Greg Hands MP for Chelsea and Fulham Writes to Residents

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Council should get Fulham moving again and ditch traffic schemes

Fulham's streets are now regularly gridlocked

Dear Resident,

In recent weeks, Fulham has been blighted by increased congestion and pollution following the introduction of the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham’s SW6 traffic scheme, which has been compounded by the continued closure of Hammersmith Bridge.

Under the scheme, the restricted roads are only accessible to permitted vehicles, while other road users are fined. Visitors, traders, carers, and essential delivery drivers all fall out of scope of the scheme and are subsequently penalise. Residents must now apply for a visitor permit on every occasion and are restricted to one per household.

At a crucial time in London’s recovery from Covid-19, with pupils returning to school and professionals returning to their workplaces, the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham’s introduction of the new traffic ‘reduction’ scheme has created gridlock across Fulham.

Though the scheme seeks to achieve less traffic throughout South Fulham, the reality and message I have received from countless residents is one of concern and frustration. The scheme is simply displacing traffic from some residential roads to other roads in South Fulham and subsequently creating further congestion and very concerning levels of pollution.

Residents have contacted me with their concerns about receiving medical prescriptions, essential access for care workers, and wider delivery access, in addition to the frustration expressed by many local businesses. Some have reported confusion on access plans through the restricted roads, while others have been alarmed to have received – in some cases – more than one penalty charge notice in one journey due to the unclear access to the roads, several in fact being residents of the borough. Residents’ frustrations and concerns about the scheme continue to rise.

Last weekend, the Wandsworth Bridge Road Association were out in force campaigning against Hammersmith & Fulham Council’s traffic scheme. The Association spoke to local residents and businesses and found that there was no shortage of frustration with the scheme.

In addition to the concerns raised by residents, local businesses have also expressed significant concerns with me, particularly regarding the scheme’s signage. Local business owner, John Warr of Warr’s Harley-Davidson commented: “They’ve put a no motor vehicle sign right in front of our ‘motor vehicle’ dealership… No consultation whatsoever. No thoughts about the implications… It would be funny if it wasn’t so serious.”

I wrote to the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham ahead of the launch of the scheme to express my serious concerns about the introduction of this scheme, backed up by many residents who have also expressed solemn concerns, such as those mentioned above.

We need to get Fulham moving again. I am therefore calling on the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham to immediately cancel its SW6 traffic scheme and to re-think.

If you have not already done so, and would like to sign my petition, you can do so here.

So far, the petition has received over 2,500 signatures and in the coming weeks, I am looking to present my petition to the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham and will be demanding the immediate cancellation of the SW6 traffic scheme. The Council need to shelve its hastily conceived scheme and properly consult and involve residents. Traffic in Fulham is a problem, but this is not the solution.

Rt Hon Greg Hands MP

Member of Parliament for Chelsea and Fulham

For the latest government guidance and support available, please visit: www.gov.uk/coronavirus.

September 18, 2020