Forum Topic

Very dangerous traffic situation.

Twice in the last week when pulling out of Lionel Rd North to turn right into Popes Lane I have almost been broadsided by cars coming straight through the red light. On stopping my car after the second time to investigate the problem it would appear to be because the traffic light on the left side is completely obscured by a number of large white box vans parked close to the junction preventing traffic in Popes Lane from seeing the red light and stopping. It is an extremely dangerous situation and I fear a serious accident is inevitable. Have reported to the Council this morning by phone and online in the 'parking' section but if anyone knows who these vans belong to they may be able to point the situation out.

Adam Porges ● 3687d23 Comments

that's very good news

Adam Porges ● 2791d

You can use the Ealing 24/7 App to report problem parking these days.

Paul James ● 2794d

It took ages but the situation is greatly improved and a raised bump heading west just before the junction also slows down the boy racers.

Susan Kelly ● 2794d

I see that the junction of Popes Lane and Lionel Road has had a make-over, with extra double yellow lines put in place so THE PERMANENTLY PARKED WHITE VANS HAVE GONE! (somewhere else?)

Peter Evans ● 2794d

Here is the latest update on what's happening on Popes Lane. Last day today. http://ealingcommon.yourcllr.com/2016/05/16/popeslaneclosure/I will update about the Popes Lane traffic management soon.

Joanna Dabrowska ● 3532d

Back on New Years Day in this thread Cllr Dabrowska indicated that the Council had the funds and plans were being agreed to improve Popes Lane sometime after Easter. I see it is currently  closed off (again) at South Ealing Rd, is this the beginning of the work or just more emergency repairs ?

Adam Porges ● 3532d

Do they ever move?  Check the plate number online to see if MOT and registered.

Charles Campbell ● 3533d

Vans still there!Also why on earth are cars allowed to park on Popes Lane directly opposite Lionel road, causing delays to eastbound traffic when cars are waiting to turn right at the lights.There are yellow lines before and after, but not where they need to be!?

Nick Jenkins ● 3534d

As for the two vans, while they've obviously not moved from their spot by the Lionel Road traffic lights for some time, the DVLC website shows them as being taxed. However, Rule 250 of the Highway Code might help. While it allows normal vehicles to park without lights at night (as long as they are 'facing in the direction of the traffic flow'), larger vehicles (of more than 1525kg) 'MUST NOT be left on a road at night without lights'.  As neither of these vehicles has lights and one of them is pointing the wrong way, they are in breach of Rule 250, though the powers that be might take some persuading to do anything about it. Worth a try?

Peter Evans ● 3669d

You're right, Peter. I do sometimes get tailgated when doing 30 along Popes Lane.

Susan Kelly ● 3674d

Good point SK, perhaps somewhat selfishly I feel its ok to speed along bigger roads, yet hypocritically (however you spell it), berate drivers who speed along my road.Its also very hard to actually do 30 mph people tailgating, intimidating etc, pressures of work getting from a - b

Peter Yale ● 3674d

aha Mrs D, so "you" are responsible for some of these so called improvements, goodness knows who you consult?I wonder also ( & this is no gripe) what gives Lionel Rd precedent over say some other junctions?Is it based on near misses or accidents themselves??Public complaints perhaps? TFL say so?Thanks

Peter Yale ● 3674d

There are also far too many cars coming through the lights at red at the junction with Elderberry Road. The gap between one set of lights going red and the other green is very short. Also, people, the speed limit in Popes Lane is 30mph, not 40mph or 50mph.

Susan Kelly ● 3679d

I've driven through the junction going west along Popes Lane three times this week and, while the traffic light on the left may be hard to see, I don't know what excuse there is for not noticing the one on the right!

Susan Kelly ● 3679d

Glad to see that Councillor Dabrowska is trying to do something about this. The vans are parked there all the time, day and night. They never seem to move. Who do they belong to? Are the owners actually residents or people who just leave their vans there? It's possible to find out, so could these people be asked to park less dangerously?

Bela Cunha ● 3679d

So we are back to the situation where we wait for an accident or certain number of accidents to happen.  This is very sad and we shouldn't have to.

Philippa Bond ● 3683d

Hi Joanna,Thank you very much for you response and a very happy new year to you too.Firstly I am very happy to hear that there are are some plans already in hand to Improve safety at this junction, I am also pleased to see that this forum reaches people like yourself and last but not least that you responded over the holiday period. I must say however I am left concerned that any action you mention is planned for the 'near future' when and as you say these incidents are of a regular occurrence. I imagine it would not be difficult for example to suspend parking for 20 metres in front of these traffic lights in the interim. You would not get away with a situation in a place of work with serious potential for accident and injury by saying there were plans to correct it sometime in the near future. Anyway I do appreciate your response.

Adam Porges ● 3684d

Hi Adam,Sorry to hear of your near misses. This is unfortunately, a regular occurrence. However, there is hope coming soon. We have received funds as part of Local Implementation Plans (LIP) for the road stretch between the South Ealing Road junction to roughly Barons Pond end. We are well aware of the Lionel Road North junction. We have drawn up a few options for the stretch to be approved in the near future. We are waiting for the SSE cabling works to finish, hopefully before Easter. I liaise with Highways and with the Transport Planning departments at Ealing Council on a regular basis. I do update here if I have any significant information to pass on. Best wishes for 2016!JoannaCllr Joanna DabrowskaConservative Councillor for Ealing Common ward

Joanna Dabrowska ● 3685d

Why not also try www.fixmystreet.comIt will mean that the problem has been flagged up in public view.  You can report anonymously so that your name is not up on the internet but you can also check back and update and other people can see that there is a problem. Sometimes reporting to the Council can feel like sending messages into space.It will be reported to the correct authority and you will be asked later whether there has been any change in the situation.  It is also very easy to pinpoint exactly where the problem is using the map.

Philippa Bond ● 3685d

There is no way to edit it, Adam. I am always surprised by the cars parked across the T-junction opposite Lionel Road, as I thought this was illegal. They are, though, less of a menace than the vans parked along Pope's Lane. Surely you are not allowed to park within x metres of a junction?Is it a TfL road? I thought it came under L B Ealing. Maybe some yellow lines are needed.

Susan Kelly ● 3686d

It's happened to me. There are vans parked on every corner of that junction. It's a TFL road by the way.

Barbara Karayi ● 3686d

Have realised I should have put the location in the Topic section but can't work out how to edit it! Exactly the same Susan first time around but twice in a week I realised something isn't right, I just came past and vehicles are able to park right up to the traffic light.

Adam Porges ● 3686d

Same thing happened to me one night a couple of months ago, with catastrophe narrowly averted. Since the car was travelling far in excess of the speed limit, I assumed he was just an a-hole but your explanation seems plausible.

Susan Kelly ● 3686d