WITH reference to your article in The Gazette about TfL wishing to remove the traffic lights at the junction of West Mead and Victoria Road, the South Ruislip Residents' Association (SRRA) has been campaigning with respect to these lights for about two years (Transport body wants to remove traffic lights, Ruislip and Eastcote Gazette, July 14).
The nature of our campaign is not to have the traffic lights at this junction removed, as they are flow sensitive and improve traffic flow and road safety.
However, approximately 50 metres south of the junction are another set of lights that were installed to permit traffic flow from the service road that leads to the old, now empty Focus store.
This site has been empty for at least two years, and the problem is these lights do affect traffic flow and present a danger, because they turn green before the ones at the junction, causing some motorists to set off while the junction lights are still red.
We have contacted TfL via the council, and have spoken to them on the phone outlining the concern.
It seems they have at last listened to our request but totally misunderstood what is required: Namely, that the lights at the service road be either turned off or simply covered up.
If TfL are serious about improving traffic flow they have shown little
enthusiasm for it, as we raised concerns about the traffic lights at the south entrance to RAF Northolt.
These are not flow sensitive, and do cause severe delays on the extremely busy West End Road that are totally unnecessary.
The lights stop flow on that road even when there are no vehicles waiting to exit the base.
This was raised with TfL at same time as the West Mead lights.
May I politely suggest that TfL speak to the people in the area before making decisions that adversely affect our residents.
The SRRA would welcome any contact with respect to these and any changes that are proposed for our area.
SID JACKSON South Ruislip Residents'
Association via email
