Forum Topic

Acton Corridor Improvement Scheme Consultation farce

Suprise suprise, the last remaining bit of the so called Acton corridor improvement scheme is going ahead despite Ealing Council failing in their obligation to properly consult with the residents directly affected by the proposals (ie. to stop right hand turns from Uxbridge Road into Gunnersbury Lane and left hand turns from Gunnersbury Lane into the Uxbridge Road). The shoddy consultation process has left residents of Hillcrest Road, Willcott Road, Denehurst Road, King Edwards Gardens, Whitehall Gardens and Mill Hill Road fuming (those that are actually in the know, with others being completely unaware of the fiasco which will ensue). The most recent update (after months of no feedback whatsoever)implies that the consultation area includes King edwards Gdns and Whitehall Gdns, which we know for a fact were not included in the original consultation (these residents were only made aware of the proposals via the petition which went round), and again residents of Mill Hill Rd are not included in any consultation although it is clear from the concerns raised by residents there that car users will start using their road as another rat run to gain access to the Uxbridge Rd and avoid doubling back on themselves in order to turn left onto the Uxbridge Rd and negotiate the new proposed roundabout that ALL traffic will be redirected through regardles of which direction you are trying to go.The update states that the plans will go ahead and after 3 months residents will be consulted with again to find out their views - this statement is really reassuring especially after the way that they have already consulted with us and are going ahead with the plans despite the clear opposition. It appears that the suggestions and comments from the local people who know the area are being completely overlooked and ignored beccause they cannot be bothered to readjust their plans and are so desperate to spend the money, not thinking that when it all goes tits up and the money is gone that we are then going to need to pay for the rectification of these errors.Simple suggestions include relocating one of the bus stops which are currently parallel to each other to somewhere closer to Twyford Cresent as this will stop congestion.Change the traffic light signals at the Gunnersbury Lane junction to incorporate a pedestrian crossing.Install a roundabout at the Styne Road and Uxbridge Rd junction and remove the traffic light signal.Why not try these for 3 months first to see how these measures go before converting our roads into rat runs???Sorry to rabbit on, but I thought everyone should know.BTW the whole mess created further down the Uxbridge Road close to the old Town Hall where by a central traffic island was installed to create a tiny right hand turn lane which was left for months and was highly dangerous with busses and large vehicles trying to negotiate, and subsequently going over the pavement areas causing them to sink was apparently a contractor error and is why there is now a subsequent mini roundabout (far better), my point being, who is supervising these contractors and why are they working off so called different plans to what should be implemented?? Who had to pay for the rectifications? Oh yeah that will be us.

Tanya O'Rourke ● 5172d27 Comments

Has the work started or have you just received something saying they're going ahead with this???Oh and I agree the whole thing is a joke.  The council aren't remotely interested in what the people who live right here have to say.  My guess is like the disappearing island at Acton Lane, they'll put something in then remove it once they see what a cock up it is.

Rupert Picken ● 5172d

Most people either aren't aware of the proposed changes, else dont understand them, much less the impact it will have. Plus the council is lumping together lots of changes (again), so making it all the more confusing. Not everyone uses the same road names / descriptors for junctions. With so much text and so few pictures, and so many changes it's all a big muddle. There needs to be a display at the library, and a display at a stand at Acton market, and MORE IMPORTANTLY, these need to be publicised to residents well in advance so they can ask question, see pics, AND EXPRESS THIER VIEWS TO PEOPLE WITH AUTHORITY. If all this has happened already - I missed it!It's all made worse when you're dealing with people at Ealing Council who don't know the area well enough. (I am reminded of architects plans for the town hall site which included a proposed new bus stop, not realising it's a one way system, so that school groups for the swimming baths would be getting off their coaches on the traffic side rather than the pavement side!)I would say there is absolutely no reason to prevent traffic turning left from Gunnesbury Lane on to Uxbridge Rd, and turning right from Uxbridge Rd onto Gunnesbury Lane. Relatively few vehicles do this and will cause real problems for adjacent roads. The prevailing traffic runs along Uxbrige Road, OR runs back and forth from the M4 to the M40 (via Gunnesbury Lane, Uxbridge Rd, Styne Road and Horn Lane). Plus if they introduce a roundabout at Uxbridge Road / Styne Road, wont vehicles simply go all the way round and back again to take the turning they want?  We're all in favour of improved traffic flow and adequate safe pedestrian crossings, and properly thought out bus stop locations. I am not convinced the powers that be are capable of acheiving this without better consultants and contractors, and better consultation processes, and overall better insight.Outside the current corridor:  I was happy to see the roundabout at Acton Town reinstated, as it used to be 12+ years ago. Has much improved traffic flow.A proper left turn filter lane at the top of Horn Lane onto the A40 wouldn't go amiss, and would reduce drivers cutting across the junction (changing lanes in middle of a box junction) to take the park royal turnoff.And who knows why the northbound right hand turn filter traffic light at the Horn Lane junction by Acton Main line station was taken away? There is such a high risk of head on collisions there, everything travelling south has right of way, but it's an almost blind junction because of the hump in the bridge and the bend in the road.

S Bradford ● 5172d

Here we go again.  Just as well I kept this.

Nicola Howard ● 5172d

Thank you for the pic, makes it much clearer. But… oh dear. So the proposals include reducing the middle section from four lanes to three lanes. That’s going to be interesting. I know it can be a squeeze at the junction for oncoming traffic when vehicles turn right from Uxbridge road on to Gunnersbury lane, but there is absolutely no reason to ban left hand turns from Gunnersbury lane into Uxbridge rd.  This change would have a negative impact on nearby residential roads compared to any benefit that might be obtained.Once / if all these changes are implemented, what corrective action will follow? E.g. will yet more speed bumps be added? Will a bus lane be added? Further reducing the four lane section on Uxbridge Rd to two lanes? This could slow traffic down so much to make these proposed corridor changes pointless.I hope all the nearby businesses are up to date on their flood insurance; every time junctions on the Uxbridge road get dug up, it leads to Thames water main leaks, traffic lights out of order due to flooding, etc, this has happened more times than I can count.

S Bradford ● 5171d

-- "So the proposals include reducing the middle section from four lanes to three lanes."It could well work: replacing lights with a roundabout means less queuing. Keeping traffic flowing smoothly is generally better than letting it queue, then letting it flow, then letting it queue...

N Roberts ● 5171d

There will still be some stop-start-stop-start because of the pedestrian crossings. I don’t have a problem with roundabouts generally, though require a bit more effort and concentration on the part of drivers, to creep forward and judge when it’s safe to join, and then break for a pedestrian crossing and hope the person behind breaks as well. At least with traffic lights everyone has to obey the same rules at the same time, and you can enjoy scowling at people (drivers and pedestrians) who jump a red light.The downside of 3 lanes (i.e. only one lane east-west) is that if there is a hold up on Uxbridge rd, the through traffic from Gunnersbury lane to Horn lane will be stuck in it as well, rather than having its own lane. Likewise if there is a hold up on Horn Lane, then the east-west traffic on Uxbridge road with be stuck in the same queue. Either scenario means more of a bottle neck, and more tail backs than might be the case with four lanes, not great for drivers or residents.At a later date, if one of the west-east lanes were made into a bus lane, you’d have the same potential for tail backs from the other directions.Assuming the road isn’t narrowed, the only upside with 3 lanes is that emergency vehicles might be able to squeeze through more easily, until they get to a bollard or roundabout…Like I said, it will be interesting. ;-)There’s still no reason for banning the left turn at the top of Gunnersbury lane.

S Bradford ● 5171d

Found page 2 of the plans.

Nicola Howard ● 5169d

Here is a recent response from Ealing Council after I was initially fobbed off with a response referring me to the recent letter dropped through the letter box about the decision to go ahead with the proposals. The response negated to answer any of my queries and plainly refused to look at alternatives suggested.  Eventually after another email I recieved the below:"Dear Tanya, I am sorry for my misinterpretation - my mistake. Yes the left turn could get green earlier in the same stage as traffic is exiting Steyne Road and yes there would not be any safety issues associated with this. On the face of it this would bring benefits for the left turn but this would not target the queueing and congestion experienced on other traffic streams. I do not know why this was not done when the junction was originally implemented. This has prompted me to check the original feasibility report, which does identify the hampering of the left turn in the existing situation - but recommended the implementation of the Roundabout as achieves benefits for all traffic streams through the junction. Kind Regards Tom Webster Senior EngineerHighways ServiceEaling Council1st Floor Blue, Perceval House14-16 Uxbridge RoadEalingW5 2HLTel: 020 8825 5181Email: websterth@ealing.gov.uk"

Tanya O ● 5157d

I thought it was banning the left turn north end of Gunnersbury Lane that was one of the big concerns people have? Not issues around the left turn travelling south from Steyne Rd... Sorry if I am being dim. I don't understand his reponse without knowing the query put to him. If you're confused by his reply as well, I suppose there's the possibility that he's looking at more up to date plans that have not been publically released.

S Bradford ● 5157d

If council staff do not know what they are doing, and local councillors claim they have little they can do to change things, who the hell is in charge? The people hiding in the shadows with the largest wallet, whoever they are?

Chris Bell ● 5157d

Certainly needs investigation.  Call in Secret Squirrel.What I want to know is, while they are digging up the roads, where is all the traffic going to go.  All I can see is a massive detour.  Who is the contractor?  If it's Enterprise, God help us all.

Nicola Howard ● 5157d

Well, that's a load of unintelligible drivel. But the guy's an engineer. It's the labour council that should hang its head in shame for these barmy policies. And anyone who voted for them has got what they deserve. Well done you.

Peter Millman ● 5157d

Don't blame me, I voted for the other mob.Well, that's a load of unintelligible drivel. But the guy's an engineer.  Ummmmm!Only two more years of this bunch of incompetents.  I can only wonder what other screw-ups they have in store for us.  I hope people remember all the follies along with the waste of money (that's our money) on extra consultations, (CPZ, Grafton one way) and silly bollards come roundabouts, and of course not forgetting Enterprise.

Nicola Howard ● 5157d

That junction is a problem, that much is true, traffic is always builT up there, partly due to buses, delivery vehicles, cars turning right from uxbridge rd to gunnersbury lane and not signalling in time etc etc but i dont think this is the answer. Living on Willcott we were part of the consultation and i rang and spoke to Mr Webster about my concerns about the no left turn at gunnerbury and the associated side roads becoming more of a rat run than they already are. His response was noncommittal, and it didnt sound as if he was even familiar with the area we were talking about. The most recent letter we have had says that the proposals are going ahead and that Denehurst and Willcott will be made Access Only. They will then reconsult residents and if there is a problem potentially close them to through traff

Milena Vincic ● 5156d

Traffic. Sorry pressed post by mistake. The results to the consultation were about even for and against, there were something like 5 more for than against. TBH these consultations are irrelevant. The new development of the old tram depot is a case in point. Residents raise concerns about parking, the council says oh dont worrY its a carless development, its written into the terms residents wont be able to apply for permits. Then Ethan pops up on the forum, has bought a flat and is looking for local streets where he can park his car, exactly what we were told wouldnt happen. But the bit they failed to share was that they would give the residents of the development could visitors vouchers and park on local streets after all. Total farce. The only constant is that the council wins and residents lose, whilst paying through the nose for the priviledge.

Milena Vincic ● 5156d

At the moment I can easily use side roads to avoid turning left from the A4000 Gunnersbury Lane into the A4020 Uxbridge Road, and right from the A4020 Uxbridge Road into the A4000 Gunnersbury Lane, provided I am not driving a heavy lorry. Very little traffic makes those turns, and there is very little additional congestion caused because that is not where the main problems exist. If those turns are banned and the side roads blocked I can easily add to the air pollution and congestion on a much longer route.A heavy lorry trying to make local deliveries has very few places to turn, so the bypass route is likely to be even longer and create much more congestion.

Chris Bell ● 5155d

"a load of unintelligible drivel. But the guy's an engineer."Lazy stereotype.

N Roberts ● 5155d

The overall scheme is from Transport For London, and was inspired by a Boris complaint about the number of traffic lights in London. Local councillors are actively working to ensure the concerns of the residents in Hillcrest road are met. In my own experience it is delivery lorries and illegal parking that cause the congestion through Acton, not the junction itself.

Pete Grist ● 5154d

I agree with you and putting a roundabout in will do nothing to deal with the traffic caused by a huge lorry delivering to one of the pubs or an idiot who parks on the High street in front of whichever shop they need because they're too lazy to walk and too selfish to care about the obstruction they're causing to others. You can't do anything about the deliveries and there will always be selfish idiots, a new road layout won't change that. I really hope it improves things for the better as at the moment I'm finding it quicker to get to Shepherds Bush doing gunnersbury lane, bollo lane, bollo bridge rd, and rejoining at the Vale than taking the direct route.

Milena Vincic ● 5154d

I am fed up with people knocking local businesses / local retailers / local employers. Probably the same people who complain about empty shops! Local retailers need to receive deliveries. As far as I can tell they tend to obey the parking / loading rules(it's expensive not to!) Which means the delivery times are often out side rush hour / day time. On the High Street I would say it tends to be small / medium vans, parked alongside legally parked cars. The handful of business that receive deliveries from lorries (eg pubs) appear to avoid rush hour and park up on council provided loading bays. The Oaks retailers have space to park in the Oaks car park (not sure if the proposed Periscope development has the same provision), ditto Morrisons has off-street provision for its lorries.The NOTABLE exception in recent months has been the building supplies lorries and cranes parking outside the complex of flats built next to the Lion & Pineapple - typically on Gunnesbury lane - sometimes lorries on both sides! Making it difficult for vehicles, buses, etc to pass. A development okay-ed by Ealing Council. And what about all the buses that park up at the bottom end of Horn Lane and other places around Acton? They used to have the bus station (old Tram station) to park in. Demolition / development okay-ed by Ealing COuncil. Additional bus parking provision on street okay-ed by Ealing Council.At least vans and lorries switch off their engines when parked up, unlike the buses! Extremely unpleasant for flats built a few years ago overlooking the bus stops - which are built right up to the edge of the pavement. (Okey-ed by Ealing Council.) Noise and fumes can not be healthy for pedestrians or the people living there.  I know there are lots of people who choose to knock Morrisons - but I love it, and beleive strongly that FREE off-street parking for 2 hours or so is a real bonus for local businesses. I don't think people give Morrisons enough credit for the wider number of businesses and retailers, including market stall holders, who benefit from this.Bus, tube and parking options are vital for people to choose to stop and shop and spend on Acton High St, rather than roll through to somewhere else.You get 'selfish' people and 'idiots' wherever you go. The difference is that selfish people who park illegally (ie at the wrong time of day), run the risk of a parking fine. A real incentive not to do so.I suspect a contributory factor for you favouring the Bollo Lane route is that there are more buses on Acton High Road by comparison - stopping and starting, with few options for traffic to overtake. Particularly so during the morning and evening rush hour. But options for more pull in bays for buses appear to be very limited.

S Bradford ● 5154d

Errrr, "Hear, hear." (or is it "Here, here" ??? - I'm not that intellectually gifted!)

Rosco White ● 5154d

I would think banning the left hand turn at the top of Gunnesbury would increase rather than decrease the tail backs leading to this junction?Wouldn't traffic wanting to turn left go forward a few meters to the proposed new roundabout (by the police station / morrisons) and come back on themselves?

S Bradford ● 5154d

Yes, that is part of the design, enabling a safe pedestrian crossing phase at the lights by the Red Lion.

Pete Grist ● 5154d

>> I am fed up with people knocking local businesses / local retailers / local employers.Saying that delivery trucks cause congestion is not knocking local businesses, it's a fact.  You can support local shops as much as you like, a delivery truck parked on the high street will still cause congestion. >> And what about all the buses that park up at the bottom end of Horn Lane and other places around Acton? They used to have the bus station (old Tram station) to park in. Demolition / development okay-ed by Ealing COuncil.Are you suggesting that First Bus (or whoever owned the site) should pre prohibited from selling their land?  Should local authorities be forced to set aside land for bus stations?>> At least vans and lorries switch off their engines when parked up, unlike the buses! Not true.  I've seen many buses parked with engines not running.  If their engines are running, why not email the busy company?  I would be surprised if it was company policy to waste fuel and pollute the environment.

N Roberts ● 5154d

I guess I have the option to respond, so here goes:- As I said, the deliveries I see appear to be the business owners/retailers themselves with small vans, from cash and carry / meat and fruit-veg markets, parking up in the evenings (along with cars) when it is legal to park. I don’t suppose anyone wants to see the high street become a red route. It’s relatively unusual to see large trucks park up during the day, though the occasional G4/cash collection vehicle seems to flout the rules. I accept you have seen trucks parked up on Acton High Street during the day, I haven’t seen this often.- Assuming a bus company owned rather than leased the tram depot land, but whoever owned it, they no doubt they made a tidy profit selling it off for compact medium / high rise flats. It’s the council that okays planning permission, and is encouraging more building of ‘affordable’ homes, and I presume the council / TfL that okays street parking of buses at rest. Horn Lane has become an unofficial / official bus terminus – presumably the bus company is now benefiting from free parking (everyone else has to pay) but without benefiting local residents or businesses that have their businesses or lounge windows obscured by huge buses. I think bus companies should be in the business of providing transport, and effective provision of parking for buses at rest. Strikes me there has been an imbalance of short term thinking for short term profit – versus positive planning for improvement. Happy to agree to differ.- I imagine people contacted the bus company / TfL about this already. A sign along the lines ‘Buses switch off engines’ has been put up on Horn Lane. As far as I can tell buses parked up with their engines is more often a winter thing – I am guessing bus drivers keeping their cabs warm as they don’t have the old tram depot, or a hut / tea room (or toilet facilities) to rest up. When Acton Swimming Baths was open, empty buses would park up outside there as well – on both sides of the road blocking traffic flow – not least to use the loos!  I suspect fewer are parking up there now it’s closed, with more parking up at Horn Lane and using the loos at Morrisons instead, or maybe Acton Green (there are often loads of buses parked up there). I don’t want to debate this anymore, I’m just relating what I’ve seen, i.e. the wider consequences of closing the tram / bus station and downsides of short term planning for short term profit.

S Bradford ● 5153d

Getting back to the original posting, we’re all wondering whether the proposed traffic changes will be an improvement or fiasco. Thinking about the proposed roundabout at Styne Road / Acton High Street, can people think of examples of other traffic light junctions being converted into roundabouts where this has resulted in a positive or negative change based on their experiences? I can think of two:1) The roundabout at Acton Town (which used to be a roundabout 12+ years ago) I think has improved traffic flow.2) The Argyle Road / Ruislip Road junction (near Gurnel swimming baths and sports centre) became a roundabout c.2 years ago, I think improved traffic flow. I don’t know if these are reasonable comparisons to make (both are smaller lesser used junctions), and it does not automatically follow that a roundabout at the police station / Morrisons junction will work as well. For sure the short / medium term impact of major roadworks at this junction will be a nightmare, hopefully there will be some staging and temporary lights involved.

S Bradford ● 5153d

A roundabout does not fail when the power fails or a lamp pops. I have to suffer the multiple traffic lights around Central Middlesex Hospital and Asda rather too often. I have already asked why the hospital is not the centre of a one way system without traffic lights, the reply was that nobody thought about that possibility. The traffic from Coronation Road is usually held when oncoming traffic has a green light, but the green right filter arrow does not usually light as it should, so it is often a surprise when the traffic does start to move from Coronation Road.

Chris Bell ● 5152d