| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Chiswick High Road pavement cycling 'crackdown' | |
| Posted by: | Michael Robinson | |
| Date/Time: | 12/02/26 10:12:00 |
| Prior to C9, the junction with CHR/Dukes Ave was the biggest collision hotspot for cyclists on CHR. This was caused by traffic turning into Dukes Ave colliding with cyclists on CHR. Closure of Fishers Lane will probably have reduced traffic using Dukes Avenue because drivers using that route would slalom across CHR to get to Dukes Avenue but traffic levels are still high enough to require signals. There is no evidence the current arrangement at Dukes Avenue is a safety issue. Since C9 was fully upgraded in Jan 2023, the number of *all* traffic casualties on CHR is at the lowest level for at least 15 years. Cyclist casualties are down, cycling numbers are up, so the risk in terms of injuries per cycled km will be down significantly. With the cycle-specific phase at the junction, I'd suggest that cyclists who go through this red light are at least aware of the risk. With the previous arrangement, the casualties were cyclists 'minding their own business', cycling along CHR and being hit by turning traffic. The reason for the cycle-specific signals phase at Dukes Ave is the volume of traffic turning into Dukes Ave because the route is used by drivers ratrunning to the A4 and Sutton Court Rd. The obvious improvement is to close off the Dukes ratrun. If traffic volumes were reduced just for access, there may be no need for traffic lights there at all (or maybe just ‘on-demand’ signals for pedestrians crossing CHR) So reducing Dukes Ave traffic levels and removing signals would be good for pedestrians, good for cycles, reduce volumes of traffic along residential streets of Dukes Ave, Barrowgate etc. maybe even provide more ‘green time’ for traffic along CHR. The downside would be for the rat-running drivers as they would need to use Chiswick Lane or Sutton Court Rd. |