Chiswick pub to host debate over Cycle Superhighway plans

A West London pub will host a debate later this month over the planned Cycle Superhighway 9 from Kensington Olympia to Brentford.

Chaired by BBC News presenter Julian Worricker, London's cycling and walking commisioner Will Noiman will be among the panelllists at the event on Tuesday 17 October., 

It will be held at the Boston Room at the George IV, 185 Chiswick High Rd, W4 2DR.

As we reported yesterday, opponents to plans for the route include the Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of Grace & St Edward, which was concerned among other things about brides not being able to arrive outside it for their weddings due to the Cycle Superhighway - although one Twitter user had a suggestion.

Problem solved! pic.twitter.com/gK2vYiA9kK

— stuart davies (@Stu_Davies) October 5, 2017

> West London church urges parishioners to pray against Cycle Superhighway

The debate's page on Eventrbrite, where you can register to attend, says: 

The public has until 31 October to comment on proposals to improve the experience of cycling on the roads, put together by Transport for London in association with three London boroughs: Kensington & Chelsea, Hammersmith and Hounslow. This is the latest phase of an initiative to improve cycling safety and enjoyment all over London.

In Chiswick the changes would remove through traffic on some residential roads and create a two-way segregated cycle track on the south side of Chiswick High Rd from Goldhawk Road to Heathfield Terrace. You can see the full details here.

While the aim is to make us all more healthy, the Cycle Superhighway has raised a number of concerns: that Chiswick High Rd would be more difficult and dangerous to cross, that it would make the pavement less pleasant to walk along and sit on outside cafes, ruining the cafe culture of Chiswick, and that journeys for cars, buses and delivery vans would be longer along the High Rd in peak times, adding to air pollution, especially in peak times. In particular the proposals are causing concern for residents of British Grove and the congregation of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church.

Come and find out more about the proposals, listen to the arguments and contribute your thoughts on the subject. The debate is organised and will be recorded by The Chiswick Calendar.