Forum Topic

Potential Park Closures

Yesterday the news showed parks with sunbathers and picnickers being told to move on by the police.  Yet in the last 2/3 weeks I have only seen a police presence in Chiswick parks once.  Rather than threaten to just close parks why aren't the police taking any proactive action in W4?  Please don't suggest this is down to police cuts, Shepherds Bush, North and East London appear to be taking action so why isn't Chiswick?

Fiona Campbell ● 2403d19 Comments

What exactly is the danger of allowing sunbathers and picnickers in the parks, as long as they keep their distance from anyone outside their immediate household ?

Richard Greenhough ● 2403d

They are - according to others, the Police took action on both Turnham Green and Dukes Meadows and I have personally witnessed Police Officers - not in normal uniform, but wearing MPS flack jackets and carrying handcuffs in their back pockets - speaking with (admonishing) those who were clearly not exercising (sitting very close on a bench) on Acton Green Common.The problem, of course, is that our very overstreched Police Force cannot be everywhere at once, but by appearing on a regular basis in our local parks they will certainly have an effect.

David Noades ● 2403d

Police are taking proactive action in W4, Dukes Meadows is visited at least 3-4 times a day since the lock down was announced.I think I saw that Dukes Meadows,Turnham Green and the Back Common was cleared of people yesterday, although I stand to be corrected on this sentence.

Bob Guyett ● 2403d

Surely it's obvious if you allow people to picnic, play games and sunbath etc. then more people will decide to do the same and then the parks with have a lot more people doing this.  If it's exercise only people have to keep moving and there is less chance of social interaction.

Helen Whitman ● 2403d

FFS what part of stay at home do you not get, no ifs or buts, stay at home, honestly.

James Smith-Jones ● 2403d

'What exactly is the danger of allowing sunbathers and picnickers in the parks, as long as they keep their distance from anyone outside their immediate household ?'The point is that if a few people are allowed to do this then tomorrow and the next day there will be a few more and then it's open season. In Richmond people were cheek by jowl - ridiculous.

Vanessa Smith ● 2403d

why should I suffer the consequences of a small minority who think they are above the law. on the spot £500 fine should do the trick, end off. This virus is not a joke, other peoples lives are at risk and the older generation are scared, worried and concerned about their lives while a small, selfish numbskull minority are more concerned about topping up their tans and having a few beers in the park. I am not sure what's worse, the numbskulls or the idiots defending them.

James Smith-Jones ● 2403d

Whereas Vanessa has provided an answer to the question, Jimmy Smitty-Jonah has evaded doing so.

Richard Greenhough ● 2403d

don't be a plonker all your life Dicky, don't think I need to justify YOU with an answer as it is so bloody obvious you ----please feel free to add!

James Smith-Jones ● 2403d

"..peoples lives are at risk.."I would suggest that forcing people to stay cooped up in small flats is likely to lead to a rise in domestic violence and even murders. Allowing those without any outside space of their own into parks, providing they keep their distance from each other, would be good for their mental and physical health, with relatively little risk of Covid-19 infection.

Richard Greenhough ● 2403d

tell you what mine starts with a T and ends in a T!

James Smith-Jones ● 2403d

Little mummy's boyHe wasn't very oldThough he was very smallHe did what he was toldJimmy Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy - Oooh Jimmy JimmyPoor little Jimmy wouldn't let goHe'd stay awake at nightLying in his bedNo one ever listenedTo a single word he saidJimmy Jimmy ...Silly boy Silly boy Silly boySuch a silly boyJimmy Jimmy ...Now little Jimmy's goneHe disappeared one dayBut no one saw the ambulanceThat took little Jim awayJimmy JimmyI guess The Undertones knew you, Jimmy ?

Richard Greenhough ● 2403d

so that makes it ok to potentially spread this deadly virus then. what about the old people who are besides themselves like my poor mother worried about perhaps never being able to see her grandchildren. I now know of 2 friends who died within hours of not feeling well and they never got a chance to say their goodbye. you can live with that?

James Smith-Jones ● 2403d

grow up you sick individual, people are dying and you think your pathetic poem is funny.

James Smith-Jones ● 2403d

Why do people insist on bending the rules?Ignorant/selfish Person A- I am inconvenienced/frustrated or impatient with these rules. I will therefore bend and meld these rules to ensure there is as little impact to my personal life as possible. They are vague enough that I will try to take advantage of them because I don't care about the overriding necessity of protecting our NHS and minimising the spread of CV.Normal Person B- I am inconvenienced/frustrated or impatient with these rules. However, I understand the overriding necessity of protecting our NHS and minimising the spread of CV. The rules are there for a reason, therefore I will ensure that I am following them, and adhering to the spirit of them, and where the rules appear grey, I will distance myself from that, even at further inconvenience to myself.FWIW- Person A should have any NHS privileges revoked- IMHO.

Will Griggs ● 2403d

What exactly is the danger of allowing sunbathers and picnickers in the parks, as long as they keep their distance from anyone outside their immediate household ?watch the 6 o"clock news tonight Richard and see if you still happy to defend your picnickers.

James Smith-Jones ● 2403d

Convoluted debates about the pros and cons of sitting in the park are irrelevant because we've all been told NOT TO DO IT.  Most laws, rules and regulations are, by their nature, arbitrary so in the end we have to swallow hard and accept it's 'cos I say so!'  I know the traffic lights are red, but there's nothing coming the other way so what's wrong with... I know my payment was due at the end of the month, but they've got plenty of money so what's wrong with... Wouldn't it be better if we had a system where...etc ad nauseam.

Peter Evans ● 2403d

Normal person (C) - Bit disappointed with lack of social life but thank goodness for TV, radio, CDs (I don't stream) and broadband. Great opportunity to catch up with work, admin, new business strategy, online learning, sort out the house and garden, chat to friends haven't spoken to for a while, see what need to do re pension, will, finances and other personal admin, swap utilities for better value companies,  maybe even time to read more than the front page of the newspaper and spend more time with family and get actively involved in kids' education. Oh and maybe even read a book.  There must be online book clubs.

Claire Moran ● 2403d

"In Richmond people were cheek by jowl - ridiculous."And cycling four abreast - morons!

Steve Taylor ● 2403d