Forum Topic

Fishers Lane and the Southfield Lib Dems

Good news that Ealing have confirmed that Fishers Lane will stay calm and not return to 600 cars an hour competing to get through a tiny gap next to the playground and tailing back onto South Parade. Fishers Lane now the only safe north-south route for cycling in Chiswick and links Bedford Park/ Southfield and Acton to the High Road, and schools and businesses south of the railway. It is part of the Acton to Chiswick cycle route. Gary Malcolm, leader of the Southfield Liberal Democrats has opposed every active travel measure, despite representing a party that supposedly about the environment. He and his Southfield councillor colleagues voted to rip out Fishers, all Ealing LTNs and have been very silent about Cycleway 9. Where should environmentally-conscious ex-Lib Dem supporters in Southfield put their vote in May 2022? The CW4 story tonight is I suspect cut-and-paste copy from Gary Malcolm with his latest 'survey' showing yet again overwhelming anti-active travel sentiment in Chiswick. What is not mentioned is that the survey was first advertised via the Southfield FOCUS Lib Dem newsletter on 5th October, but mysteriously multiple people who had publicly supported the Fishers changes and were regular recipients of the newsletter did not receive that one. Then a day later at 2:13pm on 6th October Gary Malcolm advertised it on OneChiswick- Against Streetspace Changes private Facebook group. He's a member of that group. To join you have to pass a test to explain why you dislike the active travel changes. It has never to my knowledge appeared on the Southfield Lib Dems' own Facebook page and or Gary Malcom's Twitter feed.  The Deputy Leader of Ealing summed up well at the Scrutiny Committee last night. https://youtu.be/jr9skHtq5P8

Edward Seaton ● 915d105 Comments

Without wishing to be pedantic, honestly. I don’t think it’s ever, on any road, ok for a cyclist to not keep his eyes and attention fully on the road ahead.  Cyclists do need to consider walking occasionally, in the same way it’s suggested drivers get out of their cars. Assuming a young child won’t be cycling many miles, it’s more than doable and the safest option for the young cyclist

Maggie Dodge ● 905d

Thanks for the reply Maggie.I get your point about adults cycling in the road and being aware of both their child and the road - think it would be ok on quieter side roads though but certainly not on CHR for example.

Andrew Jones ● 905d

Edward, just consider you are now on the same side of the argument as Claire Moran.You are being a bit childish in minimising the benefit of the improved access simply because the local Liberal Democrats approve of them as well. They probably were originally ideas from council officers anyway. The improved access at the top end of the park is a small but significant benefit to cyclists  who are otherwise forced to dismount or wait for pedestrians to clear the alley way. The improved access at Carlton Road is a bit of a waste of time because no cyclist actually uses the designated Chiswick to East Acton Route at this point as it requires a detour. Most will just continue on St Alban's Avenue and enter the park at the entrance near that road. It would have been better if they improved access there but that would be more expensive.Nobody is arguing that not having occasionally blocking up the Fishers Lane underpass is not a good thing. However the offset is that there is increased traffic on Acton Lane. Since the Italians opened I have regularly popped over there to get delicious, ham or cheese, cannoli or to have a pizza when the weather was better. Before the Fishers Lane closure there was never really a problem going along Acton Lane and I could be there in under ten minutes. Since the closure I have abandoned that route because once the traffic queues have formed it is impossible to cycle down Acton Lane. I'm not saying queues were unheard of before but they were extremely rare outside rush hour. Now it is just not worth taking the chance. Even today when I was walking on Acton Green there was slow moving traffic going towards Chiswick Park station. I now take Fishers Lane and Belmont Road cutting through Essex Place to get to the Italians. It takes a bit longer but not enough to discourage me from visiting there.The point here is that for some local cyclists the Fishers Lane closure is a disbenefit. The issue is a complex one and  I don't think my needs should override those of people with small children who feel more comfortable cycling through the underpass with fewer vehicles using it. However, it is unfair to say that the local councillors are opposed to active travel. They just think the restriction is a bad idea and that is a view shared by the overwhelming majority of people who live in the area.

Mark Evans ● 906d

I'm happy for young children to cycle on the pavement, as has always been the rule. Not sure about age, perhaps dependent on the size of the bike, certainly not teenagers riding two astride as you see from time to time. A  proficiency certificate system perhaps. I'm not happy about adults cycling in the road alongside a young child on the pavement, you can't watch your child and watch the road.  If you want your child to practice their cycling then it seems the parent should get off his or her bike and walk alongside, to be there if they fall off etc. I'm all about safety particularly the safety of our precious young people.Banning traffic is another topic I think.

Maggie Dodge ● 906d

"There was an earlier proposal to remove the gate at the Carlton Road exit and replace it with bollards as well as reducing the size of some of the parking bays on Southfield Road to increase visibility. This would form part of the Chiswick to East Acton cycle route."This sounds like War on Cars to me. Parking bays being reduced in size just so some cyclists have better visibility. Disgusting and inhumane. Won't somebody start a petition?

Paul Campbell ● 906d

So cars driving on a road is a problem? Instead let’s leave that road empty and send those same cars down a different road. What has that achieved? Cyclist are either going elsewhere or there aren’t that many. Even less as Winter draws on. You’ve had your experiment for long enough. Time to back down gracefully please for the good of everyone. This is really unfair on those of us walking there and suffering the pollution caused by this closure.

Maggie Dodge ● 906d

So you’re up for Children cycling on pavements instead of cycling on roads Maggie?Or are you up for banning traffic from some roads?Or perhaps children under 8 shouldn’t be allowed to cycle on pavements or roads?

Andrew Jones ● 906d

Gary Malcolm's Southfield Liberal Democrat plan for 'encouraging' cycling. The RED LINE shows Gary Malcolm's revolutionary changes as highlighted on leading article on Chiswick W4 (you may need to zoom or use a magnifying glass). It's in a park so car drivers don't need to worry.
And to further encourage cycling Gary Malcolm and the Lib Dems say they will support LEGAL ACTION to convert the only car-free north-south bike/bus route at Fishers Lane in Chiswick to a new car cut-through. On the eve of COP26 why put up with this...
When the local Lib Dems want to take you back to this...

Edward Seaton ● 906d

From a cycling organisation, British Cycling I think :Chaperoned cyclingTraffic awareness develops around the age of 8-10 years old, which is usually when school-based cycle training called Bikeability tends to start. Up until that time, at least, you will need to supervise your child on roads. He or she might be a proficient cyclist and yet make misjudgements about traffic.They also say”it would be foolish to pretend there are no risks”.  So perhaps a tad stupid to make fun of my concerns for a very young child on a bus route! Making  a misjudgement about a bus might have a tragic consequence. But hey gotta get em cycling young 👍

Maggie Dodge ● 907d

Totally agree about putting up some signs … and sending out warnings for the first 2 weeks rather than issuing PCNs straight away would also get my vote.

Andrew Jones ● 907d

I watched from an upstairs window an adult and following child (much older) ride around the corner of the road.  The following child in order to keep up with the adult dangerously cut the corner and was completely on the wrong side of the road.  The adult would have been looking forward at that point and would not have seen that at all.

Philippa Bond ● 907d

Nonsense. Coming face to face in that underpass with a bus without an adult ahead of them would be traumatic for a small child and there would be a real risk of them panicking. There would be a chance of putting them of cycling for life. It would be a different matter if the parent was ahead of them.I have never seen a parent acting in such an irresponsible manner in Chiswick and, as I said, the photo was probably staged i.e. the child never actually proceeded through the tunnel. On the other hand I have seen a number of photos on social media in which a child's safety appears to have been compromised by a parent over-anxious to portray their virtue in encouraging their off-spring to cycle.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 907d

Crikey talk about a snowflake generation get a grip Maggie and Jeremy. 

John Hall ● 907d

The photo is clearly staged. It would be irresponsible of any parent to let a child that young lead the way through the underpass. As you point out, a bus or a confused driver could meet them head on. I don't however think children that young should not be on the road - it is good to familiarise them early. However, there is a big difference between familiarising and terrorising.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 907d

Ha ha I never dreamt this little chap was on his own. I just doubt the wisdom of anyone letting someone this young on a road, and it is still a road, where buses and yes other cars who’ve missed the signs are driving through.  Why choose this route? There’s actually nowhere to pull over in the middle section.

Maggie Dodge ● 907d

"Roadspace where children can cycle without having to worry about cars is needed"Very true however we are told over 8,000 cars pass through a year. Why? Because the signage is inadequate.When there is a  change to a road layout you can't help but see ruddy great signs reading NEW ROAD LAYOUT AHEAD. Why not  something similar like NEW RESTRICTION AHEAD?

Adrian Irving ● 907d

I would imagine that the photo 'might' have been taken by an Adult cycling behind?When I was a kid and had just learnt to cycle there weren't any roads near me that were blocked off to cars and I started off cycling on the pavements as it was far safer for me.Roadspace where children can cycle without having to worry about cars is needed to help them build up the skills and confidence to enable them to safely cycle on the wider road network.

Andrew Jones ● 907d

The widening of the path at the top of Southfield Park is an excellent suggestion. Not sure why Cllr Malcolm is getting criticism for it. I cycle through there regularly but half the time you need to dismount because pedestrians are coming in the opposite direction.Access to the park at the southern side also needs to be sorted out. The entrance by the top of St Albans Avenue seems designed to discourage cycling rather than the opposite. It is a shame that funding was wasted on the pointless changes to the crossing on South Parade.Ealing claimed in their justification for keeping the restrictions that the East Acton - Chiswick cycleway was a key piece of active travel infrastructure yet they seem to be doing nothing to make it a practical reality. The money that is being collected in fines at Fishers Lane should be used to improve access for cyclists to the north and south of Southfield Park.

Mark Evans ● 907d

Is that youngster on a bike on Fishers Lane aware that a bus could come along at any minute? How old are they 4/5 maybe. Unlikely to panic if something goes wrong, highly experienced cyclist no doubt.  Still at least there’s no other cyclists.

Maggie Dodge ● 907d

"The pollution on Acton Lane represents the political failure to provide a much more comprehensive road network that can better support the shortest possible driving distance between any two points. If that’s the argument for pushing cars down Fishers Lane, then it’s exactly the same argument for a new road across Southfield Park." What twaddle, who knew you were comedian as well?

Adrian Irving ● 907d

I understand Ealing Council are already exploring the options of widening the path. But for consistency, shouldn’t Councillor Malcolm be rather more ambitious and push for a new road across Southfield Park.The pollution on Acton Lane represents the political failure to provide a much more comprehensive road network that can better support the shortest possible driving distance between any two points. If that’s the argument for pushing cars down Fishers Lane, then it’s exactly the same argument for a new road across Southfield Park.

Tom Pike ● 907d

You can say that again. Makes no sense as an instead of Fishers Lane, much better to widen the path at the top of Southfield park as well, as is it is too narrow as a shared path, that extends further a good N/S connection. Also, widening the footpath under Fishers Lane would good. Not this BS politicking stuff, perhaps this Gary Malcontent character should take note of this https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2021/oct/29/the-bikelash-paradox-how-cycle-lanes-enrage-some-but-win-votes 

John Hall ● 908d

Just here... Widening this path is the Liberal Democrat plan for encouraging active travel in Southfield...

Whilst supporting legal action to open this as an unrestricted through route for cars...

Edward Seaton ● 908d

Just here... Widening this path is the Liberal Democrat plan for encouraging active travel in Southfield...

Whilst supporting legal action to open this as an unrestricted through route for cars...

Edward Seaton ● 908d

'widening a 10m section of shared pedestrian/ cyclist path north of Southfield Playing Fields that is nowhere near a road.'  Where, exactly, please?

Claire Moran ● 908d

And that after 18 months of campaigning and canvassing he has, allegedly, found one Labour voter who will switch to the Lib Dems.Self-parody at its finest.

Paul Campbell ● 908d

Southfield Liberal Democrats latest. Gary Malcolm confirms that they back legal action to attempt to reverse Fishers Lane street calming. The same article trumpets their brilliant idea to encourage cycling. It’s widening a 10m section of shared pedestrian/ cyclist path north of Southfield Playing Fields that is nowhere near a road. Revolutionary stuff. Thanks guys.

Edward Seaton ● 908d

Not for women trying to walk home after dark with no one around.  Many women I know won't walk there after dark now.  Thanks a bunch.

Claire Moran ● 911d

If I were scoring this I’d say those  in favour of re- opening Fishers Lane are beating the cycle bullies good and proper.  Can I say well done to Joanna, you have the patience of a saint.

Maggie Dodge ● 911d

Fishers Lane being closed to cars IMO just makes it nicer.

Stewart Jones ● 911d

Clean forgot Edward, I have ridden one as a weekend job delivering booze for Fullers to the local soaks.Fullers have one in their museum which may give you a.clue as to how long ago that was.

Adrian Irving ● 911d

Never risen one Edward but my father had a W W 2 British Army bike that was the type used in the invasion of Europe.Build like a battleship and  that I used to speed along the towpath to keep up with rowing eights on the Thames.Sadly missed.I did some cycling in central Amsterdam but I can't say I enjoyed it and it's definitely not for the beginner.

Adrian Irving ● 911d

‘Amsterdam and high on weed’. Slightly lazy stereotypIng perhaps Adrian.  One of the pleasures of a sensible upright bike is they are extremely stable as I’m sure you know.

Edward Seaton ● 911d

That could be it Edward, maybe she was from Amsterdam and  high on weed.Or maybe she is just another example of a person that has about as much road sense as a road kill rabbit.

Adrian Irving ● 911d

"The Ealing data covers up to August 2021 while Hounslow is up to mid-June 2021 therefore Ealing data is more recent."Indeed. So it incorporates the school holidays. What I'd like reassurance on is that July and August have not been compared with months in which the schools are mainly in term.I'm quite happy to accept any definition of afternoon peak that you wish. What ever definition you use the Steer report does show a significant increase in westbound journey times for part of the day in a section of the journey that only contains two stops during a period in which passenger numbers and car journeys generally are down significantly. You could always suggest to Ealing Council that if they wish their decisions to be credible they should release the full data behind any statistical claim they make rather than forcing people to make FoI requests to get it.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 911d

There isn't a contradiction.The Ealing data covers up to August 2021 while Hounslow is up to mid-June 2021 therefore Ealing data is more recent.You are also misrepresenting the Steer document. It says "the data appears to show little noticeable changes, with the exception of 14:00 to 17:00 on weekdays in the westbound direction"Note, no reference to "afternoon and evening peak" as you claimed.Also I don't know what you mean by "afternoon peak".  Transport usage generally has a morning peak around 8am to 9am and an evening peak around 6pm.  The time between this is called the inter-peak.  So the iBus data in the Steer report by Hounslow doesn't show an increase of bus journey times during peak times.  There is a small increase for a 3 hour period during the inter-peak.The Steer data shows slight improvements or no change during peak times.From a transport planning perspective, the general approach is to just look at the peak times and the rest can take care of itself.You could always do a FOI request to TfL for the 94 and 272 iBus data if you are determined to get the source information.

Michael Robinson ● 911d

Non-sequitur of the week!

Bruce Hammal ● 911d

Indeed Bruce.  I'm sure there are lots of people in Croydon, Chingford and Catford who would just love to pop down to Chiswick High Rd for a quick shop if only the cycle lane didn't make it so difficult to drive there.

Michael Robinson ● 911d

Gosh Michael, it sounds terrible!Just so there's no confusion is it right that the UK has a population of about 68 million and the Netherlands 17 million?And that 9.4 million people live in London while in Amsterdam it's about 1 million?I wonder if that might make a difference?

Bruce Hammal ● 911d

Below all the information I could find from the Ealing Council scrutiny committee papers. A report states, "Extensive traffic surveys have been carried out in the area before and after the change, and before and after enforcement started. Bus journey time (iBus) data from October 2019 to August 2021 for routes 94 (South Parade) and 272 (half of South Parade, plus Fisher’s Lane) have been analysed to measure any delays to buses.Bus journey times on route 94 reduced significantly during the 1st lockdown. "They increased marginally when lockdown eased in Aug 2020, then remained stable during the 2021 lockdown. However, the times are still an improvement on those before the first lockdown. Reductions are typically 5-10%, but in the pm peak, westbound, the reduction is much better, at around 13% or 36 seconds. These figures show that there is nosignificant extra congestion on South Parade."This does contradict Steer's report that found there had been an increase in journey times for the 94 westbound in the afternoon and evening peak.The apparent contradictions between the two reports could easily be clarified by all the data being put in the public domain. In the absence of this it is impossible to disprove that Ealing Council are using the figures selectively to make their case. For instance are they comparing bus travel times in July and August 2021 with months during the school term?All in all, if someone is willing to accept partial information from an organisation with a political and financial incentive to keep the closure running as good evidence and rejects an independent report and the overwhelming opinion of residents of the area as bad evidence, this suggests they have a pre-determined view.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 911d

It is indeed Bruce.However the Netherlands has no elderly or disabled people.  They all die because ambulances take too long to get to hospital. At home, they all sit on the floor because it is impossible to get a sofa delivered.  There are lots of canals in the Netherlands because the pipes leak and these cannot be fixed because plumbers vans cannot get to them.

Michael Robinson ● 911d

Would that be the same Netherlands that has a higher car-ownership per capita than the UK?

Bruce Hammal ● 911d

I wonder how she would  have dealt with a large red bus coming at her, or for that matter other cyclists.  Are the fines still racking up for Fishers Lane? When is there a duty of care by Ealing Council to acknowledge the signs aren't working sufficiently.  Of course there is no incentive for them I understand that.  However, is there a higher body that could say they need larger signs.  Can we as Council Tax payers ask for an improvement?

Maggie Dodge ● 911d

Adrian: “Yesterday a middle aged woman peddled by on her sit up and beg bicycle one hand on a handlebar the other clutching  a mobile whilst occasionally glancing at the road ahead. It gets worse. Trotting along the pavement, trying to keep up was her young labrador over which she had no control.”Sounds like you could have been in The Netherlands Adrian. I think we’re getting somewhere!

Edward Seaton ● 911d

Previously I suggested that Fishers Lane may or may not actually be more dangerous for cyclists than when 6,600 vehicles were passing through daily.I agree that seems illogical but here is just one example of what I regularly see in my 'quiet' road were some cyclists feel safe.Yesterday a middle aged woman peddled by on her sit up and beg bicycle one hand on a handlebar the other clutching  a mobile whilst occasionally glancing at the road ahead. It gets worse. Trotting along the pavement, trying to keep up was her young labrador over which she had no control.Why? Good question, certainly not the logical thing to do. A large part of the explanation is because she felt safe to do so in a quiet road.The other point is many motorist speed up where there is little traffic to slow them down.Would this same woman do this in a road busy with traffic? I think not.So, with a mixture of a reported eight thousand vehicles still passing through and some cyclists feeling safe  the result could be nasty.Back to my original point, the signage isn't working.

Adrian Irving ● 911d

Fine words Tom but in reality just  further confirmation that you and it seems no-one else has a clue what the overall effect has been of this restriction.Disgraceful.BTW even though I lived in Bedford Park for a few years I don't think I have ever driven through  but when TGT and the underpass were restricted simultaneously it was clear the clueless brigade had taken control and need to be challenged every step of the way.

Adrian Irving ● 912d

In short, if we don't know everything, we know nothing, but we should ignore both statistics and logic to develop any understanding.I'm not persuaded by the coherence of such an approach.

Tom Pike ● 912d

By your own figures  two million three hundred and seven six thousand  vehicles a year past through.I am sorry but you can't detach this number without  having carefully studied and detailed where all these movements have gone otherwise you can't know what this restriction has had on the area as a whole. Yes some will peddle through no doubt but your round the houses answer tells me you really have no clear idea where these  two million plus movements have gone.Step away from your statistics and forget "logic" for a moment and you will realise applying logic to human nature is in itself illogical. "I have just read it" Not like you Tom to miss the detail but hey ho.

Adrian Irving ● 912d

I did, and you failed to answer any of these points:- you were wrong about bus journeys times presented in the Hounslow report and you do not appear to have read either the Hounslow and Ealing reports- you told the Hounslow OSC meeting that you weren’t a member of OneChiswick when you had two Facebook profiles saying that you were a member of OneChiswick- you have no response whether you asked David Giles to pass on security arrangements at Hounslow House to OneChiswick or if he decided to do this himself- you have no response on what you do as a OneChiswick member. For example, do you write their press releases?- you have no response on what has happened to the OneChiswick money

Michael Robinson ● 912d

Michael, you seem not to have read my earlier reply to you.

Joanna Biddolph ● 912d

I’m sure Tom or one of his buddies will conjure something up. I think the evaporation theory has evaporated but look forward to the new thinking 👍

Maggie Dodge ● 912d

I've just read it - trying to argue that Fishers Lane has become less safe because there are fewer cars defies logic.As for where have the cars gone, given they'll no longer be using South Parade to access Fishers Lane, we know we're rather unlikely to find many of them there! The argument that closing Fishers Lane would increase traffic on South Parade similarly defies logic.I'm sure that some of the traffic has been displaced to Acton Lane, but the latest monitoring results from Ealing suggest that vehicle counts been falling back to earlier levels. Ealing are continuing to monitor traffic there. Are you willing to entertain even the possibility that some of those trips by car are now taken by bike? It's consistent with the increase in cycling on Fishers Lane, the decrease in cars on the High Road, and the increasing proportion of bikes on the High Road. At least such a possibility does not defy basic logic.

Tom Pike ● 912d

Tom says 6600 vehicles passed through the underpass a day.My simple question is where have all these journeys gone and by what means of transport?As Tom seems to have gone AND dodged the question I throw it open to all.

Adrian Irving ● 912d

Tom says 6600 vehicles passed through the underpass a day.My simple question is where have all these journeys gone and by what means of transport?As Tom seems to have gone dodged the question I throw it open to all.

Adrian Irving ● 912d

I refer to my earlier question that must have slipped your attention Tom.

Adrian Irving ● 912d

There's no contradiction - the data covers different periods as Michael detailed in his previous post.

Tom Pike ● 912d

If you were told the data was averaged over 24 hours, you either misheard or were misinformed. There was no mention of using daily averages at the Ealing OSC meeting or in its briefing material. For Hounslow the Steer report that was provided to you shows hourly iBus data, further broken down into Mon-Fri, Sat and Sun. The Chief Officer's report also highlights changes at particular times, not 24-hour averages. You have previously quite reasonably requested that data be made available to show the effects of the various schemes. But when you have been provided with this data, you don't appear to look at it. If you had, you would have seen the bus times had improved along both Fishers Lane and South Parade. Instead you sent a lengthy "briefing note" to the Ealing OSC that included only anecdotal traffic information and ignored the independent traffic data that was provided to Ealing to inform its decision.

Tom Pike ● 912d

This bus data directly contradicts the information given by Steer earlier. Is there a report providing more detail?

Jeremy Parkinson ● 912d

Your recollection isn't correct. You also don't appear to have read the actual Steer report because it shows, as I said, hourly averages, not averages over 24 hours. The Ealing report contains more recent data and you don't appear to have read that either.  No wonder your email to the Ealing Committee was ignored.
You told the Overview and Scrutiny Committee that you weren't a member of OneChiswick but at the time you had 2 Facebook profiles both of which said you were a member.  You clearly misled the committee and your attempts to wriggle out of this deception are just sophistry. Can you clarify why you told David Giles the security arrangements for Hounslow House? Did you ask him to pass the information on to OneChiswick or was that his own decision? Can you clarify your role as a member of OneChiswick? Do you draft their press releases? The style has a certain turgid and overlong pedantry that seems somewhat familiar... What has happened to the money?

Michael Robinson ● 912d

Michael, we were told that the info on delays was averaged over 24 hours. My recollection is correct.As you know, the word "member" is forced on all Facebook groups by Facebook. I follow OneChiswick on Facebook. I am not a member. Indeed, my understanding is that OneChiswick does not have a membership or a membership fee. It has a Facebook page - just as Hounslow Cycling does. Your persistence on this appears to be desperate given how many times I've explained it - and given the similarity with Hounslow Cycling's Facebook page where followers are also described, automatically by Facebook, as members. It is very different from Hounslow cabinet members who are members of London Cycling Campaign which not only charges a membership fee but also provides what it describes on its website as "some fantastic benefits" including "cycling liability insurance, cycling legal advice, great discounts and a FREE set of CatEye lights for a limited time.*" https://www.lcc.org.uk/membership-benefits/These benefits mean that Hounslow cabinet members should have declared their interests but failed to until very recently, having realised that they do in fact have a "pecuniary interest" which is the definition of what should be declared. If you watched the Ealing scrutiny committee you will have seen that a councillor tried to force declarations; the legal officer reminded all that the guidance was that "pecuniary interests" should be declared. As for "security information" this is exaggeration for the sake of effect. The information was not secret or privileged. It was given to me as I passed through the foyer of Hounslow House - in earshot of members of the public - and is a message often given about which door to use as we leave or if we are coming back again. Hounslow House is a meeting place for the public. It is also where Hounslow library is. It is open whenever the library is, and the front door is the route in. At times when the library is closed, councillors and officers might be able to use the front door or might be asked to use the side gate in. When leaving, the front door might be open or we might be asked to leave by the side gate out. But here's the main point, all three - the main front door, the side gate in, the side gate out - are visible from the main road that runs along the front and side of Hounslow House. Telling me in advance which door/gate to use the following day was a routine message - and others overheard it. Besides, anyone outside could easily work it out - people try the front door and, if it doesn't open, walk a few yards on to the side. It's visible from the road. The same as we leave if the front door is closed - we are all visible leaving by the side gate out. Then there's this. On the day of the meeting, when I arrived early for another meeting beforehand, as I arrived at Hounslow House a security guard was outside the front door briefing his team for that evening and explaining - out loud - where members of his team were to stand. He walked them round to different spots, still speaking out loud saying "I want two of you there and two of you there" while pointing to the entrances, just as cabin crew do when pointing out emergency exit routes.  No secrets.  No privileged information.  Besides, anyone turning up for the meeting or the demo would have seen what was going on when they arrived.

Joanna Biddolph ● 912d

You miss the point Tom.I keep seeing people saying a "safe" route. It's not, safer maybe and maybe not.Cyclist feeling "safe" may well be paying less attention and not expecting to meet a vechile. Result 💥🚴You could also argue a single vehicle is likely to be going faster than one stuck in 6600 others.BTW Tom please tell me where and how the 6600 are now travelling? 

Adrian Irving ● 912d

It would indeed be misleading to use 24-hour bus delays as a proxy for congestion, but that has not been done: peak times have been used to assess the effects of the restrictions on Fishers Lane.  From the report to the Ealing OSC:For route 94 (South Parade): "Reductions are typically 5-10%, but in the pm peak, westbound, the reduction is much better, at around 13% or 36 seconds. These figures show that there is no significant extra congestion on South Parade." For route 272 (half of South Parade, plus Fisher’s Lane): Reductions are typically 5-10%, but in the pm peak, both ways, the reduction is much better at around 15% or 30 seconds.The bus times are independent data, not from One Chiswick, LCC or HCC. Such data formed the evidence base of the decision Ealing took to make the restrictions permanent. Do you have any independent data that provides contrary evidence? There was none included in the briefing you sent to the OSC. You really do seem to be backing away from your previous demand for a NS bike route for Chiswick as part of your proposed "new consensus" of cycling policy. If not Fishers Lane, which do you back for protected cycling, Acton Lane or TGT? If the answer is none of the above, where does that leave your policy on active travel?

Tom Pike ● 912d

Cllr Biddolph's recollection is incorrect.  The data in the report is averaged hourly, not over 24 hours, and further broken down by weekdays, Saturday and Sunday.So she isn't off to a good start by getting her first point wrong.I trust that she welcomes the objective data showing an improvement in bus times for the 94 and 272.Given that she also called for a north-south cycling route in Chiswick, I would like to congratulate her on achieving this.Cllr Biddolph's own involvement with OneChiswick deserves some attention.  She claimed not to be a member when her Facebook profile said "member".Cllr Biddolph then provided security information for Hounslow House to suspended Riverside ward chair, David Giles, who posted this on OneChiswick.  This predated the David Amess murder but looks like a particularly irresponsible action.  However Cllr Biddolph's previous attitude towards death threats to councillors was that "it wasn't a proper death threat" so she doesn't appear to be particularly responsible in that regard.It is interesting that Cllr Biddolph views number of Facebook followers as how representative they are.  On that measure, clearly we should be asking Ant and Dec to design traffic schemes because their Facebook group has 2.3 million followers.When it comes to being representative, Cllr Biddolph may be interested to know over 5 times more people cycle on Chiswick High Rd on a single day than have donated to OneChiswick in over a year.And on the subject of money donated to OneChiswick, as a member of OneChiswick, maybe Cllr Biddolph can tell everyone - where has the money gone?

Michael Robinson ● 912d

My recollection of "data" on bus journey times along Chiswick High Road, given to a Hounslow overview and scrutiny meeting, was that the supposed negligible delay was achieved by averaging journey times over 24 hours. So, the experience of being stuck on a bus in gridlock at, say, 5pm is as real as the experience of being driven along uninterrupted at, say, 5am. Giving average delay times to imply negligible delays at peak times mocks residents' intelligence - and denies their experiences. There is also the important point about numbers - of people stuck on buses in gridlock and of people who aren't, given the number of day time buses that operate when routes are congested compared with the number of night buses operating when roads are clear. The number of people whose lived experiences are of long delays is far greater. The point "A large part of "respondents" in this case were from campaigns organised by OneChiswick, a group with the objective of removing traffic restrictions therefore hardly an objective source of information." also doesn't stand up to scrutiny. Any special interest group will attract people who agree with its stance so a group such as OneChiswick is no different from groups such as Hounslow Cycling and the London Cycling Campaign - the latter two are, to adjust Michael's words slightly, groups with the objective of imposing traffic restrictions therefore hardly objective sources of information. We know, from Twitter, that there was a leaflet drop encouraging residents to support the continued closure of Fishers Lane (I didn't see it so I don't know its source). How is that different from a campaign encouraging people to object to the closure? Which one is more "objective"? Again, let's look at numbers. Hounslow Cycling Campaign Facebook followers: 334; OneChiswick Facebook followers: 2k. It's clear to me which one is more representative.

Joanna Biddolph ● 912d

Given there were 6600 vehicles a day before the restrictions, the risk of a collision on Fishers Lane has been reduced very significantly, whether the residual risk is 5% or 0.5%. The council would have had some very serious explaining to do when the "first person got whacked" if they had reopened Fishers Lane to all traffic, as would any councillor who supported such a move.

Tom Pike ● 912d

Thanks' for the info Michael.23 a day equates to over 8000 potential collisions a year however one week is hardly a full picture so let's see what the next six months show.Alternatively sit back do nothing, keep making political capital, until the first person gets wacked and then the council bod can say " nothing to do with us gov, the signage conforms to all the regulations"

Adrian Irving ● 912d

Jeremy,You are quoting selectively from the Steer report.  It actually says."Comparing January 2020 to May 2021, the data appears to show little noticeable changes, with the exception of 14:00 to 17:00 on weekdays in the westbound direction, which has shown an increase of about a minute. This may be caused by additional traffic on South Parade."The Ealing report says:"Bus journey times on route 94 reduced significantly during the 1st lockdown. They increased marginally when lockdown eased in Aug 2020, then remained stable during the 2021 lockdown. However, the times are still an improvement on those before the first lockdown. Reductions are typically 5-10%, but in the pm peak, westbound, the reduction is much better, at around 13% or 36 seconds. These figures show that there is no significant extra congestion on South Parade.""Journey times on route 272 also reduced significantly during the 1st lockdown. They went up marginally as lockdown eased in Aug 2020, then reduced again with the 2021 lockdown. As route 94 journey times did not reduce in the second lockdown, this improvement may be due to enforcement of the ban on other motor vehicles in Fisher's Lane. All journey times are an improvement on those before the first lockdown. Reductions are typically 5-10%, but in the pm peak, both ways, the reduction is much better at around 15% or 30 seconds."The source of data is exactly the same for both Steer and Ealing - it is the TfL iBus data which tracks a bus position using GPS. The Steer report covers up to June 2021 while Ealing is up to August 2021.Your belief that public opinion provides an accurate measure of traffic volumes also doesn't stand up to scrutiny.  A large part of "respondents" in this case were from campaigns organised by OneChiswick, a group with the objective of removing traffic restrictions therefore hardly an objective source of information.

Michael Robinson ● 912d

Both Ealing and Steer for Hounslow used the same independent iBus data. As Ealing’s report was produced later, there’s no contradiction: it simply shows that bus times have improved. There is no sign of increased traffic on South Parade. After all, an average of 500 vehicles an hour that used South Parade to access Fishers Lane, so with most of those vehicles gone why would there be more traffic? With both Turnham Green and Acton Lane unrestricted, there is no need for most NS traffic to use South Parade at all now. I’ve never claimed Acton Lane has seen no increase in traffic, as clearly the data says it has. The latest data presented at the OSC meeting was that the increase was 30%. However Steer showed that in its earlier report the overall level of traffic, and it’s directness, had improved north of the High Road, quite different to what you claim. We don’t have a large pool of data of traffic counts through Fishers Lane. We have one person’s counts, increase from monitoring and Streetview images. We don’t even know at this point the time period of this person’s counts, so I’m not dismissing it at all - we need more information. If a politician claims to support active travel, but fails to back any measure that might support it, then it is quite right to highlight this. They can respond if they believe the charge is inaccurate. That’s hardly name calling, rather simply holding our representatives to account.

Tom Pike ● 912d

Tom Pike said, "Ealing used the bus times along South Parade, which show no additional delays, and the reduced delays of the 272 on Fishers Lane itself to inform their decision to make the restriction permanent."You can’t claim to be in favour of active travel and at the same time put anecdotal accounts above independent monitoring in rejecting active travel measures."I haven't seen the data provided by Ealing but wouldn't you accept that unverified data from an organisation with a vested interest in the outcome is less valuable as evidence than that from an independent traffic consultant?The Steer report says that westbound travel times for the 94 bus have increased by a minute in the afternoon peak westbound on South Parade/Acton Lane. Steer concludes "This may be caused by additional traffic on South Parade".This might not sound a lot but with  general car traffic levels still below pre-pandemic and bus loading only at 60% you would be expecting a fall under normal circumstances. It looks like what is happening is that most of the time tailbacks along Acton Lane do not reach the terminus of the 94 but they do occasionally which means that most buses are proceeding without delay at the moment but some are being held up for the final two stops on the route.When talking about traffic levels in the North of Chiswick Steer states, "The most notable increase is on Acton Lane, which may be due to traffic diverting from Fishers Lane".It also states "There also appears to be an increase in traffic using the east-west corridor to the north of the Tube line, for example along Bath Road. This increased traffic may also be having an impact on bus journey times along South Parade".This highlights the internal contradiction in the claims you are making. On the one hand you are telling us that up to 900 vehicles used the Fishers Lane underpass and on the other you claim that since its closure there has been no increase on cars on Acton Lane and South Parade. Both of these claims cannot be true.It is also a very unsound approach to dismiss the observed experience of local residents as evidence. You perhaps can discount the anecdotal evidence of individuals on this forum but when hundreds of people, when asked to give their view, say the same thing then this clearly has some evidential value. If you have a large pool of data in which 85% of respondents have the same opinion on a matter they are likely to be well-informed on then you have to take that as an important piece of evidence when forming an opinion.There seems to be a growing trope among people supporting these measures that anyone opposed to them is an enemy of active travel. To me this name-calling just indicates a lack of a properly evidenced argument in favour of this scheme.I don't have a dog in this fight as Acton Lane, South Parade and Fishers Lane are roads that I will rarely use. Therefore I think I can look at this question reasonably objectively. The evidence that the closure of Fishers Lane has caused a significant increase in traffic is overwhelming - it is confirmed by an independent traffic consultant's report and the daily observation of hundreds of local people.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 912d

Apparently earlier this year thee was an average of 60 fines a day.For a week in June this had dropped to an average of 23 a day.In June, 10% of drivers fined had W4 postcodes.  27% had postcodes outside London.

Michael Robinson ● 912d

It will be interesting to monitor the number of fines this restriction generates over the coming months/years.I passed the southern entrance twice yesterday(lunch at the Duke of Sussex) and on both occasions a car passed through.I managed to have a word with one driver who was visiting his family and therefore not familiar with the change. Nice chap, who hadn't see the signs but thanked me as he had intended to return home the same way.Let's have no smart arse comments about his ability to read please.  Rather, if lobbyists are serious about cyclists safety, they should be more concerned that the signage is still inadequate rather than making cheap political shots.

Adrian Irving ● 912d

I am a Southfield resident and everyone I know in Southfield is totally in agreement with Gary Malcolm over this.

Claire Moran ● 913d

Cllr Biddolph called for improved north-south cycling routes saying that it wasn't sufficient to have only east-west.She can now point to Fishers Lane as an achievement for what she asked for.

Michael Robinson ● 913d

There are only three possible north-south routes across the District line in Chiswick that could provide the protected cycling Councillor Biddolph demanded: Acton Lane, Fishers Lane and Turnham Green Terrace. Putting cycle lanes on either Acton Lane or TGT would require the removal of the parking which we know Councillor Biddolph feels is necessary. Hence Fishers Lane looked to be the best choice to implement the Councillor's policy objectives.I did congratulate Councillor Biddolph in person after the Ealing Overview and Scrutiny Committee endorsed making permanent the north-south cycling route she had advocated as part of a "new consensus", but I didn't get a response.

Tom Pike ● 913d

"I appreciate it is difficult to affect policy as a political minority, and you deserve congratulations when you manage to make a positive difference."This is very true. I can remember Cllr. Biddolph's frequent protestations that Chiswick was poorly served by only having a linear east / west cycle lane so I expect that she is truly delighted to see that a new north / south cycle route is being established. One of many to come as the network builds.

Paul Campbell ● 913d

Plenty of people in Southfield have had enough and it’s with Ealing Council. It hasn’t even got to do with Party. It is with their constant failure to recognise and cater for their Chiswick residents, their constant failure to consult, their constant failure to look out for people - like the elderly- or people other than cyclists, who certainly deserve their views to be listened to and heard, but not at the expense of everyone else.What is it that this authoritarian group of people distrust so much about consultation? It has nothing to do with democracy. Nothing to do with Labour and I am not sure it has anything much to do with climate change. It does however seem to have a lot to do with corruption.Look at the ‘consultation’ on the tower blocks in Bollo Lane, (first remove the bus service -440- with no ‘consultation’ so people can’t reach the ‘consultation’ exhibition.) You could restore the 440 route then you’d have righted one wrong  which might balance out some of the inconvenience, but what you are going to do about the build up of traffic in surrounding streets like South Parade, for the sake of a handful of increased bikes, I don’t know. Oh yes, sorry, I do, nothing. That’ll help climate change. You’ve achieved the moral high ground by doing very moral things.I am going for my flu jab on Monday and my booster on Friday. That will cost me about £30 in a taxi to travel about a mile each way to the health centre, but hey, don’t worry, I live in Chiswick and can afford it.As for the Lib Dems, I am not a member of the Lib Dems, I was pretty cross with them over their conduct on the Brexit vote, which I think they helped lose, but they are the only people to take an interest in Southfield. I have lived here nearly 40 years and cannot remember a Tory or Labour Party representative  coming to my door in that time and that very much includes Deirdre Costigan, who has certainly not spoken to me, or, in a quick poll of neighbours, any of these Southfield residents, perhaps she should stick to her own ward and get things right there before moving on to us. Maybe their clear success in speaking knowledgeably for their community, backed up by polls, is the explanation for the hatred spilling out of Costigan’s mouth

Helen Martin ● 913d

The increases in cycling cited by Councillor Costigan were not just "claims". They were from data collected in November 2019, October 2020, May 2020 and September 2021. "Overall, the increase can be estimated as 150 to 200%, and growth is continuing."You've haven't given the time period over which Kay Heatherington's counts were taken or at what time of day or day of the week - there are usually two peak times each week day, not three. If the claim were that only 60 cyclists a day are now using Fisher Lane, that's not a credible number, but 60 cyclists an hour would be reasonable, according to the Streetview images: it's possible to estimate the number of cyclists before the restrictions on Fishers Lane from these images.Cyclists made up 6% of total traffic in Streetview images of Fishers Lane from 2008 to 2019, which from the previous traffic counts would amount to 200 to 300 cyclists a day, or 20 to 30 an hour. Given the measured increase since the restrictions came in, 60 cyclists an hour would now be a reasonable number. That compares to average cycle counts now of more than 200 an hour along the High Road from 7 am to 7 pm.As for anecdotal evidence of increased pollution, both the independent INRIX and iBus data show no evidence of increased congestion along South Parade with bus times for both the 94 and 272 showing significant improvements since the restrictions were introduced. That data informed both Hounslow's and Ealing decisions on Fisher Lane - putting anecdote above independently collected data is not a pathway to informed policy.Councillor Gill's comments in his blog that trips have become longer as a result of the restrictions on Fishers Lane are similarly not supported by the evidence. Steer’s Streetspace review for Hounslow included average trip directness both before and after the restrictions were in place. Local trips north of the High Road became significantly more direct as well as falling in number with the restrictions on Fisher Lane, both in absolute terms and relative to the Borough as a whole. It’s not fair or accurate to say that Councillor Costigan or Jefferson Nwokeoma were either irresponsible or talking “nonsense” in commending the restrictions as contributing to their respective council’s climate-change commitments.As to why you weren't able to make a speech, Ealing invited six residents to speak at the meeting. Are you suggesting that out-of-borough councillors be given priority over residents? In fact you were able to state your case to Hounslow, and making the restrictions permanent required both councils to agree. They both have now agreed, and the restrictions are about to become permanent. The evidence is that Chiswick will see both less pollution and reduced emissions as a result, as well as the north-south bike route that you earlier said was a necessity in your statement of cycling priorities for Chiswick.  I appreciate it is difficult to affect policy as a political minority, and you deserve congratulations when you manage to make a positive difference.

Tom Pike ● 913d

The claim that cycling has increased by between 150% and 200% was just that: a claim. Cllr Deirdre Costigan didn't provide any numbers. I attended the Fishers Lane call-in, with my two fellow Turnham Green ward councillors Ranjit Gill and Ron Mushiso. I had asked if we, or at least one of us, could speak to the committee given that Fishers Lane is in TG ward, apart from the top few yards of. Refused. This is an extract from the councillor blog - Ranjit's turn this time:Cllr Deirdre Costigan's "claims of increased cycling along Fishers Lane became ever more fantastical and ended with a brilliantly imaginative flourish, considering her many references to having "great data": "200% and that's a conservative estimate!" she said adding that there was "no concomitant impact on South Parade and very little on Acton Lane". "Local resident Kay Etherington, who spoke for residents, blew holes in Cllr Costigan's unsubstantiated cycle count claim. Kay had run a count of cycling through the bridge, in both directions, at three peak times a day, over several days all with good, mild weather and found there were on average 60 cyclists at peak times per day. If the numbers Kay counted were 200% higher, it means the previous count was a tiny number. Even the increase is not significant enough to warrant a closure to all cars. Kay, who works from home, now has to close her windows while at her desk because of the pollution from stationary traffic caused by the closure of Fishers Lane."Why didn't any of the three of us speak? Our request was refused. Our briefing to scrutiny councillors: https://www.chiswickgunnersburyconservatives.org.uk/news/fishers-lane-our-briefing-ealing-councils-overview-and-scrutiny-callRecording of the scrutiny meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfFdC0ivpwgRanjit's blog in full: http://www.chiswickw4.com/default.asp?section=info&page=councillorsblog228.htm

Joanna Biddolph ● 913d

While there’s nothing improper with a councillor talking to special interest groups, Gary Malcolm’s recent choice of communication aligns him more with the interests of One Chiswick than his own Southfield constituents. He now fails to acknowledge that many of his constituents are happy to see Fishers Lane remain calm. He appears to believe he had a better electoral chance running as the candidate for One Chiswick rather than for his own party whose policies on combatting climate change he now ignores. Councillor Costigan might have done Councillor Malcolm a favour by highlighting these risks. As for adding an “s” to the ward name, it’s a mistake made by many residents too!

Tom Pike ● 913d

It looks like you missed the briefing  given to Ealing’s Oversight and Scrutiny Committee on Thursday that informed their decision to make the restrictions permanent. Cycling numbers were up between 150 to 200%, with continuing growth. On the basis of the Streetview images, that translates to around 100 cyclists an hour. You can find the details here:https://ealing.cmis.uk.com/ealing/Meetings/tabid/70/ctl/ViewMeetingPublic/mid/397/Meeting/7055/Committee/34/Default.aspx

Tom Pike ● 913d

Deirdre Costigan's rant against the Lib Dems and claims that she had spoken to 'lots of people living in the area' would have been a bit more credible if she had got the name of the ward right. The local councillors are doing a very good job of representing the interests of residents of SOUTHFIELD.

Anita Blake ● 913d

Patrick your a breathe of fresh air

Maggie Dodge ● 914d

So no significant increase in cycling reported, at least they didn’t manage to hide that fact. So what reason for keeping Fishers Lane closed, none. 🤷‍♀️

Maggie Dodge ● 914d

So no significant increase in cycling reported, at least they didn’t manage to hide that fact. So what reason for keeping Fishers Lane closed, none. 🤷‍♀️

Maggie Dodge ● 914d

600 Cars an hourReally.Yeah, and I have 600 Leprechauns in me back garden..

PATRICK MULHALL ● 914d

And as an independent cross check, the eight Streetview images looking north from the playground towards South Parade give an average of 1.6 cars in shot. If you combine the north and south views that's 1.8 vehicles on average observed along a road length of 80 m. If they are travelling at an average of 15 mph, or 7 m/s, that's a flow of 500 cars an hour. That's in good agreement with the daytime Steer counts which were mostly between 400 and 600 vehicles an hour.There were still 50 vehicles an hour taking Fishers Lane in the traffic counts this May. A few would have been the 272, but even with Ealing capturing only a fraction of the flow, that's a significant revenue stream that could be spent on improving lighting and upgrading the pedestrian walkway.

Tom Pike ● 914d

Streetview looking down Fishers Lane from South Parade shows an average of two cars in shot for the nine times it's sampled the traffic since 2008*. Assuming 10 seconds on average to travel out of shot, that's 720 cars an hour. Streetview and the Steer numbers are consistent with each other and you don't need traffic backing up to South Parade to give these sorts of traffic counts along Fishers Lane.*The distribution also has a standard deviation of 1.77, not significantly different from the value of 1.41 that one would expect from random sampling of the Poisson distribution expected for such observations. This is an internal check that these observations from Streetview are statistically representative.

Tom Pike ● 914d

I agree, Julian. The numbers from the Steer report seem preposterous. Given the difficulties of exiting to CHR, 800 or even 600 vehicles per hour on Fishers Lane would see queues backed-up all the way to South Parade. How often did that happen? I say this as a firm supporter of the closure.

Robert Fish ● 914d

We just do what we have to and have no strong views on active travel.

Janice Evans ● 914d

I admire anybody who doesn’t toe the party line , if the party line is lunacy.  Even more so if the lunacy is letting 1.23% of the population govern us and cause distress, mayhem and general arm . A cult should never run anything

Maggie Dodge ● 914d

You must be very pleased that Gary Malcolm ignores his own party's policies and instead chooses to represent your views on active travel.

Tom Pike ● 914d

The removal of parking spaces cause us to do more driving as we nowdrop off and pick up later so two journeys instead of one, you have to work around these things if possible luckily we both have vehicles.

Janice Evans ● 914d

Ah yes Active Travel. So many holes in that one. E scooters ? People who do active jobs but can’t get there because of active travel measures. Cyclists riding to their office so they can sit behind a desk and be inactive for the rest of the day. They’re staying there all day, so not caught up in the chaos of people needing to get places. Call it what you like it’s just another name for let’s make life difficult for motorists. Any motorist, disabled, people who drive for a living? How about £20k Parklets? Is that active travel? Or  benches like those in the road on Acton High Street. A busy High Street traffic passing right behind you. Benches facing ugly shops, when there’s a park almost opposite. What’s that called, it’s called let’s take away parking spaces from motorists, that’ll be fun. Whose behind this ? cycle groups who care about nothing else and no one else but cyclists. What percentage is it now I hear 2% but a cyclist told me that so who knows the true figure

Maggie Dodge ● 914d

Ealing used the bus times along South Parade, which show no additional delays, and the reduced delays of the 272 on Fishers Lane itself to inform their decision to make the restriction permanent.You can’t claim to be in favour of active travel and at the same time put anecdotal accounts above independent monitoring in rejecting active travel measures

Tom Pike ● 914d

Edward, I think you are misrepresenting your neighbours' views by saying they are against active travel. From what I can tell from what people who live in the area tell me is that the main problem is the tailbacks that have developed along Acton Lane and sometimes to South Parade since the closure. They believe this is causing more congestion and pollution where they live and degrading the environment. I can't comment on whether they are right or not but you should respect their opinion by not trying to make out their concerns are purely selfish.Your slightly convoluted conspiracy theory about Cllr Malcolm not wanting opponents to respond to the survey is Trump-like in its unwillingness to accept a result. I don't live in the area but was aware of the survey as it was in this site's newsletter which went to 19.000 plus people. The outcome was similar to every other measure of local public opinion on this issue - to deny that the majority of the people in your area don't like this measure is preposterous.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 914d

Gary Malcolm claimed “ This is a shocking and disgraceful kick in the teeth to all the residents of Southfield and Chiswick”. This is simply not true. I know many people who support keeping Fishers Lane calm. A councillor has a responsibility to represent all of his constituents, not just those he agrees with. In fact Gary Malcolm has failed to deliver for his constituents who wanted the restrictions lifted as well as failed to acknowledge those who wanted the restrictions maintained. He has also failed to support his own party’s policies on promoting a shift to active travel. As Councillor Costigan said, it will be interesting to see how this plays out in the upcoming local elections.

Tom Pike ● 914d

Actually Ed downplayed the traffic counts on Fishers Lane. For the monitored week in November 2019 they peaked at over 900 an hour on Friday morning, and reached at least 600 vehicles an hour every day except Sunday. For reference, Bath Road counts were reported as peaking at over 1100 counts per hour, so Fishers Lane was reaching 80% of that level.Anyone who doubts Ed can check this in the Steer interim report produced for Hounslow. The report also shows that most of this traffic is not local. Anyway, this is of historical interest only now. Contrary to Gary Malcolm’s claims I know many of my neighbours in Southfield ward welcome that active travel has now been permanently prioritised by both Hounslow and Ealing along Fishers Lane.

Tom Pike ● 914d

"Unmasked"

Paul Campbell ● 914d

"Unmasked"

Paul Campbell ● 914d

Strong words for Gary Malcolm and the Southfield Lib Dems at the OSC:

Paul Campbell ● 914d

Peaked on Friday afternoons - wonder why that was ? Oh, I'll take a stab at that, the weekend get away out of London perhaps  ?

Loraine Pemberton ● 914d

Fishers vehicle use peaked at 800 vehicles an hour on Friday afternoons between 4 and 6pm in November 2019 actually Julian. Steer group. Project number 23901006.

Edward Seaton ● 914d

Hold up,thats ten a min That would cause more of a jam given the area than the m25 at Junction 23 You dont half talk crap mate

Julian Pavey ● 915d

I can tell you one thing,fishers lane has never ever had 600 cars an hour even if some blooming rubber strip says so. 600,pur,what next

Julian Pavey ● 915d

So where are those 600 cars an hour going now?! Do you live in the area around Fishers Lane? I do. They haven’t evaporated have they , they’re going past other people’s houses. Why is that a good thing? Where all the cyclists that Fishers Lane has been set aside for? They haven’t evaporated either, they never existed. It’s not a crime to be against the aggressive street measures introduced by Ealing and Hounslow. They’re slowly but surely being removed, why is that? Because they were very unpopular! . Fishers Lane is hanging on by a thread. I don’t have a political allegiance .  I’m just a local residents whose fed up of the mess Chiswick has become all for the benefit of cyclist and to the detriment tof the much larger majority of pedestrians and motorists.

Maggie Dodge ● 915d