New Cycle Lanes Planned in Park Royal and North Acton
Proposals would result in the loss of 84 parking spaces
Ealing Council says changes would make Park Royal Road suitable for all cyclists
October 1, 2024
Ealing Council is beginning a consultation on proposals for more segregated cycle routes across the borough including schemes on Park Royal Road and Acton Lane.
It is seeking to boost the proportion of residents that cycle regularly from the current level of just 10%. More than 1,000 residents responded to Ealing Council’s Cycle Network Plan consultation last year and many said that there aren’t enough safe cycling lanes in the borough.
In the next phase of its Cycle Network Plan the council is proposing a new protected cycle lane on Acton Lane (Park Royal), plus new two-way cycle tracks on Park Royal Road and Acton Lane, in North Acton.
For Park Royal Road the council is planning a 2-way cycletrack, shared with pedestrians, on the cemetery side of Park Royal Road, between Victoria Road and Western Road with a new crossing at Western Road for access between the cycletrack, Western Road, and Coronation Road.
A shared foot/cycleway along Asda frontage would be installed provisionally but would be expected to be superseded if and when the Asda site is redeveloped.
The changes would require the removal of all car parking along east side of Park Royal Road, to make space for widening of the footway for the new cycletrack, and wider carriageway lanes south of the railway bridge.
To offset this some free parking north of railway bridge on west side would be extended and converted for use by residents of houses backing on to Park Royal Road, and short-stay visitors, only.
A new parallel crossing for pedestrians and cyclists would connect the shared footway with alley leading to Allen Way subway under A40.
For Acton Lane, a new 2-way protected cycle lane is being proposed on the south-east side between North Ealing Road and hospital junction for south-west-bound cyclists.
The crossing near bus-only entrance to hospital site would be converted to a parallel crossing to allow cyclists to access the hospital.
There would be a shared foot/cycleway on the north west side between the parallel crossing and first Barretts Green Road junction, for north-eastbound cyclists.
The Barretts Green Road junction would be redesigned to take out triangular island and reduce turning speeds.
Between the two Barretts Green Road junctions, due to lack of space on Acton Lane, there would be no separate cycle provision. North-east-bound cyclists could loop round Barretts Green Road or continue on Acton Lane – on-carriageway in both cases.
Some parking would be added on the north west side of Acton Lane between Barretts Green Road junctions, to serve garages and other businesses.
North of the canal there would be a protected uphill cycle lane or track to the top of bridge over mainline railway. Southbound cyclists going downhill would share space with motor traffic.
The crossing island north of Waxlow Road would be replaced with a zebra crossing and the island at the zebra crossing near Harlesden station would be removed and an uphill, southbound cycle lane approaching the top of the railway bridge would be created subject to agreement with London Borough of Brent.
Overall, the proposals would lead to the loss of 84 parking spaces in the area. On Park Royal Road, there would be a reduction of 24 unrestricted parking spaces, 16 fewer residents-only bays, and 9 fewer shared bays.
On Acton Lane, there will be a loss of 30 unrestricted parking spaces, and a loss of 5 shared bays.
The council says the changes are necessary because development in the area will put increasing pressure on the road network and alternatives to motorised transport need to be offered.
It says the designs would make Park Royal Road suitable for use by all cyclists and Acton Lane suitable for use by all but the least experienced cyclists by taking out the main hazards.
It also believes that bus journey times would be reduced on Park Royal Road, as there will be enough width for them to pass each other and that this would also reduce delays to all motor traffic.
The proposals would also hopefully reduce cycling on pavements that are not designated as shared use and provide more and safer places for pedestrians to cross the roads as well as reduce the dumping of cars on the highway in unrestricted parking spaces.
You can see detailed maps of the proposals here.
If you want to comment on the proposals you are asked to complete this survey before Friday 18 October.
At the same time, the council is also consulting on a similar scheme in the Boston Road area of Ealing.
Councillor Peter Mason, leader of Ealing Council said, “If we want to keep the borough of Ealing green, healthy and safe, we need to work together to change the way we travel around. We are heavily investing in improvements around the borough to support this, making it easier, safer and much more enjoyable to travel actively and sustainably when possible.”
Councillor Paul Driscoll, the council’s cabinet member for climate action, said, “These proposed changes will significantly improve cycle safety in these areas, and improve traffic flow in Park Royal, allowing more people to enjoy the benefits of cycling while freeing up space for those who rely on public transport or cars for mobility or caring reasons.
“Before we make any changes, I’d like to encourage you to share your views so we can understand how to make these improvements in the best way, causing minimal disruption, and ensuring the cycle lanes are fit for purpose for those who will be using them.”
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