Longfield Avenue Road Trial Extended

Ban on left turns onto New Broadway and right turns onto Longfield Avenue

A controversial road trial which bans left turns from Longfield Avenue in Ealing town centre is being extended by six months.

The council announced the road safety trial last April with the intention of easing congestion and reducing accidents. But the ban has been criticised by some motorists who have raised concerns over signage and congestion whilst others have complained that it's an easy money making scheme for the authority.

Writer, Oriane Messina fell foul of the changes last year and was fined.

She says: '' I see people still turning all the time. They either haven't seen the signs or are locals who have forgotten. I'm convinced they are making a lot of money from it. The roads do not seem to have less congestion. If anything it makes it worse down by the fire station. I appreciate they've put up signs but they are not clear and mean drivers are being diverted quite a distance. I've also seen council vehicles make the turn so am wondering if they are exempt.''

The trial, is now being extended until May 2017 to collect more data on the extent of the impact of the changes, particularly around road safety.
Under the rules it will continue to be a traffic violation to turn left out of, or right into Longfield Avenue at the junction with New Broadway.  

Signage is on display throughout Longfield Avenue to make road users aware of the ban. There are currently 21 permanent advance warning signs in place. The council has made three additional temporary signs permanent.
Drivers who break the restrictions face a penalty charge notice of £130 (reduced to £65 if paid within 14 days).

In the first three months of the trial the council received £230,000 in PCNs, we have asked for latest figures.

Ealing Council say that income from penalty notices is ring-fenced and used to pay for concessionary travel schemes, such as the Freedom Pass and for other road safety and traffic management projects.

Details of the review into the trial will be available in May once it is completed.

Cllr Anthony Young, Ealing Broadway Ward Councillor said:

''The only data that matters and one which the Council refuses to acknowledge, is that residents are against the ban, which was put into place without consultation; a great advert for Labour not listening, not hearing or delivering for residents.

''I am sure those residents who have been fined for unwittily turning  left, and contributed to the £230,000k the Council collected in the first 3 months alone are comforted by the fact their fine is being ring-fenced for other transport projects.  I guess it makes a change from propping up the Labour Councillors allowances.''

14th February 2017