Plans to invest more than £28million in streets across the borough are due to be considered by Ealing Council’s cabinet next week (17 April), as part of the council’s commitment to improve roads and pavements and invest in active travel.
From resurfacing roads and footpaths to creating new cycle lanes and introducing rain gardens to improve natural drainage, the funds will be used where the evidence shows they are most needed and where there is resident support.
Roads earmarked for resurfacing have been prioritised based on an independent condition survey of all roads in the borough.
Encouraging active travel
The council has also set out plans to encourage active travel such as walking, running, cycling or scooting, to create more greenery and inspire more people to use public transport, reducing the number of short car journeys and cutting harmful emissions. Plans include the next section of the Uxbridge Road cycle lane from Hanwell to Iron Bridge, along with more bike hangars, bike stands and free cycle training for residents. 8 more school streets are also planned for this year, helping children to get to school safely.
The £28million proposed investment includes separate plans for roads and pavements in each of Ealing’s seven towns, with new walking routes to link parks in Northolt, improvements to the canal tow path in Hanwell and Perivale and work to make a better, more connected town centre for Greenford.
There are also a number of FUN (free-range urban neighbourhoods) pilot projects planned where local residents will influence improvements on their street. Areas that could see changes such as wider pavements, additional trees, parklets, and ‘play on the way’ include Kelvin Gardens in Southall, Brassie Avenue in Acton and Culmington Road in Ealing.
The council will use the Travel in Ealing Charter, which residents helped to create, to ensure there is detailed engagement and consultation with residents and businesses before any changes are made to local roads.
‘Shape the improvements you want to see’
Council leader Peter Mason said: “We’re committed to doing things differently and placing residents at the centre of our decision-making. As part of our plans to invest £28million across the borough, it’s important that you are able to shape the improvements you want to see made.
“No one knows their neighbourhoods better than our residents and if this funding is approved by cabinet, we will start by addressing the things that our residents tell us need upgrading most – and which will help make active travel easier for everyone in our seven towns.
“Look out for updates on how you can get involved and have your say in the upcoming consultation here on the Around Ealing website and on our social media channels.”
‘We are doing things differently’
Councillor Deirdre Costigan, the council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for climate action, added: “We said we would invest £35million in improving roads and pavements over four years, but we’ve gone way beyond that with a whopping £28million investment planned in just this year alone.
“In London we spend so much of our time on streets that are grey, unattractive and don’t feel safe for people who want to walk or cycle. That’s why we are doing things differently. Our new approach is not just about resurfacing roads and pavements, it’s also about changing our streets to provide more green areas, more shade from trees, more natural flood defences, and more space for people to walk, cycle and even play.
“We want to create streets that are beautiful and balance the needs of all road users, while helping us to tackle the climate emergency and reduce air pollution – and, if approved, £28m will go a long way towards achieving this goal.”
The funding is made up of cash from sources including the council and section 106 (developer funding).
The next cabinet meeting takes place on Wednesday 17 April . You can read the full report online
