Hounslow Cycling have responded to criticism in The Telegraph over perceived safety issues with the newly opened Cycleway 9 in the borough. 

An article in The Telegraph by Steve Bird on 27th May, accidents have quadrupled on Cycleway 9 and eight cyclists have had serious accidents during 2022, compared to two accidents prior to the cycleway being introduced. 

Hounslow Cycling have responded to this criticism and have refuted claims that the new path is unsafe, particularly referring to the Chiswick High Street section of the path. 

They rejected that there have been any safety concerns since the full path has been fully opened with the upgraded design in 2023 and that the same was true for it in 2022. 

They shared that their data showed that casualties on Chiswick High Street had actually fallen from 2021 to 2022 and pedal cycle casualties fell from nine to six, which is the lowest it has been for three years. 

It was accepted that some junctions along King Street had seen an increase in casualties, but these were areas that had not implemented the safety measures which were recommended in consultations and Hounslow Council are working to address these problem areas. 

Hounslow Cycling also criticised Councillor Joanna Bidolph, councillor for Chiswick Gunnersbury, who shared the article with the repeated statement that "C9 is not safe", accusing her of having shared false information.