Local Lib Dem campaigners are calling on the council and Transport for London to take urgent action to address tailback misery in Whitton.
Local campaigners invited London Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon to Whitton to see the worsening traffic conditions for residents trying to get on to the A316 from Hospital Bridge Road.
Over the last few months residents in the area have raised growing concerns about the lengthy rush hour tailbacks along Powder Mill Lane, Percy Road and Hospital Bridge Road. As a result traffic is rat running through the Wykeham estate, residents are prevented from leaving residential streets in the Woodlawn estate and in some cases accidents have resulted on the junction.
London Assembly Member Caroline Pidegon said, "The congestion is causing long tail backs. Residents are having to wait up to 20 minutes to crawl a few metres some days. I will ask Transport for London to investigate what they can do to improve the traffic flow for traffic trying to get on to or across the A316".
A Richmond Highways officer joined Cllr John Coombs on the visit to understand the issues caused by the Hospital Bridge Road and Powder Mill Lane junction.
Cllr John Coombs said, "As a result of changes the council made a couple of years ago, traffic flow has been made worse and is adding to the worsening congestion. We believe a few small changes to the junction will keep it safe for pedestrians and make it safer for vehicles. We hope these changes will tackle the problem of only one or two cars being able to clear the junction when there is a green light".
Photos: (top) Rosy Cobb, Cllr John Coombs, Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon and Michael Wilson on the crossing that is causing some of the traffic congestion
(bottom) Rosy Cobb, Cllr John Coombs, Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon and Michael Wilson by some dangerous railings on the junction