New traffic system is 'like the wild west'

Campaigners who'd been calling for a safer crossing at a notorious junction in Hanwell say it's become like the 'wild west', and more dangerous than ever.

Last year residents were consulted on a number of alterations to the Uxbridge Road (near Gold's Gym and St Mellitus Church) through W7.

Old traffic lights have been removed and a mini roundabout now installed. Signalled crossings have been put either side of the roundabout on Uxbridge Road and zebra crossings on St George’s Road and Church Road.

However, since the work was finished there have been a growing number of complaints.

Former Elthorne Councillor, Nigel Bakhai, who has raised the issue with the council, says he has witnessed many problems:

'' I have seen three accidents since the roundabout was put in and almost been run over twice on the crossing at Church Road, so I think they need to review it now.

''The main issue for me is the pedestrian crossing on Church Road is too close to the exit of the roundabout. Cars coming off the roundabout don't see the crossing or pedestrians until the last second (plus if you are turning left from the Uxbridge Road visibility of the crossing is blocked by the tree and foliage in the St Mellitus Church garden). If a bus stops to let pedestrians cross then the traffic gets backed up on the Uxbridge Road. Finally, many drivers ignore the roundabout driving straight over it because it is just a painted blob on the road.''

Local resident Kristy Mali agrees the roundabout is too small and says it's become a 'free for all' as drivers fail to obey the give-way rules. She also believes the zebra crossings are too close to the roundabout making it very dangerous for pedestrians.

She says: '' The roundabout is just not working for drivers, cyclists or pedestrians. If there is to be a roundabout, it needs to be clearly marked from a suitable distance away from the roundabout, clear road markings and signs to show how to approach it and it needs to be big enough so that cars can't simply drive across the top of it.
 
''It's a catastrophe waiting to happen and I'm genuinely shocked that there haven't been any fatalities yet. I'm afraid to say that I believe it will just be a matter of time.''

A local (who didn't wish to be named) told me today (11/06) the junction was like the 'wild west', with drivers taking pot luck as they drove through. She said if I stood long there enough I would 'be sure to see a bump or two... or possibly worse.'

Ealing council say as well as consulting the public, the design for the roundabout and crossings went through two years of work and reviews from external consultants as well as the council’s highways and transport teams.

The crossings have to be sited far enough away from the junction to not cause issues on safety and operation but near enough so people will actually use them and not cross the road informally. The scheme has been through the council’s scrutiny process and has also been through two independent safety audits.

A council spokesperson added: “As with any major changes to road layouts it can take some time for people to get used to them. Road safety was a key consideration during the two years it took to design and consult on the scheme. We continually monitor safety on all of our new road schemes and will be reviewing traffic levels at this junction over the next few months.”

11th June 2014