A historic Ealing route has become the focus of concerns over cyclist and pedestrian safety, with Ealing Liberal Democrat Councillor Athena Zissimos warning it is “only a matter of time” before someone is seriously injured.
Masons Green Lane, a centuries-old route that once marked the parish boundary between Acton and Ealing, runs from Park Royal Tube station to Holy Family Catholic Primary School. The narrow shared path has prompted increasing concern, particularly where school gates open directly onto it.
Councillor Zissimos said Labour-run Ealing Council has failed to address residents’ concerns about safety on the lane, despite repeated calls for stronger measures to slow cyclists down.
She told EALING.NEWS: “Many cyclists, including food delivery riders on electric bikes, are travelling along the lane at dangerous speeds, some appearing to exceed the 15mph e-bike limit. I have seen cyclists go full pelt past the school gates, straight through the bollards, without slowing down. If someone had stepped out, they would have been hit.”
Parents at the school have expressed their concerns. Speaking to EALING.NEWS, Sarah Zielicka Edwards, said: “The speed that cyclists are now able to come down the lane and cross the pavement is scary both as a local resident and as a parent at the school. Cycling is great for London but there has to be a way we can encourage responsible cycling and avoid someone getting seriously hurt.”
Headteacher Thomas Doherty of Holy Family Catholic Primary School said improvements made in recent years, such as widening the path and installing bollards, have not had the effect that was intended
Mr Doherty said: “In the nine years I have been Headteacher at Holy Family, it is the one issue spoken about the most by parents. Our youngest children, often with younger siblings, use the Lane throughout the day. A four-year-old hit by an adult on a bike travelling at speed could suffer a fatal injury. We have had numerous near misses and minor accidents.”
Mr Doherty added that the school community is calling for action to improve safety. He said: “My request, on behalf of the governors and the whole school community, is that further speed reducing measures are considered and implemented as a matter of urgency. I do not want the avoidance of flowers being left to remember a young life that was brutally taken being the speed reducing measure that finally works.”
Following residents’ complaints, the council installed bollards to reduce speeds, but later widened the gaps to improve access for prams and wheelchairs. Councillor Zissimos said this change “has completely undermined the safety measure. They just go in a straight line now. There is no deterrent.”
An electric cargo bike carrying a 200kg load became stuck between bollards over the summer and rolled back onto a child’s bike. Councillor Zissimos said: “Thankfully no one was seriously hurt, but you can see how easily it could happen again.”
Councillor Zissimos added: “The borough seems so pre-occupied with cyclists having the right of way that they seem to forget that many paths are meant to be shared with pedestrians. Many, such as Masons Green Lane, have school gates opening directly onto them. Pedestrians, and in this case schoolchildren, are coming off as second best.”
An Ealing Council spokesperson told EALING.NEWS: “We are aware that residents have raised concerns about cyclists on Masons Green Lane. We are closely reviewing the location with the view of improving signs and will consider any necessary measures to improve safety there.”
