TfL Promises Upgrade of Ealing Road Junction Traffic Lights

Updated regulations require changes. Picture: Google Streetview

July 14, 2023

There was some potential good news and bad news for Brentford residents suffering from the impact of congestion in recent months.

Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed to BrentfordTW8.com that the changes to the traffic light phasing at the junction of Ealing Road and the A4 Great West Road will continue to be optimised to improve traffic flow.

The phasing had to be changed after it was discovered that the previous method of control for the lights was not compliant with current regulations. Since this change has been made there has been a significant increase in delays at the junction causing tailbacks into local residential streets.

The new traffic lights are being blamed for lengthy tailbacks along the A4 as well as making it more difficult to turn left onto the A4 from Windmill Road.

Ruth Cadbury MP and local councillors made representations to TfL after being inundated by complaints from residents.

Cllr Guy Lambert said on the Brentford forum, “ I am furious about both these matters and am working with LBH Traffic, Ruth Cadbury and various contacts in TfL to try and get Ealing Road roundabout sorted. At present they are saying they have to do that because of regulations but I'm pointing out that it’s not only appalling for traffic in all directions but it's also dangerous, not safe.”

A TfL spokesperson said, “The traffic signals at this location have recently been modernised as the previous equipment had reached the end of its serviceable life. We are continuing work to optimise the junction’s operation, and the signals are being enhanced with additional vehicle detection and bus priority technology. The work to upgrade this signal system will be completed in the coming weeks.”

Congestion on Windmill Road has been endemic according to residents. Picture: Facebook

TfL has previously insisted that the previous Method of Control was not safe and therefore it is not possible to revert to the old system. It is understood that the problem with previous arrangement was the potential for confusion for drivers joining the A4 on a green phase having to give way to other vehicles on the roundabout.

However, before any changes might deliver any mitigation to the current congestion woes, there will be a resumption of the repair works on the Chiswick Flyover which are now set to continue up until December.

Work on the concrete piers which support the M4 as it passes over the A4 in Brentford is set to resume on Monday 17 July.

National Highways (which maintains the nation’s motorways) says that this work is essential to keep the structure safe, extend its lifespan and reduce the risk of disruption from emergency repairs.

Work has already been taking place close to Chiswick Roundabout (Junction 1 of the M4) which has required some overnight closures.

Then the project team will be returning to the piers between Boston Manor Road to Clayponds Avenue. Although some repairs have already been done here additional work needs to be carried out.

Scaffolding, that was removed at the time of the King’s Coronation, is to be restored and the work area will be enclosed to try to minimise dust and noise.

Lane closures are needed in both directions between Boston Manor Road and Clayponds Avenue to allow this work to proceed.

From Monday 17 July for five nights the A4 will be closed overnight in both directions between Boston Manor Road and Ealing Road from 10pm to 5am

A signed diversion will be in place in both directions between the A3002, A315 and B455. Drivers for Windmill Road will be diverted via B452, B4491 and B455.

The from Monday 24 July for five nights, the A4 will be closed in both directions between Ealing Road and Clayponds Avenue from 10pm to 5am. A signed diversion will be in place in both directions via B455, A315 and Chiswick Roundabout.

National Highways says that it has made some changes to the pedestrian crossing points at the Windmill Road and Ealing Road junctions so they can remain open once. However, for safety reasons, it says the protective steel barrier must remain in place across the Windmill Road junction.

Cllr Lambert says he was at what he describes as a ‘feisty’ meeting with National Highways this week. He said, “I'm not 100% clear what they said but I'm pretty confident but we will not have a Windmill junction closure and they are now mindful of local people and in particular the difficulty for pedestrians crossing the A4, so it feels like good progress.”