Forum Topics

Gillette Clock - scaffolding

Does anyone know why scaffolding has been erected around the clock face of the famous Gillette Tower?

Richard Atterwill ● 505d4 Comments ● 2d

Geography survey on inequality in Brentford

everyone, I’m a Geography student currently working on my NEA research project about the impact of the Brentford regeneration. My project is exploring whether the changes in Brentford have affected community inclusion, belonging, and inequality.I would be so grateful if you could take 5 minutes to complete my anonymous survey. Your insights will make a real difference and help me understand how local people are experiencing these changes.https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfv8b5ksq0bBlQFa9wt6lMqGO8fII8-nLNx4nYngEbOG1s6bg/viewform?usp=dialogSurvey for residents of Brentford and the affect of the Brentford ProjectThis survey will be used for my Geography courseworkEvery response really helps — whether you’ve lived in Brentford for decades or only recently moved here. Please also feel free to share this with friends, neighbours, or family members in Brentford.Thank you so much for your support! —Alfie

Alfie Middleton ● 6d3 Comments ● 5d

Geography survey on inequality in Brentford

everyone, I’m a Geography student currently working on my NEA research project about the impact of the Brentford regeneration. My project is exploring whether the changes in Brentford have affected community inclusion, belonging, and inequality.I would be so grateful if you could take 5 minutes to complete my anonymous survey. Your insights will make a real difference and help me understand how local people are experiencing these changes.https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfv8b5ksq0bBlQFa9wt6lMqGO8fII8-nLNx4nYngEbOG1s6bg/viewform?usp=dialogSurvey for residents of Brentford and the affect of the Brentford ProjectThis survey will be used for my Geography courseworkEvery response really helps — whether you’ve lived in Brentford for decades or only recently moved here. Please also feel free to share this with friends, neighbours, or family members in Brentford.Thank you so much for your support! —Alfie

Alfie Middleton ● 6d0 Comments ● 6d

Guy Lambert Should Stand Again

I know there are those who will disagree but I think he should.I am not of the same political hue as he is but whenever I have contacted him about a local issue I have found that he has responded promptly and effectively - unlike some other councillors. I think he is unafraid to speak his mind and to be unpopular if necessary - a good thing in my view. I also think he has a genuine concern for the local area.So I hope he will stand again as an Independent.

Alison Robins ● 19d11 Comments ● 6d

"Albany Spice have moved to Twickenham Green"

The popular Indian Restaurant"Albany Spice" who traded for many years on Brentford's Albany Parade, have both found new premisesin Twickenham and are busy kitting it out. They plan to open up during next month (November) and are leasing thè premises once occupied by "McClements" in years gone byThe location is just the other side of the railway bridge in Heath Roadand on the right at the beginning ofTwickenham Green and near Knowle Road.The 267 and 281 buses pass the door.This is an information plug ... because they were so popular and are  now much missed.They will be doing take-aways but am not sure about a  delivery service.

Jim Lawes ● 334d5 Comments ● 7d

Recycling

I was interested to hear that there was some disquiet about Hounslow's recycling collections and wondered what the problem was.I think we are supposed to be able to recycle the same things now in our kerbside collections so  it doesn't vary from one borough to another.Remember just because something is recyclable doesn't mean it can be recycled kerbside. The ONPR labelling on most packaging gives instructions.  The Council webpages at:  www.hounslow.gov.uk will give ghe latest but there are many people online who will help you to find other places.  I got an email from Which? recently with an overview.  The West London Waste Authority (our Waste Authority) website also has a lot of info.I notice that the website says collections are likely to be early when it is hot so be warned but maybe the hot weather is over!  The holidays are a good time to catch up on info.

Philippa Bond ● 28d20 Comments ● 8d

Share Your Views on Brentford High Street Regeneration!

Hi everyone!I hope you’re all doing well! I’m working on my A-Level Geography project about the social and economic impacts of urban regeneration in Brentford High Street and I’d really appreciate your help.I had set up a Google Form for the survey, but sadly the link isn’t working at the moment. To make it easy for you to participate, I’ve added all the questions directly below.The survey is completely anonymous, voluntary and only takes 5–10 minutes. Your thoughts and experiences will really help me understand how the area has changed over time, from housing and shops to community life and the environment.I’d be super grateful for your input—it would really make a difference to my project! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experiences 🙏💛Brentford High Street Regeneration Questionnaire:Age group (optional): Under 18 / 18–30 / 31–50 / 51–70 / 70+Gender (optional): Male/Female/Non-binary/Prefer not to sayHow long have you lived here?* 0-2 yrs/3-5 yrs/6-10 yrs/11-20 yrs/20 + yrsHow would you rate the following since regeneration?*1 = Very Poor 2 3 4 5 = Excellent- Housing Affordability- Local services (schools, healthcare, shops)- Transport links- Safety/crime levels- Social/community feel (local festivals, neighbourhood groups, charity events)- Environment (green spaces, litter)- Job opportunities- Accessibility for people with disabilities (wheelchair ramps, accessible public transport, step-free access)Which types of buildings, spaces or facilities have changed the most in Brentford since regeneration? (By 'changed we mean new or renovated buildings, areas now used for something different or public spaces that have been improved/added). - Residential (houses, flats)- Commercial/shops (retail stores, restaurants, cafes)- Offices/workspaces- Green/public spaces (parks, playgrounds)- Cultural/leisure facilities (community centers, sports halls, museums)- Other:To what extent do you agree with the following statements?*1 = Very Poor 2 3 4 5 = Excellent- Regeneration has improved the local environment.- Regeneration has affected the affordability of living in Brentford.- I feel connected to my community.How have housing prices changed in Brentford since regeneration?  *1 = Much cheaper 2 3 4 5 = Much more expensiveHow have prices of everyday products in local shops changed?*1 = Much cheaper 2 3 4 5 = Much more expensiveDo you feel connected to your community?*1 = Not at all 2 3 4 5 = Very connectedDo you think Brentford is a better place to live now than it was 5 years ago?* Yes/No/Not sureWho do you think Brentford is now more suited to?*- Families- Professionals- Tourists- Long-term locals- Other:Has regeneration made you feel more or less at home here?☐ More / ☐ Less / ☐ No difference – why?*What aspects of regeneration do you like or appreciate the most?*What concerns or challenges has regeneration brought to your daily life?*If you could change one thing about the regeneration in Brentford, what would it be and why?*

Fatima Ali ● 15d9 Comments ● 10d

Adult swimming lessons

I have just been looking at the Lampton leisure web site, checking out what they offer these days.  I have recently found myself repeating a story of when I bought 2 family members adult swimming classes, and realised it was around this time of year that it had become very noticeable that the adults weren’t swimming, or not swimming very well.  One had recent started caving and became absolutely terrified when they came across a sump ( I understand that is where there is  a pile of water and the roof meets the top level of the water so you have to swim through it or get pulled through it, underwater, by whoever you are caving with). This person openly said they suffered from negative buoyancy…..  The other swore they could swim, but I had only ever seen them swim with one foot on the bottom.Anyway.  They were both so determined to swim, and equally determined that the other wouldn’t swim before them, so by the end of the first term , just a few weeks, they were both swimming.Best money I ever spent.According to the web site, they still do adult classes.

Sarah Felstead ● 33d3 Comments ● 15d

Waterman's

Any news about Waterman's rising like a phoenix from the ashes at a new Brentford location?

Eric Alan Leach ● 225d47 Comments ● 16d

Problem with website

Good morning.  I have a problem with this website.  I cannot access the main page just the forum part. Anyone have any ideas why?  This happens on the EalingW5 and ChiswickW4 sites too.  Thanks in advance.

Pat Kingham ● 24d7 Comments ● 20d

Floating bus stops not such a great idea after all

From Highways Magazine:The roll-out of floating bus stops has been halted by the Government as it responds to campaigns surrounding pedestrian safety.The Government has ordered an immediate suspension of bus stops where pedestrians board and disembark directly from or to a cycle lane.The pause was announced by Simon Lightwood, the local transport minister, in a statement to MPs on 26 June, with the minister referring to them as ‘problematic’ to people with visual impairments.The main concern highlighted by campaigners is that the floating stops force pedestrians – particularly vulnerable pedestrians or those with disabilities – to avoid cyclists using the bike lanes between the stops and the pavement.A UCL study commissioned by the charity The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association showed that guide dogs avoid using floating bus stops due to meeting cyclists travelling at speed.El Briggs, head of policy, public affairs and campaigns at The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, said: ‘Our research has shown the significant fear, anxiety and distress caused by bus stop boarders for disabled people.‘Our research shows bus stop boarders are confusing, difficult to detect, and can create frightening near-misses with cyclists. No one should have to risk stepping into harm’s way just to board or leave a bus.’Sarah Gayton, of the National Federation of the Blind UK, also commented: ‘All types of floating bus stops are not safe or accessible for blind people, as well as all bus passengers.‘Guidance will not resolve this design flaw. The only solution is for the bus to pull up to the pavement curb where passengers can board and alight without crossing any cycle lane.‘We want cyclists to be safe, but not at the expense of the most vulnerable people; pedestrians, but particularly blind and disabled pedestrians.’

Simon Hayes ● 70d52 Comments ● 21d

Weeds on Kew Bridge.

I walked over Kew Bridge this morning and noticed that the Hounslow footpath half was covered with weeds but none on the Richmond half.

Jim Linwood ● 26d12 Comments ● 23d

Local History Anomoly

Opposite the entrance to the Butts Estate on The Half Acre/Boston Manor Rd is a large lamp post. Cast on the lamp pst is the legend H&I.U.D.CHeston and Isleworth Urban District Council.When Brentford has always been an Urban District in its own right.Did H&I simply have some lamp posts to spare which Brentford snapped up? michael adams  

Michael Adams ● 30d2 Comments ● 29d

Lime Bike dumping

Further to the Conservative councillor mentioning fining Lime bikes for dumped and littered bikes, I think it would be more important for Lime to remove the capability of users, particularly youths, ‘jailbreaking’ the bikes. This is where they scoot the bikes and effectively ride them free. They can be recognised by the clicking noise. Here at Kew Bridge I regularly see lots of them going over Kew Bridge, in both directions, and seen youths ‘jailbreaking’ them at the Lime stand on Strand-on-the-green. These are probably the main culprits for dumped bikes but not always. Football fans are also culprits, leaving them strewn on the corner by Kew Green and Kew Bridge, on the junction of Kew Bridge Road and Green Dragon Lane and by the station. I would hasten to add not all fans do this. Looking over the Strand-on-the-green docking station I have seen fans jostling to squeeze the bikes in and also using the cycle racks on the pavements so respect to them but come on, Lime, it can’t be difficult to stop youths using the bikes without paying, not just to stop them being dumped but also to stop you losing revenue!!!

Neal Rollason ● 89d59 Comments ● 31d

Guy's blog Glyphosate

Guy when you say "has fairly clear evidence of hurting insects and less clear evidence it may be carcinogenic." What evidence?When making the decision to ban Glyphosate, why did you believe the alternatives suggested would work? How was it a surprise that they didn't. Any competent, knowledgeable gardener could have told you they wouldn't.Acid formulas and hot foam or steam are "mechanical" systems for removing weeds. They kill the top growth of plants by burning them. Glyphosate is  "systemic". It is absorbed into the plant and down into the roots, it stops cell reproduction, so as old cells die new ones aren't produced and the plant dies.Burning the top of the plant away will only kill plants with a weak root structure that doesn't store energy; annuals and recently developed perennial and trees. Perennials have evolved to store energy in their  roots. They die back in winter and then re grow in spring, so can recover from having their leaves burned off. Trees, once they have put on some growth, will recover from having leaves burned. This is well known so the most basic enquiries would have enabled you to understand that.We are going through a period of rejecting science. The anti vax movement being another example. I don't believe you have any evidence that Glyphosate harms insects any more than you had evidence that alternative methods of killing weeds would work.That people reject science in favour of what people who are not scientists say is regrettable, but you were a Council Cabinet member making a decision that has cost, I believe, in excess of £1 million in revenue, made pavements unsafe and left an expensive legacy of capital repairs needed to fix roads and pavements damaged by roots and being stabbed at with hoes.As a Local Authority you have a public body, The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) to advise you on managing risks. The HSE says that Glyphosate is safe for people and the environment.  In rejecting your own advisers advice you have cost the Council a huge amount of money. You have helped spread disinformation causing concern in the public by repeating assertions that have no basis, just like the anti vax movement. How do yo justify that?

Kathleen Healy ● 45d36 Comments ● 32d

Guy Lambert on Dukes Meadows

I read Guy Lambert's blog mentioning Dukes Meadows. I have been heavily involved in Dukes Meadows for over 20 years.When the very destructive masterplan and parking proposals were announced 6 yeas ago I and others protested. I appealed to Guy Lambert who was then on the Cabinet. He backed the then leader Steve Curran who was the main supported of the plans to the hilt. He gave us no support.I can only assume that now Guy is an Independent Councillor and intends to stand as such again, he is seeking to distance himself from all the things he supported as a Labour Cabinet member and now wants to criticise it for.No wonder trust in politics is so low.

Kathleen Healy ● 74d8 Comments ● 33d

Windmill Road/A4 junction closure

Again.  For 5 months. Why?? Thought all this was finished last year and they would be moving to another section of the motorway.

Alison Robins ● 83d13 Comments ● 33d

Everyman Cinema

Hi, how are people finding the Everyman cinema in Brentford? We’ve been members of the Chiswick cinema for a few years are am not really that impressed.

David Powers ● 52d10 Comments ● 35d

Gillette Clock Tower

Just seen on the BBC news site report that the Gillette clock tower has been restored to working order. Also a bit about the GOLDEN MILE.

Nicholas Beard ● 38d0 Comments ● 38d