Forum Topic

Fines re driving restrictions

Has anybody been fined yet for driving up or down Turnham Green Ter and the Fishers Lane Underpass?

c james ● 2274d56 Comments

I haven't, but a lot of people have.Both roads are closed to Trough traffic

Bernard Allen ● 2274d

Went through twice at the weekend - once on foot, once by bike. Traffic seemed to be going through as normal. There was no visible enforcement. Same on TGT. If there is going to be patchy enforcement of these restrictions they will operate like 'poor gates' with relatively well off residents continuing to use them as  an occasional fine would be worth the travel time they would save whereas anyone for whom £65 is a considerable dent in their disposable income will be reluctant to take the chance.

Mark Evans ● 2274d

That 'lot of people'. Friends of your brother-in-laws first cousin who met a bloke who knew someone who had been fined... ...or do you have evidence rather than hearsay?

Ken Munn ● 2274d

Ken, Shut it

Bernard Allen ● 2274d

Why the snark against Bernard, Ken? If I recall correctly he had said earlier he had spoken to the enforcement officer at the site - what he said was not hearsay. Isn't it a good thing if the restriction is being enforced? If it isn't we have ended up with a closure which only applies to the law abiding.

Andrew OSullivan ● 2274d

There has been no enforcement that I am aware of at Fishers Lane-but I believe that is to change. Despite various comments about 'lots of people' getting fines, I can not recall anyone confirming they have had a fine on chiswickw4 or Nextdoor? It would be genuinely of interest to know if people have had fines for using TGT.

Andrew Steed ● 2274d

Andrew, I'd reply, but have been told to shut it!I presume Bernard didn't mean shut Fisher's Lane or TGT.

Ken Munn ● 2273d

Would a fine Northbound be enforceable while there is still a signpost in advance of the junction saying to turn left to go to Acton?  Shouldn't that be covered up?It's a couple of weeks since I was at that end of the High Road so it may have been covered now.

Al Webber ● 2273d

If they are fining motorists on TGT then we are all due a council charge rebate.The number of vehicles illegally using the road is quite considerable. I have pointed out the error of their ways to motorists waiting at the lights and they are genuinely shocked they have made a mistake.

Will Watson ● 2273d

I bet you have...many cyclists with no insurance tax or identification do seem to come with big mouths.

Mick Collins ● 2273d

You forgot to make a "witty" remark about lycra.For the record. I have 3rd party insurance when riding my bike. VED is zero on vehicles that emit no CO2 like Teslas and bicycles. I pay VED on my car which stays at home when I use my bike for journeys which do not require me to carry bulky items.This reduces traffic for those who have no such alternative.

Will Watson ● 2273d

Apologies for that Mr Cyclist really.I had just got home and nowhere to park so shifted a cycle with a front box off the kerb it was taking up a space it costs me £170 a year for a CPZ permit and I was not parking in another road a row ensued and we will see if my car gets done..as I say I am sorry.

Mick Collins ● 2273d

Dear Al.Do you mean the sign outside the Crown pub?The Acton B491 (left) sign was covered up a few weeks ago.

Hans Lund-Sorensen ● 2273d

I walked up TGT this weekend, and saw a police entering followed by at least 10 cars. Clearly this closure in not not working or just being ignored?

Hans Lund-Sorensen ● 2273d

Its just a case of people knowing of the past and taking no notice of signage. Or its just not very clear to people. Just put a sign saying NO car entry if its an issue,otherwise crack on until people do get fines in the future

Julian Pavey ● 2273d

If it was a car with a disabled badge it might have been able to park there without paying or getting ticketed. Do you think they shouldn’t be parked there either? They won’t have paid to park in the CPZ.

Andrew Jones ● 2273d

Driving back from Southampton the other day my SatNav routed me up TGT. Fortunately I am aware of the restrictions but I doubt many people scrutinise the signs wherever their SatNav guides them.

Will Watson ● 2273d

We now have a Disabled Cyclist Lobbyist on theforum

Mick Collins ● 2273d

I would say around 70% of cars are not using TGT now,even under lock down conditions. But id say its very much less with vans

Julian Pavey ● 2273d

For the non-local, If youre travelling west along the high road, when you get to the terrace there's a 'no left' sign on the lights, so it looks as though it's ok to turn right into the terrace. It's only as you turn in that youre hit with the surprise 'no entry' By then it's too late. They have to install a 'straight on only' sign at the lights.

Stephen Gould ● 2273d

Your CPZ permit allows you to park in the CPZ but it doesn’t guarantee you a place to park within the CPZ. That’s what I’ve always been told.

Andrew Jones ● 2273d

£170 a year? Should have gone to Specsavers.

Carl Wynne ● 2273d

Your right there wrong move, instead I went to Ealing Council what a bunch of shysters.

Mick Collins ● 2273d

As my brother allways said Those who work for the council are a bit thick and would struggle to get into a large corp under the same foot print. LOL That will upset a few no doubt

Julian Pavey ● 2273d

Agree on that sadly I went to Ealing Council

Mick Collins ● 2273d

As my brother always says, some people will hide their provocative posts pretending that their brother said them first. Do you agree with your brother?

Stewart Jones ● 2273d

It only needs a few bits of paint on the road to give the TGT scheme some chance of working.  At the north end, remove the redundant mini-roundabout, paint big arrows showing the new way to go in and out of Bath Road, paint a big ACCESS ONLY on the road. At the south end, paint big arrows showing straight on only along CHR, and paint a big ACCESS ONLY on the road.  The existing signs clearly aren't being 'seen' by drivers and enforcing it by cameras and fines doesn't make the scheme work on the ground or provide the level of safety for pedestrians and cyclists that the signage promises.

Peter Evans ● 2273d

Dont be nosey

Julian Pavey ● 2273d

Well, what’s your view then?

Stewart Jones ● 2273d

Of course it's only temporary....

Bruce Hammal ● 2273d

Correct Oh by the way very quickly...I dont talk of your hard working people at the council but those at the top who make desisions that effect us all.

Julian Pavey ● 2273d

You could call in Extinction Rebellion - I bet they could sort that out for you!

Philippa Bond ● 2273d

Drove through TGT on two occasions the first weekend the cameras were "ment" to be live, having just got back from my three week mini break at my other home in Rock Cornwall expected to find two fines on my doormat.....but nothing......yet!

Beverly Roberts ● 2273d

It wasn't covered last time I was at that end of the High Road (after the restriction had gone in).

Al Webber ● 2273d

Thank you for the clarification. I’m sure the thousands of council workers you blithely insulted will be pleased.

Stewart Jones ● 2273d

The sign was fixed a few days ago.

Richard Jennings ● 2273d

Why drive down TGT on two occasions when the signs say not to?

Peter Evans ● 2273d

'Why drive down TGT on two occasions when the signs say not to?'In most cases it is probably because the signs haven't been noticed but people with second homes may be inclined to think that as enforcement is patchy/non-existent, it is worth the risk.

Francis Rowe ● 2273d

Would people who turned left there before it was fixed have a case to get a fine overturned?

Al Webber ● 2273d

Does anyone know if Black Cabs and or Ubers are exempt from the restrictions?

Mark Evans ● 2273d

They are not. Nevertheless it is great news for them because it means longer journeys and a meter running while they are sitting in traffic.

David Parker ● 2272d

Ubers are fixed price agreed in advance as are mini cabs. However it will be interesting to see if those fixed prices for journeys in and around Chiswick will start to get adjusted upwards to cover new extended journey times.If there are any of course.....

Bruce Hammal ● 2272d

There was an earlier comment about Sat Nav directions taking drivers down Turnham Green Terrace. By way of experiment I just asked for the route from the Town Hall to Turnham Green Station on the AA route planner website and it does indeed send you down the Terrace:https://www.theaa.com/route-planner/route?from=Chiswick%20Town%20Hall,%20Heathfield%20Terrace,%20London,%20UK&to=Turnham%20Green%20Station,%20Turnham%20Green%20Terrace,%20London,%20UK

Paul Scullion ● 2272d

Google maps still takes me down the terrace when I enter capital motors as my destination.

David Turner ● 2272d

According to the signs, taxis can use TGT but presumably not minicabs.As for SatNavs, do drivers now so slavishly follow what these devices tell them that they no longer take any notice of road signs?  Not sure 'my SatNav made me' is a valid defence.

Peter Evans ● 2272d

TGT quite busy with cars, including two police cars, today. I saw one Chelsea Tractor (more of a boat, actually) head north out of the Terrace, go right round the mini roundabout and head back down in a southerly direction. If on camera, is that two fines?

Mark Gormley ● 2272d

"Would people who turned left there before it was fixed have a case to get a fine overturned?"Rather a weak case, because there's a no-left-turn sign before the junction, the right-hand no-motor-vehicles sign at the entrance to TGT is visible from the approach to the lights, and there's also a black-on-yellow sign saying "TURNHAM GREEN TERRACE / NO THROUGH ROUTE / ACCESS ONLY" at the Windmill Road junction.  But the presence of the Acton B491 sign was misleading and is worth mentioning in mitigation.

Richard Jennings ● 2272d

A Satnav is only as good as its last update. Especially if a unit is a few years old new map data might not be available that quickly. My Honda Satnav can only be updated when the mapping company releases a new disc and I choose to buy it. In fact I don't even know when the last update was or indeed for how long any  particular system is supported. Modern internet based systems should be much more accurate though.

Bruce Hammal ● 2272d

Thankfully I use Apple Carplay in mine which provides latest online mapping without disc updates. Sadly that still shows TGT as the best way to drive to the station from the south. I wonder how councils update the major navigation providers with changes in road rules?

Paul Scullion ● 2272d

I wonder that too. A friend of mine recently retired from a company called one.network which provides live mapping of the road closures etc. being carried out by councils and utilities companies so there is obviously some sort of central reference point. Older Satnav systems though can't possibly keep up and there must be an awful lot of them in daily use leading the trusting and unwary astray.

Bruce Hammal ● 2272d

I am not supportive of this TMO. FYI provides exemption to emergency services and other groups including vehicles being used by special forces.

James Hansfield ● 2272d

The order says that vehicles 'requiring access' are exempt. Whether that includes taxis is unclear but you would hope special forces would be allowed. If there was a hostage situation on Turnham Green Terrace, Hounslow Council would probably issue a PCN to the SWAT team, but they would be let off by the adjudicator.

Mark Evans ● 2272d

Ha ha!

Andrew Jones ● 2272d

"I wonder how councils update the major navigation providers with changes in road rules?" The sad truth is that councils are under no obligation to advise SATNAV companies of changes and in addition have no special access (other than those available to the general public) to SATNAV companies. I am told that when council officers do advise SATNAV companies they are often ignored - not even receiving an acknowledgement.A clear case for a change in the law. But the more you think about it the more complicated it becomes - however surely not beyond the wit of man (or woman).

Cllr Sam Hearn ● 2272d

'I am told that when council officers do advise SATNAV companies they are often ignored - not even receiving an acknowledgement.'Perhaps when this happens the Council could put the information in the public domain?

Felicity Caborn ● 2272d

I am now on waze it knows so bath road to top hat devonshire rd....it goes fwd bath rd south parade acton lane left chiswick high rd right duke rd left and righ devonshire. 2.5km to see this nonsense actually on the map is depressing.Carbon foorprint anyone?

Mick Collins ● 2272d