Consultation on Brentford Cycleway Extension Begins
Details published of plans for 850 metre section along the High Street
The new section will link up with already completed parts of Cycleway 9
July 15, 2024
Transport for London has released more details of its proposed 850 metre extension of Cycleway 9 through Brentford High Street.
It is proposing a new segregated route from Alexandra Road by the County Court building to Beech Avenue which is just the other side of the former Royal Mail Delivery office.
The plans, which are the first phase of a larger project to extend the cycleway to Hounslow Town Centre, are now subject to consultation and feedback can be given until 9 September.
The consultation launch comes in time for the July opening of the latest section of Cycleway 9 East from Watermans Park to Brentford County Court.
An earlier consultation on an outline plan was made between 5 January and 16 February 2022 and TfL is currently developing proposals for the rest of the route from Syon Park to Hounslow Town Centre which it will consult on in the future.
The scheme would include protected cycle lanes along its length and changes to pedestrian crossings as well as changes to the layout of four bus routes with two being converted into an island format.
Detailed maps show that the cycleway is place on existing pavement for most of the way between Beech Avenue and Commerce Road and then takes over existing painted lanes. At the junction by the Ham, the map is left blank saying ‘design under development’.
Visualisation of a new road layout by Brentford Bridge from the latest consultation . Picture: TfL
Pedestrian refuges around the Tallow Road junction would be removed.
It is unclear from the designs how the cycleway operates between Catherine Wheel Road and Half Acre.
The existing Market Place bus stop (BL) would be relocated 18 metres west and the cycle track would run behind the bus stop and the Half Acre bus stop (BN) would be moved 14 metres east with the cycle track running behind the stop.
An aerial view of one of the proposed bus stop designs. Picture: TfL
In addition, TfL says it is working with the London Borough of Hounslow to identify potential space for trees, rain gardens, and sustainable drainage systems.
TfL says that its traffic modelling suggests some minor increases in journey times for general traffic on the route, while bus journey times should remain broadly the same or even improve.
Modelling has shown that during the morning peak there is a journey time increase along the length of the extension of under one minute in both the eastbound and westbound directions. In the evening peak, modelling indicates an increase of less than a minute in the eastbound direction and a decrease of up to one minute in the westbound.
Bus journey times in the morning peak are predicted to decrease by 2-3 minutes eastbound and by up to one minute in the westbound direction. In the evening peak, a decrease of up to one minute is expected in the eastbound direction and between 1-2 minutes westbound. These models are based on expected traffic patterns in 2026.
TfL has delayed the implementation of the extension of the scheme to Hounslow Town Centre to ensure that bus journey times and traffic flow are maintained.
TfL says that cycling is an increasingly popular way of travelling in London with the latest data indicating that the number of cyclists rose by a fifth in 2023 compared with 2019. Since the Cycleway 9 was installed along Chiswick High Road, it says it has seen an increase of 23% in numbers of cyclists using the route and it expects the extension to bring about further increases.
TfL believes that the measures proposed will increase cyclist safety without having a significant impact on other road users. The most recent 36 months of data has revealed that 27 collisions occurred between Alexandra Road and Beech Avenue with eight resulting in serious injury. Three involved a pedestrian, nine involved a pedal cyclist and eight involved a motorcyclist.
Will Norman, London's Walking & Cycling Commissioner, said, “These plans will significantly improve walking and cycling between Brentford and Syon Park and represent a significant step towards making our streets safer and more accessible. By creating high-quality protected cycle lanes and enhancing pedestrian crossings, we are not only reducing road danger but also connecting communities to local amenities and public transport. I encourage everyone to share their views in the consultation and help us to shape a safer, greener, and more sustainable future for Hounslow.”
Cllr Katherine Dunne, Hounslow Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate, Environment and Transport, added, “Hounslow Council is committed to providing a range of cleaner, healthier and safer travel options for our communities. Cycleway 9 is a great example of how we are working in partnership to achieve this. The message to all residents is that your input is vital in shaping the future of transport in our borough. Please join us on this journey and take a few minutes to view the proposals online and give us your views or attend one of the drop-in sessions at Digital Dock.”
TfL will be holding two drop-in events at the Digital Dock, 205 Brentford High Street, TW8 8AH.
Tuesday 6 August (3pm – 7pm)
Saturday 17 August (9:30am - 1:30pm)
This will give you an opportunity to get further information about the proposals and provide your thoughts and feedback. You can also email haveyoursay@tfl.gov.uk or phone 020 3054 6037 to leave your name and contact number quoting ‘Brentford Syon Park' when leaving your message and TfL will call you back.
The details of the consultation report on the earlier proposals can be accessed here.
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