Plans for Cycleway in Brentford and Isleworth Published

TfL proposing to remove two bus stops and convert 18 into islands

Visualisation of new road layout by Brentford Bridge from TfL

Transport for London (TfL) is proposing radical changes to the layout of Brentford High Street and London Road to accommodate improved cycling infrastructure.

A six week consultation has begun into the plans which will link Hounslow and Brentford town centres with Cycleway 9. Full details of the plans are published on the TfL web site.

The cycle lanes will not be bi-directional east of the junction with Thornbury Road but will run on each side of the road in the same direction as general traffic with pavement space being used where it is sufficiently wide.

The measures would require the conversion of at least 18 bus stops in the Brentford and Isleworth area to bus stop by passes which would mean that bus passengers would have to cross the cycleway to wait for the bus. At least two bus stops, at Beech Avenue and Turnpike Way would be removed.

The designs published by TfL suggest that bus lanes along the route will be removed.

The scheme would require changes to the layout to all junctions with Brentford High Street and London Road to incorporate increased priority for cyclists. However, TfL gives an assurance that access to all properties, which currently have access will be maintained.

List of Changes to Bus Stops on the Route

• Existing Market Place bus stop (BL) relocated 25m west and converted to bus stop bypass
• Existing Half Acre bus stop (BN) relocated15m east and converted to bus stop bypass
• Brent Lea bus stop (eastbound) relocated56m west and converted to bus stop bypass
• Brent Lea bus stop (westbound) retained and converted to bus stop bypass
• Beech Avenue bus stop removed; nearest stop 171m east
• Syon Lane bus stop (W) relocated 23m west and converted to bus stop bypass
• Syon Lane bus stop (X) retained and converted to bus stop bypass
• Busch Corner bus stop (V) retained and converted to bus stop bypass
• Alton Close bus stop (T) retained and converted to bus stop bypass
• The Green School bus stop (P) relocated 45m east and converted to bus stop bypass
• Ham Road bus stop (S) relocated 31m west and converted to bus stop bypass
• Turnpike Way bus stop M removed; nearest stop 161m west
• Turnpike Way bus stop (R) retained and converted to bus stop bypass
• Wood Lane bus stop (D) retained and converted to bus stop bypass
• Wood lane bus stop (Q)relocated 55m west and converted to bus stop bypass
• Linkfield Road bus stop (E)relocated 12m west and converted to bus stop bypass
• West Thames College bus stop (L)relocated 45m east and converted to bus stop bypass
• West Thames College bus stop (G)retained and converted to bus stop bypass
• Isleworth Station bus stop (N)retained and converted to bus stop bypass
• Isleworth Station bus stop (F)relocated 36m west and converted to bus stop bypass
  

A number of parking bays will be lost with some single yellow lines replaced with double yellow lines. 11.6m of parking would be removed on eastbound side of A315 London Road near junction with Avenue Road to accommodate eastbound cycle track

The Tallow Road junction will be converted to an unsignalised layout with priority given to traffic and cyclists on Brentford High Street. There will be a new signalised junction with pedestrian crossings implemented at The Ham to improve access to Ballymore development.

Improved pedestrian crossings and cycle connections to and from Spur Road and Twickenham Road are also in the design stage.

Epworth Road would be closed to traffic at junction with London Road (access for vehicles retained via Syon Lane).

The designs also envisage the retention of the traffic restrictions introduced by Hounslow Council on Amhurst Gardens, Teesdale Avenue and Teesdale Gardens.

In the document issued by TfL as part of the consultation it says, “Too many people are being hurt in collisions in the local area. In the three years up to May 2021, there were 102 collisions on the A315 between the junction of Brentford High Street with Alexandra Road and the junction of Hounslow High Street with School Road which resulted in someone being hurt. Four people walking and nine people cycling were seriously injured, and that’s simply too many.

“There is too much traffic in the local area. Some trips can only be made with a vehicle, but there are a huge number of much shorter trips that are currently made by car that could be walked or cycled. But people often tell us that they are put off cycling, for example because they are frightened of traffic. Our proposals are designed to give people the confidence to give cycling a go.

Before the pandemic, 11,000 – 16,000 people travelled by bus between Brentford and Hounslow town centres every day and TfL claim these proposals would allow buses to run more reliably.

TfL adds, “Prior to the pandemic, we modelled what effects our proposals would flow. This indicated that the proposals could cause a range of effects: in some sections; traffic flow would improve, and in other sections there may be some small increases in journey times. have on traffic For the most part, this is because our proposal reallocating ‘green time’ at junctions from traffic to people, such as pedestrians and cyclists.”

Will Norman, London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner said, “We’ve seen a massive increase in people walking and cycling in the past few years and we are working closely with boroughs like Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham to help transform roads and make sure there is enough space for people to walk and cycle around the capital safely. If TfL secures a long-term financial deal with the Government which allows this cycleway extension to go ahead, pedestrians and cyclists could see huge benefits from the new connections to the Brentford Dock and Grand Union Canal. Local residents could also be able to enjoy the other improvements, including new crossings and the planting of new trees, which would improve the look and feel of the area. I urge everyone to have their say in this new consultation and share their views with us.”

Councillor Hanif Khan, Hounslow Council Cabinet Member for Transport, said,“This consultation is a great opportunity for anyone who lives, works or visits our borough to give their views on TfL’s proposal to extend Cycleway 9, from Brentford to Hounslow. I would like to encourage as many people as possible to get involved in the conversation. The ability for more people to have safer cycling journeys, and to connect more areas of London to a cycling network, is a vital part of our work to support healthier lifestyles, free up space on public transport, and encourage more people away from private car journeys.”

TfL’s consultation runs until 16 February and you can share your views by completing an online survey that it says should take no more than 5-10 minutes.

If you prefer, you can email your comments to haveyoursay@tfl.gov.uk or write to TfL at FREEPOST TFL HAVE YOUR SAY (Walking and cycling changes between Hounslow and Brentford), no stamp needed.

January 6, 2022