Forum Topic

Hanger Lane voted Britain's 'Scariest Junction'

http://ealingtoday.co.uk/default.asp?section=info&spage=common/conaccident64.htmWhat a coop of chickens! I miss the challenge of it as it used to be before traffic lights. I still enjoy crossing from the far inside lane to the far outside as I come home from the westbound A406 to go down Ealing Road for Alperton. I go round all those trying to go towards Oxford.

Graham Weeks ● 6866d18 Comments

Scariest? Nah!!! Just  badly designed and controlled. So many times I've been to Sainsburys in Alperton and then sat in traffic for 30-45mins trying to get onto the a406 towards Ealing Common (empty lanes) but blocked by upto 5 lanes of cars all trying to get onto the a40 westbound. Accidents will happen and keep happening as cars try to get through this mess. Why is it allowed to continue? I guess because unless 'they' build an underpass or overpass there isnt a solution so 'they' turn a blind eye.

David Archer ● 6866d

Junctions remain without improvements because Ken hates motorists. e.g. Henleys Corner

Graham Weeks ● 6866d

The Hangar Lane Gyratory is an example of a job half completed. There is of course the Western Avenue Underpass (A40)which is part of the whole complex. Origonally the A406 was to form a flyover at that point with a large roundabout sandwiched in between. Before that(long before, 1948 or there abouts)there was a grandios scheme published in the now defunced(?)Middlesex County Times for a tunnel to run from roughly where the Gyratory is now, passing under the railway, Hangar Hill, the other three railways, Ealing Common, and emerging at the bottom of the incline, just beyond Gunnesbury Park!!Needless to say that never got anywhere, lost now in the mists of time.

Colin Vaughan ● 6866d

Like the smaller tunnel under the Common turned down in 1990 IIRC.But at least we are better off than those suffering the South Circular.

Graham Weeks ● 6866d

Everytime I think of the things I dislike that Ken has forced on us, like bendy buses and the Oyster card, I just think of you and remember why I will be voting for him again :)

Gavin Gilbert ● 6866d

I've always found the Hangar Lane Gyratory a bit of a doddle - secret is don't hesitate. On a much smaller scale but more terrifying is the Gunnersbury Lane/Acton High Street junction - going eastbound on the right hand lane with a bendy bus on the inside forcing you into westbound traffic.

Andy Jones ● 6846d

You're right Andy. I dont know why they bother with a bus garage as there always seems to be a row of buses parked on both sides of the road now either broken down or driver gone off duty. With buses in operation and motorists trying to navigate around them, it's an accident waiting to happen.

David Archer ● 6846d

The problem with the gyratory system is it doesn't allow for crap drivers.

Francis House ● 6846d

Of course Hanger Lane gyratory is scary!It's a prime example of Britishness of the 20th century! Either don't think the job through properly or don't finish it.It's a bit like the World Wars when we had to get the americans to help us out.

Alan Brainsby ● 6846d

Good thing our (A)merican friends did help us out Alan. Otherwise you and I would probably have died in a Labour Camp long since!

Colin Vaughan ● 6846d

As a relatively new driver (passed August 07!) I find the Hanger Lane Roundabout quite daunting!Im so relieved that there is now traffic lights as this makes it a bit easier - if there weren't, I'd avoid it at all costs!

Samantha Louise ● 6845d

I'm convinced that as long as you move at twice the speed of the other traffic and use your eyes and mirrors getting around Hangar Lane gyratory is a doddle.  It's getting ONTO it that is painful.One thing I don't understand though - when I'm coming onto it heading East on the A40 - those notices on the right - what would I want printouts of my P60 for?

Leon Markham ● 6843d

Surely if you move twice the speed of the other traffic, you crash into the car infront ;-)For me, I do feel Hanger Lane is quite easy.  Ensure you get into the correct lane on the approach, then the lanes of the Gyratory take you nicely to your exit.  All you have to do then is assume every other driver is either incompetant or just ignorant, so you can anticipate them cutting you up for the sake of advancing 1 car length, and you're ready for other drivers.I suppose the only thing that may help are signs on the approach roads telling you which lane to get into for your exit.

James Lockwood ● 6843d

Has anyone tried the HL Gyratory on a bicycle?I did once - it was Y-front changing time.  :-(

Gerry Tan ● 6843d

Must have been the time Gerry, when I was driving my Anglia 105e round it when it first opened. So it was 'Death Wish Tan' weaving about in front of me then!!!

Colin Vaughan ● 6842d

Ford 105Es were scary on a straight road. :0

Alan Brainsby ● 6842d

So were most cars of that vintage Alan, but at least you could see out of the back window when it rained, and they were ok if you kept an eye on the front wheel balance!!

Colin Vaughan ● 6842d

And I always thought it was the driver, not the wheel balancing. Must have been a lot of kerbing!I had a MK2 Cortina GT. Once it got decent tyres, Avons, it stuck like sh*t to a shovel. Shame the gyratory wasn't 10 years earlier but the roundabouts on A4 and A40 were fun!

Alan Brainsby ● 6842d