Forum Topic

'Improvements' to A4/South Ealing Road junction

Received a consultation document today. The reason for the change is that when you get a green traffic light, you still have to give way to the right as you enter the junction.True, that can be confusing, but I've not ever seen an accident there.The proposed new layout is too complicated to describe, so this is really only for those who have the document!I can see several problems with the new layout.Your thoughts?

Mark Vale ● 4084d17 Comments

If you assume that, then you're more of an idiot than your lazy lack of punctuation would suggest :-)https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/roads/a4-ealing-road is available for sending online feedback and I'm sure many other have done so.Thanks for keeping the pot boiling, despite your negativity.

Mark Vale ● 4076d

i assume youve all commented your own feedback rather than moan on the forum?

Ron Gill ● 4078d

Great minds think alike!My variation was that I would retain the traffic lights on the A4 (as there's no confusion when they are green and it does need some priority) but remove the lights on Ealing Road (move upstream for pedestrians, as you propose).The TFL proposal is horrible.

Mark Vale ● 4080d

In my experience, many people - presumably including visitors to the area - do not realise this is a roundabout.My only solution probably wouldn't work, as pedestrians will always try to cross to and from the nearest points to where they start but I wondered if the overall layout could be maintained but all sets of traffic lights / pedestrian crossings could be moved back 50 metres in the direction from which the traffic is approaching the junction.This would remove the need for traffic light controls on the roundabout itself.  Clear roundabout signs could be placed on the island so drivers from all 4 directions understand the plan.No driver would then be under the false impression that a green light means they have a right of way.Presumably all 4 sets of traffic lights already operate in some sort of synchronised order?

Phil Kay ● 4082d

I think it's a bit tricky as it is at the moment - unless you're local and know that the green light still means you don't have right of way.  New drivers think that because they have the green light, they don't have to worry about cars coming into the roundabout. they wrongly assume that their green light means all other traffic is halted.

Penny Crocker ● 4082d

...and what about the pedestrians??? "During the design process we investigated the possibility of installing signalised pedestrian crossings on the Ealing Road arms of the junction. However, due to the need to upgrade the signal equipment, we have not been able to find a solution within the timeframe required to deliver this scheme. We are currently investigating this as a second phase of the project."Astonishing lack of concern for people trying to cross a major road!https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/roads/a4-ealing-road

Philip Alford ● 4082d

The new layout will be fine for people turning left, and an improvement for people going straight on.But a lot worse for traffic turning right.It seems like when you get a green light on South Ealing Road, you can drive straight on to the roundabout without having to give way... but you'll get half-way around and then hit another traffic light, which will be red.So the junction will presumably back up with turning-right traffic, who must wait until the 2nd light changes.

Mark Vale ● 4083d

I've also been driving round this roundabout for 30 years and have never seen an accident there, which is surprising, considering how dangerous it is, in theory. Locals know what to expect but there will always be someone for whom it's the first encounter with this odd set-up.

Susan Kelly ● 4083d

I can sort of see of their point in theory but whether this causes many accidents in practice I don't know. Surely even on a green light you're checking the junction is clear before entering?

Jim McCauley ● 4083d

I have also been driving round this roundabout for more than 30 years and have never had any problem.  If there is a problem at all I think it's drivers exiting the garage who seem to think they also have a green light and right of way and randomly pull out in front of everyone.  Also, in the last couple of years I have noticed that many drivers do not seem to understand the "give way to the traffic on the right" rule.  Could this be because there are larger numbers of foreigners driving in the UK who do not necessarily understand UK driving rules?

Bernadette Paul ● 4083d

The plans are on-line - https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/roads/a4-ealing-roadthe new layout of TfL site has no consultations link.

Fred Hunt ● 4083d

'its a roundabout isn't it so you'd naturally give way to the right or am I missing something?'Yes, the fact that when you have a green light, you naturally assume that you have right of way. That's what happens at every other light-controlled roundabout I have ever come across.

Susan Kelly ● 4083d

Perhaps they are assuming a large increase in local traffic with the huge new barretts development.  The junction might become a bigger problem that it already is.

Andy Vaughan ● 4083d

Use this junction regularly and never had a problem - its a roundabout isn't it so you'd naturally give way to the right or am I missing something?

Jim McCauley ● 4083d

This junction is a nightmare and overdue for a rethink. No chance that whoever is doing the work is aware that is the 21st century and posted the plans online?

Andy Jones ● 4083d

I am still looking at the plans too but a green light does mean "proceed if the way is clear".I must confess at first glance not sure what problem they are trying to solve.

David Eales ● 4084d

Ahhhh...Sounds to me like the end of the financial year is approaching so needless roadworks will be springing up all over the place with perfectly good kerbs being replaced etc

Colin Goodman ● 4084d