The graffiti issue is altogether different. Until recently, Hounslow Highways almost always automatically removed graffiti whoever reported it (it does need to be reported) if it was visible from the public highway. That meant that it removed it from private and public buildings, walls, bridges, underpasses, alleys, parking pay units, bus stops, etc. That has changed and Hounslow Highways now asks the building/landowner to remove it. When I commented that this was a change in policy I was told, in very strong terms by Cllr Guy Lambert, that the policy had not been changed; Hounslow Highways was not obliged to remove it except from public places; that policy was being enforced. This arose when I reported graffiti on the Collins fruit and veg stall and the stalls at Essex Place (which are currently covered in it). Instead of it being removed, Hounslow Highways visited the Collins stall and said they would have to remove the graffiti themselves. The guys on that stall get up at 4am to go to market, open up early after that and are still on their feet when they close around 6pm. It just isn't feasible for them to do it themselves. Finding someone to do it for them isn't easy, either. The same applies to shops from which graffiti used to be removed if reported.However, the Hounslow Highways website still states the policy that I understood applied, see below, so I wonder where the facts lie. I have raised this and hope for some clarity out of the confusion. In the meantime, graffiti breeds graffiti, just as fly tipping breeds fly tipping, and it is proliferating. My cynical view is that this is a campaign to run down our areas, reserving costs for next year when the borough can be spruced up just before we cast our votes in the local elections ... From the Hounslow Highways website"Hounslow Highways is responsible for the removal of graffiti and fly-posting if it is visible from the Project Cleansing Network, on the surface of any building, wall, fence or other structure."Where graffiti has been placed on sites that have been specifically authorised by the council, such as graffiti walls and authorised murals, these will be excluded."Fly-posting excludes formally managed and approved advertising hoardings and any other authorised, legally placed signs and notices (unless they are out-of-date). Public notices are deemed fly-posting if they have been left up for more than one calendar month after their expiry date."If you notice graffiti or fly-posting you can report it to us using our online form."Hounslow Highways will endeavour to remove non-offensive graffiti and non-offensive fly-posting within 7 days, however if it is considered offensive we will remove it within 24 hours, and gather necessary information to follow through with enforcement and recovery of removal cost."
Joanna Biddolph ● 2036d