Forum Topic

Felsham Road

I am not sure if anytbing has been posted on this forum in recent weeks but i am really concerned about all the traffic racing up and down Felsham Road to cut into the roads further up the Lower Richmond Road particularly Weiss Road.  I know that this as a result of all the traffic but i have seen children, adults and myself with my dogs nearly being mown down by cars in the mornings.  I have spoken to the Headmistress of St Mary's where my children were at school and she is so worried about the children crossing the roads all along Felsham Road.  I dont want to put any more pressure on the Lower Richmond Road but surely it should only be used by residents of SW15 and not used as a race track for speed and abusive behaviour. Does anyone know if this is something being discussed with the Council? Please be kind.

Kate Umney ● 68d9 Comments

Hello Richard,I agree, the new layout of the junction has certainly made things worse.  I never said that rat running did not exist before but it certainly got immensely worse since the new layout.

Ivonne Holliday ● 46d

Yes, we'll never agree on LTNs!And yes, the rejigged junction is a mess and has worsened congestion. But I hope no one swallows the myth that, before the changes, all was fine. Ratrunning existed before and is just worse now.

Richard Carter ● 46d

Hello Richard,We know we disagree about LTNs or, to call them something else, road blocks.  Are you a Neanderthals too?I believe, very strongly, is that we should solve the cause of the problem and not the consequences.  Until such time the mess of the new road layout near Putney Bridge causing a lot of congestion, you will not solve the problem of people using side roads.  But, as a resident in the SW15 area, I resent being told I am a rat runner (which I am not) and not being allowed to use the roads in the area I live in.

Ivonne Holliday ● 48d

I agree that these rat runners are really dangerous, but here's a fairly straightforward way of dealing with them: introduce road blocks at strategic points along roads like Hotham, Felsham, and Fawe Park Roads etc.Just don't call them LTNs as that seems to bring out the Neanderthals in strength....

Richard Carter ● 48d

I agree with Kate’s post.  I am shocked by the speed of some of the cars driving through the neighbourhood, and it’s not just Felsham Rd either.  The traffic is getting bad in the side roads.

Martine Guy ● 49d

There is a similar problem on the Embankment - cars using the entire length of the Embankment as a shortcut, causing a danger to river users and walkers.  The section on front of the main line of boathouses between Rotherwood Road and Glendarvon streeet is marked as "NO MOTOR VEHICLES EXCEPT FOR ACCESS", complete with a camera icon,  but the sign is hard to see and it seems people do not notice it or deliberately ignore it. In both cases (Felsham and Embankment) making even a short section one way westbound would render it useless as an eastbound rat run to jump the queue along LRR, while still allowing access to residents

James MacCabe ● 55d

It is possible that councils are able to supply data to Google Maps and other mapping companies which can redesignate a road to stop traffic being diverted down it. (Two people who I know who have expertise in this area disagree whether this is the case so I can't say for sure). On the other hand it could be that people with good local knowledge are the main reason for the traffic, in which case it is going to be very hard to stop it happening unless a school street is introduced. I'm guessing the council might be reluctant to do this if it does provide a bit of a release valve for heavily congested larger roads.

Peter Higgins ● 62d

Good morning Kate,I live in the SW15 area and I do use Felsham Road perhaps once a week, if that, normally at about 11am.  I do not speed either!SatNav may be guiding people to Felsham Road, I do not know.  But speeding on our roads is frightening.I am surprised Felsham Road (or a section of it) has not become a School Street which would help tremendously even if some people choose not to see the signs.I wonder if pedestrian crossings along the road could not help.If my (bitter) experience about speeding on our road is anything to go by, I wish you all the best in trying to solve this problem with the Council.

Ivonne Holliday ● 68d

Could it be cars or vehicles coming from Barnes are taking a short cut into Felsham to then come out one of the other roads nearer the bridge. Because a lot of people have been moaning about all the traffic in the Lower Richmond rd.

Barbara Stevens ● 68d