Forum Topic

‘Not Chiswick!’

Word is getting around with trades people about the numerous traffic fines to be earned from venturing into Grove Park, with the the dismal decline ‘Not Chiswick!’ Even Cadbury is flaking I hear, and starting to realise there’s a bit of an issue.

Russell Pearson ● 1649d40 Comments

Obviously we are concerned about areas local to where we live. If you are on Facebook groups as I am, for other parts of London, what is happening in Chiswick is a walk in the park compared to what LTNs and cycle lanes have done to them.  The same areas where Councillors are provided with hard evidence of the disastrous consequences of their actions. Proof of their false statistics. They are left speechless and unable to counter the criticisms. Nothing changes it’s quite mind boggling. Multiply what is happening in Chiswick times 10. What is going on with these Councils?

Maggie Dodge ● 1648d

We have a vote on 5th May and before choosing on which candidate, we should be asking lots of questions to determine whether a change of Council members could make any difference or whether agreements already struck cannot be undone.My cousins in Geneva and Zurich are reporting that they being subjected to exactly the same.

Elizabeth Ross ● 1648d

Even if it can’t be undone, if you don’t vote them out, you’re giving them the thumbs up to what they’ve done and to do more of the same . They’re spending £100k on an unnecessary road structure, while nurses are begging for funds for the NHS. I don’t care about ring fencing or whatever it’s called. This is an obscene waste of money in a country that’s desperate for funds in so many areas. Change the rules!

Maggie Dodge ● 1648d

But you can’t  vote them out in Chiswick as all our councillors are Conservatives!

Susan Jennifer Thackray ● 1648d

It does rather show the need to look at the road and conditions rather than just mindlessly following robotic instructions.  With luck it will slow down those who automatically and carelessly speed.  If you really want to go somewhere you will work out how to.  It is the same driving anywhere in London and not just London.  You can't necessarily easily find places to park a car ie you can't just expect to be able to park everywhere nowadays.

Philippa Bond ● 1648d

I think not so long ago it wasn’t  unheard of to be able to drive from one side of Chiswick to the other. I can  hardly remember those extraordinary days.  It’s an absolute joke now that one road gets cleaner air while others get the pollution and with the extra traffic and longer journey times ,  it’s maybe doubled. Are they paying for their cleaner air? Do they want these restrictions? Of course we can vote Labour out, this is coming  from Hounslow’s Labour Council and they need to go

Maggie Dodge ● 1648d

I so remember Theresa May telling that nurse that there was no magic money tree.  It's funny how when they want them there somehow are orchards of them isn't it? The way workers in the NHS have been treated with its overstretched and overworked staffing (thousands of unfilled vacancies before the pandemic).  Haven't MPs just got a pay rise?  Maybe we just should clap for them instead?  Watch this:https://www.indy100.com/news/magical-money-tree-theresa-may-nurse-bbc-question-time-pay-rise-7770611

Philippa Bond ● 1648d

Maggie, well said.

Loraine Pemberton ● 1648d

Yes Maggie your post was spot on ! Just

Helen Bamberger ● 1648d

Sorry Maggie -‘ just ‘ just appeared !!!! Your post was spot on...

Helen Bamberger ● 1648d

What I find interesting is that both H Khan and Cadbury now seem to recognise that a major ‘sub optimal solution’ has been deployed in Chiswick, but the usual suspects still cheer on the mistakes. I do wonder when and if, they will wake up and accept the blunders too. Not holding my breath on that one. But then, they were never elected.

Russell Pearson ● 1648d

Another LTN dropped Barnet !!

Maggie Dodge ● 1648d

Maggie, if I may, please could you include links to these examples so we may all learn a bit more about them? I'm not questioning you, I only want to learn about the specifics and how they may be brought to bear locally.Thanks.

David Lesniak ● 1647d

Hi David. Not very IT literate as I’m always saying. I have the link , a screenshot and a link the council minutes where they say they were not going to pursue the matter. Just can’t figure out how to post here.  I’ve never mastered posting pics on here. On a good day I can usually post links, maybe it’s a bit early in the day😂 If you can send me an email address I can let you have them.

Maggie Dodge ● 1647d

Where's Dame Philippa when you need her?

Peter King ● 1647d

I can’t seem to click on the link, to post it.  It just opens when I try . Please don’t get Phillipa involved  🙏

Maggie Dodge ● 1647d

Try this, Maggie:Get the link at the top of the page in your browser. When  you click on it, it should go all blue. Then use Ctrl C, then click back on the forum window and use Ctrl V to copy the link into the forum discussion.

David Lesniak ● 1646d

Lol.

Philippa Bond ● 1646d

Yes David I can cut and paste usually. The links are in a Messenger message as I couldn’t remember where I’d seen it and a friend sent it all to me

Maggie Dodge ● 1646d

Thanks, Maggie, for having the info forwarded to me. Much appreciated.

David Lesniak ● 1646d

There’s always a way David

Maggie Dodge ● 1646d

Maggie, as the Sanderson in me used to say and which is now no doubt some sort of trigger and/or taboo "there's more than one way to skin a cat."

David Lesniak ● 1645d

Tut, Rabbit you have the animal rights after you for some reason it's OK to skin a rabbit.

Janice Evans ● 1645d

"But you can’t  vote them out in Chiswick as all our councillors are Conservatives!"Having representatives who are a tiny minority in Hounslow's council chamber is a problem if you want your opinion noticed.The tory councillors emit plenty of hot air but are completely impotent when it comes to influencing policy.Tactical voting for Labour may seem counter intuitive but could result in more concerns being heard.

Will Watson ● 1644d

"Tactical voting for Labour may seem counter intuitive but could result in more concerns being heard."I also believe in the Easter Bunny, Father Christmas and the Tooth Fairy 🤣

Loraine Pemberton ● 1644d

You beat me to it Loraine! What a joker he is 😂

Maggie Dodge ● 1644d

Heard today about a local repair job getting increased by £500 due to fines. That’s nothing compared to the chap who got £6k in fines. >Tactical voting for Labour may seem counter intuitive but could result in more concerns being heard.And more fines.

Russell Pearson ● 1644d

I'm posting to remind the young ladies above...that Will is not a joker. .but a good clever brain.His postings over many many years have been enlightening..and thoughful.Isn't that right Will?

Jim Lawes ● 1644d

Correct, Jim.Only the partisan are going to claim the issue isn't complicated for Chiswick voters. Although I think the Chiswick councillors have generally been excellent, what they appear to have failed to do is lobby effectively with their own party for mitigation of the traffic measures implemented in the area.They have consistently presented these policies as being solely the responsibility of Hounslow Council when in fact Cycleway 9 for instance was conceived under the Johnson Mayoralty and is fiercely supported by his transport advisor Andrew Gilligan. As far as I am aware not one of our local councillors has called for Gilligan to go.It may well be the case, that apart from Wandsworth, Tory Central Office has simply written off London and complaints from local councillors would be completely disregarded but that doesn't mean they shouldn't have tried.A terrible performance at the local elections may see Johnson and therefore Gilligan out which may mean voting Labour is the best option for people for whom transport is the key issue at this election. The irony of this has already been pointed out but Hanif Khan may actually be a very effective local councillor in this regard. He is clearly able but now is outside the favoured circle within his party and will be representing a marginal ward if he wins. If he gets the impression that pushing back against transport measures will get him re-elected, he will do so.

Francis Rowe ● 1643d

I'm not great on politics, but I thought Will was suggesting we vote Labour in order to be heard. Did I get that wrong?

Maggie Dodge ● 1643d

Maggie, I thought the same as you

Loraine Pemberton ● 1643d

It just depends what you want:a) a councillor who agrees with you about everything but has no power to achieve any of your objectivesorb) a councillor who, you may have to convince of your views but, is part of a majority bloc and can get things done.

Will Watson ● 1643d

I Was right then.  Hounslow Labour do not listen to the majority of the people of Chiswick Will.  People have been saying that for years, before I took any interest in local politics and understood what they were saying. Those in Hounslow Cycling of course are another matter, they are the chosen ones. Let's not pretend otherwise. All the petitions and consultations, ignored, or am I missing something. Closed roads, barely used cycle lane, with more being installed. Road closures so complicated I hate to think how much is spent on administration, and how many fines from misunderstanding the rules. Time plates so lengthy you can't ready them while driving past.  Money provided by the government, yes I know, but not taken by some Councils, mainly Conservative, I believe. Because the residents didn't want the changes.  Look at Staveley Road. £100,000 being spent on what the residents say is no longer needed.  If I've got anything wrong I apologise but as I say I don't really do politics. I've only taken any interest since recent events.

Maggie Dodge ● 1643d

QED

Will Watson ● 1643d

A) An all Labour Cabinet will always have power and the ability to snuff out any dissent. This is not democracy. This is a one-party state ruled by an autocrat as we have seen.B) Hanif Khan has had ample opportunity to build bridges and listen to alternate opinion and concern. He has ignored every single one of them. Classic example of a leopard will not change its spots which is what Will is purporting will happen.Nope.

David Lesniak ● 1643d

[Choose a Labour ] “councillor who, you may have to convince of your views but, is part of a majority bloc and can get things done.“Not QED at all, Will. The second of your two options pre-supposes Labour  councillors have some degree of discretion and that they choose to exercise that discretion.  I have not seen much evidence of either of those things in the past three years.

Marie Power ● 1643d

Not sure you’re all the things Jim said you are Will🤷‍♀️

Maggie Dodge ● 1643d

Maggie, he definitely isn't, he's a dedicated, HCC/LCC supporter and probably a Labour supporter. Check out his Forum posts going back a few years. Will Watson was a prolific and notable cyclist who tried to deliberately skew the results of an independent survey !So Will 👋 i trust you remember your past unethical antics ?

Loraine Pemberton ● 1643d

"Hounslow Labour do not listen to the majority of the people of Chiswick Will"Maggie, how do you know what the majority of Chiswickians (that a word?) want? All we have is anecdotal evidence; I don't think the whole of W4 has ever been polled, has it? I personally would love to have Chiswick High Road fully pedestrianised with the exception of residents living on the street and for people with reduced mobility. I mean, they do it on Avenida Paulista in SP on weekends and if they can do it over in Sao Paulo...

Francis Sheehan ● 1643d

I am aware of Will thanks Loraine, I've found him unpleasant and a typical cycle lobbyist.

Maggie Dodge ● 1643d