Forum Topics

How thick can LB. Hounslow get?

Latest missive from LBH came through the door.To The Residents. From Cllr Amrit Mann, but no doubt written by someone else.Another letter teaching us how to suck eggs on waste disposal and confirm weekly collection detailsThat's fine, from time to time the complexities do need to be explained. Something most neighbours usually do for other neighbours in doubt.Presumably the rather poorly written letter is also supposed to point out changes in refuse collection days..or is it?Missing from the missive are the most important elements. The days of collection and if these are changes, the dates of commencement.According to this, our current collection day in Brentford is Wednesday it now appears as Mondays and Thursdays until you read it a few timesIt appears these days this apply only to flats above shops?  If that is the case, why send this missive everywhere?What is the point of sending out letters and then leaving the key information only via an internet address.?Surely someone at LBH is capable of writing in clear simple english and at least proof reading and checking for practical clarity?The Keep it Posted campaign has revealed that some 40% of Greater London residents have no access to secure online computers or are capable of using the web.At least LBH do have a phone contact but in all honesty, this letter should and could have contained everything we need to know and save a lot of messing about.It's just created confusion this wasting time, money and resources.

Raymond Havelock ● 4114d6 Comments ● 4114d

Brentford in 1960.

Remarkable footage of Brentford in 1960 shot by Kingston Art Students:http://player.bfi.org.uk/film/watch-kingston-college-of-arts-students-union-film-society-what-and-where-is-paradise-brentford-1960s-1960/JL

Jim Linwood ● 4118d5 Comments ● 4116d

Should he give up his day job?

I not sure whether to laugh or cry having just received the latest copy of 'Hounslow Matters' (that in itself is news to me!).In his blurb the Dear Leader in his penultimate paragraph says:"I'm proud to live in Hounslow and believe that everyone should enjoy living here and visiting us. We have fantastic parks and open spaces ............".This man is either seriously thick or has an extremely warped sense of humour.

Vanessa Smith ● 4116d2 Comments ● 4116d

Pet Sitter Recommendations

Please can someone recommend their pet sitter?I have been trying Sharron Clarke, recommended on here and W4.com, but can't get a return call and time is running out for me to get someone to cover feeding duties!

Sara Foster ● 4119d0 Comments ● 4119d

Recycle Bags & Bins Gone!

I've noted and observed recycle bins and bags being dumped all over the street. Many dwellings in TW8 are maisonettes and more often than not only one plastic recycle bag is returned after collection. And broken bins aren't replaced but simply abandoned in the street or side alleys. It takes an online form to be filled out to get replacements. Surely the contractors should be keeping an eye out on these issues during their collections. It seems it's above the collectors job remit to do that?

Jai Williams ● 4121d2 Comments ● 4119d

A2Dominion

Seen in Hounslow Chronicle this week, the plan for building on the old Wheelhouse site in Hounslow centre. "The housing association A2Dominion has applied to build 127 homes on the site of the old Wheelhouse store in Bell Rd. Hounslow. The planned building varies in height from six to 11 storeys"."The planned development includes 256 cycle spaces, but no parking spaces for residents other than 13 bays for disabled users".There will be one to three bedroom homes with 41% classed as 'affordable' (whatever that means) and there will be space for offices, shops or other uses on the ground floor. I must say the artist's impression looks bloody awful. Just around the corner the new Civic Centre is to arise on the car park opposite Yates's pub, while the current Civic Centre is to turn into 850 homes! The new Civic Centre will have seven storeys and also incorporate Hounslow library and a basement car park for 45 cars. The 'affordable' element of the new development in Lampton Park is 340 (or 40%) of the total, and Good Luck with ever being able to afford one is all I can say!

Vanessa Smith ● 4121d7 Comments ● 4120d

Police Helicopter

Police Helicopter buzzing overhead since 05.00 first light this morning and a night disturbed by a lot of shouting in the streets post 2am.Presumably someone is missing, anyone know more?

Raymond Havelock ● 4120d7 Comments ● 4120d

Local defect list

I wonder if it is worth starting a local defect list of items that remain unresolved even after reporting them to LBH or indeed other organisations responsible for our parks and streets.It might make it easier too for Guy when he seeks out all these defects.For reasons unknown my entry last week with a short list of locations was deleted, so primarily for Guy as he is making an effort and hope it might just succeed where ordinary mortals have failed, here goes again:Column 15 Footpath between Albany Road and Lateward road out now for 2 years reported countless timesVarious new lights in Lateward road and Clifden Road either inoperative or spasmodic in operationPotholes in Lateward and Albany road. Part of Albany road slowly subsiding near jcn with Brook roadTrees damaged by overlength recycling trucks not replaced at Brook Road and Mafeking Ave.New streetname signs fitted to bent and leaning signposts New Road / Ealing RoadSelf closing gate in Childrens playground, St Paul's Rec, Half Acre corner. now faulty for over 3 years. A 10 min fix yet contractors removed a spare pair of gates with same fittings which were no longer in use last spring. This is a dangerous location and has been reported many times even by a local doctor.The solution? A chain and padlock around it. Not satisfactory. Now removed but still not repaired. A bit of cord and a clear sign to remind careless or oblivious parents to "Please Close the Gate' would suffice.Missing items from Kid playground refurbished just a few years ago,  Surface debris never removed, Adult gym apparatus shown in the posters and publicity for the refurbishment still not installed.

Raymond Havelock ● 4202d44 Comments ● 4121d

Consultation on waiting restrictions around road junctions

Front page storyhttp://www.brentfordtw8.com/default.asp?section=info&page=consultation031.htmThe council’s cabinet has approved the standard provision of "at any time" waiting restrictions (double yellow lines) around all road junctions in order to improve road safety and help accessibility for those that are mobility impaired.Is this really necessary around all road junctions?

Reg Ghosh ● 4121d1 Comments ● 4121d

It's Nelson Mandela International Day today.

To celebrate the great man's birthday each year...we are encouraged to make a special effort  on 18th July help our Community.It seems that Guy has achieved his contribution.I've just cheered up a neighbour and that's me done.Are you planning anything?

Jim Lawes ● 4122d0 Comments ● 4122d

Fy Tipping, weeds and other lovely stuff

Does anyone know a human being whom I can contact about the fly tipping off Eastbourne Road, the weeds on Whitestile Road and the idiot who left out their black refuse sack on Monday night and surprise surprise it's been ripped asunder by the foxes? I have tried the Hounslow Highways comment box but it seems to be a big black hole in cyber space! So who is the head of Street Cleaning at the Council?

Mary A O'Hanlon ● 4146d14 Comments ● 4123d

Come to the Scrutiny Panel next week - Brent Leas

Next Wednesday 15th July, 7.00 pm at the Civic Centre. The Scrutiny Panel will decide if the Brent Leas decision should i) stand ii) be returned to Cabinet for reconsideration iii) go to a full Borough Council meeting for a decision.Those wishing to ask questions or make statement should contact  alan.weaver@hounslow.gov.uk by Monday, 13 July. Twenty minutes has been allocated to "public time" in the meeting.  

Cllr Sam Hearn ● 4132d9 Comments ● 4124d

Labour breaks manifesto promise

Labour appear to be backsliding on their 'better not bigger' Heathrow promise from last year's election - how can they ever be trusted again if this turns out to be the case?

Ian Speed ● 4128d12 Comments ● 4124d

Dentist?

Have you found a smashing dentist who you would recommend?  NHS? I have to have a root canal, although at the present time I would be happy with full extraction ...oooh ... it hurts!  :( x

Sarah Felstead ● 4125d6 Comments ● 4125d

Brentford By-Election Result

Labour 1292 Conservative 664 Green 209 Liberal Democrat 116 UKIP 113

Anne England ● 4131d33 Comments ● 4127d

HEALING TOMORROW IN CHISWICK

Energy Therapists will be at the London Buddhist Vihara, The Avenue, W4 1UD on tomorrow, Monday, 13th July, between 11am and 1pm (last session 12.45).  The session takes about 15-20 minutes and I am sure that you will feel really good at the end of that time, with lots of vital energy to enable you to enjoy the week ahead. A number of therapists come in each month and give their services free.  The Vihara kindly allow us to use the hall at no charge so a donation is most welcome  -  all donations are given to the Vihara.These sessions are not related to any religion, everyone is welcome.

Pat Smith ● 4128d0 Comments ● 4128d

Recycling Questionnaire

I have just received a letter from Cllr Amrit Mann asking me to access an on-line questionnaire regarding my opinion of wheelie bins. I assume that this letter has gone out to many households in the borough. Unfortunately when I try to access the online questionnaire website given in the letter I get the following message:"This survey is currently closed. Please contact the author of this survey for further assistance."I wonder what was the cost of sending out so many letters?JL.

Jim Linwood ● 4138d11 Comments ● 4129d

For information - more open land going!

On open green land formerly used by the Conquest Club Nishkam School Trust Brentford Community CouncilSign up for our free newsletter Comment on this story on the forum Nishkam School has been temporarily situated in an office block on the corner of London Road and Wood Lane. The school has now submitted a planning application for its full size permanent site. EFA, the Education Funding Agency has already bought the site of 21.74 acres with the school being 'restricted' to 10.30 acres. The land is Metropolitan Open Land, designated in Hounslow's Unitary Development Plan, formerly used by Conquest Sports Club and Wycombe House Cricket and Tennis Club. Proposed buildings The school, which is a multi-faith school run on a Sikh based ethos is for around 1400 pupils from ages 4-19. They are considering a Nursery School on the site in the future as well. Up to 50% of places are offered as faith based places with the rest being open. Hounslow Education Officers expect Nishkam School to make a significant contribution to managing the shortfall in central Hounslow and to a slightly lesser extent in Heston & Cranford, and Brentford. The main vehicular access is to be via Syon Lane, slightly north of the current point. Additional pedestrian and cycle access will be at the junction of Braybourne Drive and Wood Lane, with a servicing access directly onto Wood Lane. 85 car parking spaces are proposed. The remaining Metropolitan Open Land to the north of the application site is retained for future community sports use and discussions with the Grasshoppers Rugby club is ongoing. Any development on this remaining land will need to be subject to a future planning application. Site Layout The Council say Brentford is in need of extra primary and secondary places, and existing schools have had extra classes added where possible. Find the planning application by visiting planning search (agreeing T&Cs, and then selecting "search planning applications") and then entering 01106/152/P3 in the box marked Planning number. Comments on the planning application should be sent to Stephen Hissett at Stephen.hissett@hounslow.gov.uk  July 7, 2015

Vanessa Smith ● 4133d11 Comments ● 4129d

Brompton leaving Brentford

What has Hounslow Council been thinking of? Why on earth haven't our elected representatives and officers been seeking an alternative home for Brompton in Brentford? They dump all these ugly, pokey flats on Brentford residents and fail to retain one of the jewels in Brentford's crown.  So now we lose out to Greenford. Thanks for worse than nothing Hounslow.

Hazel Dakers ● 4137d17 Comments ● 4130d

Is this morally wrong in these times?

This was forwarded to me today.In a time when affordable homes are scarce, Should this be the sort of thing to be encouraged? It's bad enough with overseas investors hyping up values and creating masses of empty and part occupied homes. This is why normal homes are so scarce and overpriced.So is this just simply morally wrong? Or beyond that?http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?ca=30b17f32-9697-4272-a430-dabb066b7c0e&c=185947f0-4f80-11e4-97ea-d4ae5292c4bc&ch=1982d3d0-4f80-11e4-9890-d4ae5292c4bc

Raymond Havelock ● 4140d11 Comments ● 4130d