Forum Topics

Flight Path

I live in Ealing but often walk to Chiswick Bridge and back southern towpath out, (complete with head torch)  Hartington Rd SOTG return  on my early Sunday walks starting around 5.a.m.Twice now, the aircraft noise starting round 5.30 a,mbut really ramping up by 6.30 a,m has been very noticeable. With planes making their approach at about3 or 4 minute intervals - this is 6.30 on a Sunday morning and its almost like being at the end of the runway. Quite how people living in Grove Park put up with itand put up with it they must I suppose, is another matter.Winning the Euro Lottery and buying one the houses on Hartington Rd backing onto the river, Eamonn Andrewsformer residence for example, would be many people dream.But maybe not with that racket going on overhead.On another topic was John Osborne listed as a formerChiswick Resident? At the time of "Look Back in Anger"in 1956 he was living on a converted Rhine Barge moored inCubitts Yacht Basin on Hartington Road, then surrounded by trees and caravans, now tidied up as Chiswick Marina.michael adams

Michael Adams ● 2202d11 Comments ● 2198d

TGT SENIOR CITIZEN MARSHAL

I just seen a lady with a big placard warning cars of £120 fine near the bridge and cars are indeed turning around. Good on her

Julian Pavey ● 2202d22 Comments ● 2198d

My letter from Grant Shapps

Sent a note to Grant Shapps, won’t bother with the bulk of his reply, it as it’s largely been covered in the letter he sent to local authority traffic leads. He added a bit though:“The Government has consistently made clear to local authorities the importance of consulting on schemes, whether temporary, permanent or experimental. Engaging with communities – including those in affected neighbouring areas - is key to delivering a scheme that works for all.It is for local authorities to ensure they engage with communities on proposed changes. Although the Government cannot intervene in local democratic decisions, our position remains that if councils fail to demonstrate that their plans are genuine improvements then we will not hesitate to withhold funding.”Whether this means all funding or future funding isn’t clear. Might just be the latter, and that only Chiswick gets blighted by these faux LTNs. In any event, unless they quickly start consulting, funding for the expansion looks doubtful to me, and they won’t have the money to uproot the ANPR cameras scattered about my manor. Or to put back the pedestrian traffic islands.

Russell Pearson ● 2198d1 Comments ● 2198d

Large Back Bazaar Beanbag

I have a great condition large black bazaar beanbag that needs a new home. Collection only. Large but light. Please PM me if interested. Thx

Brendan Crawford ● 2198d0 Comments ● 2198d

Hounslow Councillors look like they are conflicted over cycle schemes?

From twitter and other social media postings it appears that there are is an interesting theme developing with regard to conflicts of interest involving Hounslow Councillors who are also members of the London Cycling Campaign - Hounslow Cycling, which appears to be a lobby group not a Cycling Club.Apparently a number of Hounslow Councillors are members of Hounslow Cycling and the story seems to be that they have been approving schemes to promote cycling, not walking, and in preference to other road users. It will be interesting to see which schemes they have approved.  One would have thought that this creates not only a massive conflict of interest for the Councillors but would substantively undermine the decisions made by the Council.From a previous post this serves to support my view that I was right not to join Hounslow Cycling, it is not representative of cyclists or people who care about every road user. In comparison Chiswick Cycling, I have learnt is non political, it looks great but potentially a bit too fast for me, we do need a Walking and Cycling group that can work alongside Chiswick Cycling.

David Riley ● 2202d8 Comments ● 2198d

Pointless surveys - we need consultation

All these pointless surveys popping up like bollards. They tell us very little, an abstract choice of simply asking people if they want a lower traffic neighbourhood, will likely as not generate a predictable answer. All we know there, is that people prefer less traffic to more. As a concept, LTNs seem great. It’s when we get to the specifics that it matters. Done badly, this can mean blocked roads, displaced traffic, congestion making queues, longer journeys on bus and in a car, taxis unable to take patients to hospital appointments, ambulances and fire engines stuck in traffic, white elephant cycle lanes.It doesn’t have to be like that. I’m sure some LTNs could work well, if properly planned in partnership with the community. That’s why a full consultation is needed. And it’s why the case studies across Europe and beyond say that consultation is essential if you’re going to create one that works in a balanced and agreed way for all road users.

Russell Pearson ● 2199d8 Comments ● 2198d

Hammersmith Bridge Task force consultation 28 Oct

fyi, main players are attending:https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hammersmith-bridge-taskforce-public-meeting-tickets-126044234699

Paul Cronshaw ● 2198d0 Comments ● 2198d

.. new J20 virus alert..

As many will remember, provocative name-calling on this forum was widespread a few years back.But that was then and this is now.This place has since grown-up.  As far as I can see everyone involved in that game has long since moved on and integrated into the wider forum family.   A few have long memories, some hold quiet grudges.  Nevertheless, peace has reigned for a long while.Recently, however, a poster who was not around in the old days has kicked off a new outbreak of offensive name-calling.  James Smith-Jones.I'm headlining this as the James20 Virus because he's the main culprit.  Which is fair play, given that he's invented pathetically childish names for so many veteran forumers including Micki, Maggie and Elizabeth – as well as a whole cluster of guys like me.This has previously been just a dull repetitive nuisance from a lousy adolescent  local who the owners of this site should have tranquillized long ago.Except  now it has escalated into something far more sinister, very repetitive and very nasty. (see series of nagging posts on the “Time for 2nd Full Lockdown“ thread).  In which another forumer, Steve Taylor, has joined with James Smith-Jones taking things down to a far lower level.  Go see for yourselves.It basically involves a concentrated attack on my recent forum recommendation of a wonderful Michael Brown fitted wardrobe.  In which this pair of narrow-eyed, obsessive thugs insist means that I somehow believe Covid19 doesn't exist and 911 never happened.    In other words a cheap effort to brand someone by going on and on with the same old story.  Classic gangster tactics.  It'll be the holocaust next.I'd have hoped (for the sake of forum peace quiet and common sense) that  more direct action could have been avoided.  Clearly it can't.   This malicious, distasteful James20 Virus is spreading and if it spreads much further it'll soon be out of control.Sorry about this but it is NOT of my doing..  If you think I'm wrong then say so (obviously).  If you consider this unfair, again say so.  I'll hear you. And I'll take in what you say.   Likewise, if you've spotted the James20 virus and don't want it on this forum – let him know.I can only hope, even at this late stage, that things don't get even uglier.  Maybe common sense will prevail. We shall see..

Stuart Kerr ● 2226d219 Comments ● 2199d

Question Validity of New Poll Showing Supposed Support for LTNs

I would question the validity of this new Redfield & Wilton Poll claiming majority in favour of the LTNs.  Who exactly are the "respondents" quoted?  How were they selected? 

Rae Lewis ● 2200d50 Comments ● 2199d

Oswald Copplepot

Just wondering if Ozwald Copplepot serves food, please does any know? Thanks

Fay Kazemi ● 2200d8 Comments ● 2199d

I can meet up to 29 colleagues indoors for lunch or dinner, but...

So, a loophole in the new rules mean that I can meet up to 29 colleagues indoors for lunch or dinner, assuming we are discussing business, but I can't go out with my wife and two friends, or meet up with two members of my family who live in a different household?I'm sorry, but no wonder rules are being broken or ignored if they are so nonsensical or confusing as this. How on earth can anyone justify a gathering of up to 30 people indoors (and plenty of restaurants are emailing their customers announcing this fact), when a group of six are not allowed unless outside?!Perhaps each gathering should just start with a brief 30 second generic business update, and then the virus will know to stay away...

Mark Edwards ● 2200d15 Comments ● 2199d

Traffic Usage Survey of  Park Road

Hounslow Council recently undertook a survey to establish if there were any traffic safety issues after a resident in Park Road expressed concerns.     All is well, the survey states there are no safety issues.   The average traffic speed is 27 mph and thankfully, it is not used as a rat run and there have been only 2 non-serious accidents in the last 5 years.   So that's really good news for all Park Road residents - well done the Council for their prompt response.  

Jennifer Selig ● 5093d24 Comments ● 2199d

TURNHAM GREEN TERRACE PCN APPEALS WEBSITE BEING LAUNCHED

https://nextdoor.co.uk/news_feed/?post=17592196230614&init_source=copy_link_share TURNHAM GREEN TERRACE PCN APPEALS WEBSITE BEING LAUNCHED THIS WEEKEND. ALERT - All those people who have got tickets on Turnham Green Terrace, please do NOT pay the fine if you wish to appeal. This weekend a very detailed appeals website will be launched called Chiswickappeals.com that should help to guide people to appeal their penalty charge tickets (known as PCNs).We believe that there are several strong grounds for appeal on the basis of bad drafting, wrong codes used, lack of information and appallingly misleading or missing signage. If you appeal within 14 days, the amount payable continues to be discounted at 50%. If you appeal within 28 days of the notice - you are in time - there is no discount if you decide to pay. It is really important you get your appeal in - you can always add grounds for appeal later.  PLEASE BE AWARE IF YOU PAY THE FINE YOU CANNOT APPEAL IT.https://www.gofundme.com/f/onechiswick-united-against-streetspace-changes/share

Julian Pavey ● 2205d32 Comments ● 2199d

Banham Key Found

on Smythson leather fob in CHG near the cricket pitch.PM me if its yours.

Ray White ● 2199d0 Comments ● 2199d

Has Ealing failed to collect your re-cycling bin?

This past week Lib Dem Councillors have been contacted by a number of residents stating that their re-cycling has not been collected and a sign left indicating their bin is contaminated.The problem is continual use of black bin liners. Please see response from officers:Of late our recycling loads have been classed as so contaminated at the Materials Recycling facility (MRF) they have been landfilled which is very irritating, as well as costly. As a result, all collection operatives have undergone refresher training and ask not to collect contaminated waste, and log this onto their in-cab system. We can collect recyclables in clear sacks, we can see what is in there, but blacks tend to be used for refuse and food waste, so that is why we refuse to empty those bins. The rules have not changed, if people want a weekly food collection they should use the dedicated food bin.So, do not put black bin bags in your blue bins.

Andrew Steed ● 2200d2 Comments ● 2199d

LTN's

Well that didn't go well for us did it?

Chris Johnson ● 2201d1 Comments ● 2199d

London has been paying the highest costs for traffic pollution in Europe

A comprehensive report just published here: https://epha.org/how-much-is-air-pollution-costing-our-health/Londoner's are paying in total over £10bn a year due to the pollution costs of traffic, that's more then £1,100 a person in terms of ill health and premature death, and nearly twice the cost of the next highest city, Bucharest, Roumania. For Chiswick that's a costs of £40m a year based on us suffering the average burden for London as a whole.The report indicates that the major cost of traffic pollution, 77% on average for London, is from particulates, PM10 and PM2.5. At a local level, pollution monitors on both the High Road and Devonshire Road have seen very large drops in PM2.5 this month, 49% and 75% respectively compared to 2019. Part of that will be due to overall reduced travel and differing weather conditions, but still the reduction in Chiswick is much more than the modest 25% reduction in PM2.5 nearby on the A4 for the comparable period. We are currently experiencing in Chiswick some of the lowest levels of traffic pollution we've seen to date.If this reduction can be maintained, Chiswick would see pollution costs cut by one half to three-quarters, or a benefit of £20 to £30 m a year in the costs of illness and premature death.

Tom Pike ● 2200d34 Comments ● 2199d

Hartington Road access restriction

For anyone affected by this you should have received or will soon receive a letter informing you that the scheme is expected to go live next month and if you live in CPZ RV or CS you need to register your vehicle. The place to do so is www.tinyurl.com/hartingtonroad.I'm posting this because the letter looks for all the world as if it's a piece of junk mail and I suspect a few will go straight in the bin.

Bruce Hammal ● 2201d35 Comments ● 2200d

New poll shows majority support for LTNs in London

From Dave Hill (long-term opponent of cycle lanes in London) for OnLondon. 
“One third of respondents to the Redfield & Wilton survey (33%) said they support the introduction of LTNs and a further 19% said they “strongly support” them, making 52% supportive as a whole. Only 9% said they oppose them and 10% said they strongly oppose them." https://www.onlondon.co.uk/new-polling-most-londoners-blame-covid-or-government-for-tfl-financial-woes-back-ltns-and-are-satisfied-with-sadiq-khan/

Paul Campbell ● 2203d110 Comments ● 2200d

Tesco

The chairman of Tesco has issued a statement that we should expect shortages of fresh food for a few months after the 1st January.  What will your miss the most?

Stewart Jones ● 2203d30 Comments ● 2200d