Ealing Council Proposing Major Changes on Popes Lane

Measures in include reduced parking, traffic-calming and improved crossings

The council says that the measure aim to deal with obstructive parking and reduce traffic speeds. Picture: Ealing Council

July 8, 2026

Ealing Council has opened a public consultation on proposed transport and streetscape changes to Popes Lane. It has set out plans to remove parking spaces, introduce new traffic-calming measures and improve pedestrian and cycle crossings along the busy corridor between the A406 and Rose Gardens opposite South Ealing Cemetery. The consultation runs until 26 July, with residents invited to give feedback online.

The council says the redesign aims to tackle long-standing issues with obstructive parking, bus reliability and vehicle speeds. Popes Lane has become increasingly difficult to manage during major events at Gunnersbury Park, when parked cars narrow the carriageway to the point that London Buses have, on several occasions, been forced to divert services. At quieter times, the absence of parked vehicles creates a wide, open road that encourages excessive speeds, resulting in what the council describes as an “inconsistent and sometimes unsafe environment”.

Under the proposals, the number of permit holder bays between Gunnersbury Drive and Cedar Grove would be reduced from 76 to 58. The council notes that there are currently 57 registered permit holders on Popes Lane, with additional capacity available on nearby streets within the same controlled parking zone. A wider review of parking in the area is planned later this year, reflecting increased weekend and event-related demand linked to Gunnersbury Park.

The plans also include a package of improvements designed to make the street safer and more welcoming for pedestrians, cyclists and bus users. These include wider pavements, upgraded bus stops, new and improved crossing points, redesigned junctions to enhance access to Gunnersbury Park, and the installation of rain gardens to help manage surface water and increase greenery along the route. Traffic-calming features—such as horizontal deflection and raised elements—would be introduced to reduce vehicle speeds.

The proposals are intended to create a more reliable bus corridor, a safer walking and cycling environment, and a more consistent streetscape that can cope with fluctuating parking demand throughout the week and during major events.

Residents can take part in the consultation by completing the online survey on Ealing Council’s Popes Lane consultation page.