Forum Topic

Rainbow Crossings

I was surprised to see these appear on the High Road by the end of TGT this morning - I had no idea they were being planned.In principle I think they are a great idea and am very much on board with their message but I couldn't help notice that, after just a few hours, they were starting to get a bit scuffed up. Take the chance to see them as soon as possible while they are relatively pristine because they might look a bit scruffy quite quickly.

Anita Blake ● 448d197 Comments

Democracy comes in many forms.

Philippa Bond ● 434d

If Stonewall have had a hand in advising that rainbow crossings would be superior to the usual crossings I would ask Councillors why they listened? Stonewall have been misrepresenting Equality law for many years: they advise everyone that "gender", not sex,is the Protected Characteristic in the Equality Act 2010. Councillors are not experts on EDI law and do not realise that by using "gender" they are adopting an ideology: a postulated separation of "sex in the mind" from sex of the body. Only the latter is verifiable and real. That leads to the "cis" and "trans" nonsense. On their website Stonewall's list of "trans" identities includes "casual cross-dressers". NO. All this "trans" stuff is unfounded, it is a belief, it is a cult.

Una-Jane Winfield ● 435d

They listened to their constituents. It's called democracy. Yes? No? Let's wait and see how Hounslow Council & Chiswick's Councillors respond to the TfL survey result if it shows strong opposition to the cycle lane from Chiswick residents.

Stephen Edwards ● 435d

And RBK&C have been taken to a Judicial Review over that.  The only London LA with no protected cycle lanes - they should be proud of themselves about that (not).

Philippa Bond ● 435d

It didn't stop Kensington & Chelsea from tearing up their cycle lane. Hounslow should do the same.

Stephen Edwards ● 435d

Just to remind you that a lot of Council money comes from the Govt and is earmarked for specific projects and not just for anything you in particular as a Council Tax payer may fancy:https://www.gov.uk/government/news/200-million-to-improve-walking-and-cycling-routes-and-boost-local-economies

Philippa Bond ● 436d

Sat,18th Feb, 7 pm, bring your spray paint and let's paint it black.  Rainbows do.not feature in crossings  in highway code and are therefore illegal.

Janet Stone ● 436d

£35k!!!!!  That's 100 years' of my council tax.  I would be delighted if that amount were spent on children of struggling families for free school breakfast,.lunch and dinner

Janet Stone ● 436d

Why canot a road crossing be gender neutral?

Janet Stone ● 436d

From my experience London drivers a way more likely to stop at Zebra Crossings than any other Country I have visited.In fact I would go on to say it rare for a road user not to stop when I want to cross.

Adrian Irving ● 436d

Are all the black and white zebra crossings where so many motorists and cyclists and motorcyclists are regularly either totally ignoring pedestrians crossing or endangering them while they are crossing in pristine condition?  They're not!  Who is reporting the zebras that need repainting and better illumination and calling for them to be more visible and safer?

Philippa Bond ● 436d

Jim come on, you and Stewart can't keep it to yourselves the name of Norman Scott's attempted murderer, or the organisation which vetoed the failed deed.The mystery has bugged me and others for more than forty years.Spill the beans Jim, or if not, at least disclose where Lord Lucan disappeared.

Denis I. Fox ● 437d

If you text me on 07956 907 354 Stewart...then we can arrange a meet up (no microphones under the table!)

Jim Lawes ● 437d

Well that really does not surprise me!

Philippa Bond ● 437d

just done some quick research. Most of these markings be it rainbow crossings or to mark a bay blue in a car park are widely done in the industry using Centrecoat ST1 Water Based Road Line Marking Paint. The paint costs £47.99 for 5 ltres Most rainbow crossings have cost anything from 1k to 2.2k per crossing. While not so many colours cambden council spent 10k on four crossings at a 4 way junction  Even for the extra colours at £47.99 for 5 litres and thats not trade or discount did our crossing come to 35k.

Julian Pavey ● 437d

As always Richard Jennings sums up the situation perfectly and hasn't been distracted by herrings of any colour  😉

Loraine Pemberton ● 437d

"Meanwhile I've now seen several cars turn into the cycle lane because the 'flag' is so confusing."I agree. There are adequate lines and cycle symbols in place to indicate the presence of the cycleway, but if you place bright multi-coloured stripes right next to them, you run the risk of diverting drivers' attention away from the traffic markings.I'm all for greater inclusiveness, but not if it causes a road safety hazard.

Richard Jennings ● 437d

'Cultural intolerance'? Oh, please. If you want to observe 'intolerance' look no further than the trans ideologists. Meanwhile I've now seen several cars turn into the cycle lane because the 'flag' is so confusing.

Stephen Edwards ● 437d

Just more money to waste. All when lots of people are struggling to cope with the cost of everything and this is supposed to fill peoples' pockets I assume? A pot of gold at the end of the rainbow?

Carl Johns ● 438d

I suggest you count to ten before posting, engage your brain, and take a good swig of  mouthwash.

Robert Fish ● 438d

I would not be surprised if your not banned for that.

Julian Pavey ● 438d

Steady on! That reminds me of a racist joke I was guilty of recounting many, many decades ago, but which would no longer be acceptable in present times.

Robert Fish ● 438d

Dont talk crapIts a huge chunk of money.And dont give me that cultural intolerance crap either.That flag represents my eldest son and daughter and one even attends events put on by the West London Queer Project and i fully support it Whats your CV of superior knowledge.

Julian Pavey ● 438d

How about a Black Lives Matter crossing? Cheaper and less easy to smudge!

Bill Reed ● 438d

This post pretty much summarises the overarching sentiment of the thread. However much it's dressed up as criticism of the expenditure or based on road safety concerns, in reality it's pure cultural intolerance.

Robert Fish ● 438d

Just had a look and its looking ropey. Not sure rain is the solution given the Avenue white markings about 5 months old are grey and dirty. At £750 a line,who's the mug in all of this during a crisis. Hope those who are living in damp,mould council properties are being looked after

Julian Pavey ● 438d

I thought both TfL and LBH were financially hard pushed for funds ? Also I'm fed up with having PC / Wokeness shoved in my face again

Loraine Pemberton ● 438d

Spot on. What a dreadful waste of £35,000 and goodness knows how much more will be required to maintain their dazzling appearance. Still, at least Chiswick can now be seen from space - I can’t see any other point to these garish daubings.

Sarah Potter ● 438d

Interesting that the picture on the ChiswickW4 'News' page of the newly tyre-marked rainbow crossing shows someone crossing the road ALONGSIDE it, presumably because it's a clear bit of black road with white studs that you'd expect to use, not a fancy decorated bit.

Peter Evans ● 438d

£35,000I was well out

Julian Pavey ● 438d

At £35,000 a pop, a scandalous waste of money.

Les Wilson ● 438d

The obvious solution is to stop ALL traffic crossing the rainbows, including bikes and pedestrians. Buses definitely. The gay rainbow is a holy and sacred symbol and I find it disgusting that anyone would allow filthy tyres and shoes to besmirch its purity. Stopping all traffic would have an added benefit: Chiswick could boast early achievement of the 7-year plan of net zero

Mark Ryan ● 438d

Well it is certainly creating a very vocal discussion which in the past would not have happened.  Surely that is a good thing!

Philippa Bond ● 439d

Jim, I know a bit about it myself but if you’d prefer not to talk about it here then please message me.

Stewart Jones ● 440d

I know too much about it all Stewartand I'd better not say more.

Jim Lawes ● 440d

Una-Jane, couldn't agree more. Had our local Councillors put up banners on street lamps proclaiming the trans ideology, etc, there would have been outrage. I suspect most residents have no idea what the so-called 'rainbow' flag represents beyond inclusiveness and its being colourful. I guess the real motive behind the gesture is financial: bringing in money/visitors which will benefit traders. Not a bad ends; shame about the means.Helen Joyce's book is tremendous. And how mad that Joanna Cherry is called 'brave' for stating - in relation to the Adam Graham case - that if you have a penis you're a man. Bonkers.

Stephen Edwards ● 441d

I agree, TimJim, I think you might also be factually wrong but am happy to be corrected. Where is the evidence that MI5 hired the hitman ? It was surely at the behest of Thorpe and Peter Bessel.

Stewart Jones ● 442d

Nice try Richard but doesn't do it for me.The other issue is what should it be called?The ????? Prayer.

Adrian Irving ● 442d

Front page of today's Times - bottom right-hand corner "Priests want prayers to make 'Our Father' gender neutral".

Richard Greenhough ● 442d

Just Google it.  But I can assure you that any theologian or mystic with any credibility will confirm that god is either, neither or both male and female.  Moreover she is sublimely indifferent to what pronoun you use to refer to them.  A bit like Eddie Izzard in that respect.  Others would do well to follow this wise example!

Alastair Banton ● 442d

Adrian says "I read that the CoE are thinking of making God gender free".  Where was that Adrian?  The Catholic Times?  A link would be helpful.

Phil Kay ● 442d

Easy. Our Parent who art in heaven hallowed be thy nameThy Republic comeetc.

Richard Greenhough ● 442d

I read that the CoE are thinking of making God gender free.Our ??????? who art in heaven hallowed be thy nameThy ??????? comeYour will be done etcAny suggestions as to how to change the questions?I'm stumped!

Adrian Irving ● 442d

What a joke. What's it come to? Oh dear..

Michael Brown ● 442d

I find this post deeply offensive. The sentence, 'one minute a rainbow troublemaker had to be eliminated and now we have such folk celebrated...'' is disgusting

Tim English ● 442d

Perhaps the rainbow crossings are to celebrate the survival of Norman Scott, a Devon farmer, who was the unhappy homosexual partner of Jeremy Thorpe, the Liberal Party leader and who was causing a stir in high places.MI5 organised for two of our local residents to take Scott  to Exmoor and execute him with a gun. The first hit man ducked out.MI5 sourced another Chiswick local and he only shot Scott's dog.So one minute a rainbow troublemaker had to be eliminated... and now we have such folk celebrated. What will MI5 be thinking.

Jim Lawes ● 443d

Not true.

Philippa Bond ● 443d

I’m well aware of the news, thanks. Probably more than you realise. But you do like to throw in a cryptic anti-catholic curveball on your posts now and again. Unless the Pope is coming to Chiswick to bless these crossings then it’s pretty irrelevant what he says.

Simon Hayes ● 443d

If you kept up with the news it wouldn't be!

Philippa Bond ● 443d

Why would you what? Your posts don’t make much sense. Perhaps stick to posting links, eh?

Simon Hayes ● 443d

I'm not having a go at the Pope.  He just spoke up about inclusivity so why would I?

Philippa Bond ● 443d

Have you lost the plot? I’m asking why you’ve brought Catholicism into this thread? If you simply want to have a go at the Pope then do so on a new thread.

Simon Hayes ● 443d

I've always understood the Pope was Catholic.  Are you suggesting he isn't?  If not what on earth are you on about?

Philippa Bond ● 443d

What are you on about Phillipa? More anti-Catholic rhetoric from you? Very tolerant.

Simon Hayes ● 443d

Seems that Jeremy has you sussed out, Campbell.You dismiss out of hand anyone who disagrees with your narrow viewpoint. You certainly do influence people, though in a more negative way than you probably hope for. All your ranting on here and elsewhere does is turn people off from your cause.Your aggression, dogma and constant denials of alternative views strongly suggest that it’s you who has the ‘fragile construct’ of ‘imagination’.

Simon Hayes ● 443d

Keep going. You mustn't let anything penetrate the fragile construct of your imagination.

Paul Campbell ● 443d

Someone pointed this out to me a while back. You become abusive when another poster when someone has made an argument which you cannot counter.Road safety, including the protection of cyclists, is not boring or inconsequential.I don't believe for one second that any individual's posts, including my own, were responsible for the council belatedly deciding to rectify the issues with the crossing. This happened because many people pointed to the problem despite others seeming to believe anybody saying that the crossing was less than perfect had to be a bigot.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 443d

And Pope Francis considers us all to be God's children.

Philippa Bond ● 443d

"Most people following this"Ha ha. You so don't get it. But I finally understand why you spend so long writing your boring inconsequential posts. You actually think you're influencing things! It would be funny if it wasn't so pitiful.

Paul Campbell ● 443d

Most people following this will note you didn't answer my questions and claimed I said things I didn't.Assuming you are as well connected with the powers-that-be as you often claim to be, this confirms that fears that no proper risk assessment was done were justified and the council is now hurriedly having to deal with safety issues that have arisen.It is pleasing to see that these problems are now being raised by other cyclists and that most of them are not willing to compromise the safety of others in their determination to appear to be more right-thinking than their neighbours.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 443d

And beating Chelsea at the weekend:-) ⚒️

Freddy Sims ● 444d

Nasty and ugly. Its Chiswick forums default position.  Citizens against virtually everything cover themselves in their own petty mindedness once again.

Tony Mansell ● 444d

Not only do you actually believe that the Council's works schedule is based on reading people whinging on this forum but that it is the only plausible explanation for the order and timing of works? The level of delusion is even worse than I had imagined.

Paul Campbell ● 444d

So just to be clear, you are saying that it is definitely not the case that the problem with the cycle lane markings was not anticipated and it is definitely not the case that it was only when the issue was raised by local people that it was decided to rectify the situation?Your version of events appears to be that a proper risk assessment was done and the issues were identified but it wasn't possible to paint the required road markings as the same time the crossing was painted and this had to be done around a week later? Is that correct?If so, please urge the council to get a move on. I was walking past the site earlier today when there was a load blow of ahorn and lots of shouting as a van tried to go down the cycle lane. Perhaps in future the council should order the road marking paint from the same supplier as the rainbow crossing paint and then the two jobs could be done at the same time.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 444d

Maybe not "change" sex, but some people can be hermaphrodites - Caster Semenya, the South African athlete, has had a pretty hard time from the authorities as a result.

Richard Greenhough ● 444d

I hope that I will not be banned for talking about "Trans" and why we should look much more closely at claims for the existence of "gender identity". Please read Dr Helen Joyce's book: "Trans: when ideology meets reality", published in 2021 by OneWorld Publications ISBN 9780861540495 320pp £9.19 on Amazon. This is an excellent introduction to the subject and wide-ranging concerns about it. Dr Joyce concludes that we have reached the limit of "inclusion" and "be kind" when we are being asked to deny objective, biological reality: NO ONE has, can or will ever "change sex". That is scientific truth. And everyday reality. Every one of the trillions of cells in the body have either XX (female) or XY (male) chromosomes (except for gametes, sperm or eggs, which are haploid cells - still sexed!) And this reality affects everyone, all the time."Gender dysphoria" is a "disorder" (section 25 of the "Gender" "Recognition" Act). It is a serious mental disorder. "Gender" is not defined in the GRA, so what is it that we are being asked to "recognise"?We must not encourage anyone to believe that there is or could be a separation between the "sex of the mind" (fashion?) and the reality of their sexed body. This is, if you think about it, a separation between the mind and the body, one of the most serious forms of mental illness - dissociation. When you combine the disorder of GD with the narcissism (quest for "validation") and male entitlement of male GD sufferers we have a new "cult": Trans Radical Activists and their mainly female handmaidens promote this by stealth in ways which have only recently been noticed.The Tavistock Clinic which used to offer "Gender Identity" services to children is being closed down. There is uproar about Adam Graham/"Isla Bryson" in a woman's jail in Scotland. This is really serious. The Government does understand and that is why they refused to introduce "gender self-ID" in the UK in 2018 (following the recommendations of Maria Miller's "captured" WEC report in 2015) and they have refused Royal Assent to the Scottish "Gender" "Recognition" Reform Bill - which would introduce "gender self-ID" for Scotland.I can also recommend a new book about how critical people were "peaked" - how their eyes were opened to the dangers of "gender identity" ideology: it is called "Transpositions" by Sarah Phillimore and it is available on Amazon. I am waiting for my copy which I ordered today.There is going to be much, much more about the dangers of GI soon. For example it must be eradicated from schools where it is causing havoc.And, very importantly, the funding of so many Trans lobby groups, especially Stonewall, must be removed. Stonewall is misrepresenting the Equality Act 2010. SW says wrongly that "gender" is the Protected Characteristic rather than sex. Government departments, companies large and small, Universities and schools, NGOs, the NHS have all swallowed this MISINFORMATION and are erasing women and girls, lesbians, gays and bissexuals from their proper definition and their legal protections which are based on SEX. Sex is the correct legal reference point, not "gender". Eradicate "gender". #sexnotgender.

Una-Jane Winfield ● 444d

However zebra crossings do need more attention paying to them by ABSOLUTELY everyone!

Philippa Bond ● 444d

Celebration, surely!

Philippa Bond ● 444d

Strokes chin reflectively

Francis Rowe ● 444d

I see that in Greenwich, the cost of painting some rainbow crossings was provided by external sources, which suggests that it won't be long before councils start allowing paid advertising on these crossings, as well as the free advertising we have at the moment.

Peter Evans ● 444d

Perhaps Francis effective campaigners just routinely adopt the more sensible approaches I have already mentioned and knew well in advance that the markings for the cycle lane were scheduled to be reinstated this week after the works on the rainbow crossing thus avoiding the need to embarrass themselves with their expressions of outrage and leaving that instead to the usual ineffective suspects on here whose powers of delusion are obviously not on the wane if they expect to be thanked for their incoherent and uninformed rantings.

Paul Campbell ● 444d

I had a look saturday and think they look ok

Julian Pavey ● 444d

Paul, from what you say it looks very much like the concerns raised here about safety have been acted on so, rather than denigrating your fellow forum users, perhaps you should be thanking them for the contribution that has been made to the safety of cyclists in Chiswick.With new markings having to be put in retrospectively, it is somewhat surprising that you weren't puce with outrage that the needs of cyclists had been overlooked and that you hadn't actively lobbied to get this fixed as soon as possible, missing the opportunity to brand a Conservative councillor as a pro-car petrolhead climate change denier into the bargain.

Francis Rowe ● 444d

"However, I'm not the only person asking these questions so he probably should be addressing it."Nobody is obliged to answer questions raised on this forum no matter how many angry reactionary conservatives ask the same thing. This forum is nowhere near as important or influential as some people seem to think. Councillors respond to polite and well-meaning questions put to them directly by email. At least some of them do. Asking them questions here is just performative and usually wilfully so.

Paul Campbell ● 444d

I disagree, I think they're looking great

Tim English ● 444d

I'm please to hear that the cycle lane markings will be restored although slightly perplexed as to why this couldn't have been done when the crossing were being painted. Will another closure be required?Fair point on Cllr Gill, I will endevour to make contact. However, I'm not the only person asking these questions so he probably should be addressing it.However, much I may take issue with some of your views Paul, I don't consider you a toxic reactionary conservative dinosaur. Certainly not all of those things at the same time at least.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 444d

If your interest was simply in having your question answered about whether a risk assessment had taken place then why wouldn't you ask Ranjit Gill direct on email instead of burying your questions in the depths of a thread on a forum that most people in Chiswick don't read because it is full of negative toxic reactionary conservative dinosaurs getting outraged by the world changing in minor ways?Cycle lane marking are scheduled to be put down again this week as I understand it so there is one of your honestly genuine concerns allayed.

Paul Campbell ● 444d

Matthew, although some have said that it there was some mention of a possibility of a new design for these crossings, there was no official announcement prior to them appearing and for most people the first they new about them when they were already in place.As it is just paint on the road, a formal public consultation may not be required or advisable. What I am asking, and have not received an answer about, is whether a qualified person did a risk assessment on the design and whether any attempt was made to check with a representative body for disabled groups that the design presented no issues.You are incorrect to say it is a zebra crossing but it is signalised and had tactile signals and auditory indicators for people as to when to cross, so my guess would be that it was not problematic but I don't live with disability and we should be checking with people that do.On safety, my brief observation was that the changes to the design had renewed the former problem of cars turning out of TGT entering the cycle lane which may be because some of the previous signage and road markings had been removed. This must raise concern that a risk assessment was not undertaken.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 444d

....so MANY.....

Adrian Irving ● 444d

Putting aside any message they are intended to send, repeat putting that aside, I think they look blooming awful and completely out of harmony with the surrounds. Ugh!They remind me of that stroppy woman who painted her Mayfair mews with candy stripes just to annoy her neighbours, something Hounslow seem intent on doing to us on so any levels.

Adrian Irving ● 444d

Just to point out these 'rainbow crossings' haven't taken the place of any pre-existing Zebra crossings'. As far as I can see, the coloured stripes have been painted on what was previously black tarmac, and in those places where pedestrians are going to cross when directed to by the Green Man on traffic light signals.I have seen alternative takes on Zebra crossings where the crossing has been rendered in 3D and I have a feeling I may have seen a zebra crossing that has different coloured stripes replacing the white stripes on a zebra crossing, but I've seen these near the Southbank.Willing to stand corrected if some zebra crossings really have been replaced in Chiswick.

Andrew Jones ● 444d

EE, What is your understanding of woke?And can you explain your reference to a back passage? It seems you have a thing about an an intimate act between consenting adults?

Stewart Jones ● 445d

Chiswick seems a lot less easy going and tolerant after this nasty post.

Tim English ● 445d

What a nasty post

Tim English ● 445d

No, I don't agree. I actually don't think that zebra crossings  are safe enough.  Drivers and cyclists are supposed to slow down and stop but they often don't.If you can't see them well enough and assess the speed of oncoming traffic how can you tell whether it is slowing or stopping - especially when electric cars and cycles are silent and cycles rather like to overtake any other slow or stationary traffic? I actually think light controlled crossings with audible signals are better.  There will unfortunately always be the problem of drivers who attempt to race the lights and cyclists who overtake anything stationary and try to squeeze past pedestrians.  https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/2125331/zebra-crossings-are-so-hazardous-china-police-are-taking-action

Philippa Bond ● 445d

and also paid for by LGBT residents of the Borough

Liam Robinson ● 445d

Absolutely correct, Gordon.

Stewart Jones ● 445d

Whilst I detest them, horses seem to be fine with them.

Charlotte Kasner ● 445d

Hear, hear Mr Garfoot. Just when it seemed that Chiswick couldn't get more tacky. How about spending some money on street cleaning and mending broken pavements instead of this tat.

Charlotte Kasner ● 445d

Nobody suggested there should’ve been a referendum on it. The point is that making substantial changes to the streetscape should be a matter of careful consideration and due process, and that includes impact assessments on all road users. I posted a link yesterday to the Transport for All website where the problems these crossings can cause for certain groups is very well put.There are a lot of rules and regulations around signage and road markings, largely in place to try and ensure all road users have certainty when out and about.What people are asking is has the due process been followed here.

Simon Hayes ● 445d

Rainbow, Look me up look me down, rainbow,You were fun to have aroundI was dreamin', Of the love I had to share,Never thinkin', You were here you were thereNot a word, not a sound,Could see or even feel the groundA pot of gold, I was sold,By the way you let it flyRainbow, Look me up look me down, rainbow,You were fun to have aroundI was dreamin', Of the love I had to share,Never thinkin', You were here you were thereRainbow, Look me up look me down, Rainbow,You were fun to have aroundNow I'm changing, for the better for the day,Feel like singing all the colors you conveyCome on home, Keep me warm,And love me till the new day's bornAnd I pray, You will stay,Forever in my eyesRainbow, Look me up look me down, rainbow,You were fun to have aroundI was dreamin', Of the love I had to share,Never thinkin', You were here you were thereNow where is the best Marmalade in Chiswick ?

Richard Greenhough ● 445d

'there are some grounds for concern that these crossing appeared overnight with little or no fanfare'Jeremy genuinely asking what exactly are the ground for concern? It's a rainbow crossing for crying out loud, do we expect the council to put everything to a referendum (that's worked out well on the bigger questions hasn't it). I understand the need to consult on substantial changes, can we agree that painting a zebra crossing is not one them?

Matthew Swain ● 445d

Agree any safety issues should be seriously considered.

Janice Evans ● 445d

Posted by: Emma ElizabethDate/Time: 04/02/23 16:39:00If we really need these rainbows, then for health n safety reasons they are probably best suited to quiet back passages than busy main roads?Posted by: Freddy SimsDate/Time: 04/02/23 17:24:00Back Passages?What you trying to say?Posted by: Basil FinnisDate/Time: 04/02/23 20:56:00Ooo errStraight from the Daily Mail's comedy column. And some argue we don't need these colourful reminders.

Gordon McDonald ● 445d

John, you are kind of proving my point for me. If any concerns raised must be tenuous and therefore anyone raising them is identifiable by you as a bigot, this does confirm the risks I am trying to highlight.Your insinuations will be mildly upsetting for someone contributing to this thread but you need to consider the position of council officers. If unquestioning support for a particular measure is a benchmark for right thinking, then raising valid concerns could potentially be career ending.This might mean that a traffic officer might feel a risk assessment of the plan might be appropriate but choose not to mention it. Another officer might have felt it was necessary to consult with a group representing the interests of people with disabilities but decided against it because they were worried about being branded a bigot.I'm not saying this is what has happened but there are some grounds for concern that these crossing appeared overnight with little or no fanfare which could suggest the sponsors thought objections might be raised and therefore wanted to present a fait accompli. All that would be needed to reassure people that this was not the case would be a brief explanation about how care was taken in the implementation to ensure the crossing was safe and did not have any undue impact on people with disabilities just as would happen with every other change to our roads.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 445d

It gets the thumbs up for brightening things up but thumbs down for safety.Not wishing to be a kill joy, road signs are there for a reason to warn people and a zebra crossing has been recognised world wide for a safe place for predestines to cross. I can go the China not understand any written signs but know where I can cross a road, weather the cars stop is another question. To have this colourful crossing on a high road is maybe the wrong place for visitors but a great way of spending council money frivolously while Chiswick waits to an end of this persistent road works.

Sean Crawford ● 445d

Well rainbows can be many things and just like with many things you will see what you want to see and read into it what you want to.  You can look at life as a glass half full or a glass half empty.  I certainly don't think that is what the kids thought as they painted their beautiful rainbows to place in windows in support and as a thank you to the NHS so there is no reason to be so negative about them.

Philippa Bond ● 446d

Isn't there usually a sound as well?

Philippa Bond ● 446d

Ooo err

Basil Finnis ● 446d

Back Passages?What you trying to say?

Freddy Sims ● 446d

If we really need these rainbows, then for health n safety reasons they are probably best suited to quiet back passages than busy main roads?

Emma Elizabeth ● 446d

Well, John, how about this as a reason: we care passionately about Chiswick, where we have chosen to live, and we resist politicians & trans ideologues infantalizing public space with politically dubious, jarring, vulgar rainbows painted at road junctions. You know, when I first moved to Chiswick the area felt like a village with a lot of arts people living here, and, incidentally, there was a large lesbian & gay community, with gay restaurants & even for a time a gay pub. It wasn't why I moved to Chiswick but I loved the place. It was rather demi-monde, easy going and tolerant............then the bankers, the HR folk moved in and a lot changed. To protect Chiswick's character, what's left of it, you kind of have to fight for it a bit. That's why I'm opposed to these crass flags. Of course, as a gay man I also dislike them because the symbol has become tainted by the trans ideology which is homophobic & misogynistic & which promotes medicating & mutilating gay, lesbian & bisexual children and teenagers. Happily the Cass review has started to expose the flaws in NHS practice in this area. I don't need a stupid flag to tell me to accept people for what and who they are............

Stephen Edwards ● 446d

So just what is motivating people to try so hard to turn up such tenuous reasons to oppose this then? It's that effort level that gives you all away!

John Hall ● 446d

Brian I did google about rainbows, they are mentioned in the Bible many times and have meanings to other religions, it means lots of things to different people, diversity is one of them.

Janice Evans ● 446d

"The rainbow flag is all about trans rights and self ID. Trans ideology is homophobic and misogynistic"The flag represents a lot more than Harriet's description, and the V&A has a good article on what the colours on the flag represent:https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/the-progress-pride-flag

Ed Saper ● 446d

I once had a dream about your world philippa,until someone came at me with a tickling stick, i suddenly woke up and everything was back to normal. 😁

Julian Pavey ● 446d

Light controlled crossings alone is not enough, quite often in bright sunlightit can appear there is a green light when there isn't, so would rather havethe crossing also whatever the colours.

Janice Evans ● 446d

This morning we experienced someone being totally ignored while actually in their way across a zebra crossing.  These do appear now to be being routinely ignored by drivers.  The accompanying Belisha beacons are no longer so noticeable with all the other lighted signs on roads.  Many zebra crossings also need the stripes repainting.  I think they work best for slowing traffic when they are raised but I've seriously started to wonder whether they shouldn't be replaced by light controlled pedestrian crossings.A neighbour was run down and injured on a zebra crossing last year.I think it is time that all drivers were retested -  including on road signs - more often than just at 70 years old after 50+ years of driving.  You just cannot expect the world to stand still around you. As I understand it these rainbow crossings are at crossings with lights where there would not have been black and white stripes so they are an ADDITIONAL aid to remind EVERYONE that it is a crossing rather than the only one.Really we should all be taking personal responsibility to make sure that we know what is changing around us and if we have difficulty in doing that for ourselves then we need to find a different way to keep up.  The Highway Code has been updated and has sections for ALL of us.  It is up to all of us who go out on the street and accompany others to make sure that we do.  I did notice that one of the crossings in the link I posted to rainbow crossings around the world had "Look Both Ways" written on each side which seemed a good further reminder.

Philippa Bond ● 446d

Bloody hell - just when you think things can't get any more surreal.

Vanessa Smith ● 446d

Ha, no idea it must be in the Bible somewhere, that's what I was told.

Janice Evans ● 446d

Who are these gods that 'put them in the sky'?

Brian Coyle ● 446d

The rainbow poem is often read a funerals when I see one in the sky I do think of those who have passed on and death, the crossings will never change the meaning of the rainbow to me so they don't bother me beingthere it's just that the connection of death and crossings are concerning,and aren't they supposed to emit some kind of energy or something and why the gods put them in the sky.?

Janice Evans ● 446d

Totally agree, Harriet.

Claire Moran ● 446d

What a silly comment, Philippa.

Claire Moran ● 446d

Usual stupidity from Hall.

Claire Moran ● 446d

It would perhaps be helpful if you could highlight the specific examples above which you think exemplify this bigotry. I've read the whole thread and can't see anything that crosses any lines.As with Stewart Jones's earlier post describing contributions as 'nasty', it appears that you think that the very act of questioning the appropriateness and value of the crossing is enough for you to brand someone as homophobic and transphobic. I'm not totally convinced that even someone like me, who has no issue whatsoever about the principle behind the crossing, but would just like some assurances that it was implemented correctly, would pass your standards for right thinking.The prevalence of this kind of attitude does create dangers that we need to be aware of. If a council traffic officer felt he or she couldn't raise concerns about a proper risk assessment being done or the impact on the disabled for fear of being labelled a bigot then the crossing will not have been subject to the level of scrutiny that it should have been.Having observed it earlier in the week, it is clear to me that the risk of collisions caused by confused drivers turning out of TGT has risen again although new markings may have been painted since then.I've asked more than once whether a risk assessment has been done and whether any consultation was undertaken with representatives of disabled groups and no answer has been forthcoming. Perhaps Cllr Gill, who appears to have been one of the main sponsors of the crossings, could provide some reassurance on these matters. If he can, then I'd be quite happy to support the crossings as a welcome addition to Chiswick.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 446d

Thank you Simon. I thought it worth publishing a relevant extract."Impact on disabled pedestriansThese designs create safety and accessibility concerns for some disabled people with particular impairments, as has been helpfully outlined in this letter from the Access Association (3). (We recommend reading their letter for full details of impacts on various impairment groups, and have outlined the major concerns below).For blind and visually impaired people, the consistency and predictability of signage is fundamental to being able to navigate safely and independently. The majority of visually impaired people have some sight. Designs and colours used on pedestrian crossings which are not consistent with traditional designs could cause confusion and risk safety. The use of black and white in traditional pedestrian crossings offer high contrast which is essential for people with low vision to detect them and stay on course when crossing roads. We have also heard accounts from visually impaired people with light sensitivity who find the artwork painful to look at.People with learning disabilities are likely to find it difficult to interpret abstract artwork as a crossing. Again, the consistency and familiarity of road signage is critical to enabling members of this community to interpret crossings as a safe place to cross.People affected by dementia often experience perceptual problems called ‘misperceptions’ which happens when a person sees one thing as something else (4). Patterns on the floor can be confusing or misinterpreted: a wavy line might look like a moving snake, for example, a dark shape can look like a hole, or blue paint can look like water. Sudden changes in contrast can make the floor levels look uneven, like a step, and this can cause hesitation or unsteadiness which can lead to falls (5). It has long been established that best practice for making walkways safe is to avoid patterns.For many neurodivergent people with a sensory processing difference, including Autistic people, sensory overload and/or distress can be caused when encountering “visual noise” such as bright colours, patterns and stripes. This may lead to people avoiding the pattern and crossing the road elsewhere without a controlled crossing, or to needing more time to cross or stopping in the road in order to process the visual complexity."

Adrian Irving ● 446d

This is the position of various disability groups.https://www.transportforall.org.uk/campaign/colourful-crossings/

Simon Hayes ● 446d

Chiswoke

Emma Elizabeth ● 446d

Money well spent if it flushes out all the 'I'm not a bigot but...' types above. 

John Hall ● 446d

George, I was replying to a post that called the crossing "an absolute disgrace" and "council sponsored graffiti" on a thread where people are losing their sh*t over a rainbow painted on a road.I've also seen OneChiswick and Chiswick Friends posts where the reaction to a rainbow is even more hysterical! You see no reason to call out these people as "idiots", indeed you echo their phony justifications that the money spent on a crossing is taking funds away from education.  The reason this debate is so toxic, aside from your desperate straw man argument about cycling saints and your personal insults, is that everything you stand for is based on total dishonesty about what you really stand for.

Ed Saper ● 447d

As a gay man, I disagree

Tim English ● 447d

'Went down to see what all the fuss was about. No sign of Geoffrey, Zippy, George or Bungo anywhere.'Wasn't it Bungle? They were probably in a meeting at Hounslow House.

Vanessa Smith ● 447d

I did a search on who exactly is supposed to be represented by the comically crowded rainbow flag and one of the oppressed groups is the 'asexual'. I rest my case. Gill is a Conservative whose party has wrecked the country over the last eleven years and if he/she/it/they/ze/zem thinks that by spouting this bull we'll forget or forgive their greed, venality & incompetence he is mistaken.

Stephen Edwards ● 447d

I remember the Irish paving stones in the 1980's - they filled me with dread.  They certainly sent a message, be it to Catholic or to Protestant, and I resented all for their specific opinionated approach and segregation of people and community.  IMVHO they add nothing to Chiswick at all; but they certainly deliver a specific message.

Peter Crowther ● 447d

Went down to see what all the fuss was about. No sign of Geoffrey, Zippy, George or Bungo anywhere.

Brian Green ● 447d

YepShut up about anything you wish to talk about and have an opinion on. Just talk about a war,your bills and goverments.Il make sure i dont mention anything else in the pub later. Its all going to be about smart meters. 4 hours of it.You have been warned for those reading. Il see you laterC'mon Mathew,its not about bikes and cars even if a few wish to sneek it in by the back door. Its a change in subject for a change.

Julian Pavey ● 447d

Apparently super controversial warranting getting those pitch fork out of the allotment sheds.Get a grip people, there's a war raging on our doorstep and a cost-of-living crisis.

Matthew Swain ● 447d

I've just taken a walk down there. It's still in pretty good condition; a colourful feast for the eyes, and maybe a 'You're not alone' message for a troubled or closeted soul, young or old. An elderly bloke was taking a photo of it as I crossed. I could tell by his sucking-a-wasp type expression it wasn't for his Facebook cover.

Gordon McDonald ● 447d

Stephen, I  agree with everything you say. The rainbow flag is all about trans rights and self ID. Trans ideology is homophobic and misogynistic and I don’t need nor want my local council telling me I should be inclusive to an ideology which is erasing the rights of women (adult human females).

Harriet Jones ● 447d

That there are such a lot of moaners just shows the need.

Philippa Bond ● 447d

> “I took it up with the Council to bring it to their attention that we needed it”> [Gunnersbury Cllr Ranjit Gill] told The Chiswick Calendar. “It’s an all-inclusive>  thing to show that everybody needs to be included in our community, whether they > are gay or transgender, Black, whoever they are.They already are. We have a law-based society here.> “Unfortunately, homophobia still exists. You can see some people are against this,>  but we are all tax-payers and we all need to be included. What is it that these minorities are not being 'included' in? I would really like to know.> All other boroughs are doing this, so Hounslow should too.That is the worst reason for doing anything.> “Youngsters these days should be made aware that you can be who you are and express yourself, whoever you are.”Whoever thinks that victim ideology virtue-signalling is helping kids is pretending that there is a giant conspiracy to rob every individual in these rainbow victim categories of their own self-worth, and that they MUST BE HELPED.The way sensible societies work: no-one is a permanent victim due to being in some identity category. Of course anyone can be a victim of some assault, crime, motivated or not by intolerance of some characteristic. The list of reasons for such aggravations is long and doesn't just involve being gay, trans or black: women wearing the wrong kind of dress; being fat; being a Muslim; being old and slow; and the worst of all, being disabled. Almost forgot: being a straight white woman attending a peaceful women's rights demonstration...In our law-based society, these transgressions are more or less handled (where the relevant policing orgs have not been infiltrated by victim ideology). There are all kinds of deficiencies, but victim politics just makes things worse, not better - it makes people in those categories start to wonder if the rest of society really does hate them.None of this is any business of our local council.

Thomas Beale ● 447d

Pupil philippa not studentsYou do know that LGBTQ+ And alike is teached in schools from what is stands for and then it progreses as you move up a year.

Julian Pavey ● 447d

Even nouns have more than two genders!

Philippa Bond ● 447d

It's quite likely that, being 'transport related', these crossings were paid for from the many million Hounslow have in the bank from their Grove Park traffic restriction fines.

Peter Evans ● 447d

Discussion can be a lot better than consultation!  We elect representatives to make many of our decisions for us.  What's proper education, Vanessa?  To some people it is either coralling students or being corralled as a student - it doesn't actually mean that information is necessarily passed or gained. So coming across a rainbow at a crossing makes for an interesting even if rather predictable at times discussion.In this still rather cold and grey weather rainbows wherever they are are welcome as far as I am concerned!

Philippa Bond ● 447d

I think the point is this for some.The council has no spare cash while pavements roads and things, in general, are not tackled or roads are not swept enough, and much more which would benon-relatedAs I said previously, look at windmill road around the corner, and its been like that for 10 years +If your local pub is strapped for spare cash and the toilets are in a very bad state and they are going to put the price of drinks up you will be amazed if one day you walked in and they spent 1k on painting the floor in rainbow colors but the toilets stayed the same and the price of drinks went up by anything between  2.99% and 7% ? to raise money for the toiletsDo people really see it and think of its meaning and message? I'm sure most will either just walk past while others will think it looks pretty and some will think what a waste of money. They won't be thinking what Cllr Ranjit Gill thinks or hopes.I have a hunch that when I see it later I'm going to like it, I won't exactly be thinking of a message, I may think of who it represents for a short period of time Education is the way forward, and that does happen in schools now. All young people now have a varied education about sexuality and inclusion depending on age compared to the past. Just dont play sturgeon education videos,one might get very confused

Julian Pavey ● 447d

If any of this stuff got through to just one homophobe then I get it - but what are the chances of this changing anyone's attitude to people? There's just no end to this - should we not have red, white and blue crossings for the Coronation, or the Cross of St. George daubed on them on April 23rd? Gestures mean nothing, they're relatively cheap but ineffective, proper education and talking through these issues might help. How long have the FA been banging on about racism in football? And still you get the morons chanting their vile rubbish at matches, and it's the same with homophobes and the rest of these mindless morons.

Vanessa Smith ● 447d

I don't really do social media and nobody I know, including a business owner a few yards away from the crossing was aware that it was happening until it actually appeared.Presumably a traffic order isn't necessary to make these changes but it just would be nice to get some reassurance that a proper process was followed to ensure that it was safe and that it didn't reduce accessibility on the High Road. If the local ward councillors backed the designs then presumably they can confirm that the installation was done properly.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 447d

Couldn't agree more, Vanessa, but you need to get with it: biological women no longer count. Can a woman have a penis? Not even the leader of the Labour Party seems to know the answer to that simple question.The overwhelming majority of people could answer in one second: NO.(I'm not entirely off topic because the rainbow flag nowadays in part represents a trans ideology which is a threat to women.)

Stephen Edwards ● 447d

Tim, whilst I wouldn't presume to speak for the LGB community as a gay man I am completely opposed to woke posturing and opposed to 'rainbow crossings'. Incidentally, whilst the rainbow flag originated with the LGB community, part of our fight for rights and equality, it has now come to represent so many ethnic and sexual groups that it has become meaningless. There's also an unfortunate symbolism in pedestrians walking/cars driving over the flag, which, of course, expresses most people's feeling about it. As La Sturgeon is learning to her cost voters are becoming sick of woke/trans bull****.

Stephen Edwards ● 447d

I believe they will be re-lining road markings next week.  There is equipment to do this, not a bloke with a paintbrush.

Michael Robinson ● 447d

Given the current climate of misogyny - why not crossings in the Suffragette colours? There could be no end of this gesture politics, educating people might be money better spent?

Vanessa Smith ● 447d

The front page article says 'Representatives of the RNIB have, in the past, expressed concern about rainbow crossings and the possible confusion they could cause to guide dogs. However, the new designs are at signalised crossings which provide auditory indications to help people with restricted vision negotiate them.'Also there was lots of information on social media prior to the installation to advise what was taking place and when and presumably something like this is consulted and planned in advance

Tim English ● 447d

https://chiswickcalendar.co.uk/chiswick-reacts-to-the-new-rainbow-crossings-with-bemused-tolerance/“I took it up with the Council to bring it to their attention that we needed it” [Gunnersbury Cllr Ranjit Gill] told The Chiswick Calendar. “It’s an all-inclusive thing to show that everybody needs to be included in our community, whether they are gay or transgender, Black, whoever they are.“Unfortunately, homophobia still exists. You can see some people are against this, but we are all tax-payers and we all need to be included. All other boroughs are doing this, so Hounslow should too.“Youngsters these days should be made aware that you can be who you are and express yourself, whoever you are.”

Michael Robinson ● 447d

Yes Stewart, can you explain to me what you think is nasty about this thread? Rereading it nobody appears to be disputing the principle of inclusivity. Personally I have no problem with the crossing, I'd just like some reassurance an proper risk assessment has been done both from the road safety point of view and accessibility. I saw for myself yesterday how the problem of vehicles turning right from Turnham Green Terrace has reappeared due to the change in road markings and the advanced stop area for cyclists at this junction has been partially painted over. Do you not think these aspects of the design raise some cause for concern?On accessibility, it would be comforting to know that the design was shown to groups representing the blind such as the RNIB and Guide Dogs for the Blind to check that the crossings presented no issues.On the face of it, this appears to have been a very rushed implementation with the crossing just appearing overnight with local people completely unaware what was happening and no proper consultation being held.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 447d

Why 'pointless'?

Tim English ● 447d

Social media carried plenty of stories about this prior to the installation

Tim English ● 447d

"I had no idea they were being planned"Looks like the Gunnersbury Councillors wanted to keep it a secret. Reading this thread I can understand why they felt that way.

Paul Campbell ● 447d

Have you taken a poll of 'the LGBT community' to know the feelings about the rainbow crossing or do you just presume to speak for them?

Tim English ● 447d

Ed, sometimes you should pause and reflect if you are being constructive or just coming across as a bit of an idiot. this is not a straightforward topic and overall the posts are pretty reasonable. I am aware of the ongoing prevalance of various levels of harressment and hostility to certain communities. I dont personally think that rainbow colours on a road address this and scare funds would be better off on educational and enforcement efforts.Remember, riding a bike does not make you a saint or give you the automatic moral high ground. Not everyone who disagrees with the new crossings is a monster. Things are polarised enough, why do you need to keep pushing?

Bill George ● 447d

You ought to calm down a bit, Saper. You do come across as disturbed and rather obsessed. Can you get medical help for your neuroses?

Simon Hayes ● 447d

Oh dear,here we go.Whats nasty

Julian Pavey ● 447d

Shutting down the road and doing the job most likely comes in at around 3k. The paint is most likely marked up at 500% from cost. Nothing is done on the cheap with councils

Julian Pavey ● 447d

What a nasty little thread.

Stewart Jones ● 447d

They are in Southwark (naturally) where I work. Plenty of pavements nearby that need repairing too. Didn't the RIB say that they affect guide dogs ability to lead their owners safely?

Peter King ● 448d

Do you think they used Farrow and Ball paint, or just some old stuff from B&Q?It’s all very pretty but also pretty pointless. It will fade and wear away quite quickly. There’s one in Twickenham town centre that looks a bit rubbish now. A better use of the money would be to ensure existing crossings and other road markings are properly maintained.

Simon Hayes ● 448d

Anyone going to guess the cost of the 4 crossings at TGT/CHRIm going to go for 7k

Julian Pavey ● 448d

In Richmond too - the crossing near the station (and no doubt a few others).

Anne England ● 448d

I think this thread says it all appalling waste for money and embarrassing to the LGBT community it is an absolute disgrace to everyone what on earth are Hounslow Council thinking they should stay focussed during the cost of living crisis 🥺🥺🥺🥺

Jayne Thorburn ● 448d

Chiswick is rapidly becoming a no-go area for the poorly sighted/blind. Cycle lanes and now rainbow crossings make it extremely difficult, and for some, impossible, to negotiate the High Road. Of course, cyclists and gays are much more important than the sight-challenged trying to do their food or other shopping.  Britain is becoming a petty dictatorship with stupid decisions taken about our town centres without the majority having any say, just as xentral government is taking away our rights to strike and to protest.  And don't start blathering on about Brexit - yes, you know who you are.  Nothing to do with it.

Claire Moran ● 448d

Totally agree, Sarah, except they will probably blithely use our hard-earned money to gaily (npi) repaint them

Claire Moran ● 448d

Is abbey road on the agenda ?

Julian Pavey ● 448d

They are all over the UK and in many other countries all over the world.  I remember seeing one in Brentford and another in Ealing some time ago.https://tripbytrip.org/2022/02/05/rainbow-zebra-crossings-of-antwerp/

Philippa Bond ● 448d

Is it only in Chiswick that we have these rainbow crossings or have they appeared in the whole borough of Hounslow?

Martine Dismore ● 448d

Yes we have no money cried Hounslow Council!

Basil Finnis ● 448d

First they took away our roads and gave it to the cyclists who don't need them as they're a tiny minority and we need the space to drive our cars.Next they took away our roads and gave them to cafes and for people to eat and drink in the street when they don't need them and we need the space to drive our cars.Then they took away our roads and gave it to children to play in the street, who don't need them because they have parks they can be driven to and we need the space to park our cars.Now they take away our roads and gave it to gay and black and trans people who don't need them, and why are they spending money on paint when it should be spent on the roads for our cars?Next they'll want to take away our roads and give it to someone else who doesn't pay road tax and they can't do that because of old people, gay people, blind people, kids, horses, emergency services, air pollution, cost of living crisis and China and WE NEED ALL THE ROADS TO DRIVE OUR CARS.

Ed Saper ● 448d

It is just NOT an absolute disgrace!

Philippa Bond ● 448d

The West London Queer Project staged a very enjoyable cabaret night at The George last year but they should avoid overreach.

Stephen Edwards ● 448d

It’s an absolute disgrace Stephen says it all so Hounslow council sponsor graffiti as Julian said look at the state of windmill road. So this is how the council spends our hard earned taxes so end of budget year they think it is acceptable to waste our money. This needs to stop it is so divisive to all citizens, let’s support families that need help with their food & energy…..thank you Stephen you must feel so embarrassed how people choose to live their life is up to them they don’t need graffiti it cheapens their lives who are just wonderful talented people

Jayne Thorburn ● 448d

https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1982/mar/09/nuclear-free-zones

Andrew Jones ● 448d

I think there was one at the northern end of Turnham Green Terrace as well, wasn't there?

Andrew Jones ● 448d

Oh dear! Rainbow crossings are a pretty futile gesture, but really what an OTT response. In the context of trivial gestures made at the expense of ratepayers, does anyone remember the sign at the Hounslow boundary on Chiswick High Road announcing you were now in a Nuclear-free Zone?

Robert Fish ● 448d

I am happy to support gay rights and if a colourful crossing helps spread that message I am all for it... but not at the expense of other legitimate communities (homophobes may count as a community but not IMO a legitimate community).  If as others have indicated this colourful crossing is not safe for the visually impaired then this was a terrible decision by Hounslow. But if they have some spare money to spend on roads in Chiswick how about clearing up the leaves which have been left as a rotting mush for the last couple of months

Justin Stephenson ● 448d

Spot on . I hope they are rubbed away soon as I object  to my council tax being spent on this absurd, meaningless and unsightly virtue signalling.

Sarah Potter ● 448d

'This is radical leftists trying to tell you how to think, based on their identity politics,'It's a long time since I read anything so bloody hilarious, this lot at Hounslow? Radical leftists? Oh! please - behave.

Vanessa Smith ● 448d

I walked past it earlier and saw two cars turn right out of TGT into the cycle. This used to be a major problem until the road markings were made clearer but now they seemed to have been obscured again.

Diane Brown ● 448d

Exactly right. This is ideology, concretised in the urban environment. This is radical leftists trying to tell you how to think, based on their identity politics, which by the way are based on assigning permanent victim status to all gay and 'trans' people. Which none of them are asking for.Back in the real world, decent people treat others as equal by default, regardless of their innate qualities.A council's function is to use our rates to pay for good quality services, not tell us how to think. Embarrassing but predictable.

Thomas Beale ● 448d

Garish and unnecessary.The people living in this very decent borough accept folks of all religions, persuasions and even the odd Hammer's fan. We do not feel the need to advertise our virtuousness.Rather the council got cracking on fixing our drains and pot holes.

Denis I. Fox ● 448d

'Im looking forward to the council accepting my request and  painting crossed hammers logo on the high road when west ham win the fa cup !'Right with you Tim!

Vanessa Smith ● 448d

"This project was supported by the West London Queer Project which has also given its backing to the new designs in Chiswick which were paid for by the council. "Yes paid for by you and me Phillipa.I was in Reading on Wednesday where the rainbows had almost worn away and just looked rather sad.

Adrian Irving ● 448d

I take it the council has never been down windmill road.It could be home too the clangers

Julian Pavey ● 448d

to

Julian Pavey ● 448d

Are we sure that these are supposed to be as long lasting as any other crossing painting or that they have not been sponsored rather than paid for out of Council funding?

Philippa Bond ● 448d

there's plenty of references available to show mutiple protests and issues raised by the RNIB and others - all ignored  due to a noisy vocal few ( who as noted elsewhere on this chat) dont represent the majorityhttps://www.rnib.org.uk/news/colourful-crossings-not-safe/Its not even a crossing, its just a bunch of random coloured lines painted on a major and difficult to cross junction at the best of times- what is the thinking behind this, that it relieves the need to find a safe room to reduce the stress of crossing the road? Daft if you ask me, which they clearly havent and dont intend to Im looking forward to the council accepting my request and  painting crossed hammers logo on the high road when west ham win the fa cup !

Tim Garfoot ● 448d

Just to be clear, I don't know whether or not any consultation has been done with groups such as the RNIB and Guide Dogs. It may well have been done. If it hasn't, and these groups now come forward with valid objections, the council will be in a quandry. Their message of inclusion would also be completely undermined. However, as the crossings are signalised, it may be that they present no problem to the visually impaired and guide dogs.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 448d

I think Hounslow could have avoided some adverse publicity with this wheeze - by consulting with the RNIB and Guide Dogs,  I understand that these multicolour crossings may cause some difficulties. I do agree though that these sorts of gestures are fripperies, and I think most people would like money spent on potholes being filled in!

Vanessa Smith ● 448d

There was one installed by the Six Bells when it was a Gay pub recently but now no longer is one

Paul Fisher ● 448d

I gather the RNIB is not in favour of these kind of crossings because of the visual confusion they can create. The strength of the additional decorations can also give the misleading impression that pedestrians have more priority that they actually do on what still remain as light controlled crossings. I wonder if these new crossings are also proliferating across the rest of Hounslow and Feltham, or has Chiswick been specially chosen because of our superior political and artistic awareness?!

Peter Evans ● 448d

Four Rainbow Crossings!! - How on earth are the poor iridophobics going to manage at this junction?

Sonia Beddington ● 448d

I don't really have a problem with them in principle. The council is democratically elected and, if it wants to make gestures to support particular causes, then it has every right to. The concern here is that it appears to have been installed with little scrutiny or consultation just appearing overnight completely unheralded. Have the designs been approved for instance by representatives of disabled groups? I take the point in the article that there are audible signals for people crossing but the designs may raise other issues for the partially sighted. Have the police been consulted as to whether the horses they use for matchday control can cross them without stress?

Jeremy Parkinson ● 448d

I see they have added black, brown and  white. Blimey! That's got to be pollution taking its toll on rainbows in Chiswick. Everyone ditch your cars and get on your bike right now!

Adrian Irving ● 448d

While I appreciate the thinking behind these crossings, anything that adds to the visual clutter on our streets can't be a good idea. I'm surprised the legislation allows optional road painting like this, but if it does, then it can't be long before we have sponsored messages down the length of CHR and go-faster stripes along the cycle tracks!

Peter Evans ● 448d

I'm not sure that they would draw any attention to pedestrian road crossings.

Philippa Bond ● 448d

I for one find them OK. I also like the one with the poppies outside the Poppy factory over in Richmond. I'd love more pedestrian crossing, more rainbow crossings, more zebra crossings, more crossing painted with actual zebras, so that as a pedestrian I can stop having the argument with car drivers turning and trying to run me over.

Francis Sheehan ● 448d

They are crass, vulgar, patronizing and meaningless. Residents should have been consulted. Do our Conservative Councillors support what Hounslow Council have done? I'm a gay man who has lived in Chiswick for forty years and a) I don't need symbols of inclusivity painted on the road to tell me what to think; b) would prefer the council spent our money on local services and re-surfacing the roads rather than on fatuous woke posturing. Here's an idea, why don't we have giant inflated models of Rupert Bear, Noddy, Andy Pandy and Harry Potter, spaced out along CHR, all dressed as girls to show their inclusivity? Maybe they could be face painted with the Rainbow Flag?

Stephen Edwards ● 448d

pointlees, ridiculous. Hounslow counci funded virtue- signalling, ignoring input from people who have expressed an opinion ( RNIB etc ) . Nothing to see here ... ;-)

Tim Garfoot ● 448d