For Chiswick Councillors
Turnham Green ward finalises local election choices
From A Child Singer
In Chiswick To The World Famous Wigmore Hall
Singing sensation Milly Forrest recalls how her career started at the
Bedford Park Festival
Chiswick Agents
Propose Radical Solutions For Stalled Property Market
With less than a home a day selling in W4 they believe fundamental
change needed
ChiswickW4.com Newsletter
Readership Reaches New Milestone
Now 19,000 subscribers to the weekly email news update for W4
September
Carvosso
Site 'Set To Be Part of New Gastropub Group'
Former Soho House Chef Director believed to be involved with acquiring
company
Pope Praises
Cardinal Cormac's 'Distinguished Service'
Cardinal wrote special blessing to his Chiswick parishioners the day before
he died
The
Chiswick Bookshop To Close
The doors will shut on Turnham Green Terrace on Wednesday after less than
a year in business
October
Local
Catholic Church Fights Back Over Cycle Super Highway
Pavement outside main entrance to Our Lady of Grace would be reduced
for cycle lane
Valentina
Fine Foods Italian Restaurant Has Closed
Location in a 'no man's land' part of Chiswick High Road partly to
blame
Double
Blow To Chiswick Post Offices
Royal Mail To Relocate Enquiries office and Grove Park to lose a sub
post office
November
New
Plan for Chiswick's Parliamentary Constituency
Boundary Commission now proposing Isleworth, Brentford and Chiswick seat
Rupa
Huq Reveals That She Was Sexually Harassed By An MEP
MP speaks out about unwanted attention from politician with 'wandering
hands'
Redefining
Chiswick High 'Road' As A High 'Street' Could Change CS9
Tony Arbour tells Mayor that TfL cycle plan will 'kill the beating
heart' of W4
December
Memorial
Bench To Chiswick Teenager Finds New Home On Acton Green
The bench had been removed following disruptive behaviour by teenagers
Front
Counter Has Closed At Chiswick Police Station
Residents and business owners fear that it will lead to increase in crime
Application
Made to Build Barnes Bridge Promenade
Walkway would allow the Thames Path to remain by river by Dukes Meadows
December 29, 2017