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The one-woman army fighting the war on drivers: Mystery placard-waving protester 'spends hours' warning motorists of £130 fines after council turned road into bus lane then put up TINY signs about the traffic cameras

A woman has taken it upon herself to defend drivers at risk of £130 fines after a local London council quietly converted a popular road into a bus lane.

The unknown vigilante is regularly spotted in a high-vis jacket striding into the path of oncoming cars while waving a placard warning motorists that cameras are out to catch them.

Signs at either end of Turnham Green Terrace in Chiswick have been missed by hundreds of drivers over the last four months after it was changed to a bus, taxi and cycle lane in July.

The woman, dubbed on Facebook as 'the Turnham Green Fairy', has been praised online for spending hours of her day standing on the road to warn drivers to turn around. Drivers have then performed nifty three-point turns to avoid the fine.

Others revealed some drivers did not understand and shouted at her for getting in their way. 

A passerby told Chiswick W4: 'She is trying to help people - but they are screaming at her.' 

The mystery woman is the latest saga in Sadiq Khan's war on motorists, with Covid used as an excuse to bring in anti-vehicle measures, including: 

The mystery woman (pictured), whose has been dubbed the 'Turnham Green Fairy' on Facebook, has been regularly spotted wearing a high-vis jacket and holding a placard on Turnham Green Terrace in Chiswick

The mystery woman , whose has been dubbed the 'Turnham Green Fairy' on Facebook, has been regularly spotted wearing a high-vis jacket and holding a placard on Turnham Green Terrace in Chiswick

A note on Hounslow Borough Council's website revealed the change was a 'trial' to prevent traffic and encourage cycling amid coronavirus. It will be reviewed early next year.

Any parking along the road has been merged with the footpath to allow for social distancing. 

The note read: 'The existing pay and display parking bays, where not being used for loading or blue badge parking purposes, will be suspended, thereby 'widening' the footway and increasing the social distancing capabilities for pedestrians.'

But the change has shocked residents, with many facing a £130 penalty notice because they missed the signs.

Since it was brought in, one woman has taken matters into her own hands by standing at the end of the road to turn traffic around.

The woman has been praised online for spending hours of her day standing on the road to warn drivers to turn around. Drivers have then performed nifty three-point turns on the road

The woman has been praised online for spending hours of her day standing on the road to warn drivers to turn around. Drivers have then performed nifty three-point turns on the road

Signs (pictured) at either end of the road have been missed by drivers who were unaware it was changed to a bus, taxi and cycle lane in July

Signs at either end of the road have been missed by drivers who were unaware it was changed to a bus, taxi and cycle lane in July

A taxi driver called Kevin took to Twitter to praise her. He said: 'Turnham green terrace today a woman with homemade sign telling drivers if they drive down it it's a £130 fine I turned in and didn't even see sign. Taxis are exempt but fair play to the lady the police were trying to stop her telling drivers.'

Sarah Spateri said: 'Fantastic woman! Give her a medal ! These restrictions are ill thought through and rushed in without consulting local residents. There won't be any businesses left in TG terrace soon, am assuming this is Hounslow council's objective as I can see no other advantage.'

Lise Cooke added: 'We call her the Turnham Green Fairy.'

David Jackson blasted the 'blatant money making exercise'. He added: 'A ridiculous scheme forcing traffic into gridlock.'

Cllr Hanif Khan, Cabinet Member for Transport said: 'The access only restriction on Turnham Green Terrace was implemented as part of Hounslow's Streetspace programme in response to new Government statutory powers requiring local authorities to reallocate road space in response to Covid-19. 

'The Council does not want to make money from enforcing these restrictions but we do want people to comply with them because we need to make sure busy town centre sites like Chiswick have space for pedestrians to be able to safely shop and access services whilst observing social distancing requirements.

The change has shocked residents, with many facing a £130 penalty notice because they missed the signs. Since it was brought in one woman took matters into her own hands by standing at the end of the road to turn traffic around

The change has shocked residents, with many facing a £130 penalty notice because they missed the signs. Since it was brought in one woman took matters into her own hands by standing at the end of the road to turn traffic around

He added: 'All PCN payments received are ring fenced and must by law be reinvested into the transport network.

'We have followed relevant national government guidance regarding the information displayed on signage.

'Enforcement on Turnham Green Terrace is undertaken by Automatic Number Plate Recognition camera technology.

'All Streetspace programme schemes have been introduced as trials and the Council has committed to having the schemes independently reviewed at interim and final stages. 

'We really want to hear back from people about their experiences of the schemes and all feedback will be considered as part of the decision making process on whether to adapt a scheme, make it permanent or remove it.'

A taxi driver called Kevin took to Twitter to praise her. He said: 'Turnham green terrace today a woman with homemade sign'

A taxi driver called Kevin took to Twitter to praise her. He said: 'Turnham green terrace today a woman with homemade sign'

Addressing MP Brentford & Isleworth MP Ruth Cadbury, who suggested the fine be appealed, one man wrote: 'The issue is more than many people are being caught out by the poor signage at both ends of Turnham Green Terrace'

Addressing MP Brentford & Isleworth MP Ruth Cadbury, who suggested the fine be appealed, one man wrote: 'The issue is more than many people are being caught out by the poor signage at both ends of Turnham Green Terrace'

The mystery vigilante comes as Sadiq Khan's 'war on motorist' hotted up in recent weeks, with threats of a £27.50-per-day congestion charge covering most of London.

The Mayor of London claimed ministers were demanding he extend the £15 congestion zone to the North and South circulars as a condition for financial support as TfL suffers under coronavirus lockdown.

Motorists were hit particularly hard over the summer as measures were brought in place to encourage more cycling in London amid Covid-19.

Earlier this month, the Euston Road cycle lane - brought in as lockdown measures eased to try and reduce car numbers in London - was removed after causing traffic chaos. 

Changes to streets, which saw some roads closed to traffic except for pedestrians and cyclists, have caused major problems in parts of London, as workers returned to offices, but avoided public transport to ensure they were complying with social distancing measures.

Another car is turned around after reading the woman's homemade sign that warned of a £130 fine if the driver continued

Another car is turned around after reading the woman's homemade sign that warned of a £130 fine if the driver continued

Drivers have slammed Hounslow Borough council for putting up small road signs that warn the road is closed to motorists

Drivers have slammed Hounslow Borough council for putting up small road signs that warn the road is closed to motorists

Pop-up cycle lanes on either side of Euston Road were opened by TfL in July, with 20mph speed limits for passing motorists. But just three months later, London's transport commissioner announced it would be removed.

The cycle lanes have made travel in London by car almost impossible, and wreaked havoc with emergency services.

Last month, footage emerged of a fire engine stuck in a road block, put in place to create a 'Covid friendly' cycle lanes.

The video showed the blue-lit emergency vehicle wedged between a wooden planter and a parked white car in Ferndale, south London.

As firefighters ditched the vehicle and made the short walk to the nearby incident, one angry resident could be heard raging against the scheme, saying: 'You are trying to say this is good for us?'

Businesses on Turnham Green Terrace have complained the traffic scheme has reduced custom and made surviving the coronavirus lockdown harder.

David Jackson blasted the 'blatant money making exercise'. He added: 'A ridiculous scheme forcing traffic into gridlock'

David Jackson blasted the 'blatant money making exercise'. He added: 'A ridiculous scheme forcing traffic into gridlock'

Businesses nearby have complained the traffic scheme has reduced custom and made surviving the coronavirus lockdown harder

Businesses nearby have complained the traffic scheme has reduced custom and made surviving the coronavirus lockdown harder

Joanna Bishop took to social media to say a shop owner was in 'tears'. She wrote: 'Pull plug on LTNs/roadclosures in chiswick. 

'A Shop owner in tears Turnham Green Terrace this week as road closure destroying her business, and others too. Buses lose lane to bicycles so running late, Chiswick Hi Rd disaster now.' 

Another shopkeeper with a business along the road, a man called Rodney, complained Turnham Green Terrace was devoid of traffic. 

Another social media user added: 'The point Rodney is making I believe is after half a century of trading successfully on Turnham Green Terrace his business has been decimated by an ill thought out scheme which he not any traders had any control over and totally illogical planning across Chiswick.'

Another said: 'My 73-year-old father got a ticket in the mail for unwittingly driving down Turnham Green Terrace a few days ago due to that poor signage. 

Photographer Alastair Hilton shared an image of the entrance to Turnham Green Terrace. Drivers who take the first exit off a mini-roundabout could miss the signs

'@LBofHounslow & @RuthCadbury you should be absolutely ashamed of yourselves. A blatant money grab affecting innocent people.' 

Addressing MP Brentford & Isleworth MP Ruth Cadbury, who suggested the fine be appealed, one man wrote: 'The issue is more than many people are being caught out by the poor signage at both ends of Turnham Green Terrace. 

'Many unwitting people are seeing a wide open main road and not expecting it to be closed, the tiny signage is not helping.'

Posting a photograph of a small sign, Daniel Grendowicz wrote: 'can you please explain why there was no obvious prior warning about the restriction on motor vehicles on Turnham Green Terrace aside from this small sign which is almost impossible to see when turning left?' 

Peter Haynes said: 'Can you tell me how long Turnham Green Terrace hasn't allowed cars to use it. I have used this road for years and I now have a Failing to comply notice.52J You must know a tiny little sign above a speed camera sign is hard to acknowledge.'

The fire engine became blocked as it attempted to enter a road which has been shut off to motorised vehiclesFirefighters had to continue on foot after it became trapped between a planter and a car

A fire engine became blocked as it attempted to enter a road which has been shut off to motorised vehicles. Firefighters had to continue on foot after it became trapped between a planter and a car

In September, Hounslow London Borough had issued 4,024 Penalty Traffic Notices in Devonshire Rd and Turnham Green Terrace since earlier this summer, according to the Chiswick Calendar.

If those drivers all paid the full £130, the council would already have made half a million - £523,120. But most drivers pay within a discount period, meaning it's reduced to £65. 

As of Wednesday, September 30, 1,487 drivers had paid the PCN. A total of 1,449 of those paid during the discount period and 38 paid £130. It means the council made £99,125 from the road changes.

A petition against the road change has 7,198 signitures so far.

MailOnline has contacted Hounslow Borough Council for comment. 

The new dedicated cycle lane has been put in on York Way, north London Installed last month, it protects cyclists on the busy road from Kings Cross to Tufnell ParkBut bus passengers criticised the move as dangerous as they step off the vehicle into the path of cyclistsCamden Council said it was part of an 18 month trial to encourage cycling

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A cycle lane which runs right through the middle of a bus stop has been blasted as 'crazy' by commuters who are forced to dodge speeding cyclists as they get on and off the vehicle.

The elderly and young parents with buggies are among those who face the risk of being knocked down as they attempt to cross the newly built cycle lane.

The new initiative, known as a bus boarders' shared lane, is part of a north London council's attempt to encourage more people to cycle and abandon cars as the capital struggles with the coronavirus pandemic.

A cycle lane which runs right through the middle of a bus stop has been blasted as 'crazy' by commuters who are forced to dodge speeding cyclists as they get on an off the vehicle

A cycle lane which runs right through the middle of a bus stop has been blasted as 'crazy' by commuters who are forced to dodge speeding cyclists as they get on an off the vehicle

The new initiative, known as a bus boarders' shared lane, is part of a north London council’s response to encourage more people to cycle and abandon cars as the capital struggles with the coronavirus pandemic

The new initiative, known as a bus boarders' shared lane, is part of a north London council's response to encourage more people to cycle and abandon cars as the capital struggles with the coronavirus pandemic

The elderly and young parents with buggies are among those who face the risk of being knocked down as they attempt to cross the newly built cycle lane

The elderly and young parents with buggies are among those who face the risk of being knocked down as they attempt to cross the newly built cycle lane

The lane is aimed at protecting cyclists on a busy road stretching from Kings Cross to Tufnell Park in north London.

But one commuter who was almost hit by a cyclist as he exited the No 390 bus near Kings Cross told Mail Online the installation was an 'accident waiting to happen'.

He said: 'There are no warning signs and people getting off the bus have no idea that cyclists are bearing down on them.

'I was almost hit by a cyclist as I stepped off the bus. Imagine how hard it must be for a young mum with a pram trying to exit backwards. It really is crazy.'

The 20-metre-long strip of black tarmac has been built over the existing red bus stop and adjacent to a bus shelter.

White diagonal painted lines at the roadside edge are aimed at providing a safe space for passengers to stand in before attempting to walk across to the pavement.

But on the two shared lanes installed in York Way, no warning signs are visible for bus passengers and no announcement is made by the driver to warn those leaving about the risk of cyclists.

One commuter who stepped off the 390 bus said the scheme was a waste of money and predicted an accident.

'Sometime the cyclists come speeding along here and unless you're paying attention there is going to be a nasty collision. Most cyclists never stop at red traffic lights, so why are they going to stop when they see a bus stop?

The lane is aimed at protecting cyclists on a busy road stretching from Kings Cross to Tufnell Park in north London

The lane is aimed at protecting cyclists on a busy road stretching from Kings Cross to Tufnell Park in north London

But one commuter who was almost hit by a cyclist as he exited the No 390 bus near Kings Cross told Mail Online it was an ‘accident waiting to happen’. He said: 'There are no warning signs and people getting off the bus have no idea that cyclists are bearing down on them'

But one commuter who was almost hit by a cyclist as he exited the No 390 bus near Kings Cross told Mail Online it was an 'accident waiting to happen'. He said: 'There are no warning signs and people getting off the bus have no idea that cyclists are bearing down on them'

'I just don't get the council building a cycle lane for a few feet. It just seems a waste of money.'

A young mum with a two-year-old daughter who was waiting for a bus said she would be concerned about getting off at night when there is less visibility.

She said: 'It is alright during the day as I can just look along the road and see if a cyclist is coming, but at night it is a different matter. Many cyclists don't bother to use lights. I don't get why this has been built.'

Another passengers, a man in his 40s, said the cycle lane was more of a statement by the Labour run council to show their priority for cycles over cars.

'Just take a look at what they are doing to the borough with all the pop up cycle lanes. Traffic is a nightmare in Camden and it is only going to get worse.'

The shared bus boarders' lane was installed six weeks ago as part of Camden council's aim to protect cyclists using the busy road.

The cycle lane is now protected by plastic wands to stop cars from stopping in the lane and forcing cyclists to manoeuvre around parked cars.

The shared bus boarders' lane, jointly financed by Camden Council and Tfl, is designed for the same reason. Two have been installed in Camden, with more set to be added around the capital.

Notices displayed at the bus stop on York Way are labelled Covid 19 Cycling Safety.

The 20-metre-long strip of black tarmac has been built over the existing red bus stop and adjacent to a bus shelter

The 20-metre-long strip of black tarmac has been built over the existing red bus stop and adjacent to a bus shelter

White diagonal painted lines at the roadside edge are aimed at providing a safe space for passengers to stand in before attempting to walk across to the pavement

White diagonal painted lines at the roadside edge are aimed at providing a safe space for passengers to stand in before attempting to walk across to the pavement

It says the shared bus boarder and other changes are to help provide a 'safe continuous cycling environment' and also includes the removal of parking spaces and the introduction of double yellow lines to prevent cars from blocking the route.

The notice adds: 'The changes we are implementing are mandated by the Government. The Department of Transport has issued statutory guidance to councils to rapidly reallocate road space to people walking and cycling as a response to Covid-19.'

Dozens of pop up cycle lanes and the introduction of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods across the UK have enraged motorists who face increasingly lengthy traffic jams.

The Government offered councils £250m to install barriers across roads to stop them being used as 'rat runs' during rush hour by motorists looking for the quickest route to work.

The traffic changes have led to the backlash from motorists and residents of roads affected by the LTNs.

There have been demos in several London boroughs, including Ealing where planters erected to block off roads were overturned.

The shared bus boarders' lane was installed six weeks ago as part of the council’s aim to protect cyclists using the busy road

The shared bus boarders' lane was installed six weeks ago as part of the council's aim to protect cyclists using the busy road

The cycle lane running the length of York Way in the borough of Camden is now protected by plastic wands to stop cars from stopping in the lane and forcing cyclists to manoeuvre around parked cars

The cycle lane running the length of York Way in the borough of Camden is now protected by plastic wands to stop cars from stopping in the lane and forcing cyclists to manoeuvre around parked cars

A spokesman for Camden Council said stop signs have been painted at the start of the shared lane to warn cyclists to slow down and the move is part of an 18 month trial. 

The spokesman said: 'The Covid-19 pandemic has created new road safety challenges in Camden, with more people choosing to walk, cycle and drive.

'This change in the way people travel has placed extra pressure on our streets and both the Government and the mayor of London have been clear that local authorities need to be taking steps to address this. 

'York Way is key to this and has been identified by residents as somewhere where they would like to see improved walking and cycling features.'

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