DRIVERS can soon expect to see signalled crossings on the Uxbridge Road at its junction with Church Road, Hanwell.

They are part of the latest planned improvements to the Uxbridge Road through Hanwell and West Ealing.

Cllr Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for environment and customer services, said: “I have seen how replacing traffic lights with roundabouts has cut queueing times in other parts of the borough, and it is already helping at this junction.

“Even when the signalled crossings are in place and working, the switch to a roundabout will keep the traffic flowing, but not at the expense of the crucial safety of pedestrians.”

The old traffic lights have already been removed and a mini roundabout installed.

The zebra crossings in Church Road and St George's Road will be ready for pedestrians to use next week.

The council is pushing Transport for London, which is responsible for crossings on the Uxbridge Road, to have them fully operational as soon as possible.

The works come after residents were consulted last year on a number of planned improvements to the Uxbridge Road through Hanwell and West Ealing.

Changes to the Church Road junction were given priority after people raised repeated concerns over the safety of existing crossings.

Further works to improve Uxbridge Road are scheduled to begin in early 2015.