The fans to sing "you don't know what you’re doing" – As TfL/LBH/Network Rail fail to plan!
It is often said that if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. This certainly seems to be the case regarding TfL/LBH and Network Rail, however the direct impact will fall firmly on the residents of Chiswick and those travelling through trying to watch some sport at Brentford Community Stadium.It does not take much to look at the football and rugby schedules for Brentford Community Stadium and to look at Network Rail and TfL’s schedule of rail and tube works and closures to work out the potential impact on getting to the Stadium by train or tube. However, coupled with TfL’s and LBHs decision to start the Bridge works on the A4 in August and to start further temporary works in September on C9 in Chiswick real questions start to arise. TfL have already issued warnings and admitted that bus journeys will be badly impacted, as a resident one must ask could they get any worse, but that appears to be the plan.There are now plenty of local media reports of nice words about all parties talking with each other and constantly monitoring and potentially changing approach depending on circumstances. Regarding the match against Manchester United on 13 August, Network Rail have said sorry for closing Brentford and Kew Bridge stations, Brentford have said it’s frustrating, but no one has really understood what the impact will be on the bus replacement service between Barnes and Feltham. Given TfLs expectations and advice above it will be awful.But on further examination of schedules over September one must wonder whether any of this has been thought through at all. For example, are all parties aware that on 3 September, when Brentford play Leeds, parts of the district line are closed (Turnham Green to Ealing) and the Piccadilly line is closed from Hammersmith out to Heathrow, substantially reducing capacity. The next weekend 10 September, London Irish play Worcester, and Feltham to Barnes will be a bus service only again, the next weekend Sunday 18 September, Brentford play Arsenal and the London Overground from Willesden Junction to Richmond is out, an important route option if coming round from Arsenal.So, with the A4 reduced to one lane westbound during this period, and the likely impact on all surrounding streets getting to Brentford Community Stadium will need more than careful planning. But there is a way out for TfL, LBH and Network Rail to partially remedy the situation in advance before their reputations sink further, and that is to not proceed with the C9 works in September, knowing the negative impact on bus times. If they plan to continue, it really does say it all, and TfL/LBH and Network Rail will all be knowingly planning to fail the residents of Chiswick, all those wanting to go to the Community Stadium, and all those travelling through the area.For the Community stadium it will likely mean it will have to be renamed once again, maybe: The Unreachable Community Stadium or for those of us with an affinity for the Bees maybe: The “Not even a bus stop in Hounslow” Community Stadium!
Jonathan Mabbutt ● 1541d11 Comments ● 1540d