Hounslow Council Cabinet Give Backing to Cycleway 9

Scheme can now proceed to the detailed design stage

Hounslow Council's cabinet have unanimously given a green light to Transport for London's plan for Cycleway 9 at a meeting this Tuesday (3 September).

The decision was widely expected after officers from the council's transport department presented a report to the meeting which unequivocally backed the cycle path which would run from Brentford to Kensington Olympia through Chiswick.

Opponents of the scheme addressed the meeting including councillors from Chiswick and Stephen Donnelly, who had presented evidence which he said showed there were safety concerns about the design of the scheme. A petition with over 5,000 signatures against the scheme was handed in.

The nine Chiswick councillors (Conservatives) have opposed the proposal and say that if it goes ahead it is "threatening our cafe and restaurant culture, our local independent shops, endangering our elderly and those with mobility issues or young children due to multiple hazardous and confusing crossings as well as removing three mature, handsome trees that give Chiswick its leafy charm and reputation".

On the announcement of the decision they issued a statement saying, "This is a terrible outcome - though it was no surprise. Several cabinet members had declared long in advance that they were in favour of CS9 so we knew the meeting-with-presentations was nothing more than a PR stunt. With planted questions designed to show the pro-CS9 lobby in the best possible light, and random, rambling points thrown at us to try to show us up, plus a stop watch geared to cutting us off but letting the pro-CS9 team go on and on, this was democracy at its worst. Partisan, pre-judged, puerile. It's life in Labour Hounslow."

Homefields councillor and deputy Conservative group leader, Patrick Barr said, "Not a single Chiswick resident or councillor voted on this scheme. The decision was made by councillors who do not know Chiswick. We, who represent Chiswick residents, were ignored. This means residents were ignored and despite a petition of 5,452 people opposed to CS9 and a passionate and informed representation to the Cabinet meeting."

Supporters of the scheme including Transport for London's Walking and Cycling Commissioner made the case for the plan at the meeting.

Michael Robinson, coordinator of Hounslow Cycling Campaign welcomed the decision, saying “let’s get shovels in the ground!”

He said: “Cycleway 9 isn’t just for people who cycle already, it is for all those who would like to cycle and who are currently scared and intimidated by motor traffic.

“The scheme will improve the safety of our high streets, help address air pollution and is clear evidence of the council’s commitment to act on climate change.”

The report written by Hounslow Council officers reviewing the scheme, gives detailed counter-arguments to most of the objections put forward by opponents of the project, relating to safety concerns, air qualit and using the A4.

Council Leader Steve Curran said residents and businesses could expect some disruption as the segregated cycle paths were put in but “you can’t make an omelette without breaking some eggs”.

He said: “There will be disruption but the council will work with TFL to keep businesses going.”

“All the evidence suggests that where you have good quality cycle and walking it will improve the footfall in the high street. The really big thing is it will improve air quality.”

Assuming there are no substantive objections requiring further delays, the project would be on course to break ground in spring/summer next year with a tentative completion date of December 2021. A consultation scheduled for 2020 will also look at extending the route to Hounslow.

September 5, 2019