Acton green corridor campaign

The group are urgently calling for the Green Corridor Strategy to be implemented which states developments must be 25metres away from the highway.

They claim they are not against redevelopment of the sites between Kathleen Avenue and Savoy Circus but this buffer zone is needed for footpaths, cycle paths and landscaping in order to improve the quality of life as the stretch of road has high noise and air pollution.

Sheela Selvajothy, chair of WARA, said: "A few years ago, the Council set their Acton A40 Green Corridor Strategy but since TfL owns the land, the Council has not been able to introduce the required 25m width area and this has led to a stand off as TfL planning applications for housing have been refused largely because they would contravene the requirements of the Green Corridor Strategy.

"Decisions were without any doubt upheld in Public Inquiries that the sites are also unsuitable for housing under current Planning Guidance due to the noise levels and poor air quality.

"WARA have joined forces with other resident groups along the Acton part of the A40 to campaign to get the requirements of the Strategy implemented.

"There is a desperate need to improve the environmental conditions near the A40, and we believe the Green Corridor will certainly improve the appearance of the area as well as provide the much-needed benefit in terms of improved air quality and noise."

A petition will be handed to the Council in the New Year and Richard Barnes, Deputy Mayor at the City Hall.

A Council spokeswoman, said: "The council is committed to retaining green corridors across the borough.

"It already has a policy in place and has begun discussions with residents and the current landowners to develop more detailed guidance for the A40 Acton Green Corridor."