Weekend of Traffic Chaos Predicted

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Local road and tube closures could mean major jams

The May Bank Holiday weekend looks as though it could be the start of a miserable time for people looking to travel around West London.

The North Circular is set to close northbound between Chiswick Roundabout and Gunnersbury Avenue by Pope's Lane for 10 days beginning at 8pm on Friday night (April 30th). This is due to Thames Water needing to do repair work.

During this period, northbound traffic will be diverted from the Chiswick Roundabout via Chiswick High Road, Acton Lane and Uxbridge Road, before rejoining the A406 Hanger Lane. Southbound traffic will not be affected.

Over the Bank Holiday weekend, public transport in the area will also be hit. The District Line is shut Saturday to Monday between Ealing Broadway and Turnham Green and the Central line is suspended between Ealing Broadway and North Acton. The London Overground service between Richmond and Stratford is also not operating on Sunday and Monday. There are reports that the Piccadilly line may be stopping at Turnham Green but we have yet to have that officially confirmed by Transport for London.

Passengers wishing to travel to Ealing Broadway should change at Hammersmith for the Piccadilly Line and then change onto local bus services at Ealing Common to complete their journey.

Steve Shine, Thames Water’s Chief Operating Officer, said, “We understand this work will cause inevitable disruption to road users and local residents, but we have to carry out these repairs urgently to stop the leak getting any worse. We would like to assure road users and local residents that we will be working around the clock to complete this work as quickly as we can.”

In order to maximise the potential of this road closure British Telecom is to carry out upgrade works while the carriageway is closed.

Alan Bristow, TfL’s Traffic Director, said, “We ask motorists to bear with us while these works are carried out and we will do our best to ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum.’’

 

April 29th, 2010