Forum Topics

Flat cleaning, one off

Can anyone recommend from personal experience a cleaning firm to deep clean a one bed flat that's been left in a poor state by the sellers?

Janice Lambert ● 3980d1 Comments ● 3980d

More stupidity from Curran & co.

I see a report in the Chronicle says that the council are going to start compulsory criminal checks for councillors, unless I have misunderstood something I believe that DBS (formerly CRB) checks were brought in for people who were going to work with children or other vulnerable groups. Apart from the fact that these actually aren't worth the paper they are written on, far too many employers and others are using these checks as an excuse to poke their noses into things that are not of their concern, and in the process, totally gumming up the whole process for people who have to have these checks for their employment. On of my sons waited for months for a DBS checks losing a job in the process, and the other had been waiting for ages for his after the DBS service messed the first check up. I'd be a damned sight more impressed if they carried out MRI scans to make sure councillors - or potential candidates had operational brains first - because judging by the decision making in Isleworth that is open to debate!

Vanessa Smith ● 3982d7 Comments ● 3980d

Stupid beyond Comprehension

If anyone is in the slightest doubt about how Hounslow wastes money in a time of financial angst. Take a walk to Alexandra road on the corner of Albany Road and The Court.They have installed a one way cycle route, downhill with hugely expensive speed bumps.It is a route to nowhere and is unbelievable unsafe for cyclists and simply won't ever get used.The junction at the High street is at one of the worst black spots on that section of road.It is blind to turn right and for traffic heading west on the high street also blind to cyclists.Far easier and safer routes exist.It does not connect with the cycle route that runs through St Paul's Park which is also a safer and easier flat route from Grand Junction to Kew Pumping station.Now terminating buses at the Alexandra Road stop block up the former one way road causing other buses and traffic bound for Morrisons to back up into the high street causing delays right back into Brentford and the Half Acre.It's only been there 2 days and already it is a total mess.Officers were warned that this would not work and that it is a completely pointless route for us cyclists.Even with these mini speed bumps, no safe cyclist in their right mind would cycle downhill towards a main road with a contraflow of traffic in particular buses.They have made a safe area dangerous. Utterly stupid and a huge waste of taxpayers money.On top of that they have blocked of Albany road with non removable bollards. Albany road is the pick up point for the air ambulance crews which land in the dogs corner of the park.It is now only accessible from one end which can block up with a light van.  How could something so stupid which could cost lives get passed through let alone proposed?Money massively wasted. If they really want to make cycling easier and safer, sort out the Great West road cycle track with visible repeater traffic lights and sweep the often puncture blighted surface regularly.

Raymond Havelock ● 3985d7 Comments ● 3980d

Bin collection

Having received a letter some days ago informing me my house was unsuitable for having a wheelie bin, I was completely unsurprised to come home tonight to a threatening note from the council. Apparently, they will no longer collect my rubbish unless it's placed in the bin l do not have. I think congratulations are in order.

Mark Gormley ● 3992d29 Comments ● 3980d

Isleworth Mona Lisa....

Yes , I am well aware that there are indeed many in Isleworth whose beauty rivals that of the well known lady,but what happened to the 'real',unfinished Mona Lisa that was temporarily housed in the Isleworth studio of local artist Hugh Blaker?He bought it for a song apparently from a dealer in Somerset in the mid 1800's. Anyone know more about this fascinating(if you wear an anorak like me!)piece of local history?

Keith Iddon ● 7850d14 Comments ● 3981d

The Isleworth Mona Lisa

Saw this in the Radio Times, programme on BBC2 9.00.p.m. Wednesday.Apparently there are two versions of the famous Da Vinci painting the one in the Louvre and there's also a possible earlier version known as the Isleworth Mona Lisa!! Who knew? This seems to be because the man who found it stored it here after finding it in Somerset. Should be fascinating.

Vanessa Smith ● 3981d0 Comments ● 3981d

Pollution nearly twice legal limit in Twickenham Road

Get West London: http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/west-london-news/pollution-nearly-twice-legal-limit-10544910 Pollution nearly twice legal limit in Isleworth's Twickenham RoadProtesters say shocking levels of nitrogen dioxide along Twickenham Road back up their calls to overturn Church Street closure.  Protesters fighting a controversial road closure in Isleworth have unearthed alarming data about pollution which they say supports their case.Levels of harmful nitrogen dioxide (NO2), produced by vehicles, in Twickenham Road are nearly twice the legal limit, according to Hounslow Council's own figures.  Campaigners say closing nearby Church Street will add to congestion in Twickenham Road, which is home to West Middlesex Hospital and a number of schools, making the air there even filthier.A report published by Hounslow Council in October shows NO2 levels at Busch Corner, at the junction of Twickenham Road and London Road, were 74.9 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3) in 2014.Dr Nichola Keay, who unearthed the statistics, is among those opposed to the 18-month trial closure of Church Street, which is due to begin on Monday (December 7)."Given the council's own predictions that closing Church Street will increase delays in the area by 142%, it's inevitable pollution in Twickenham Road will become even worse," she said."I have asked the council's head of transport what the pollution threshold is at which Church Street would be re-opened but I have not received a reply."The council has said it took the decision to close Church Street following complaints from residents about drivers using the narrow residential road as a "rat run" .In a survey earlier this year about 60% of those responding supported the move, but critics say a wider area should have been consulted .Campaigners are planning to march along Twickenham Road next weekend in protest at the closure.On the same day, residents of Church Street are holding a Christmas party to celebrate their road being closed to through traffic.

Reg Ghosh ● 3983d2 Comments ● 3983d

Computer expert

Does anyone know of a local computer guy that would come back up and transfer files to another pc that I've bought, I had one coming but he changed his mind!

Barbara Dudley ● 3986d2 Comments ● 3983d

Tow away zone signs in Braemar road

So now we have tacky looking tow away signs attached everywhere in Braemar road.Nothing but a high rate number to call.Who out them there?  Why no details of who and why?  No mention on the match day road restrictions about a tow away zone?  Those notices are still in lamp posts. Just mentions traffic diversions.Does this apply to permit holders?On top if that half a dozen huge poles have been installed all around the area.Apart from that this is a conservation area, where is the conservation approved street furniture? Why is everything that was installed under the conservation criteria being systematically removed or ignored?Feels more like a neighbourhood under seige.  Just what is going on here?

Raymond Havelock ● 3986d20 Comments ● 3983d

Will our MP be voting against air strikes?

I respect her strong beliefs but I hope that even as a Quaker she will vote for airstrikes against ISIS in Syria

Paul Fisher ● 3990d22 Comments ● 3984d

Research study into chronic illness (University College London)

Have you been diagnosed with a chronic condition (for example hypertension, asthma, epilepsy, high cholesterol etc.) AND have prescribed daily medication for this illness?We would like to hear from you and learn from your experience!To take part in the survey you have to be * 18+ years, * a UK resident and * fluent English speaker.Find out more here: http://tinyurl.com/IllnessExperienceor contact us directly (sabine.topf.14@ucl.ac.uk).We look forward to hearing from you!

Sabine Topf ● 3986d3 Comments ● 3985d

Wheelies and Fire Safety Regs from the Watch Manager

To those who have been posting wondering about the fire safety aspect of wheelie bins being placed next to buildings (something which I am not particularly concerned by) I today emailed the northwestareasupportteam@london-fire.gov.uk and asked whether there was any advice/regulation. I was very impressed to get the following answer back within a few hours. It is not what people may be wanting to hear but hopefully it clarifies the situation somewhat.Dear Sir / Madam, Many thanks for your enquiry regarding the refuse collection system and your fire safety concerns. Unfortunately, as far as our regulatory / enforcement powers are, I am unable to offer any professional assistance in regard to the refuse bins you have been provided with. Sadly, the fire safety legislation does not extend to single private dwellings or their surrounding land. I can understand your frustrations and concerns, particularly if the bins provided make it difficult to use your property the way you would wish to. When having encountered this in the past, I’m afraid I have only been able to refer people to the local councillor / MP and / or environmental health officer.   My sincere apologies that I can’t assist you further, I trust the matter will be amicably resolved in the near future .    Yours sincerely,    Watch Manager Daniel Burrage Fire Safety Inspecting Officer, Fire Safety Regulation, SE Area London Fire Brigade 90 Old Town, Croydon, CR0 1AR Tel      0208 555 1200  x 37618 Mob    07825 996 369

Anne England ● 3992d4 Comments ● 3985d

Heathrow Airport expansion: Environmental conditions 'must be met'

The government should not support the building of a third runway at Heathrow until a number of environmental conditions can be met, MPs have said:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34971277

Reg Ghosh ● 3986d2 Comments ● 3986d

Private Eye - Rotten Boroughs

Surely Hounslow/Wheelie Bins is meat and potatoes for The Eye's Rotten Boroughs -http://www.private-eye.co.uk/sections.php?section_link=rotten_boroughs

Martin Case ● 3989d2 Comments ● 3989d

Broken Wheelie Bin

Oh joy huge wheelie bin dumped into front garden today, it felt like an invasion of darleks from Dr Who.  Already the whole appearance of the road looks untidy with these horrible green objects by people's front doors.Worse still is that the bin is already broken (both handles split leaving sharp edges) - as are a number of other bins in Hamilton Road, and I have not even opened it yet!What a total waste of tax payers money to provide sub-standard bins when I had a perfect metal rubbish bin that is still going strong after 10 years.Listen out elected councillors - will not be voting for any of you next time around!!!

Jane McKinnon ● 3998d2 Comments ● 3989d

Wheelie Bins: Fire safety hazard & insurance risk

This is the official Fire safety advice for residential wheelie bins.Sent to me from a colleague in Cheshire Fire service but most others also offer the advice. This has come about because of the huge increase in fires in rubbish bins in the North of England.Another fact ignored by Hounslow Council.Should a wheelie bin fire damage your property, your insurance may well not cover the damage as if too close to your home and not following fire safety recommendations could void it.The council and Councillor cabinet member ( in this case Cllr. Mann - who elects to ignore the advice and as a multiple landlord should be fully aware) may well be liable as the bin is council property.If they ignore appeals on safety grounds and the worst happens, then they will be fully liable.In the case of Wheelie bins being in terrace houses with frons lest than 3m deep this places the vast majority of bins within 1 metre of a door or window and within arms lenght of a passer by.This makes the fire risk extreme.So courtesy of Cheshire Fire service. Wheelie bin - fire safety tipsHelp to prevent bin fires by following these tips:Do not place hot items in the bin, for example:  smoking materials, hot embers from coal/wood, hot ash, etcDo not store rubbish or wheelie bins/refuse containers by windows or doors - any fire in the bin could easily spread to your property.Do not store your wheelie bin/refuse containers in close proximity to a building.Do not overfill your wheelie bin/refuse containers or leave loose rubbish around them.Whenever possible, wheelie bins/refuse containers should be stored securely behind locked gates.Only place your wheelie bin out on collection day. Return it to your property as soon as possible after collection. Do not leave your wheelie bin out at night.Do not allow bins or rubbish to block escape routesDon't let your bin become a target for arsonistsWe would like to urge residents and businesses to store all bins away to avoid them becoming a target for arsonists.This includes wheelie bins and refuse containers.Please store them away, especially at night. Please take extra care to make sure that rubbish does not pile up close to buildings

Raymond Havelock ● 4002d9 Comments ● 3989d

Could be one for BBC's Inside Out London?

Is it worth contacting Inside Out re the wheelie bin fiasco, right up their street so to speak -http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0071mkv

Martin Case ● 3990d4 Comments ● 3990d

Wheelie bin (yes again) safety advice.

I came across this advice from Cheshire Fire & Rescue service today in case others with small front gardens would like to quote these simple safety points to the council, once again these bins are not suitable for our property IMHO.Link below but note the steps they list as minimum safety points!"Do not store rubbish or wheelie bins/refuse containers by windows or doors - any fire in the bin could easily spread to your property.Do not store your wheelie bin/refuse containers in close proximity to a building.Do not allow bins or rubbish to block escape routeshttp://www.cheshirefire.gov.uk/news-events/press-releases/wheelie-bin-fire-causes-damage-to-two-runcorn-households

Alan Branch ● 3993d6 Comments ● 3991d

Legal challenge to wheelie bins.

Is there a legal who signed the petition or does anyone know a legal who could advise as to the position for those against wheelie bins as to what action can be taken against Hounslow - there must be a precedent for this somewhere?

Martin Case ● 3991d0 Comments ● 3991d

Tax Credits - don't panic

George Osborne has decided to abandon his plans to slice £4.4bn of the £30bn a year tax credits bill. Is this a good thing?

Cllr Sam Hearn ● 3992d1 Comments ● 3992d