Forum Topics

TfL apologize Hogarth Roundabout scheme

From TfLI’m writing in connection with our consultation on proposals for road safety improvements to Hogarth Roundabout. Since launching our consultation, we have identified an error in the following statement on our website. It statedBetween January 2022 and June 2023 there were 25 slight and five serious motorcyclist collisions at Hogarth Roundabout. This statement should have said:Between July 2020 and June 2023 there were 18 slight and three serious casualties to the people involved in collisions at Hogarth Roundabout. Of the collisions recorded, six involved motorcyclists, one of which was seriousWe would like to take this opportunity to apologise for this error. However, it should be noted that Hogarth roundabout is in the top 10 per cent of junctions in London in terms of road safety risk. It also remainsrisk. It also remains the case that there is an urgent need to address this risk with changes to the roundabout. We are extending the closing date for responses to the consultation by one weekto 12 September 2024. You can find out about the proposals and have your say by visiting https://haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/hogarth-roundabout

John Richard Todd ● 765d98 Comments ● 750d

Mixed recycling any time soon?

Anyone know when/if Hounslow will be getting mixed recycling any time soon?

Yasmeen Alzubaydi ● 769d15 Comments ● 750d

Floor sanding

I am looking for personal recommendations of floor sanding services.There used to be some listings on this site.

Chris Lucy ● 750d0 Comments ● 750d

Richmond Park London Duathlon cancelled amid safety fears over speeding cyclists

The Royal Parks charity has grown increasingly concerned about cyclists’ behaviour after an inquest in May into the death of Hilda Griffiths, 81, a retired teacher who was killed in Regent’s Park, north London, after being struck by a cyclist doing timed laps of the park in 2022.The “full duathlon” course consisted of a 20km run, 77km bike ride then another 10km run. But organisers have been told by park officials that the event cannot go ahead as planned on September 8.Announcing the cancellation, the organisers said: “There have been a number of unforeseen factors this year that have led to this difficult decision, particularly in relation to the operational complexity of producing a multi-sport event.“This includes an increased focus on the security and logistics of cycling events in public spaces which creates significant operational challenges. Our team has been working hard to explore all available options in recent weeks, but we have concluded that we can’t make the event work this year.”In a statement concerning the duathlon, the charity said: “A range of factors, including significant operational challenges, have meant that the London Duathlon will not be going ahead in Richmond Park this year. We will work closely with potential event organisers to determine the future of the event.”In June, two smaller club-organised time-trial events were cancelled over fears riders would break the park’s 20mph speed limit. At the time, the charity said it was “pausing” such events while it reviewed its position on such events.The Richmond Park Time Trials, organised by the London Dynamo cycling club and first held in 2009, provided the only opportunity for cyclists to race against the clock in one of the capital’s royal parks, according to road.cc, a bike news website.The organisers argued that the time trials “pose no harm to anyone” given their 6am start time, when there are few pedestrians and the park is closed to motor vehicles. They added that any alternative routes comprise “mostly busy roads and fast-moving cars”.Organisers of the duathlon said they do not know if the event will be able to go ahead next year.The inquest into Griffiths’s death heard that vehicular speed limits did not apply to bicycles and a police review found that “there were no criminal acts which would allow prosecution” for cyclists who exceed speed limits. Griffiths was killed by Brian Fitzgerald, a director at Credit Suisse, who was cycling at 29mph in the park at the time of the accident.The incident happened six years after the death of Kim Briggs, a 44-year-old mother of two who died a week after suffering “catastrophic” head injuries from being hit by a cyclist in east London in 2016. Charlie Alliston, 20, who was cycling at 18mph on a bike with no front brakes, was cleared by a jury of manslaughter, which would have carried a life sentence.He was found guilty of causing bodily harm by wanton and furious driving, a crime under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. Had Alliston been driving a car at the time of the collision, he could have been prosecuted for causing death by dangerous driving and given a sentence of up to 14 years in prison.Griffiths’s inquest reignited calls to change the law so that causing death or serious injury by “dangerous, careless or inconsiderate cycling” is punishable at the same level as when the offences are committed by motorists.https://www.thetimes.com/uk/transport/article/london-duathlon-cancelled-after-series-of-fatal-bike-collisions-f9rqvhn2z

Michael Good ● 758d99 Comments ● 751d

How to ride Fulham to Brentford without traffic

Great little video from Jon Stone showing a route for cycling from Fulham to Brentford featuring all the excellent LTNs at the riverside in Fulham, Cycleway 9 from Hammersmith to Brentford with some interesting local history and a nod to the sense in removing car parking to make high streets more vibrant as he passes The Antiques Market in The Old Marketplace.  And wisely calling for Hounslow Council to install a bus gate on Wellesley Road.  Enjoy ☺️

Paul Campbell ● 757d43 Comments ● 752d

BSi Building redevelopment

Wondering if there is anyone with some knowledge about the BSi redevelopment plans and the lack of parking provision for some 400 apartments and some houses. I have been through the documents on offer, and there is little mention of parking provision for an already heavily saturated parking zone.

Caroline Barber ● 752d1 Comments ● 752d

Acton real ale festival

As the Great British Beer Festival has been cancelled this year, we have decided to take up the baton and create a mini version in Acton, with free entry and all welcome.In cooperation with our friends at Portobello Brewery, we have curated  a selection of more than 10 cask ales from a wide range of independent, provincial and micro breweries, with styles including mild, best bitter, porter, IPA, oatmeal stout, real cider and an exotic bohemian dark. Our friends at the Pint of Hops beer shop will be complementing these with a choice of international bottled beers.Were that not enough, we have arranged a panoply of entertainment, with comedy acts on Friday, live music on Saturday, and a charity raffle and table quiz on Sunday to raise funds for Stonewall Housing. There will also be a barbecue on Saturday and Sunday, with V/VG options available.Our core range of rotating cask ales, keg craft lager and cider, Guinness and a rare cherry sour beer, along with fine wines, soft/hot drinks and bar snacks will of course also be on offer. Please join us at the West London Trades Union Club on Friday 30th Aug: 3pm - 11pm. Saturday 31st Aug/Sunday 1st Sept: 12pm - 11pm. You will find us at 33-35 High Street, Acton, W3 6ND (look for the red door!) on the Uxbridge Road.PUBLIC TRANSPORT:From the West, buses SL8, 207, E3, 218, 266, 70, 440 stop at Acton Old Town Hall.From the East, buses SL8, 207, 70, 440, 218 stop at Acton Central Station.On the Overground, Acton Central Station is around 6 minutes away. Turn left out of the station and take the first left down Birkbeck Road. On reaching the main road, we are across and to the right.On the Tube, Acton Town is a 15-minute walk away, or take the E3/70 bus; alternatively, go to Turnham Green and take the E3 bus.For accessibility assistance please see our website: https://wltuc.com/accessWe are looking forward to seeing you! If you have any queries, please email Emily at secretary@wltuc.com.

Patrick Green ● 752d0 Comments ● 752d

Different government approach to LTNs etc

Just read this:https://www.thetimes.com/uk/transport/article/tory-clampdown-on-low-traffic-neighbourhoods-to-be-scrapped-5hps96vrc#:~:text=Ministers%20are%20to%20reverse%20Tory,zones%20and%20low%20traffic%20neighbourhoods.If you can't get past the firewall the first few paragraphs are:Tory clampdown on low traffic neighbourhoods to be scrappedLouise Haigh, the transport secretary, says local authorities that want more 20mph zones and LTNs will have her ‘absolute support’Ministers are to reverse Tory plans to clamp down on councils that want to create further 20mph speed limit zones and low traffic neighbourhoods.Louise Haigh, the transport secretary, said local authorities would have her “absolute support” to introduce the schemes in towns and cities. They have often prompted local opposition.She pledged to scrap plans by the previous government that would have restricted councils’ ability to introduce new 20mph zones and make it harder to bring in new low traffic neighbourhoods. She also accused the Conservatives of stoking “really horrific culture wars” with their clampdown on anti-motorist measures, saying that decisions were best taken locally.“They (councils) had the government actively working against them saying ‘no, you’re not allowed to roll out 20mph zones, no you’re not allowed to roll out LTNs’,” she told the Streets Ahead podcast.“Those kinds of decisions should absolutely be made at a local level by communities and not dictated to or stoked by the centre,” she said. “This government has ended all culture wars full stop, but there’s no way you’ll be hearing that from this department now.”The article goes on to say that decisions on these things should be made in the community, so I guess if you live in an LTN and want to get it scrapped, start a petition and get all those in the community to sign (or indeed vice-versa)

Andrew Jones ● 756d16 Comments ● 752d

Don't go outdoors this morning! Brits are given health alert about a gas cloud tipped to fill the sk

Not the most reliable of sources; can anyone confirm this:Brits have been warned to stay inside as a cloud of corrosive and acidic gas cloud, which can cause serious health problems, engulfs the UK in the early hours of this morning.Weather maps show a huge cloud of sulphur dioxide (SO2), spat out by the recent volcanic eruptions in Iceland, moving across to completely cover the country by 4am.SO2 is predominantly produced from the combustion of coal or crude oil but volcanoes also produce huge quantities of it when they erupt.Inhaling the gas can cause symptoms such as a sore throat, coughing, a runny nose, burning eyes, tight lungs and difficulties breathing.Direct exposure to SO2 is associated with asthma and chronic bronchitis, with the SO2 emitted from coal burning during the London smog in 1952 playing a key role in the thousands of respiratory-related deaths at the time.https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13777191/Dont-outdoors-morning-Homeowners-given-health-alert-gas-cloud-tipped-skies-UK.html

Les Wilson ● 753d9 Comments ● 752d

Electric Bike stolen on Turnham Green

Our electric bike was stolen from the bike racks by the zebra crossing near Turnham Green station. It had not been locked up for long and the family member using it was nearby in a shop. It was double locked up, via the bike itself and an external lock. The bike has been sawed away, and only one wheel remaining locked up. This was done in broad daylight, on a fairly busy street and there seems to have been no intervention from the public, so just be mindful if you own one to ensure the frame is as locked up as you can.

Lucy Duddy ● 765d6 Comments ● 753d

Swans at Strand on the Green

What’s the record for the number seen at one time?  I’ve just seen 43, strung out from the railway bridge to near the Bell & Crown.

Rupert Holderness ● 755d9 Comments ● 753d

Flood Warning

For Chiswick Mall, SotG and other parts of West/SW London today.

Claire Moran ● 754d3 Comments ● 753d

Cheap entry to Kew for those on benefits

With a fine Sunday and Bank Holiday coming up, I'd like to remind people in receipt of Universal Credit or Pension Credit that they can get into Kew Gardens for £1 at any time.

Susan Kelly ● 757d5 Comments ● 754d

Accommodation needed for young family - could provide elder care

Posting for a friend:  We are a young 30 something married couple with a 6 month old boy.  We lived in London for 2 years but had to go see my mother for 3 months to nurse her with cancer. We return Sept 10 and need a new flat or house share.  We are both non smoking teachers and quiet and tidy with references. Could live with other professionals or with older / elderly person who wants to add some friendship and support into their life.   We have done live in care for elderly with dementia in the past and would be happy to offer part time support services in exchange for rent or part rent reduction as well depending on care needed.   It can be for 3 months or longer. If you only have a short term that could fill a gap while we continue to look for a home.  In the past year we have lived with an elderly gentleman with dementia cooking his meals, providing stimulation and conversation, doing laundry etc and the family found having us around with the baby improved the gentleman’s memory and interaction with new stimulations.  Perhaps there is another family with an elderly parent who we could be mutually supportive to ?  References available. Thank you ☺️

Margie Frew ● 757d2 Comments ● 755d

Border force strikes

If your flying out of heathrow from the end of august onwards  border force are going on strike for 23 days of industrial action under work to rule. So expect big delays at times Oh yeh,LNER drivers announced 22 days of strike action from the start of September to early November. Is it winter already Dont think the two are pay related tho

Julian Pavey ● 762d85 Comments ● 755d

Chrome plating firm?

I am looking for a company to chrome plate a small item.I have found a firm in Birmingham but that would mean posting it there and back which I want to avoid as the object is irreplaceable.Does anyone know a firm within an hour's drive or near an Underground station?

Adrian Irving ● 757d5 Comments ● 756d

Bank Holiday Sunday in the Old Marketplace

Great itinerary this Sunday in the Old Marketplace11am - 4pm Food St with its variety of street food traders and introducing newcomer Helado, Texas BBQ meets Mexico, which started as a supper club at the Post Room Cafe.Happy Hour at The Fire Station afterwards.Then the West London Queer Project street party.And finally an after party at the George IV.Thank goodness for Monday off work.[But won't somebody think of the parking ....]

Paul Campbell ● 758d34 Comments ● 756d

Cycling trip out of Chiswick

We are planning to go on a week long cycling trip with a group including some people who are not regular cyclists. To get everyone used to journeys of about 30 miles a day was hoping someone could have a suggestion for a trip starting in W4 and ending up at a nice pub somewhere about 15 miles away with as scenic a route as possible. Obviously we'd like to avoid busy roads but nobody is an absolute beginner so a bit of traffic along the way wouldn't rule a route out.TIA

Mark Evans ● 758d21 Comments ● 756d

Cycle lane put to good use

C9 as an avenue of protest, cleve

Ben Halloren ● 768d16 Comments ● 757d

Probate solicitor

Hi, can anyone recommend a solicitor to deal quickly(if that's possible) with probate in the Chiswick, Acton, Shepherds Bush area?Thanks

David Powers ● 757d3 Comments ● 757d