Traffic Congestion Warnings As Work Due to Start on Cycleway 9
Lane closures by Kew Bridge predicted to have major impact on traffic around area
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There is expected to be widespread disruption around Kew Bridge as building work starts on Cycleway 9.
In the run-up to the busy Christmas and New Year period, traffic deays are likely, compounding the effect of the extra thousands of vehicles crossing Kew Bridge and Chiswick Bridge due to the closure of Hammersmith Bridge.
Chiswick's Conservative councillors have said it is "madness" to start the project at this time.
Bus routes will remain in place but may experience delays due to lane closures - the bus stop outside Kew Bridge Station will be suspended and move towards Brentford Fountain Leisure Centre. Transport for London (TfL) have also asked local shops and businesses to consider streamlining deliveries outside peak periods.
TfL has promised an extensive communications campaign to alert local people and encourage alternative routes to be used.
The enabling works start Wednesday, 12 December to 19 December. This section of the Cycleway 9 is expected to be completed in late autumn 2020.
From 12 December the junction will be operating with lane closures. TfL say they are doing all they can to keep traffic moving by actively managing the traffic signal timings during the works.
The transport company says that to minimise the overall impact of construction on residents, businesses and road users, they will carry out the work in carefully coordinated phases.
• Enabling works: 12 to 19 December. Working off-peak during the day (10:00 to 15:00) and overnight (20:00 to 05:00) to minimise disruption to the roads, TfL will remove lighting columns and install temporary traffic lights on site.
• Main works phase: from 22 December to late autumn 2020.
They will remove four traffic islands to make way for the new junction layout. There will not be work on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. However the lane closures will remain in place.
A previous image of traffic congestion in the area
Later phases of work will be carried out from January 2020 onwards.
During the main phase of works they plan to work 08:00 to 17:00 on weekdays, 08:00 to 16:30 on Saturdays, and 09:00 to 16:00 on Sundays. No noisy work will take place after 23:00 on any day. These working hours have been agreed with Hounslow Council.
TfL say you should expect some delays on the A406 Gunnersbury Avenue (onto Chiswick High Road), the A205 Chiswick High Road, eastbound on the A315 Kew Bridge Road and on Kew Bridge, especially during peak hours.
Local councillors say the problems will not be confined to Kew Bridge and that there will be consequences for the western section of Chiswick High Road/A315, Ellesmere Road/Great West Road/A4; the North Circular/A406, Strand on the Green, Brentford High Street/A315 and for accessing and leaving the M4 in both directions, as well nearby roads including in Surrey Crescent, Stile Hall Gardens, Wellesley Road, Strand on the Green, on the junction and beyond on Brentford High Street near Kew Bridge.
Bus routes in the area will operate as normal but may experience delays due to the lane reductions in place.
The closure of Hammersmith Bridge has already led to congestion from rerouted traffic
Footpaths and pedestrian crossings will remain open. TfL say any temporary closures or diversions will be clearly signed and that access to properties along the route will be maintained throughout.
Hammersmith & Fulham Council this week approved the next stage of planning for the 'Safer Cycle Path' through King Street, which will join up with Cycleway 9 through Chiswick. They have also received funding from TfL to plan a cycleway along part of the A4.
4th December 2019
