Morning traffic at Chepstow Road

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Save lives. Say no to unsafe lorries.

On the 5th of February 2011, 30 year old Eilidh Cairns was crushed by an HGV while cycling through Notting Hill Gate, in west London. According to The Guardian in its edition of 7 November 2011, there have been many cycling deaths in London, and 21 cyclists have been killed by HGVs since the tragic death of Eilidh Cairns, on the very same route which Crossrail would like to use for their HGVs. How shortsighted and utterly disrespectful can such an intention be on the part of Crossrail, which is hoping to use that very same route with up to 70 HGVs daily for two years?


The Guardian goes on to quote Chris Peck, policy co-ordinator at the national cycling campaign group CTC, saying: "Most of the deaths that have occurred in London this year have involved lorries, normally at least half of all deaths involve a large goods vehicle making a low-speed turn." These are exactly the kind of turns that Crossrail HGVs would be undertaking (innumerable turns at low-speed) along this route if permission is granted!




Read more:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/nov/07/killed-cyclists-family-fail-new-inquest

LibDems OPPOSE CROSSRAIL LORRIES

"Bayswater Liberal Democrats very strongly support the energetic campaign by the Westbourne Action Group to STOP the mad scheme by Crossrail and Westminster Council to direct huge lorries along Chepstow Road and others, for TWO years, starting in March. This would irreparably damage the amenities, environment, health and even buildings in the area - plus the well-being of all local residents and businesses. Why can they not use the CANAL or RAIL-FREIGHT instead? STOP the Crossrail juggernaut NOW!"

Anthony Williams

22 January 2012.

A supportive letter from Bayswater Liberal Democrats:

(to read click on image)

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How big are these lorries? 40 to 50 tonnes empty !!

We have done some research on low loaders. They are about 16.6m is 54'6" or so. VERY LONG AND VERY HEAVY - we are talking 40 to 50 tonnes!!!! And that is when they are empty! This is more than double, and close to triple when laden, compared to a double decker bus weighing 15 tonnes!
have called http://www.hallplanthire.co.uk/forhire.php?item_id=1381
and the one illustrated is 40T and is 44'.
You measure from the front of cab to the back, that is the standard. Then
you usually mention the tonnage -- which CROSSRAIL HAVE SLYLY OMITTED FROM THEIR OFFERING! 

Questions!

Why and when was the site on The Great Western Road  for Crossrail chosen, given the awkwardness of its accessibility? Why was planning permission granted, unless it WAS granted on the basis of Crossrail using the canal and rail routes?

How can the government grant a 'parliamentary act' to Crossrail with, apparently, no controls over the said company? Allowing a profit-making business to, essentially ride rough-trod over the city's inhabitants and businesses? The government, through it's special 'Crossrail Act' has created a bullying monster.

Will this monster pay for the damage to the roads and to our buildings? 

19th JAN pictures of Chepstow Road

These pictures were taken on 19 January 2012 on Chepstow Road. They show how congested the road already is.

Text of the Action Leaflet

This is the text of the leaflet that WAG-CROSSRAIL distributed on 19 and 20 January.

URGENT LOCAL ACTION REQUIRED.

YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE IS IN PERIL!

Crossrail is intending to use our roads for transport, comprising a

potential 68 lorries per day for the next two years, possibly longer,

beginning March 2012.

The facts:

-The route includes: The Great Western Road, Westbourne Park Road,

Chepstow Road, Pembridge Villas, Pembridge Road, Notting Hill Gate,

Harrow Road, Ladbroke Grove and eventually on to the west of London.

-The lorries are, at least, 16.metres/54.feet long, transporting tunnel

segments and other material. They weigh 30 tonnes.

- Our streets are not suitable to bear this extra burden; many are too narrow

and too fragile, it’s bad enough as it is with the many bus routes.

-There are feasible and sensible alternatives: rail-freight and the

canal run directly to the destination (it is understood that the

original proposal submitted by Crossrail suggested these, they

have now ‘moved the goalpost’ by changing their mind).

The effects:

- More congestion on some already jammed up streets, causing delays to

our public transport, business vehicles, private vehicles and emergency

services.

-More noise, vibration, pollution and weight causing damage to our streets

and buildings and to our quality of life. Local businesses will be affected too.

-Increased danger to other road users especially cyclists, pedestrians and

schoolchildren. There have already been deaths caused by lorries on these

very streets.

What can you do?

Overleaf, you will find a list of email addresses and phone numbers. We urge

you to contact them with your objections, as soon as possible.

Westminster City council:

email: www.westminster.gov.uk/services/environment/planning

or phone: 020 7641 2513

quote reference #: 11/11579/XRCA for this issue.

(Ignore the deadline, the council is still accepting comments).

Kensington and Chelsea: email: james.mccoll@rbkc.co.uk

mark.chetwind@rbkc.co.uk

The Mayor’s office: boris.johnson@london.gov.uk

M.P, Westminster North Karen.buck.mp@parliament.uk

Ward councillor Brian Connell: bconnell@westminster.gov.uk

Westminster City Councillor (Bayswater): mbrahams@westminster.gov.uk

GLA candidate Layla Moran: laylamoran@gmail.com

M.P. Kensington and Chelsea Sir Malcolm Rifkind: shaylorc@parliament.uk

Crossrail: ebrahimmahomed@crossrail.co.uk

murad.qureshi@london.gov.uk Murad Qureshi is a Labour member of the London Assembly and he is very concerned. 

Listed buildings, Westminster: northplanningteam@westminster.gov.uk

Please contact as many of the above as you can, even those out of your

borough. Please spread the word. If you are a tenant, please pass this on to

your landlord. Thank you.

ALSO: The Big Table on the great Western Road is under a compulsory

purchase order (effective 30th January) to provide premises for an

electrical substation for Crossrail, though other locations are available.

The Big Table is a small, independent and successful company that

also provides jobs and training for local youths. Even if you don’t shop

there, please show your support by emailing stopcrossrail@gmail.com

or savebigtable@gmail.com. There is very little time left.

The Westbourne Action Group (WAG) on Crossrail

www.wag-crossrail.blogspot.com

Why didn't Westminster put public notices on lamposts?

Many people living on Chepstow Road never received the letter from Westminster City Council which was sent out shortly before Christmas. There seems to have been a cock-up in the mailing and also Crossrail gave Westminster very little time to prepare the letter before Christmas. And a BIG source of concern is that NO public notices were put on lamposts. These are questions to ask Westminster in our objections.

HOW TO OBJECT: 11/11579/XRCA

Crossrail has applied to Westminster City Council to use Chepstow Road and surrounding roads with up to 70 huge articulated lorries per day!!

You still have time to object to this and Westminster City Council is expecting to hear neighbours’ views especially in terms of pollution, vibrations, and loss of amenities (noise, loss of sleeping time, etc), safety especially for children with so many schools in the area and older people.

Action groups HAVE been successful in the area on various recent issues and you are urged to write to the Council ASAP. The objection can be sent online. To find it on google simply type in 11/11579/XRCA and it is the application dated 29 November. The Council will still listen to your views.

You can imagine the disruption and noise a successful application would be for locals on such a narrow road as Chepstow, which is already under heavy strain and congested.  

The abuse of the road by these huge lorries will result in more noise, poorer air quality, vibrations, and not least, a risk to safety in this residential neighbourhood.

There are alternatives that can be used such as the canal or a rail track or other road routes.

Please write to the Council as soon as possible and let us know that you have written by leaving a comment with your thoughts!

Thank you.

Welcome to the Westbourne Action Group (WAG) Blog on Crossrail. This blog has been created as an open window for the neighbours of the Westbourne area of London, to represent their opinion against the use of fully articulated heavy lorries on Chepstow Road and surrounding roads. 


We will be providing new information very soon. 


The comments section is open and opinions and questions will be welcomed. To post a comment simply click on the comments link below and publish.