Keep Weltje Road open to all

We, the undersigned, call on the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham (LBHF) to scrap its proposals to close Weltje Road to residents from outside the Borough.

We reject the plans for the following reasons:

1. Reduction of access to the A4

This restriction falls hardest on drivers from neighbouring areas such as those from Chiswick, Acton, and Ealing who rely on Weltje Road as their only convenient route onto the eastbound A4 at this point. Under Hammersmith and Fulham's proposals, its own residents would keep access, even those living in Fulham, while immediate neighbours in Chiswick would be banned outright. This is an unreasonable approach that disregards the needs of local motorists from outside LBHF's boundary who have used this road for decades.

2. Increased congestion on Chiswick Lane

Weltje Road is the last remaining point of access to the A4 between Chiswick Lane and Hammersmith Broadway. Every other route has already been closed, some 14 roads in total. Restricting Weltje Road to LBHF residents only would force an estimated 2,000–2,500 vehicles a day onto other routes, above all Chiswick Lane, which is already operating at full capacity because of the extra traffic that has been absorbed after the closures of Rivercourt Road and Hammersmith Bridge. A further diversion risks serious congestion and worse air quality for residents and families on Chiswick Lane.

3. No consultation with Hounslow Council or Weltje Road residents

Although the impact of this scheme will fall most heavily on roads and residents outside its own borough, LBHF has failed to consult neighbouring Hounslow Council before proceeding. An investigation by Cllr Linden Grigg found no evidence that LBHF officers engaged with their counterparts in Hounslow at any stage. LBHF has avoided the standard requirement for prior consultation, denying neighbouring boroughs any meaningful say before enforcement, and fines, begin. Yet 44 residents on Weltje Road itself have made clear through their own petition that they do not support these measures.
 

We call on LBHF to immediately halt work on installing ANPR cameras on Weltje Road and consult formally with Hounslow Council, and any other affected neighbouring boroughs, before any decision is taken, and before making any Emergency Traffic Order.