Hounslow Council (HC) claim that it was necessary to restrict traffic in Swyncombe Avenue in 2022 due to excess traffic caused by road restrictions in Ealing.

The Ealing restrictions have now been removed, so the reason for the Swyncombe restriction no longer exists, but HC has still maintained the restriction. This leads to massive traffic on Boston Manor Road, all the way from the A4 well past Boston Manor tube station at times, as shown in the picture. So the restriction negatively impacts all residents on the roads surrounding Swyncombe Avenue, and the emergency services. This article touches on the impact on Ealing residents, Haslemere Avenue in particular: Ealing News. The article highlights that 749 respondents did not want the restriction, as opposed to only 222 who did.

Despite this overwhelming public opposition, the restriction seems to have been fast-tracked. It began in August 2021 and was meant to have a public consultation period of 18 months. However, it was decided in a Council meeting on the 6th of September 2022 to stop the trial early.

We do not believe HC is acting transparently or on behalf of the majority, and HC is failing to coordinate action with other areas such as Ealing. We request that HC end the restriction in Swyncombe Avenue immediately.

Extra points:

1) The current restriction is a one-way road closure. Previously (2021), Hounslow Council attempted a residents only access scheme, implying this restriction has been HC’s agenda regardless of public support. All the reasons given could be countered, as in this link to a letter written by one resident from Manor Vale: Objections. E.g. HC claimed the restriction would help businesses on the road, despite there being no businesses there.

2) Guy Lambert, the local councillor for Highways, in person told a resident at Manor Vale that he had 8000 emails from Swyncombe Avenue residents requesting the restriction, and the delays on Boston Manor Road only amount to 1 extra minute. However, 8000 people do not live on Swyncombe Avenue, and the delays on Boston Manor Road and other affected roads can last 15 minutes.

3) HC’s argument that the vast majority of Swyncombe Avenue residents have voted in favour as the main reason for fast tracking the restriction is not credible; anyone would vote in favour for their road since they get less traffic whilst maintaining access for themselves. We would welcome the opportunity to offer road closures in the roads surrounding the councillors' homes and would expect similar support. The principle is any benefit to one group should not come at the cost of the majority. Furthermore, in a free market, the price of houses already incorporates any costs inherent from traffic, so Swyncombe Avenue residents have already gained discounted house prices and are getting a further benefit from HC for some reason.

Overall, every reason HC have advanced is out of date or can be countered. Please add your signature and share this petition's link (https://www.change.org/TrafficPain) so that we can remove their undemocratic restriction.