Forum Topic

Taking Control of Chiswick Streets

Cllr Gerald McGregor writes:As Leader of the Opposition it is interesting to note the latest response from the London Borough of Hounslow, which has started a slow process of disengaging from the programmes and policies that have caused so much upset to residents in both the Ealng and Hounslow parts of Chiswick.On Wednesday 28th I checked on progress of the Thames Water excavations in Acton Lane. The project manager surprised me with his response of a minimum occupation of the site until the end of November. He showed me the excavation depth by reference to the steels that were being installed for a 10-15 foot excavation. None of this was known to Hounslow council at that point..I supplied the information. Subsequently the council at my urging issued new instructions and opened roads, including Turnham Green Terrace..  a victory at last for some common sense.

Gerald McGregor ● 2192d116 Comments

Thank you please ensure Hounslow council do NOT reinstate the restrictions we have been completely cut off living north of the high road.

Jayne Thorburn ● 2192d

From someone who has in the past been very critical of our local conservative Cllr’s, thank you very much.Any chance you could have a word with your lot in no 10 now!

James Smith-Jones ● 2192d

Well done Cllr, but this has to be just the start. Acton Lane is dug up every few months, this will not be a one off closure. THere are still no diversion signs until you get to the actual junction, surely there should be some advance notice.Now that we see TGT can be reopened without any issues, it needs to be made permanent. It is a key local route, and the junction of Acton Lane and the High Road is too congested to cope with the extra traffic. THe new crazy bus gate also reduces capacity even more. Its also a salient reminder to all, including the Labour councillors, to ignore the rampant disinformation from the minority cycling lobbyists.

Paul Green ● 2192d

To be fair to the council it would have been down to Thames Water to give out the information and it was reasonable of them to expect the date for completion was accurate. The problem here is an internal communications issue at the water company. Neverhtheless, well done to Cllr MacGregor for finding out this information and saving people in Chiswick from a huge amount of wasted time.

Felicity Caborn ● 2192d

A temporary stay of execution. But the traffic chaos on CHR will remain due to the ridiculous CS9 implementation.Does this mean that Ealing will suspend the Fishers Lane road block also?

Richard Potts ● 2191d

What seems clear is that companies such as Thames Water should have to liaise closely with the appropriate Council with regard to any works, as a matter of course.  Hounslow should have heard the outcry and acted sooner.

Maggie Dodge ● 2191d

Don’t forget they collected over £1M in fines from Turnham Green Terrace so the truth came out in the end it was a money grabbing exercise forget about residents the council doesn’t care about our community.

Jayne Thorburn ● 2191d

It is quite astonishing that seemingly it was an unofficial check on progress that revealed Thames Water's extended timescale for these works and Hounslow's subsequent belated decision to act. When were TW planning on informing  the council of the true situation? I thought there was an agreed process for utilities to secure a licence for repairs - at the moment the expiry date for Acton Lane is till showing as midnight on November 2nd. This emergency has turned out to be a blessing in disguise as it has revealed quite starkly just how delicately balanced the road traffic equation in Chiswick is every day. Take away one more brick and the whole edifice crashes down. We simply cannot afford to lose vital routes like TGT and (to a lesser extent) Fishers Lane to half-baked schemes like these LTNs.

Bruce Hammal ● 2191d

As at 8am this morning the diversion sign at the junction of TGT and CHR indicates straight ahead.This needs to be changed pronto otherwise most  vehicles will still carry on towards Goldhawk Road.

Adrian Irving ● 2191d

I find it astonishing that in the middle of a health pandemic that the council appear to think it is acceptable to add more misery to the local community and traders. Right now councils should be doing everything possible to support their communities and traders they serve. Hounslow & Ealing are top for increased infections which is where the focus should be to keep people safe instead their focus seems to be one of disruption, wasting money which should be diverted to support health. Or in the case of Chiswick collecting money via fines utterly disgraceful.

Jayne Thorburn ● 2191d

Hope it's not to late for some of the shops to survive.

Janice Evans ● 2191d

TW have not done a good job on the comms here, but lets be clear where the real issue lies. Hounslow closed 2 of the 3 routes across the tube lines, obviously a challenge for the one remaining route and the already busy High Rd/ Acton Lane junction. This was flagged to them by many, many peopleI know that they were also asked what happens in event of accident/ closure. Acton Lane has been dug up at least 3 times now in last year, lasting at least 2 months. So you might assume there is a plan. Especially when High Road capacity is falling due to CS9 and the only alternative route needs a 2 mile diversion.If TGT can be reopened now, why was it not allowed open after the first weekend? Answer, dogma and stubborness and a complete disregard for the local community.If was interested/ cared, Cllr Kahn could have walked around the corner to the works on Friday when witnessing the first hand the queues that it was causing. Which despite the blatant misinformation of Tom Pike was fully eviden. He chose not to. Says it all.Given that it is clearly safe to reopen TGT, it now needs to stay open. It was a pointless closure in the first place, just revenue raising.

Paul Green ● 2191d

Thank you Cllr McGregor for having the guts to stand up for Chiswick residents and also for friends and family and visitors to the area alike to try and bring back a touch of normality to the community. Now I know Chiswick will not be rebuilt in a day but any chance of sorting Devonshire Road out next?

Rob Manners ● 2191d

I wonder if there is a case for re-opening TGT and Fisher's Lane but making them both one-way, one northbound and the other southbound ? TGT could then have a narrowed carriageway, wider pavements and cycle lanes incorporated, and would be a much better street for shoppers. One-way signage would be much clearer than the Access-Only ones that have caught out so many motorists.

Richard Greenhough ● 2191d

Unfortunately the E3 bus can't use Fishers Lane.

Bruce Hammal ● 2191d

I am trying to get the diversion signs corrected.  Traffic is backed up and drivers can't be expected to guess that TGT has been reopened to traffic, particularly if they have travelled along it and received a PCN.  On saving the shops, reopening the road to traffic travelling through will not help shopping take place.  Drivers are simply driving through.  Parking has not been reinstated - that is what is needed to save the shops.

Joanna Biddolph ● 2191d

A valid point, Bruce. Could its route be altered to take it down Acton Lane instead ?

Richard Greenhough ● 2191d

It could but it wouldn't be nearly as good a route and would mean South Parade had three bus routes along it — the buses find it difficult to pass each other as things are. Also I don't know what the Fishers Lane height restriction is but it would certainly preclude use by tall vehicles like removals vans and large delivery vehicles.

Bruce Hammal ● 2191d

Richard, I am strugging to see the need for complex one-way schemes. The E3 needs to serve TGT and continues to do, the narrow and busy junction of Acton Lane/ High Road could not in any case cope.TGT should never have been closed, the pavement widening measures on the west side can stay in place. It will though allow shoppers to easily access the parking on South Parade.Fishers Lane need to become a proper safe cycling route, with clearer signs and markings and ideally some way of linking with CS9. There has still been too much traffic (buses, vans, taxis, scooters and other vehicles) on TGT to make this appropriate for a safe cycling route.

Paul Green ● 2191d

This is all temporary. Even HBC could eventually see that another month of water works would need TG to be re-opened...temporarily. Ealing should now follow suit and open Fishers Lane (as this was closed a consequence of TG closing wasn't it?)But HBC are still on their plan and will close TG immediately the water works are finished.But even during this temporary reprieve nothing is better for Chiswick. The High Rd will continue to be gridlocked due to the works to install the incredibly badly designed cycle way. And after - it will continue to be gridlocked as there is no "give" in the narrow lanes. Every turn, slow, drop off etc will mean the whole road stops.Eventually the "traffic evaporation" that people like Michael Robinson witter on about will happen as there will be no reason to go to Chiswick as it will be as dead commercially as every town that has been killed by traffic schemes

Richard Potts ● 2191d

Richard you may be right. But if TGT can reopen without the world ending, then the whole rationale for closing it disappears. I agree the new carriageways are too narrow and as soon as normality returns it will be chaos. But lets fight one battle at a time.

Paul Green ● 2191d

We now need to make we have it open forever. Perhaps common sense will prevail at last!

Ranjit Gill ● 2191d

Sorry typo!We now need to have it open forever!Perhaps common sense will prevail at last!

Ranjit Gill ● 2191d

Paul you are right we are fighting but let’s get one battle won......parking on Turnham Green terrace needs reinstating as Jo said to support the traders. The so called pedestrian expansion is useless no one uses it, but if it is to stay let’s plant trees along that section????? Similar concept to Devonshire road with parking spaces in between to create a fabulous environment for traders and shoppers. Hounslow council lack imagination on every level of only we could vote them out but that’s never going to happen whilst we stay in the borough let’s move Chiswick?????

Jayne Thorburn ● 2191d

One solution with one way traffic Fishers Lane and TGT would be to have single decker E3s run twice as often.

Vivienne Cox ● 2191d

Richard,Fishers Lane was previously one of the major collision hot-spots on CHR.  It was the only 'through-road' leading onto CHR that wasn't signalled.So there were cars turning left, turning right, some turning right to slalom across CHR to cut down Dukes Ave to the A4 and this was all at a junction with lots of pedestrians walking along CHR.Measures such as turning Fishers Lane into the main southbound route that would increase the volume of traffic along Fishers lane from what it would previously would be highly irresponsible IMO.  Before anyone suggests it should have signals, I'm not sure if that is possible given proximity to other signals.  And in any event, signals would introduce yet another barrier for pedestrians walking along the north side of CHR.  A clear example of prioritising cars driving through over people walking.

Michael Robinson ● 2191d

Unfortunately making roads one way often increases the speed travelled on them.  Other road calming measures would probably be needed.  And then there are those who insist on travelling in the wrong direction...  if they can't use the road they will use the pavement...

Philippa Bond ● 2191d

And who's going to pay for that? Not TFL that's for sure!

Bruce Hammal ● 2191d

Sorry — that was supposed to be in reply to Vivienne's post — it landed in the wrong place.

Bruce Hammal ● 2191d

It's just been confirmed to me that the diversion signs will be in place this evening - after the rush hour, around 8pm.  As mentioned above, allowing drivers to drive through isn't going to be helpful to the shops; they need people to stop ie park. I do hope LBH won't second guess what traders would prefer - they need to be consulted in great detail and their views given considerable weight. They know better than anybody what makes a difference to their business and, as they've told me, when the free 30 minute stop-and-shop parking was introduced they saw an immediate uplift in sales/revenue; when it was removed they saw an immediate nosedive which continues downwards daily. They have spent so much cash on, and put so much effort into, becoming Covid-secure it's tragic that residents aren't shopping in our local one-off independents though of course everyone understands that for some the risks aren't worth taking.

Joanna Biddolph ● 2191d

Given the majority of shops were shut when most of the parking spaces were lost on TGT, how could they see an immediate nosedive in sales?

Tom Pike ● 2191d

Tom, here's a thought, as you are so keen on proof and evidence why don't you go and ask the shopkeepers yourself?

Adrian Irving ● 2191d

A few days ago my daughter on her way home from work wanted to stop at the shoe menders in TGT, she'd not seen any sign advising of the restrictions.  Luckily, the placard bearing lady stopped her.  As no parking places available the lady told her to turnaround and not to exit onto CHR, thus saving my daughter a big fine!  Thank you placard lady.

Jennifer Selig ● 2191d

Tom, i have not been to Chris fish and chips since the new restrictions, now i may be the only one but i would bet you a fish n chips when i go down tonight and ask him how it's been he will not be too happy. Just think the amount of time people would pull in on their way home, that has gone. All your charts mean nothing, whats in the till at the end of the day is what counts and as i said on a previous chat, every shop down the HR are struggling and complaining about the ridiculous ill thought road system. i will not be going to sit outside the Italian for my regular Saturday lunch as the fumes and noise was unbearable the last 2 weekends,fact

James Smith-Jones ● 2191d

None of us should forget what the 'TGT fairy'did for all of us in Chiswick!

Rob Manners ● 2191d

Tom, obviously it was experienced by the shops that stayed open otherwise there wouldn't be any data for that period.

Joanna Biddolph ● 2191d

I did ask a couple of the shops I frequented at the time how trade was going and they said they had a large growth in home deliveries to supply the large number who were household isolating.If you were on TGT in May you would've seen an almost constant loading of delivery vans from some of the food shops. Certainly their delivery slots were backed up for several days at times as the large on-line grocers also struggled themselves to cope.You would also have noticed very little shopping by car at that time. Government advice was in fact to minimise car journeys and most of us were respecting that, with some notable exceptions!I've no idea how the removal of the parking spaces in early May could be disentangled from these shifts for the minority of shops that were then open, but that's exactly what Councillor Biddolph is claiming.

Tom Pike ● 2191d

Are you sharing that data with the council, and from how many shops? As I just wrote above, in May there was little shopping by car and shops were doing a great deal of home deliveries, so isolating any effect from the loss of the parking spaces would not be straightforward.

Tom Pike ● 2191d

Flipping data Most times of he day the parking was used. They dont park and get the bus or tube or take a walk with the dog. They get out of the car,do some shopping and drive off. And i doubt they are people in easy walking distance to pay the parking. Take it away and people shop elsewhere

Julian Pavey ● 2191d

"I did ask how trade was going and they said they had a large growth in home deliveries to supply the large number who were household isolating."I know which shops those were because I used their excellent services, so why dont you name them Michael, I'm sure they'd appreciate a commendation from a high spending cyclist ? Yet again you're being economical with facts ! Don't suppose it was a hairdressers, dry cleaners, picture framers, menswear shop or was it ?Yet again you single out Cllr Biddolph, you really need professional help to get over your OCD about her, you silly little man - sheesh !

Loraine Pemberton ● 2191d

Cut off is exactly right. As someone who lives not far from the Duke of Sussex public house, and comes into Chiswick via Gunnersbury, to have to drive all the way down to the Goldhawk Road has been an absolute nightmare, particularly now the traffic is so bad and slow moving on the High Road. It is without any exaggeration to say that this has added nearly 45 minutes to the journey.I would just reiterate what a number of people have already said on this thread and others, that this reversal is made permanent, and Turnham Green Terrace remains open to cars. I would also ask that Fishers Lane is also reopened to cars, so myself and others can continue to shop and move about our part of London freely and sensibly.All we need now is to get rid of those ridiculous bus gates and islands, and we can at least get part way back to normal before Christmas.

Mark Edwards ● 2191d

I'm sure those parking in Aril and early May were there to shop, and of course there was much more parking for the few shops that were open then. But traffic was way down, people were walking in the street and a lot of the time it was delivery vans outside the shops, not customers.

This is a shot taken a couple of weeks before the berms were put in:

Tom Pike ● 2191d

Tomorrow I need to buy some fish.I would normally drive to TG  - park for 30mins free and pick up some fish from the excellent Covent Garden Fishmongers and some other bits from the deli, veg shop etc.However, I'm not going to do that.I can't risk being stuck in the CHR jam so I will probably drive to Sandys in Twickenham! Yes, I think it will be quicker.I don't think I'm alone in changing my shopping behaviour because of the traffic chaos. And I am sorry for the Chiswick shops.And why don't I cycle there? I cycle every day to work and at weekends I do at least a 2hr cycle for fun. But when I'm shopping for a number of items, in wet and windy weather I don't feel safe with a heavy backpack and definitely I don't feel safe on CHR with the current traffic chaos. As I've said before - drivers in jams tend to do sudden unexpected turns. I'd much rather cycle in free flowing traffic anyday.. as any cyclist will tell you.Chiswick is being strangled to death by ill thought out designs that benefit no-one. It's almost as if someone wanted Chiswick to wither.

Richard Potts ● 2191d

Tom, is that one of chums cycling on the pavement hence the photo?Tut tut!

Adrian Irving ● 2191d

Everyone’s point is well made so will the council listen?????? Doubt it....we live north of Turnham Green Terrace so are in Ealing council, Hounslow clearly do not understand what constitutes Chiswick because it is split between 3 boroughs. All 3 councils should legally be required to work together regarding any discussions about Chiswick so that all residents & traders are considered. Hounslow council clearly give no consideration to any of us that’s apparent from all the ill thought through schemes they are imposing on us..........

Jayne Thorburn ● 2191d

I used to go to Boots on the High rOAD to pick up prescription medication and a few other things from other shops at the same time, and maybe browse the charity shops.I have now changed my chemist to one nearer that I can walk to that doesn't involve going into Chiswick.  Unless I need to get some cash or decide I can risk the hairdresser again I can't see myself going into Chiswick at all unless I have to post a parcel through Mailboxes - and various delivery services including Royal Mail now pick up from home so even that probably isn't necessary.  And in fact as I am in North Chiswick, it's going to be easier getting cash from Acton. As for the hairdresser I am getting used to wearing my hair up!  What is the point of living in such an expensive area if you never go into the centre?  Might as well move much further out and get more for your money and a smaller town centre that you can actually access.

Claire Moran ● 2191d

Lorraine, the removal of much of the parking on TGT occurred at the beginning of May before any of the type of shops you list were open. I've no idea what shops you actually had in mind.As for mentioning the shops on TGT, they were Lemon and Lime and Convent Garden Fish. Both expanded their delivery service at that time and I put in my largest order by far to Lemon and Lime then. It's very questionable if it's at all possible to discern how the removal of the parking spaces on TGT affected turnover for those shops. I'm not sure what Garry and Ali might have told Councillor Biddolph, though.Is it possible you might have a slight fixation on Michael Robinson, by any chance? And would it be advisable to lay off using a mental health issue as an insult?

Tom Pike ● 2191d

MichaelDo you deliberately ignore the fact that many of Chiswick's residents have mobility issues, and driving from say Grove Park or the Acton part of Chiswick is their only convenient option ?From my own personal perspective, yes I can walk a limited distance, but due to a chronic childhood illness and walking my dogs with heavy shopping is sometimes hard work. Therefore, I need to use my car. this means I can support our local businesses  - do you have a problem with that ?

Loraine Pemberton ● 2191d

No idea what that is, Adrian, but I thought it might provoke a comment. Thanks for not disappointing!

Tom Pike ● 2191d

ClaireYou're absolutely right and many people we both know are now looking at moving from Chiswick, LB Hounslow not to mention the cycling fraternity, are making Chiswick a less than desirable place to live.

Loraine Pemberton ● 2191d

Claire between covid and you point which is well made I reckon there will be a queue to get out of Chiswick if the behaviour from the councils continue, at a time when the government says we all need to pull together labour councils are determined to pull in the opposite direction. Given the latest news about Corbyn and his inner circle what chance do we have??? Zero just shocking behaviour from Hounslow council

Jayne Thorburn ● 2191d

"No idea what that is, Adrian," It's a bloke and child on a bike Tom.Always happy to help.

Adrian Irving ● 2191d

JayneOnly arrogant idiots would disagree with you, a good friend has bought a 4 bed, house converted to a very high standard with 3 acres of land, just outside of Harrogate for £270k.

Loraine Pemberton ● 2191d

If we keep going in the current direction I reckon we will end up overseas 😎😎😂😂

Jayne Thorburn ● 2191d

Tom, Anyone can pick and choose a month or two to prove a point. You chose April and May. It is now one day before November and the number of shoppers on TGT and Devonshire Road is much reduced - an escalating problem as more and more people have been driven to drive outside Chiswick to shops where there is parking or to shop online. It's also possible to choose a type of shop or two to prove a point. Selecting Covent Garden Fishmonger and Lemon & Limes doesn't prove anything about other shops or, indeed, how those food retailers are doing now. One interesting point is that sales of foodstuffs don't increase or decrease in a crisis; we continue to need to eat and generally eat more or less similarly.  It is about market share. If those two shops experienced an increase in sales/revenue, there will have been a decline somewhere else. (Accepting that, during lockdown, some of us - ahem - put on weight as we did eat more but the generality is that it is about market share.) What about other shops, though?  Perhaps dropping in on some of them might elicit some facts you haven't unearthed yet. My very recent conversations with many on TGT and Devonshire Road have been depressing. On the data point, I will share that when the time is right. All I will say now is that it is factual, comparative and compelling. And I expect you will find much to criticise.

Joanna Biddolph ● 2191d

Jo, you made a specific and important claim, that there was an “immediate nosedive” in sales when parking was removed.  This would be a very strong argument in favour of reinstalling parking on TGT. Parking was removed on TGT on 6 May. At that time, the only shops open were supplying food so it is clear your claim must be referring to an “immediate nosedive” in their sales at that time. To now say I’m being selective in the choice of dates and shops risks undermining your specific claim which must be based on exactly that choice. But if you have the data that shows sales nosedived immediately after 6 May, then why delay sharing it, especially given your assertion that sales are continuing to fall? If that is indeed the case, you would be only prolonging the damage to retail by withholding any “factual, comparative and compelling” sales figures. Surely the right time to share your data is right now!

Tom Pike ● 2191d

"shops were doing a great deal of home deliveries"No surprise Tom misses the irony here. Or is it tone deafness? Or lack of empathy? Too many choices...One - shops which did pivot to home delivery had to re-invent or work overtime to provide services they otherwise might not have. Translation: less trade, more labor, less profit. Sorry, that's based on normal trading conditions. With COVID there will be no profit this year as traders are all struggling to make up for lost time with perhaps more lost time coming.Two - given traders have to pivot to deliveries to help offset loss in trade, how precisely do you expect traders to deliver as Chiswick closes its streets? To make this question extra challenging, cargo bikes are not an acceptable answer. You must answer by not insisting traders spend an extra cent at a time where there isn't one.Side note on that new cargo bike delivery service: it's not every day, and not every hour. Nor can it deliver hot food or perishables. Good news is multi-nationals and e-tail can do whatever you want whenever you want but that doesn't help local traders now does it?

David Lesniak ● 2191d

Adrian, pardon me please, but you left out the bit how said bloke is barrelling toward the woman with the child in a stroller.

David Lesniak ● 2191d

A splendid example of fudging, but par for the course. As far as your chum Michael Robinson is concerned when he ceases his hectoring and insidious bullying of Cllr Biddolph, then I will believe that he isn't 'fixated' on her. End of.

Loraine Pemberton ● 2191d

Tom, if I were you I would give it a rest. Your blatant lies and misinformation have been exposed. You sign incoherent letters with baseless claims, you misrepresent data, then post pictures to support things that are totally false. Now you try and hold others to some gold standard of accuracy.I would highlight to everyone that some of your fellow lobbyists are now on social media supporting boycotts of shops that dare to show the One Chiswick poster. I have not seen them in the flesh but they look fairly innocuous. Tom, it has long been said businesses are afraid to speak out due to guerrilla tactics of the lobbyists, here we again see it in action. It is disgraceful. At some point the community needs to come together, both physically by the permanent opening of TGT, and by mutual discussion to find a way forward. Please reconsider your divisive tactics.

Paul Green ● 2190d

David, it is must be truly distressing to be confronted by such myopic views at time like this. Please be aware that other lobbyists on social media are suggesting a boycott of shops showing the One Chiswick poster that highlights the current chaos. I am sure this is the last thing the traders need. It also shows the utter hypocrisy of those that once claimed to support local business. These are scary people. I for one will be doing my best to get to the High Road and support you all.

Paul Green ● 2190d

David the reason I didn't is because I thought it unremarkable as it is such a common sight.Why take the photo anyway. If you wanted to support a contention the a shot showing the street would surely be better.Tom, don't trouble yourself to explain, I am really  not that interested but if you feel you have to I am sure you will.

Adrian Irving ● 2190d

Paul, you can’t claim what I’ve posted are lies and misinformation simply because you disagree with me. Endlessly repeating such baseless claims achieves nothing except cheapening whatever else you might want to say. I’m not aware of any calls to boycott shops on TGT, except the one made a few months ago by somebody who urged such a boycott so they could continue to drive down TGT. He was called out quite rightly at the time.The data that Councillor Biddolph apparently has on the “nosedive” in sales in May on TGT when parking was removed could be very significant. Rather than creating division, I firmly believe sharing data should help produce a consensus on the way forward, rather preferable to the invective you are offering.

Tom Pike ● 2190d

Hi PaulWhich social media is being used for this appalling act, as you say it just destroys the cycle lobbyists argument that they support local businesses!

Loraine Pemberton ● 2190d

https://twitter.com/PauloCampbell/status/1322459392080547841Scroll to the top

Julian Pavey ● 2190d

Tom, you continue to do your personal and professional reputations enormous damage with your ongoing untruths and disinformation. You posted a picture and then stated it showed there was no congestion on the High Road at 3pm. It was then pointed out that the picture could not have been taken at the time or day you claimed. Then you deflect and blame someone else who posted it on another site. I assume they somehow forced you to post it here. You later came back with some comment about pictures from the other end of the High Road. No apology, no acknowledgement of your misleading and inaccurate post. Do you actually have the self awareness to reflect on this for someone who is expected professsionally to always follow the most exacting standards to ascertain the source of data, its veracity and consistency before making any conclusions. If you look on Twitter you can see a couple of local fellow campaigners, including the delightful and Paul Campbell, highlighting their boycott of shops daring to show a poster. Apparently it even upsets the children. I will say no more.Please come down of you moral high horse and engage with the community.

Paul Green ● 2190d

LP > "Which social media is being used for this appalling act, as you say it just destroys the cycle lobbyists argument that they support local businesses!"Posting in my capacity as an arrogant idiot, I have to point out that there are several commenters on this very thread who are promoting the idea of boycotting Chiswick altogether.

John Whitworth ● 2190d

Supporting your local chemist. Good on ya!! Living local and supporting local businesses should always be applauded.

Tony Smart ● 2190d

I fear my carelessness in posting a photo showing a pavement cyclist will not go unnoticed. I am now expecting the ominous knock on the door to inform me that my membership of the evil cycling lobby is terminated with immediate effect!So while I still have a chance, I agree the photo doesn't prove much in itself. It was just supposed to be a reminder of those times when I don't think anyone is disputing there was much less traffic on the streets and delivery vans were a very common site on TGT. It was actually taken to show how difficult it was to socially distance at that time, not the use of the parking, but it was taken standing in the middle of the road. For weeks after the parking restrictions were put in on TGT at the beginning of May, I can't recall many comments on the damaging effect this was having on the shops there, either on this forum, from the councillors or the retailers themselves. The damage to retail only became a prominent issue after through-traffic restrictions on TGT were announced in June.

Tom Pike ● 2190d

Paul, your first paragraph is complete nonsense, and becoming ever more fantastical each time you embellish it.If you want to argue about what somebody else has posted, please do that with them, not me!

Tom Pike ● 2190d

As always, you miss the point, Tony.

Claire Moran ● 2190d

Hi Tom, Another reason (beyond burst water mains) why towns and cities are currently gridlocked is because millions of car owners are avoiding all forms of public transport alternatives to steer clear of Covid.  Including very short local journeys.It's the same all over Europe. Beautiful Lviv in Western Ukraine is in complete gridlock.  The buses and trams are riddled with covid, so thousands are buying up second-hand German motors, being flogged-off cheap in the East as Germany presses on with it's plans to go electric ASAP.

Stuart Kerr ● 2190d

Plenty of stress from plenty of sides at the moment as you can well imagine.Stress from boycott threats and Paul Campbell and his ilk absolutely, positively not one of them.A few indicators to look out for: Paul likes to tweet to his base which is about ten people. The same ten people over and over and over again. His tweets might be liked by two others. Those from afar that might glom on are not customers. They have glommed in a knee-jerk reaction. Paul Campbell is not a customer. He never will be. Net loss? Zero. The other thing to remember is as a sector, cycling is somewhere about 5-7% of the retail customer base. On a good day modal shift might bump that to 8%. So again, the threat comes from a minority. An extremely disgruntled, entitled minority or rich white men who like to create white lists (this still astonishes me that they call it a white list).Business is about capturing the majority and then maximizing on that potential. Independents love to actually bond with customers over one thing or another. Even differences. Paul likes to divide and ignore. And threaten. Classic bull behavior. Not how a community is made.And I couldn't agree more. The blather about supporting businesses now and encouraging them to deliver simultaneously shutting down the community is beyond words stupid. Not to mention the bit where they then implore you to spend money (now of all times) to buy a cargo bike. Got a car. It's in the budget. Despite the budget changing daily. But can't see a reason to spend on anything other than rent, utilities and salaries. There used to be a wish list for capital improvement. Not anymore.

David Lesniak ● 2190d

Tom, Complete and utter tosh when Devonshire Road had its restrictions put in place its effect were immediate and sustained to this day ! Ask Top Hat and Chiswick Pets. There are plenty of comments by both business owners and their customers as to how these undemocratically imposed restrictions have adversely affected businesses on these 2 streets.Re TGT, Covent Garden, Mackens and a couple of other food oriented shops are doing well BUT that's because they offered a delivery service, thereby adding to their OH's in very challenging times. However, retailers like hairdressers, beauty parlours, clothes shops, dry cleaners have not faired well because the parking was removed and their services are not transferable.I'll tell you again,  come down from your Imperial College 'ivory tower' and live in the real world.Oh and one other thing I wonder if your employer is aware of how much time you spend, during working hours, on this Forum and other social media ? If you were an employee of any of Chiswicks hard pressed independent traders, it can only be speculated as to how long it would be before you were given the Smith & Wesson Pension Plan ? Don't worry though I doubt anyone will spill the beans. Show some understanding and empathy.

Loraine Pemberton ● 2190d

Thanks Julian, I can’t stop laughing at those deranged pompous tweets! Especially the one about thousands of pounds spent at the toy shop. Talk about the Arrogant Rich Smug Elite, haha.

Russell Pearson ● 2190d

Thanks Julian That's fully confirmed that Paul Campbell is a truly nasty piece of work, who only supports Chiswicks independent businesses if they dont disagree with him. Chiswick doesn't need people like that, he should be boycotted by our wonderful independent traders !

Loraine Pemberton ● 2190d

Tom, on the 28th in the Cllr Khan thread you posted:'OneChiswick were actually very disappointed that the High Road failed to provide any chaos for Councillor Khan to see, as I'm sure Chris will confirm.'At 6.24,you posted a picture showing no queues by the Italians as you claimed taken at 3pm. You said:'But gridlock most of the day? Here's what it looked like at 3 pm.'So can you clarify, Tom, did you post this? Did someone hack your account? Or were posting factually incorrect comments and a picture that was not taken anywhere near the time you claimed?Simple yes and no answers will suffice.

Paul Green ● 2190d

While Paul is stating he personally won't go and shop at those who choose to fly the poster, one can certainly take the view that going around and taking individual pictures of business premises and then tweeting them out with text captions can only be seen as sending out a message of action.What next, should those not displaying the poster be subject to the opposite view and premises have a photo put on social media with some text to boot. That is not supporting local business, that's taking a selection of shops down for having a hands-on personal view. Certainly can be taken as promoting a boycott by the back door,but is done on a personal basis to remove that argument. Except when you go out your way to take and tweet,it can be seen as positively the opposite. It is a strange position to take when it is about local buisness trying to operate and survive,and all for puting a poster up should that be rubbished on twitter

Julian Pavey ● 2190d

It was a photo taken by a member of OneChiswick at 3 pm, during the visit of Councillor Khan. I've told you this several times.You appear to want me to admit that either I blamed a member of OneChiswick for taking this photo, or they forced me to post this photo, and that the photo was not taken at the time, or day, they claimed. You believe my credibility hinges on making such an admission. I don't think anybody else shares your belief.

Tom Pike ● 2190d

Hi Stuart,A key reason the government is trying to encourage active travel is exactly that point. Not only do we not have the capacity in London to accommodate, let alone encourage, additional motor traffic, but the resulting pollution, especially from older cars, is only going to add to the lung damage caused by COVID-19.There are both immediate and longer term reasons why the government will continue to do all it can to encourage the take up of active travel.

Tom Pike ● 2190d

No, that is what you claim it was but we know it was not. It was not taken at 3pm as another poster identified, given that it had rained heavily then and there no outside tables shown. Again, you posted it, so take responsibility and apologise for the complete misinformation.

Paul Green ● 2190d

"I don't think anybody else shares your belief."You'd be 100% wrong on that assertion and your credibility is shot to pieces !

Loraine Pemberton ● 2190d

Paul, if you want to take it any further, I suggest you contact Pete Mayes:

Tom Pike ● 2190d

As someone who's concerned about the traffic snarl-up, I'm not on your side in the great Chiswick cycle lane debate, Tom. However, it seems to me you're owed some apologies from those who questioned your good faith.

Robert Fish ● 2190d

RobertI was there and there was about a 15 minute window when the eastbound traffic completely dissipated on that stretch of CHR, Pete made that comment under the 'Sods Law' heading, and disbelief that the traffic could suddenly disappears.Believe me the rest of the time the traffic along that stretch of CHR was bumper to bumper.

Loraine Pemberton ● 2190d

Thanks, Robert. Some apologies from those who made these baseless accusations might be appropriate, as you suggest.Better still would be if those individuals took rather more care before making such accusations in the future. It's quite possible to disagree without feeling the need to launch into unfounded attacks. All that does is suggest you don't have anything else to offer to the discussion and it's better to say nothing in the case.

Tom Pike ● 2190d

Me Wednesday: But gridlock most of the day? Here's what it looked like at 3 pm.[Photo showing no traffic]You Wednesday: Prove it ! CHR west to east was gridlocked. Tell the truthYou now: I was there and there was about a 15 minute window when the eastbound traffic completely dissipated on that stretch of CHR.So you knew what I was saying was correct, but instead denied it and demanded I tell the truth! People can make their own judgement as to whether you should apologise.

Tom Pike ● 2190d

TomGive it a rest, it was gridlocked save for a 15 minute window - why else did Hanif Khan decide to upen up TGT  ? He was there, btw do you ever do any real work at IC ?

Loraine Pemberton ● 2190d

Actually, I would have been rather pleasantly surprised to get an apology from you, Lorraine.I try to minimise my College work on a Saturday, but am going though my lectures for next week at the moment. Having to deliver everything online is fair amount of additional effort.

Tom Pike ● 2190d

Please tweet your thoughts to #chiswickchaos. Ruth Cadbury is engaging (in the discursive sense) on there.

Claire Moran ● 2190d

"Ruth Cadbury is engaging..."Would that be 'Chocolate Teapot' politics ?

Loraine Pemberton ● 2190d

Indeed, about as useful as a chocolate teapot.

Basil Finnis ● 2190d

"Actually, I would have been rather pleasantly surprised to get an apology from you, Lorraine."Tom, first try spelling my name correctly...

Loraine Pemberton ● 2190d

Loraine, you've got to admit it was rather closer than you calling me Michael!

Tom Pike ● 2190d

Well at least she can't be in any doubt about how most of West London feels and you can copy in Curran, both Kahns, Shapps et al

Claire Moran ● 2190d

Zero difference between you, both tunnel visioned and refuse to compromise.

Loraine Pemberton ● 2190d

Bye.

Stewart Jones ● 2190d

Certainly we're both engineers and have to understand data as part of our jobs.On the other hand Paul and you (and some others on this forum) are very happy to make false accusations of lying, and equally reluctant to apologise.

Tom Pike ● 2190d

Oh dear

Tony Smart ● 2190d

Thanks - if anything, this shows that no analysis at all was done in deciding to close TGT. These closures have turned Acton lane into a massive bottleneck. The Chiswich High Road has become an unusable mess and side streets have turned into crazed rat-runs. We have resorted to driving up the north circular to get home from a shopping trip. Any suggestion that I should walk/cycle is arrogant in the extreme; I will chose my own means of transport thanks very much. So with the water works finally exposing the fragility of the scheme, I hope that sense will prevail and that council will back down  having saved a bit of face. They deserve some public humiliation though. Perhaps we should erect a set of stocks near the vegetable stalls in preparation.

Taki Milionis ● 2190d

Please post your views on Twitter - #chiswickchaos.  This is reposted from OneChiswick re the Commonplace survey:-·I am an Ealing resident (former Chiswick resident) and just posted this on ERALTN about the Commonplace survey:Long post alert!I have spoken to a long time friend and colleague who has worked in market research, on both the client and supplier side (she used to own an agency herself) for more than thirty years. I met her 12 years ago when I worked in market research at GSK, and I commissioned a piece of research from her agency. Although her expertise is commercial rather than consumer research (which is what the Commonplace survey is) the same principles apply. She studied the Commonplace survey for the Ealing LTNs are these are her comments:    Clear conflict of interest in the Commonplace's Sales & Marketing Director is a former Ealing Council Cabinet member, whose objectivity is therefore compromised.    Should only be completed by people who live, work or have children at school in or near the LTNs. She was able to complete the survey, and she lives in Portland, Dorset. This should not be possible. Infrequent 'users' of the LTNs (say, they use them less than once a month) should be filtered out.    Multiple responses should not be permitted. As it stands you can 'vote' as many times as you have email addresses.    The introduction to the survey expresses favour for the LTNs. It should be impartial.    The responses are weighted towards favour for the LTNs. They invite 'tinkering' of the current schemes rather than downright rejection.    Whilst the responses to the majority of questions can be analysed by computer, the contents of the Comments boxes require qualitative analysis by a human. This is time consuming and costly and may not happen.    A note on the Comments box warns that comments might be posted publicly. This is breach of the Market Research Society (MRS)'s code of conduct, which expressly prohibits the publication of such data without the respondent's permission. And it is could discourage respondents from answering frankly.    Steps should have been taken to ensure that all households had the opportunity to answer the survey, not just the computer-savvy. Like the elections, households hold have been written to so that all are aware.General:My friend said the survey reminded her of the MRS membership exam she took 30+ years ago, where examinees are presented with a deeply flawed survey and asked to identify the mistakes.Suggestions:    Ask the Market Research Society to comment on the survey. They do not look kindly upon surveys which pose as market/consumer research but which fail to follow the MRS code of conduct.    We could do our own survey. It wouldn't be perfect, but it should be relatively straightforward to identify people who live (census), work (business rates payers) or have kids at school (schools) in/near the LTNs. If we used a simple tool such as Survey Monkey we could restrict the questions to closed ones, with perhaps one open question for general thoughts, which would require human analysis.

Claire Moran ● 2190d

Yesterday morning around 9.30 was an interesting one, walked down the high rd to buy milk and paper, you guesses it, CHR traffic jam, yesterday evening about 5 pm on my way back from Sherpards Bush, traffic jam all the way back from the old Queen Charlotte Hospital, 35 mins to reach home which should normally take 5 mins max. Now I am no scientist surely all those cars idling along must be causing more pollution than normal. Oh the gent at Chris fish n chips tells me that his takings are down as people can no longer drive down to collect their fish n chips unless you like it soggy! I noticed yesterday you posted another dodgy photo which did not go down well with the forum, no surprises there after you last photo fiasco. What we are saying to you is you cannot be trusted and as you are not being upfront with us. That’s me done with you.

James Smith-Jones ● 2190d

James, it looks like you’ve overlooked what Robert Fish wrote yesterday:“As someone who's concerned about the traffic snarl-up, I'm not on your side in the great Chiswick cycle lane debate, Tom. However, it seems to me you're owed some apologies from those who questioned your good faith.”

Tom Pike ● 2190d

On Friday morning my client was literally bullied out of her parking space on CHR by Arrow Electrical, as without any notice or warning, workmen were fixing posts for the cycle way. No more parking for my clients. My studio is a destination and some of the clients come from far, so having nowhere to park will definitely put them off.

Dorota Zelazny ● 2189d

Sorry what good faith would that be Tom when you posted a photo which when challenged you claimed it was from someone else and to date we are still waiting for an apology. We all make mistakes but from me I feel you are being very “fishy” with the truth and thus people on here don’t trust anything you say, myself included. I disagree with Mr Fish as I don’t owe you an apology for trying to deceive the forum with your dodgy photo stunt which you were called out. In a word trust.

James Smith-Jones ● 2189d

Indeed James I think it was you that posted yesterday that visiting the HSBC around 3pm traffic was gridlocked and dark with heavy rain. I dont know the person that Tom claims took the original photo, but I do know that Tom posted it here and claimed it was 3pm. It clearly was not. Tom, as a scientist, I would suggest you firstly test the veracity of data and sources, and secondly do some primary research. Please leave the comfortable and quite confines of Bedford Park, from where you can comfortably walk to TGT and the High Road, and see what roads in other parts of Chiswick look like. I would also flag that the delightful Hounslow cycling twitter feed is now mocking any opposition to their schemes as supporting 'high traffic neighbourhoods'. The irony..

Paul Green ● 2189d

Paul, James, here's the evidence source you continue to overlook: 

Tom Pike ● 2189d

Tom, I still have no idea who Pete Mayes is. Its not dark or raining in that photo, and there is noone at all outside the Italians. So I remain very dubious that this was taken then.The key point though Tom, is it seems you choose not to visit the areas that you are so happy to pontificate on or condemn to congestion and pollution.

Paul Green ● 2189d

Pete Mayes used to be a frequent contributor to this site. He is prominent in OneChiswick who oppose the current traffic restrictions. I doubt many on this forum would think it likely that Pete would post a deliberately misleading photo in this context, hence Robert Fish's comment.

Tom Pike ● 2189d

I agree with you Tom.

Philippa Bond ● 2189d

Paul GreenPete Maye's used to post on this forum.He used to be a Taxi Driver, but don't know if he is still is.

Bernard Allen ● 2189d

fine, if Pete wants to come on here and confirm it was taken at 3pm that day. No rain and no people outside the Italians. Otherwise, I remain skeptical. Not a single eastbound vehicle in sight...? It was jam solid at 1ish and again at 5pm. I was passing there at 8.30am today and there were a dozen vehicles at the lights and several coming along. If it was truly the case it remains a freak event. As Tom would know if he chose to go and have a look.The key fact remains Tom, you seem to have an awful lot to say about areas and roads and shops that it seems you never visit. Try getting out and engaging/ observing a bit more.

Paul Green ● 2189d

Pete Mayes is unlikely to come on and confirm it was taken at 3pm on that day. He was banned from the Forum several years ago, and, in the absence of any further posts from him since then, I assume he still may be banned. However, I can truthfully say, from all I know about him, that he would be most unlikely to play down the extent of traffic congestion on CHR. Note his "sod's law" exclamation - he was obviously hoping that Khan would see the congestion for himself. I still think you and a couple of others owe Tom an apology.

Robert Fish ● 2189d

Yes Robert... You're right about Pete's forum history.  A loss because he always meant well...And yes again.... Tom's owed some sort of reluctantly sardonic “sincere” apology...But I'm sure he doesn't need one – and I doubt he'll get one.Nothing wrong with a cavernous difference of opinion.And nothing wrong when BOTH sides go personal..But here (it seems to me) only one side has gone personal. And gone very ugly.  Time and again.It sticks out like a sore thumb -  and I'm amazed that Tom, who politely tries to answer every insult-twanged question chucked his way, still bothers to sit and listen..Just go back on the thread and take a quiet re-read.....Whatever the outcome - Chiswick (and this forum) will get whatever it deserves...

Stuart Kerr ● 2189d

Pete used to make me laugh. Always good hearted but possibly not politically correct!

Carl Wynne ● 2189d

Pete's got a distinctive style that you might have detected through some thinly disguised guest appearances he's been making recently here. I certainly didn't blow his cover!I'm happy to be surprised by any apologies but appreciate your, Philippa's and Robert's comments rather more.

Tom Pike ● 2189d