Forum Topic

Engines running at the level crossing in Churchfield Road

The piddling little signs asking motorists to turn off their engines have less than no effect.Today I pointed them out to a woman with a baby car seat and a man in a white van. Both made dismissive (though not offensive) gestures and carried on pumping their fumes into the atmosphere. Why?I'm sure lots of drivers just dont notice them. The Ward forum has allocated money for bigger and better signs but, as per normal, nothing has been done about implementation.It does make that part of the patch rather poisonous. I wonder what the pollution readings are.

Sara Nathan ● 5263d27 Comments

Hi, We live near by and I can report that when I was walking by this morning (park side) the first 6 cars all had their engines turned off. (ie all of those in view of the sign) I thought this was really encouraging.It seems that they need more signs running further up both sides of the road, as it does look like they are starting to take effect for those who can see them?? Does anyone know how to activate getting further signs put up further up both sides of the road so that the cars later in the queues can see too?

Cai Janie Rees ● 2766d

Erect signs, yes, that'll stop air pollution won't it.With zero enforcement why would anyone switch off their engine?Typical Labour LBE Idiot Think, put up signs and everyone will read them and obey.

Rosco White ● 2769d

NEWS FLASHThe promised automatic lit signs have gone up today.They still have some tuning to do and might move the Churchfield Road sign to the other side (on the lamppost on corner of pub and station entrance.But it is promising ... at least technically.The sign comes on when a vehicle stops for a few seconds in the range of the low power detector.However, I was stood with the engineers who were installing and testing it this afternoon and almost no cars on the Churchfield Road side turned off their engines even after a couple of them were approached to asked if the sign was easily visible and legible!They intend to come back tomorrow and make more adjustments.

Paul Webster ● 2771d

There is only on solution. Tunnelling!

Kim Rugg ● 2975d

The West London Tram would have forced traffic onto Churchfield Rd. This idea would force move traffic onto the High Street. It's not just shifting vehicles emissions to another road as forcing the same traffic along fewer through routes will increase journey times and thus overall emissions. The current proposal to ban right turns into Emmanuel Avenue from Horn Lane is a small example of a larger trend to funnel traffic onto larger roads, without any consideration for the knock on effects.

Vlod Barchuk ● 2975d

It would be lovely for us locals if the level crossing was closed permanently, but the street would die.  Independent shops can't survive on local trade alone and to re-route cars would be a disaster for them in passing trade.  Trade has already dropped off due to lack of convenient parking, but I'm sure there's some passing trade who stop if there is a free space.  If they make the road a dead end, where's the passing trade?

Tania Bapuji ● 2975d

If the crossing becomes permanently closed it will remove a lot of traffic from the area, as drivers are forced to take alternative routes. It could be a good thing for Churchfield road. Imagine all the lorries servicing the Oaks that wont be trundling across. Having an alfresco coffee will actually be pleasant.My guess is there will be a massive outcry which will settle down as people adjust to a new set up as we have with the new lighs and the wheely bins.

Kim Rugg ● 2975d

It wasn't mentioned and there were no diagrams to see.

Paul Webster ● 2975d

I don't suppose anything was mentioned about keep clear signage at the bottom of the roads which intersect Churchfield Road (Milton, Cowper,etc).  If people didn't block these roads waiting for the crossing there'd be less pollution from cars being stationary as they could get out of the way.  It's infuriating when people stop directly across these roads and you get stuck when you want to go the opposite direction to the level crossing.

Tania Bapuji ● 2975d

new cars have auto cut off which is great. Yes it does make a difference. My tank goes a lot further especially when driving in town.Apparently the only sign that does work is an eye symbol. Suggesting that"We are looking at your unsociable behaviour".

Kim Rugg ● 2975d

There might be a more recent discussion thread about this ... but I did not find it so bringing back this ancient one from 2011 with recent news update.From the Acton Central Ward Forum meeting last week ... new signs have been ordered. They will light up when the barriers go down and will be more strongly worded to indicate that it is an offence to leave engines running and that fines can be imposed.Seems that the final wording not yet agreed.There is an intention to have the parking wardens enforce fines.(of course, if West London Orbital goes ahead and the barriers are closed forever then this particular problem would be replaced by a very different one!)

Paul Webster ● 2976d

Good for you!If you are straddling a bike waiting for the train, you become increasingly aware of the acrid material pouring out all round you. It's really quite unpleasant. And so futile in most cases.

Sara Nathan ● 5261d

I have a mini with stop/start and I love it, although terrifying when you first use it as the thought always goes through your mind "what if it doesn't start again?!".The only problem is heavy traffic as you do have to switch off the facility or you would be constantly be stopping and starting which apparently isn't good for the engine, but aside from very slow traffic it's a great feature.As a result I can smugly say I always turn my engine off at level crossings!

Sarah Harris ● 5261d

Perhaps you need to ask the question 'who is driving their car over the crossing?Will the one way system in Grafton Road have an effect on rat running?Could people walk and not drive their cars?

Dee Cook ● 5261d

In the cold weather I'd be scared that if I switched the engine off it might not start again.

Munira Khan ● 5261d

Quite a few modern cars have stop start so they reach lower co2 levels/car tax bands. Land Rover Freelander 2 Manual Diesel is stop start but it is not available with an auto box.....

Iain Muir ● 5261d

With the price of petrol so high, even three minutes with the engine switched off will save you money. The AA recommends that you switch off if you think you will be stationary for 3 mins or longer and sometimes you can be stuck at a level crossing for more than one train to pass. Then if you take into consideration pedestrians passing, or waiting for the gates to open, breathing in the fumes - not to mention the unfortunate people who live or work close by and have to listen to the drone of idling vehicles...

Lorna Dodd ● 5261d

Buy a Mini, the engine cuts out every time you stop and then starts again when you're ready to go.

Richard Williams ● 5261d

Not often to the first - which is generally no more than a minute at any one time - yes to the second if there is no prospect of moving.The train from Willesden Junction can mean at least three minutes of fumes pumping into the air around - at toddler in buggy level and noxious to all. It's just not sensible - given the price of fuel and the state of the environment to pump the stuff out wholly needlessly.I agree the signs are only part of it. But what else to do?

Sara Nathan ● 5261d

The size of the signs,  in my opinion,  has nothing to do with people not turning off their engines.  It's habit to keep them running and seems the logical thing to do,  I would say,  for most people.  Do you turn the engine off at traffic lights?  Traffic jams?

Jen Morty ● 5261d

But then is there any point in turning an engine off for three minutes, Sara?

Susan Kelly ● 5261d

The Churchfield Road ones are both too small and set back too far from the crossing itself. the key driver to influence is surely the first one. Impossible in this case.I don't think you would get very cold in the three minutes the engine would be turned off.

Sara Nathan ● 5262d

There's certainly a sign in Bollo Lane. I always turn my engine off (unless the train is visible) but admit I seem to be in the minority...

Lorna Dodd ● 5262d

It can get cold at this time of year with the engine off.

Susan Kelly ● 5262d

On the subject of that area,how about a box junction at the bottom of Milton Road?

Roger Foreman ● 5263d

.....not as high as in Horn Lane I bet!  Where the PM particle levels are the second highest in London.

Dee Cook ● 5263d

Also happens at the two crossings on Bollo Lane.  Must admit though, I haven't noticed any signs.  They must be miniscule.

Nicola Howard ● 5263d