Forum Topic

Burning smell Staveley Gardens

Can anyone else smell the very strong burning smell drifting over from the railway line. This is the second night we have had to put up with this, I though you could not burn any vegetation because of the very reason of the smoke and terrible smell involved  

Bernard Allen ● 2085d22 Comments

Wood burning fire ?

Julian Pavey ● 2085d

Don't think so, its more like A lot of tree branches, as when its windy in these parts it rains tree branches, you have to be careful in certain areas as they flaming hurt if you are hit on the head with one.The wind is blowing off the river so smoke from houses will blow the other way.But if is a wood burning fire installed in a house then its been install incorrectly as the smoke and smell should not reach to far from that building, or they are using scrap wood.

Bernard Allen ● 2085d

On Monday workmen were cutting back the undergrowth along the railway line adjacent to Staveley Gardens. It would be surprising if they were burning the foliage but anything is possible. There were also tree-men cutting back the wood on the scrap of land between Barnes Bridge and Emanuel Boat House.

Cllr Sam Hearn ● 2085d

I heard a saw being used this morning Bernard but haven't smelled anything untoward. Mind you, being in a cul de sac, the wind outside our front door can blow from any direction minute by minute.

Bob Guyett ● 2085d

Thanks for the information.The tree guys usually strip the tree branches down the chippings, through there shedding machine.The railway line work, anything is possible when work is being carried out by them.

Bernard Allen ● 2085d

Hi Bobif you stood by the entrance to the alley about an hour ago it would have knocked you over.I'll have to have a look in the morning to see if the work on the railway is being carried out by burning the overgrowth.

Bernard Allen ● 2085d

Intresting. I saw a group of people in high viz about a week back around there.At the time I wondered if this was to do with the pointless multi million foot bridge that is going ahead under the rail bridge.This could be connected.

Adrian Irving ● 2085d

Hi Adrian - I stopped and had a (socially distanced) chat with the tree-men. They are cutting a roadway through the trees so that a crane can be brought in to assist in building the pedestrian bridge.Whether or not the bridge is pointless is a moot point. Whether it is worth the money is another question entirely - quite clearly it is not.

Cllr Sam Hearn ● 2085d

I thought we weren't supposed to have bonfires because Coronavirus is a respiratory disease.

Philippa Bond ● 2085d

I'll have a look/smell in the morning. I can't remember NR ever doing anything trackside. A good litter clean would be good but I won't hold my breath other than if there's smoke around though.

Bob Guyett ● 2085d

There have been a lot of fires at the Kings House sports ground lately, polluting the promenade with clouds of smoke. Could be them again.

Simon Pedley ● 2085d

Thank's Sam.I don't know if the true cost of this (don't be rude Adrian) bridge will ever be fully declared but my guess is circa three million wasted pounds.Just think how much better the money could be spent at the moment. Actually at anytime.

Adrian Irving ● 2085d

I passed by this morning  the woodland between the rail bridge and the rowing club.A thirty plus swathe of trees, some mature, have been flattened and two,once elegant, riverbank willows have been ruthlessly butchered to make way for the pointless multi million pound footbridge the design of which is way out of character with its surroundsNo sign of a bonfire but prime suspect for the smoke.We are told that this stretch of the river is one of the very few natural shorelines that must be protected along with a rare species of snail. Great, so why build an ugly, expensive, pointless bridge slap bang over it?By the way this is being partly funded by an apparent excess and diversion to Hounslow's school budget.Yes, you read that right, the school budget.

Adrian Irving ● 2085d

By the way this is being partly funded by an apparent excess and diversion to Hounslow's school budget.Yes, you read that right, the school budget.Have you got written proof of that statement from LBOH ?

Bernard Allen ● 2085d

Bernard it was mentioned on here by one of the people driving this project.As you will appreciate finding a historic post on this site is far from easy but if you have the time and inclination you can have a go.My slight worry is that I am in direct verbal contact with a top driver behind the project and he may have told me. Maybe it was both.Either way that is my clear understanding.

Adrian Irving ● 2085d

'By the way this is being partly funded by an apparent excess and diversion to Hounslow's school budget."Trumpian. Funding is coming from the Mayor's Liveable Neighbourhood Budget. https://hounslowchamber.org.uk/8690

Ken Munn ● 2084d

Ken you are correct but my understanding funding is coming from a number of sources including a grant from bankrupt TfL and cash left over for the school budget.If I am wrong I shall be delighted to withdraw the comment.No doubt someone with more authority than either you or me will confirm or correct in due course.In the final analyse the cash comes from us and I strongly feel it could be far better spent than on a pointless bridge. We were told it was essential as the tunnel was a danger to pedestrians. Not really and even if this was true why was nothing done to calm traffic decades ago?For the benefit of readers that may not know the tunnel has now been closed to motor traffic(good thing) and is much more than likely to remain that way so even more pointless.I have timed how much time this bridge will save as against using the tunnel and it is about eight minutes at a normal walking pace.Actually I am now thinking three million is a low estimate.Ken, if you think this is money well spent please explain. I am always happy to have my opinion changed by a well reasoned case.

Adrian Irving ● 2084d

The funding for what I prefer to call a cantilevered walkway does come from a number of sources. When TfL got into financial difficulties last year it withdrew its pledge of £2+m. At this point in order to save the project Hounslow Council stepped in and vired (i.e.moved) a similar amount from the capital budget for schools to the "bridge project". The total so called under spend on this budget was £5m.It is extremely hard to understand the nature of Hounslow's reserves and to what extent they are needed. It is sensible to hold reserves for specific purposes but these should be fully exposed to public scrutiny. This is what I and my colleagues have worked hard to achieve for many years. Year after year Hounslow fails to deliver on its capital projects and the unspent cash just accumulates.

Cllr Sam Hearn ● 2084d

I recall that shortly after the Grenfell tragedy we learned of the vast amount Kensington and Chelsea had in reserve. Since most of the councils’ money comes from us, it would be good to have full information.

Vivienne Cox ● 2084d

Thank's Sam for an authoritative post.

Adrian Irving ● 2084d

Correction... A thirty foot plus WIDE swathe of trees..

Adrian Irving ● 2084d

"Ken, if you think this is money well spent please explain. I am always happy to have my opinion changed by a well reasoned case."Seeing you haven't responded I'll take that as you agreeing with me. Good man.

Adrian Irving ● 2084d