A hugely controversial road closure appears to have had little impact on bus journey times in Isleworth , according to a council review.
Church Street was closed to through-traffic on an 18-month trial basis in December by Hounslow Council , which claimed it had been used as a "rat run" for decades.
Nearly 1,800 people signed a petition opposing the closure of the narrow residential road beside the Thames, and opponents say it has led to a big increase in congestion and pollution on surrounding streets - especially Twickenham Road.
But supporters say it has made a major improvement to life on Church Street and will in the long term help reduce traffic in the area.
Analysis for the council by transport consultancy firm Steer Davies Gleave suggests there has been little if any impact on bus journey times along Twickenham Road.
'Bus journey times 33 seconds shorter since closure'
Number 267 buses took on average just six seconds longer to travel the length of Twickenham Road northbound in February this year than in November 2015. For buses travelling south, average journey times were 33 seconds shorter.
The report said it was too early to identify the true impact of the Church Street closure, as the road network was "still adapting" to the change.
Chris Sainty, who lives in Church Street, welcomed the findings.
"We were impacted terribly by the 3,000 cars a day using Church Street before," he said.
"When it was first closed there was a difference (to traffic on surrounding roads) but exactly as the council predicted drivers who had been using it just as a cut-through to get to the A4 have started to dissipate, which is great news for the community."
The review did show the closure has had a significant impact on nearby North Street, with traffic there up by 36% eastbound and 13% westbound.
READ MORE:Business says it may have to move due to road closure
The council is now consulting residents on whether traffic management measures are needed in North Street.
It is seeking the public's views on a range of measures, from parking restrictions and traffic calming to closure.
You can take part in the consultation, which closes on Thursday March 31, here .
