Summary
Hounslow Cycling welcomes the proposed improvements to walking and cycling along the A315 from Syon Park to Hounslow Town Centre (Cycleway 9 West).
The key reason to support the plans is improvements to safety for all road users. Cycleway 9 along Chiswick High Rd has demonstrated these benefits. This is surely something that councillors should support because people travelling through Brentford, Isleworth and Hounslow deserve the same protection as people travelling through Chiswick.
In this document we describe what we like, what we can accept and what we would like to see confirmed prior to the project proceeding.
What we like – Safety
TfL states that safety is the main reason for the proposed improvements. We believe that it is a compelling reason in itself, regardless of other benefits.
We know that Chiswick High Road feels significantly safer for cyclists since Cycleway 9 was built. Police STATS19 statistics indicate that the overall number of all road user casualties has reduced by over 50%. Cyclist casualties have reduced by almost 2/3rds despite numbers cycling increasing. Reduction in casualties for all road users is typical where cycle lanes have been installed as the lanes also shield and reduce pedestrian exposure to the biggest source of danger by far – motor vehicles.
Casualty numbers have meanwhile remained roughly unchanged for Syon Park to Hounslow. The police have recorded 126 collisions in just three years, with 27 involving cyclists. We believe that extending C9 to Hounslow will extend the improvement in safety to the west of the borough.
We agree with the proposed use of floating bus stops. These are standard all over the world where cycle lanes coexist with a bus or tram route. Some people have concerns about these designs but the alternatives are worse – either cycling on the pavement or people cycling in close proximity to buses with no protection. Over the last 5 years on average, London buses have killed someone every 3 weeks, therefore it is entirely correct that the most vulnerable road users should be protected from the biggest source of danger. All floating bus stops should be fully compliant to DfT guidance.
What we also like
Health – TfL traffic counts show that 60% more people are cycling along Chiswick High Road since Cycleway 9 was built. Further investment in Cycleway 9, coupled with the continuation of the other council programmes including cycle training, will encourage more people around the borough to live healthier lives and provide more choice in ways to travel within the borough and beyond.
Environment – extending Cycleway 9 to Hounslow will encourage more people to cycle instead of driving. That helps to improve air quality for everyone in the borough while reducing carbon emissions and noise. Cyclists’ tendency to shop locally, little and often helps high road retailers and cafes at the expense of edge of town superstores.
What we accept
Bi-directional bike lane – the plans propose “with flow” cycle lanes on both sides of the road between Syon Park to east of Isleworth Fire Station then switch to bi-directional lanes on the south side of the road to Hounslow Town Centre. The ideal would be with-flow bike lanes for the entire route but we understand that there are safety challenges routing a bike lane in front of the fire station and bus station. A bi-directional cycle lane on the opposite side of the road to the bus and fire stations is a pragmatic solution.
E-bikes – inconsiderate use of Cycleway 9 by e-bike riders and illegal electric motorbikes irritates and sometimes endangers other cyclists and pedestrians. We want TfL and the Boroughs to address this but that does not affect the design of bike lanes.
Priority for buses – the designers have generally given bus movements high priority. We accept that it is important to make bus journeys reliable and reasonably fast. We ask Hounslow to ensure new and relocated bus stops are fitted with shelter and seating wherever possible.
What we would like to see confirmed
Plans for more greening – We can see that the removal of mature trees has been minimised subject to the need to free up space around some junctions or suffer unreasonable increases in journey times for buses. We would like to be sure that the replacement planting has been given equal care. Are there detailed plans for more trees and shrubs, rain gardens and sustainable urban drainage (SUDS)? We would like to see an overall increase in “greening” along the route.
About us
Hounslow Cycling is the borough group of the London Cycle Campaign with over 200 members in the borough and many others following our social media. We campaign for better cycling facilities in Hounslow and provide a local focus for those interested in improving facilities for cycling.