Forum Topic

Pointless surveys - we need consultation

All these pointless surveys popping up like bollards. They tell us very little, an abstract choice of simply asking people if they want a lower traffic neighbourhood, will likely as not generate a predictable answer. All we know there, is that people prefer less traffic to more. As a concept, LTNs seem great. It’s when we get to the specifics that it matters. Done badly, this can mean blocked roads, displaced traffic, congestion making queues, longer journeys on bus and in a car, taxis unable to take patients to hospital appointments, ambulances and fire engines stuck in traffic, white elephant cycle lanes.It doesn’t have to be like that. I’m sure some LTNs could work well, if properly planned in partnership with the community. That’s why a full consultation is needed. And it’s why the case studies across Europe and beyond say that consultation is essential if you’re going to create one that works in a balanced and agreed way for all road users.

Russell Pearson ● 2199d8 Comments

Russell Eloquently stated and you are absolutely correct, but will LBH and the dedicated cycling fraternity agree ? I fear not.Do we need to get a pressure group or similar together in order to provide accuracy, balance and the views of those LTN's they affect.Also I must stress that apparently on 5th October the Fire Brigade from Chiswick were on a 'shout' to Staveley Road and had NOT been advised about the huge red and white barrier across Staveley Road at the Park Road junction. Therefore, accurate and open communication is essential with the Emergency Services, this resonates with LB Ealing's lack of communication with the London Ambulance Service.

Loraine Pemberton ● 2199d

Plenty of evidence that small pressure groups are pumping up these surveys to advance their lobbying. The YouGov one was from Greenpeace for example, which was then quickly taken up in the Guardian by Peter Walker, author of ‘Bike Nation - how cycling can save the world’. As 2 local active lobbyists exclaimed about his work:“Peter Walker has written the book I wanted to write. It should be compulsory reading for anyone in a decision making role. This might seem a sweeping statement but when you see the diverse and positive impact more cycling could have on our lives - cyclist or not - you’ll understand., Chris BoardmanStacked with stats and filled with stories, this book is as exhilarating as a clear stretch of highway. If we are at a turning point for cycling in big cities, this book is it., Jeremy Vine”

Russell Pearson ● 2199d

https://chiswicktowncentre.commonplace.is Make sure you have your say here, maybe LBH willignore it but they’ve instigated the survey themselves.At present although asking for views on the future of Chiswick as a whole, over 62% of responses have asked specifically that TGT and Fishers Lane be reopened to all traffic...

Mark Perry ● 2199d

I don't understand why the Ambulance Service and Fire Brigade don't have a bigger say in these matters.  Don't they carry enough weight to do something?

Maggie Dodge ● 2199d

Feel very sorry for the elderly, disabled, carers etc., and the business issues,  A few small changes could help but if they refuse to accept there are problems ........Always think surveys are pointless and never give an honest view of thingsIt became obvious when having them before elections.

Janice Evans ● 2199d

MaggieIf I were a cynic, which of course I'm not, I'd suggest that the Emergency Services weren not consulted because they would have probably pointed out the obvious poor planning regarding timing, ingress and egress issues regarding Grove Park, oops South Chiswick, which would have delayed LB Hounslow's implementation of the LTN. As I understand it, although I maybe incorrect, LB Hounslow were under strict time deadlines to implement these schemes in order to qualify for the Government Grants. Thus their unseemly and and democratic haste.

Loraine Pemberton ● 2199d

Russell is 100% right. Who knows a neighbourhood better than the people who live in it? Why on earth councils can't work WITH people rather than impose something totally unsuited on them just for the sake of it is a mystery.Traffic engineers work from maps - they don't go around and cycle the areas they are planning to blight with these schemes for themselves, and in my experience they generally inhabit some parallel universe anyway. So much more could be achieved with much less angst if proper communciation with the various groups was a paramount consideration before imposing this folly on the borough.

Vanessa Smith ● 2199d

" just for the sake of it is a mystery."Money, money, money?

Steve Taylor ● 2199d