Residents Anger Over Ealing Centre Road Trial Extension

Claims that changes to layout have increased problems in area

Local residents have reacted angrily to news that a controversial road trial in Ealing town centre is being extended by six months.

Under the scheme - which will continue to be assessed until May - it's a traffic violation to turn left out of, or right into Longfield Avenue at the junction with New Broadway.  

Drivers who break the restrictions face a penalty charge notice of £130 (reduced to £65 if paid within 14 days).

Susan Deans, is Chair of the Gordon Road and Surrounding Streets ( GRASS) Residents’ Association) and is angry about the trial. She says Council Officers have been reluctant to meet and discuss residents’ concerns and a petition opposing the scheme was ignored. 

She writes:

'' The suggestion that Longfield Avenue is an accident black spot is not supported by the last published statistics:  eight accidents between 2012 and 2015.  The changed road surface near Dickens Yard and the Town Hall has increased the danger for pedestrians who assume they have the right of way. The movement of the pedestrian crossing to the East in front of the Town Hall has added to congestion, as traffic turning right from Longfield Avenue can no longer move freely. Rather than improving road safety these changes have increased the risks for pedestrians and cyclists.

''The signage is inadequate as evidenced by the £230,000 collected in fines in the first three months of the trial. Current figures are not available but fortunately, for the Council’s revenue generating scheme, motorists continue to ignore or not see the signs. This is not surprising as some are hidden by trees and the yellow sign on the Uxbridge Road is very close to the junction at a point where the street names are not visible. Perhaps the money collected could be used to improve the pavements in Gordon Road and the surrounding streets which are in an appalling condition and unsafe. 

''The result of the trial is the diversion of cars and heavy vehicles into residential roads. In particular, there has been a considerable increase in the volume of traffic in Gordon Road at the mini roundabout with St Leonards and Carlton Roads. This is hazardous for cyclists and pedestrians trying to cross at this point are at risk. Accident statistics are still not available.  Noise and air pollution have increased significantly and Craven and Denmark roads are becoming rat runs. The problems will be exacerbated when work begins in October to turn the Town Hall into a boutique hotel.

''In short we are very concerned that the Council is not listening to the residents many of whom oppose a scheme, which was implemented without any public consultation.''

We have asked for Ealing Council comment.

22nd February 2017