Work Set To Begin on Temporary Cycleway 9 in Chiswick
Two way cycle route to be built between Heathfield Terrace and Goldhawk Road
A temporary segregated cycle lane near Olympia
An amended temporary version of Cycleway 9 is to be constructed along Chiswick High Road starting this September, Hounslow Council have announced.
Along with TfL, the council have drawn up revised plans based on the original design given approval last year. Subject to the remaining stages of the decision-making process work will being next month.
The new plans are similar to the approved permanent scheme and involve the construction of a new two-way cycle lane built along the southern side of Chiswick High Road between Heathfield Terrace and Goldhawk Road. To reduce construction time and cost, the majority of the temporary scheme is to be built largely within existing carriageway space, rather than using a mix of carriageway and footway as previously proposed. The temporary scheme will be reviewed in 2021/22 to determine whether or not to make these changes permanent or not.
The new lane along Chiswick High Road will fill in a what is described as a ‘missing link’, allowing people to cycle on a temporary version of Cycleway 9 between Kew Bridge and Olympia for the first time, along nearly 6km of protected or low traffic roads. This follows Hammersmith & Fulham Council’s recent construction of a ‘pop-up’ cycle lane between Olympia and Goldhawk Road, as well as Hounslow Council’s creation of a low traffic zone along Wellesley Road in Gunnersbury.
Cllr Hanif Khan, Cabinet Member for Transport at Hounslow Council said, “The installation of this new temporary version of what will be the Cycleway9 cycle route between Kew Bridge and Olympia will be a great addition to the borough’s cycle network, enabling people to travel safely and supporting a heathier lifestyle.
“The Streetspace programme is helping us create more space on our network to enable social distancing, whilst also offering residents and visitors viable alternatives to driving or taking public transport. The programme is therefore not only assisting in the fight to reduce transmission of the coronavirus, but also in helping address the major challenges outlined in our air quality and Climate Emergency Action Plans, as well as Hounslow’s wider green recovery plan.”
Sam Hearn the oppositon group's spokesperson on transport said, "Chiswick’s Conservative Councillors very much regret that an amended temporary version of the Cycleway 9 Scheme is to be introduced without any form of public consultation or even a report to the Hounslow Cabinet. We are assured by the Council that the revised plans are based on the original design but this is simply untrue.
"The temporary scheme is going to be built largely within the existing carriageway, rather than using a mix of carriageway and footway like the approved scheme. It is crucial that the implications for pedestrians and all road users are fully understood before the scheme is rolled out.
"The suggestion by Cllr Hanif Khan that the temporary scheme will assist in the fight to reduce transmission of the coronavirus, and help address challenges outlined in the Borough’s air quality and Climate Emergency Action Plans is completely unsupported by any evidence or research.
"Chiswick Councillors have asked for sight of the detailed plans as a matter of urgency but so far these have not been forth coming. How will cars and be bikes be separated if they share the same carriageway and what will happen at junctions ? All the democratic checks and balances are simply being bull-dozed out of the way. This is not acceptable."
London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, Will Norman, said, “Londoners have shown a record-breaking demand for cycling over the past few months and I’m delighted that this new route will make it easier and safer for residents of Hounslow to cycle across the borough.”
TfL is also working closely with local boroughs to rapidly create space for walking and cycling across the city. 15km of new cycle lanes have been delivered across London so far, with many more planned or under construction.
Hounslow has been awarded TfL Streetspace funding for 48 projects, with a value of £1.3million. This includes 27 School Streets schemes and two new strategic cycle routes – along Chiswick High Road and Twickenham Road – as well as six schemes designed to create more space in town centres.
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August 18, 2020