A CABLE car has been put forward as a surprising answer to Isleworth’s traffic problems.

Martin Langley, of Railshead Road, threw planners a curve ball when he suggested building a cable car across the river to link his home town Isleworth with historic Richmond, to solve traffic problems and increase tourist trade.

The freelance IT consultant voiced his idea at a planning consultation exhibition held by developers Goldcrest Land at the Waterside Business Centre, in Railshead Road, earlier this month.

Traffic on Twickenham and Richmond roads has long been a serious problem, especially on weekends when rugby is being played at Twickenham stadium.

Roads are often clogged all the way through Brentford and across the bridge heading to Richmond.

Mr Langley, who has lived in the area for 30 years, thinks he has the ideal solution: build a cable car similar to the one running between North Greenwich and Royal Docks. He used his IT skills to build a computer generated idea of what the cable car could look like.

He said: “Developers are always looking for other ways to stop the traffic in this area being such a problem. This idea would bypass the roads and we could have a type of park and ride to get over to Richmond. I think it would really bring people to Isleworth, increase home buyers and generally get the area buzzing.

“Richmond is a real tourist hub, as well as being a lovely place to shop, so I think a cable car would be a welcome link for both sides of the river.”

The Emirates Airline cable car allegedly cost £60million to build but Mr Langley believes the Richmond Lock Cable Car would cost less than it would to refurbish the road linking Isleworth and Richmond.

He also said construction would cause less disruption than extending a road as it would only need a few pylons.

Richard Hazel, from Goldcrest Land, said: “We are looking to build a mixed use development at the Waterside Business Centre so we held an exhibition for residents to see our plans. Mr Langley put forward his idea of a cable car across the Thames and, as with all comments, we will take it on board and consider it.”

Would you back a cable car for Isleworth? Email alix.culbertson@trinitymirror.com or Tweet to @HounslowChron