Talgarth Road parking bays suspended

Friday May 1, 2009

A number of parking bays on the westbound A4 Talgarth Road have been suspended after a Transport for London (TfL) probe revealed that the footway is not able to withstand the weight of parked vehicles.

Assessments of the road and path in the area, between August 2008 and March 2009, indicated that in its current condition the footway, between numbers 59 and 109 Talgarth Road, may not be capable of carrying the weight of parked vehicles on a long term basis.

H&F has fought for residents in the past to ensure that all of the bays on Talgarth Road remain open. However, following further investigations the council now agrees that the bays could be unsafe and has urged TfL to minimise any disruption.

Further investigatory work is planned by TfL for June 2009 to determine if there are any remaining opportunities to reinstate some of the bays. Approximately 39 parking bays will be suspended, however there will still be 41 bays available.

Cllr Nick Botterill, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment,said: “We understand TfL’s concerns over the parking bays on Talgarth Road and are calling for them to reach a solution to the problem as quickly as possible. We will continue to work on behalf of residents and trust that TfL will be able to find a way to safely reopen some of the bays in the near future.”

Dana Skelley, Director of Road Network Management, TfL, said: “It is in the interest of public safety that we need to suspend the parking bays along this section of the Talgarth Road footway.

“We have found that sections of the footway are not able to withstand the weight of these vehicles and we need to suspend this parking to ensure there is no risk to the public. We will look at the possibility of reinstating some of the bays, once we have carried out further safety assessments."

Parking has been available on this section of the A4, between North End Road and Gliddon Road, since before 2000 when TfL inherited the Capital’s red routes from the Highways Agency. TfL has advised LB Hammersmith & Fulham of the plans for the parking suspension and is working with council officers to identify alternative parking for residents.

Notices will be in place showing which bays are to be closed and any drivers that still park their cars in the bays may find that their vehicles have been relocated to the nearest pound.