Local candidate, Mary Macleod, has called on Hounslow Council to act now over the Chiswick Park footbridge. Following a recent successful meeting between Hounslow Council and Blackstone, which saw the Local Authority finally agree to annual maintenance payments from the owners of Chiswick Business Park, the Council must now present a new agreement surrounding the bridge to Network Rail for approval.

The footbridge, which is a vital step in alleviating the pressure on Gunnersbury Station, will connect Chiswick Business Park and Chiswick Park Station. Although an overbridge agreement with Network Rail existed in the past, the option has expired and it is now necessary for Network Rail to sign a new agreement that would allow the bridge to ‘oversail’ Network Rail running lines before construction can begin.

Mary commented:

“I’m delighted that we’ve been able to make such great progress on the footbridge in recent weeks. However, it is now up to Hounslow Council to use the momentum generated by the Gunnersbury Station Action Team and local residents and to act fast. I would urge the Council to approach Network Rail with the agreement as soon as possible so that work on the bridge can start. Local people should not have to wait years and years to see further progress.”

The owners of Chiswick Business Park are committed to building the bridge, which will significantly reduce the travel time between the park and Chiswick Park Station. Usage of this vital link by employers of the Business Park will reduce footfall at Gunnersbury Station by approximately 10%.