DRIVERS could be blighted with months of tail-backs at a busy roundabout to make way for the high speed trains planned to cut through the borough.
Plans for High Speed Two (HS2) on show at Greenford Hall, Ruislip Road, last Thursday (7), revealed that the east bridge on the Hanger Lane Gyratory would have to be completely replaced to make way for wider tracks.
Construction to build a temporary bridge to divert the eight-lane traffic would disrupt congestion on two major arterial roads using the roundabout, the A40 into central London and the A406 towards the M1.
Hanger Hill ward councillor Nigel Sumner said: “The whole of West London will come to a grinding halt if the Hanger Lane Gyratory is closed. You just have to think what happened to the A406 when they did work on the bridges and whenever there's an accident.
“We had a special presentation with councillors last week where we raised that question with the HS2 people. This is a real concern for the borough of Ealing and also the surrounding areas.”
Miranda Carter, consultation director for HS2 Limited, the company set up by the Department for Transport to manage the £32bn project, said: “Hanger Lane is an immensely busy area and clearly we have consulted about that. It's not at a detailed stage yet but we're looking for weekend work. The details will comply with our construction code of good practice which we will discuss with local authorities. We have aspirations not to be disruptive. We are aware these are busy areas.”
Further disruptions would hit Northolt, where two bridges would have to be replaced near the underground station, in Mandeville Road, adding to congestion along Church Road towards the Hayes By-Pass.
Ealing North MP Steve Pound said: “The exhibition was pretty comprehensive. But there was a fundamental disconnection between national interest and local interest. I didn't meet a single person locally who's in favour of it or can see any advantage other than national prosperity.
“I'm utterly unconvinced of the economic argument. I don't think Manchester and Birmingham are going to enter a golden age because of HS2. And if that's the cost, I don't know why we should pay that price.”
Transport secretary Philip Hammond launched a five-month national consultation last month which ends on July 29. For more information and to submit your queries visit http://highspeedrail.dft.gov.uk .
