Ealing Cycling Campaign
North - South Route

[The proposal deserves serious consideration as part of Ealing's cycle transport policy - especially at a time when plans are being drawn up for a comprehensive, commercially available cycle map of west London where such routes will be shown - SB]

A north-south cycle route for West Ealing

This is a response to the proposed improvements suggested for the Gurnell estate in West Ealing. The Council has an excellent opportunity here to create a cycle route running from Drayton Green to Stockdove Way. This could form part of a strategic north-south cycle route in the Borough, extending from the A40 to the A4. This strategic route incorporates existing and proposed cycleways along it's route.

The route

The route would run from Drayton Bridge Road parallel to the Greenford railway line, joining Ruislip Road East at Gurnell Grove. A toucan crossing to the old maternity hospital road would then provide a link with Stockdove Way and the Brent Shared Use Path [a proposal also suggested by Ol in 1996, and supported at committee level as part of the Local Agenda 21 process]. Such a path would form part of a network of motor-traffic-free routes, rather than unconnected motor­traffic-free stretches, as is the present situation.

Safe access

The proposed route would give safe routes for cyclist and pedestrians away from the Gurnell Estate. The only other routes away from the estate are along Ruislip Road East, a road that carries very heavy motor traffic at peak times, and very fast motor traffic at others. Ruislip Road East is unsuitable for anyone except the most adventurous cyclists even though it is shown as a cycle route on the Council's cycle route map. A recent Council traffic audit found that the main problem on this road was keeping traffic speeds to below the 40mph limit. A toucan crossing would make a significant contribution to calming traffic along this road.

This proposed route provides access to Castle Bar, Spring Hallows & Cavendish Schools, Gumell Sports Centre, Perivale Park Athletics Stadium and Drayton Green athletics track and Tennis Courts., South Greenford, Castlebar Park and Drayton Bridge stations. Via the Brent Shared Use Path it gives access to the Brent River Park, Perivale Park and Pitshanger Park and their associated leisure facilities. Via Cheyne Path, it offers good cycling free of motor traffic to Copley Close and the Cuckoo Estate. It also passes through some attractive wildlife habitats.

Extending the route southwards

The proposed route could be extended south beyond Drayton Green over the footbridge which crossed the main railway line to Felix Road, the Tintem Court Estate and West Ealing's shops. This is not an ideal link since cyclists have to carry their cycles up and over the footbridge. Nevertheless this does provide a motor­ traffic-free route across the railway line. Other crossing points over the line are very congested with motor traffic.

A convenient toucan crossing of the Uxbridge Road in West Ealing would connect with the east-west cycle route in Leland Terrace, crossing Northfields into Mattock Lane. and via Culmington Road to St Mary's Church, South Ealing, Church Place, Robert Alley, Olive Road, crossing Popes Lane at the toucan crossing onto the path through the Ealing and Old Brentford Cemetery, Clayponds Avenue, over the A4 via the traffic lights, into Clayponds Lane, Mission Square, Potters Lane ending in Brentford High Street.

The proposed route is shown on the plan below. It does not form part of present thinking on cycle route at the Borough Council level, but the Ealing Cycle Campaign believe it should.