Grove Park Road Public Realm Scheme 2023

Overview

Hounslow Council together with Grove Park Group Residents’ Association (GPG) are proposing to transform the public realm by the shops on Grove Park Road.

Following significant community interest, the GPG have dedicated their time and effort to raise awareness and promote the project. The aim is to deliver a desirable space that, shifts the balance away from motor traffic and boosts pedestrian priority, invites people to spend time in, and reflects its importance within the local community, promoting the pub and local shops whilst providing economic support for commercial activity in the neighbourhood.

The Proposal

Key elements of the proposed design are:

· Footway Improvements:

- Repaving and kerbing of the footway to provide an improved and significantly wider footway alongside the shop frontages on the north side of the street, while maintaining parking convenience for customers.

· Carriageway Entry Treatment:

- The central area and the surrounding pedestrian crossing locations are to be raised, slowing traffic, and improving pedestrian facilities.

· Pedestrian Crossings:

- To improve pedestrian safety, pedestrian crossings are provided at key desire lines and locations with improved visibility, and narrower carriageway widths which will also help slow traffic and reduced pedestrian crossing distances.

- Tactile paving provisions at all crossing points to assist the visually impaired pedestrians and provide clear pedestrian routes.

· Public Realm & Sustainability:

- Landscaping, comprising of tree planting, extending the grass verges and the potential inclusion of rain gardens for sustainable drainage.

- Additional fixed seating and space for tables & chairs or street trading.

- Adjusted lighting.

· Parking & Loading:

- Amendments to parking restrictions are proposed. The first 30 minutes of parking will still be free, but the hours of operation for the ‘pay-by-phone’ are proposed to be extended to 9am to 5pm to encourage greater turn-over of spaces during trading hours, thereby making it easier for people who need to drive to access the shops.

- The number of ‘pay-by-phone’ parking bays within Grove Park Road will be reduced by 2 spaces. Three shared-use bays within Spencer Road will be converted to ‘pay-by-phone’ only to make-up for the shortfall in short-term parking.

· Kiosk Provision:

- Provisions (such as a power and water supply) for a potential future ‘pop up’ stall will be installed.

In the 'Related' section below, you will find the following - the proposed layout plan; proposed kerbline plan; proposed materials board; two visualisations that help to illustrate what the design would look like once complete; and a Frequently Asked Questions sheet.

Why your views matter

The purpose of the consultation is to give you the opportunity to have your say indicating whether you are in support of the proposed changes and / or to comment on them.

We are keen to understand from the local community what works, so please do provide your feedback so that we can ensure any future changes after the trial period, continue to be delivered in a holistic way providing benefits for all. 

Please complete our survey below by Sunday 26 March. 

If you require this information in an alternative format, please contact us by emailing traffic@hounslow.gov.uk or calling 020 8583 3322.

Drop-In Sessions

During the consultation two drop-in sessions are planned so you can discuss the scheme with us directly and we can answer any queries you may have.

These sessions will be held as detailed in the 'Events' section below.

What happens next

Unfortunately we’re unable to respond directly to every respondent, however at the end of this consultation stage, a summary report will be produced summarising the communities’ views on the potential changes. This is used to inform further development of the proposals. 

The outcome of the consultation will be available to view on the council’s website once a decision has been made, which is likely to be in Summer 2023.