How does a whole estate become a cul de sac, asks the Liberal Democrats

Ealing Liberal Democrats demand rethink on the traffic flows into the Haymills Estate following a fatal accident on Hanger Lane.

Congestion and pollution will spike, with traffic likely funnelling down a single road into the Haymills estate. This follows a decision by Transport for London (TfL) to prevent north bound traffic on Hanger Lane from turning right into Chatsworth Road. 

This decision was taken following a secret meeting between the Labour-run Ealing Council and TfL, which excluded elected Councillors from Hanger Lane.  

The inquest into the accident on Hanger Lane has not even been completed by the coroner.  This is another example of Labour-run Ealing Council and the Mayor of London’s TfL making hasty decisions that completely fail to consider the knock-on effects on residents. 

The decision affects north bound traffic on Hanger Lane and traffic turning left from Hillcrest Road.  Traffic seeking to access the Haymills estate would be forced to go around the gyratory system adding to journey times, congestion and pollution.  

Drivers from Ealing town are likely to change their journeys to use Madeley Road to cross over the Hanger Lane.  This will add to jams on Madeley Road and funnel more traffic down Boileau Road and Corringway. These roads are already plagued by rat running.

Incredibly, neither Labour Ealing Council or TfL, have considered other options.  For example, new lights at the junction of Hillcrest Road and the Hanger Lane could allow traffic to turn right on to Hanger Lane, enabling motorists to safely turn left into the Haymills estate further down Hanger Lane.

Liberal Democrats are listening to residents’ concerns.  Many have said they want the Council to get the basics done correctly, including collaborating with others. 

Recognising the critical importance of highway safety, Ealing Liberal Democrats are seeking a comprehensive review in the light of the coroner’s report due at the end of this year. This review would:

• Properly consider the coroner’s report when it is published
• Assess the full spectrum of policy options - banning the right turn on to Chatsworth is but one - to address safety concerns
• Consult residents, Councillors and other stakeholders on the pros and cons of each option
• Consider implications for residents including safety issues for residents, cyclists and school children in the Haymills estate of each option
• Develop a delivery plan and timeline for chosen option including appropriate mitigation actions that can be implemented BEFORE implementation

 Liberal Democrat Councillor Jonathan Oxley, Hanger Hill said: ‘This is another example of Labour-run bodies such as the Mayor of London’s TfL and Ealing Council ignoring residents and passively signing off changes without scrutiny. Liberal Democrats recognise that traffic policy for the Hanger Lane gyratory system is challenging but we believe outcomes are better where there is engagement with residents.  Hanger Hill Residents have unique local knowledge about the road limitations on the approach to gyratory and the streets running off it, that would be invaluable to authorities”

Councillor Athena Zissimos, Environment, Streets, Parks and Climate Change said: “Liberal Democrats demand to see a local consultation on this issue with local residents being sought as active participants in addressing these issues so that their concerns can be heard. Collectively, we can take up their cause to get improvements made to this and other streets in the borough. The approach being proposed by TfL and Ealing Council are liable to generate perverse and unintended consequences.”