Uxbridge Road improvements: Ealing Hospital to Greenford Road

Why the council is proposing changes

Ealing Council is working to create a healthier, safer and greener borough by making it more convenient for people to walk, wheel, cycle and use public transport. To support this, the council is proposing to improve the cycling conditions on the Uxbridge Road.

Uxbridge Road is the main east to west route in the area, connecting Southall, Hanwell and Greenford. New protected cycle lanes and tracks, improved bus stops and widened footways have been installed in the area over the last three years. These include separated eastbound and westbound cycle lanes between Southall Park and Greenford Road.

However, the current infrastructure east of the Iron Bridge is limited to narrow cycle lanes that are painted lines and not separated from motor traffic. There are eastbound and westbound bus lanes on a small section of Uxbridge Road near the hospital. The capacity constraints and limited space under the Iron Bridge limits the possible cycle and bus provision. The only cycle provision under the bridge is a narrow, shared footway on the  north side. Due to how close the railway, river canal and industrial estate to the south of Iron Bridge, alternative routes for cyclists are much longer than the direct route along Uxbridge Road. Improving cycle movements through Iron Bridge will therefore remove some key barriers to cycle journeys.

The council has developed proposals to improve cycle facilities, bus infrastructure and pedestrian crossings along this section of the Uxbridge Road.

What we are proposing 

  • a new westbound bus and cycle lane, which runs from hospital junction to the bus stop west of Greenford Road junction

  • widening on the north side pavement to allow shared use (cyclists and pedestrians) to provide continuous cycling from the Iron Bridge to the existing eastbound bus lane

  • new and improved pedestrian crossing facilities

  • widening of the southern pavement west of Ealing Hospital junction

  • localised widening at the eastbound bus stop (west of Ealing Hospital junction) to accommodate proposed partial lay-by, this will allow cyclists to safely overtake buses that have stopped

  • a new bus gate on the westbound approach to Windmill Lane junction, so that cyclists and buses towards Iron Bridge can safely cross the path of vehicles turning left into Windmill Lane

What impact will the proposals have?

The improvements we want to make will not affect most residents and businesses. There will be a loss of approximately five residents’ parking spaces at the eastbound bus stop (just west of Ealing Hospital junction).

What are the benefits of the proposals?

  • continuity and improved safety of cycle provision along the Uxbridge Road 

  • increased bus provision with extended bus lanes and a new bus gate, to improve bus journey times along the Uxbridge Road

  • new and improved pedestrian facilities

  • the proposals are in line with the Mayor of London and Ealing Council transport strategies to encourage sustainable travel (walking, cycling and public transport)

  • compatible with future plans for separated cycling facilities on Greenford Road and Windmill Lane

Your views

The council ran a public consultation from 5 to 29 July 2024, where people coulc view the plans and provide their feedback on the proposed improvements. Feedback was collected via an online survey, with paper copies available on request. The results have been anaylsed, and the report is now available to view

Next steps 

Improvement work is due to start in autumn 2025.

Further information

If you have an questions, or would like to find out more, please contact the highways team: