Forum Topics

Mogden Expansion would be environmental disaster for Hounslow & Richmond

The Mogden Residents Action Group (MRAG)  has asked me to post the following on this forum: "Thames Water has applied for planning permission to almost double the capacity of Mogden.  If permission is granted work will begin in winter 2008 and finish in 2012.  We read  with much bemusement this week that Thames Water  state that if massive expansion of Mogden goes ahead there will be no increase in odour. Thames Water has no evidence whatsoever to support its claim. If Thames Water's planning application is permitted it will be a travesty for residents of Richmond and Hounslow boroughs.  Expanding capacity of the site is purely and simply because Thames Water closed down other STW and diverted flow to Mogden and boosted profits at the expense of the local community. In 1999 Thames Water completed major expansion of Mogden to increase capacity from 450 ml/d to 810 ml/d.  This failed because at the end of the project  the Environmental Agency only consented to 690 ml/d being treated. Thames Water is  therefore  seeking planning permission to increase Mogden capacity from 690 megalitres per day to a massive 1074 megalitres per day or face fines / penalties or divert the sewage elsewhere. Following the last project which increased capacity  from 450 to  690 ml/d, odour from Mogden increased so massively  that an Abatement Notice was served on Thames Water. After various appeals a judge ruled  that there existed and continues to exist an odour which amounts in law to a nuisance. The judge agreed 42 months for Thames to stop the odour. The 42 months expires in August 2008. Odour has not reduced significantly. In fact odour complaints for June 2008 far exceed the complaints for June 2007 In May 2004 Thames Water's Managing Director at the time informed MP Vince Cable and Defra Minister Lord Whitty that it would cost £70 to £100 million to stop odour at Mogden.  Ofwat agreed to allow £42million of public money towards the project. Thames Water refused to contribute towards the project and it later admitted to MP Vince Cable  that the current odour improvement programme would only reduce odour by approximately 50% Experts believe that there are in excess of 10,000 dwellings within the effected area that have been effected by odour and / or mosquitoes. Running separately to the statutory nuisance case is a Group Litigation which is a claim against Thames Water by residents of Hounslow and Richmond boroughs in relation to its operation of Mogden STW. The case has been lengthy and complex and the matter is now listed for a 6 week trial to commence on 6th February 2009. As recently as last week on 17 June 2008, odour from Mogden was so severe that Hounslow Environmental Services saw fit to inspect the site during the evening. The Environmental Health Officer found a Primary Settlement Tank which had considerable sludge which had built up on the surface of the effluent at both the west and east ends and was causing odour. It was later identified as a scraper failure which had caused the sludge build up. He also found a Digester which was gassing off actively via the perimeter seal and this was causing a strong localised odour. Thames Water staff responsible for the site were oblivious to the problems! As recently as 31 March  2008 an Environmental Health Officer found open skips  containing  material, including screenings, should have been covered with a tarpaulin. On 10 April he found the same problem and Thames admitted that it had only just  ordered the tarpaulins. And this in 2008 after a district Judge specifically ordered in June 2005 that all plant and odorous materials are kept covered at all times. It was interesting to read this week that Thames  Water  admits that it can't stop Mogden from smelling when the Abatement Notice served in 2001 was upheld and ordered the company to stop the odour. Thames Water have had since 2001 to abate the odour nuisance and to date it has failed. Residents have always maintained that covering only two of eight open storm tanks would not be sufficient. Thames have had five years to cover all storm tanks but the company refused to comply. Increasing capacity of a failing mismanaged site is not the answer. The answer is to put a limit on the flow entering Mogden which is exactly what the Environment Agency has done. The Company cannot even cope with the current consent flow without causing unlawful odour nuisance as determined by Environmental Protect Act 1990.  We believe that as Thames Water has refused to employ latest technology in odour abatement, it is extremely doubtful that site expansion will reduce odour and Thames Water has no evidence to show otherwise.  Based on residents' experiences, following the last expansion, we believe odour would increase significantly if expansion were to go ahead. We believe that until the current odour improvement results have been analysed by an Independent Odour Expert,  it is inappropriate for Thames Water to be considering further expansion of a site which is currently under statutory court order. We believe that it is inappropriate for Thames Water to be considering site expansion of a site when it is due to face charges of negligence in court in February 2009. If expansion is permitted it will be to the detriment of the local communities of Richmond and Hounslow. In the meantime it would be in Thames Water's interest to cover the remaining  six odorous storm tanks, which cause regular odour nuisance to St Margarets, Twickenham and Isleworth, without further unnecessary procrastination.  For further information email  mrag27@aol.com Mogden Residents Action Group (MRAG)  www.mogden.org.uk

Steve Taylor ● 6705d22 Comments ● 6451d

Council property rent (and other charges) rises

so, under the freedom of information act, what are the following percentages:people who pay full cost to all servicespeople who pay nothing towards the cost of all services.Over to you, Mr Andrews.

S Passmore ● 6453d3 Comments ● 6453d

HEALING TOMORROW

Tomorrow is the 2nd Monday of the month again so the healers will be at the London Buddhist Vihara, The Avenue, W4 1UD between 11am and 1pm ready to welcome and give healing to anyone who turns up.  Healing helps any condition, through from stress to physical illness.  The healing takes about 20 minutes.  There is no charge made for the healing (all the healers are working on a voluntary basis, however, a donation is most welcome- all donations are given to the Vihara).No appointment necessary, waiting time, if any, is 5-10 minutes.  For any further information please give me a ring on 0788 189 6449.

Pat Smith ● 6453d2 Comments ● 6453d

Can you recommend someone to fix a washing machine?

Thanks!

Lynn Clark ● 6462d2 Comments ● 6455d

Your unwanted Tesco and Sainsbury vouchers - help disabled children locally

Anyone want to send us their vouchers? They will be used to equip holiday activity days for children with disability locally.Send to:Parents in TouchSt Denys HouseChurch StreetChiswickW4 2PDMore info about PiT here:http://sites.google.com/site/parentsintouch/HomeThanks in advance

Karen Adams ● 6455d0 Comments ● 6455d

Hounslow gets four stars in Audit Commission's performance assessment

From the London Borough of Hounslow website:"The London Borough of Hounslow has received the highest rating possible for its performance from a government watchdog."The council received the top “four star” rating in the Audit Commission’s annual Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA), and was found to be “improving well.”"Hounslow has moved up from its previous three star rating thanks to high performance for adult social care and improvements to leisure and environmental services. The Audit Commission also noted improvements in school results, the amount of social housing provided and rates of youth crime."Cllr Peter Thompson, leader of the council, said: 'To get the highest possible rating is a fantastic achievement for everyone who works at the council, and I’d like to congratulate them for their hard work."'But this won’t make us complacent as we know local people want us to do better in some areas that are important to them."'That is why we’ve made 10 promises to local residents to make the borough a place where people are proud to live - from keeping the council tax down, to cutting the amount of graffiti on the borough’s streets."'These are things local people have told us will make a difference to their quality of life, and that, at the end of the day, is what we are here to do.'"The Audit Commission found financial standing and value for money were both good at the council."The council has successfully bid for significant sums to improve the borough’s streetscene and rebuild schools. The innovative performance improvement programme, which is about service transformation, has identified savings of £53 million over three years to plough back into priority services."I should add that much of the credit for this excellent result must also go to my ICG colleagues Councillor Paul Fisher and Councillor Dr. Genevieve Hibbs, respectively the current Lead Member and the former Lead Member for Service Improvement.

Phil Andrews ● 6456d5 Comments ● 6455d

Thames clean up 25/2/09

Volunteers from Thames Water joined in with charity group Thames21 on Wednesday to try & clean up some of the rubbish in the river by the Watermans Art Centre. Will try & post photos on next message to give some scale of the state of the river.

Kevin Farnan ● 6461d13 Comments ● 6456d

Prescription sunglasses

Needing a new pair of sunnies, saw a frame I liked, Armani, in Tesco Osterley, only to be told no can't have them in varifocal lenses as the frame is too big and it's Tesco policy not to do them?? Went to Tesco at Mogden Lane, no can't have them as they are too curved?? E-mailed Tesco who confirmed this tripe. As I have had these type of sunnies for years thought I'd wandered into the twilight zone. Looked online - found the most helpful optician who had a fabulously large range of sunglasses, they not only gave me a catalogue to identify the frame I'd seen but were willing to order it for me, and did an eye test on the spot for an up to date prescription, and got my business for a new pair of ordinary glasses too, and did me a deal on the price of the sunnies. Helpful, friendly and nothing too much trouble - so if you are like me and can't get sense from the optical bods at Tesco I have no hesitation in recommending Accuity, Hampton Hill High St. The only lenses that are a problem are the wraparound type, other types and shapes just seem to be fine so quite what Tesco are on I have no idea, what I do know is they just lost a lot of money, and there was me thinking every little helps.

Vanessa Smith ● 6460d10 Comments ● 6457d

Reliable Plasterer & Decorator in the area?

Can anyone recommend?Thanks,Jen

Jennifer Johnston ● 6458d1 Comments ● 6458d

Pavements - update

Absolutely no change.Absolutely no improvement in the situation.Absolutely no street management.Shame on everyone involved.Shame on everyone who should be involved.

Sarah Felstead ● 7191d180 Comments ● 6459d

Travellers on lot on Commerce Rd

Last night two caravans appeared on a vacant lot off Commerce Road - they look like travellers - caravens with dump trucks. They have already started dumping rubbish and setting fires. If anyone has experienced travellers set up nearby then you will know what we can expect - rubbish, damage, etc. If this sounds like pre-judging the situation it is because I've had this happen before when I lived outside London. The mess they left then was terrible.I may be wrong. They may be workers for something being done locally - anyone know?

Alan Clark ● 6461d5 Comments ● 6460d

Muggings around Syon Estate

I spoke to my neighbour today and it appears that there have been some muggings late at night on the Syon Estate.Has anyone else heard about this? Is it true?

Bronwyn Snelling ● 6466d6 Comments ● 6461d

local business rents and dismal high street

Extracts from the minutes of meeting of the Isleworth and Brentford Area Committee (Planning) held on Thursday, 22 January 2009“On the matter of rent setting Mike Jordan confirmed that officers did acknowledge the need to reflect a range of uses. However, where the Authority instructed valuers to obtain the market value without restrictions on the use of the premises, they would do so. Councillor Hardy suggested that rent reviews were an important recurring issue for this area, noting the high turnover of tenants in Brentford High Street.”Amidst the painful use of phrases like ‘holistic’ and ‘robust context’ (do people really speak this way?) – there was no real mention of the huge rent rises some of the traders on the high street have had imposed on them. I know one who had his rent almost doubled at the end of last year.It is clear that there are not enough good shops in Brentford. There are more bookies than grocers. But the councillors feel its enough to spout platitudes and hand over responsibilities to valuers. How can the council claim to have the interests of the community as a key aim and then price local businesses out of the high street?I think we might benefit from being less ‘holistic’ and getting more practical and realistic.  We will never have any local businesses and local community if we price all but the bookies out of the market. Rather than "market value" (which I’m guessing is set for west London, not Brentford itself) why not offer discounts and incentives? What are we scared of here - someone actually making a profit in Brentford?

Alan Clark ● 6465d7 Comments ● 6462d

Inadequate bus stop/shelter at South Ealing tube

Is anyone else fed up of standing in the rain at bus stop outside South Ealing tube, wondering when the bus is going to come?I'd like to start a campaign to improve this bus stop.  If you feel this service is inadequate please make a suggestion or complaint on the Transport for London website, under 'help and contact' on www.tfl.gov.ukAnd copy this into the complaint/suggestion box:The 65 bus is the main bus route from Brentford to connect to the Piccadilly Line at South Ealing Underground.  Coming out of the station the nearest bus stop (travelling South to Brentford) is inadequate.  There is no bus shelter and there is no signage indicating when buses are coming.  There are plenty of other bus stops along the route which have better provision.   This bus stop is important because it is directly outside the station, why is it simply a post with a sign?  The bus service is supposed to run every 6 mins, but it is common to have to wait up to 15-20 minutes for a bus. In winter, this is inadequate as you are exposed to the bad weather and spray from the road.  Please improve this bus stop.Thank you

Joanna Hill ● 6475d4 Comments ● 6462d

Problems with Freeview channels?

All the ITV & Channel 4 channels seem to have disappeared!  If there is a problem with the box I would have thought there'd be problems with all channels - have tried rescanning several times.Is anyone else having problems?

Lynn Clark ● 6464d2 Comments ● 6463d

Fire at the Rose Community Centre

Due to the fire at the Rose Community Centre on Tuesday it will not be possible for the ICG (Independent Community Group) to hold their regular monthly surgery there on Wednesday 4th March 2009. Efforts are being made to find an alternative venue and details will be posted when this has been finalised.

Andrew Sibley ● 6470d3 Comments ● 6464d

Severe traffic delays in Chiswick, Brentford and Kew today (21 Feb)

Traffic in and around Chiswick is hell today.There was a burst water main on the A4 Ellesmere Road in lanes 2 and 3 westbound at Park Road junction.  Westbound traffic is down to one lane and tails back as far as west Kensington and Chiswick Bridge.  I spoke to the TfL engineer on site who said Thames Water fixed the burst this morning but have not yet reinstated the carriageway.  He was trying to get two lanes of traffic past the hole when I was there about two hours ago.  Consequently there is more traffic than usual on Chiswick High Road presumably trying to bypass the A4 tailback.  The Hogarth flyover is closed due to maintenance.Chiswick Roundabout is suffering delays due to road works in the inside lane (i.e. the lane closest to the centre of the roundabout).  There are long tailbacks in all directions. There are road works at the junction of Kew Green, so Kew Bridge is solid with traffic.Altogether pretty hellish.  Try to give the whole area a very wide berth if you can help it, or use the trains or tubes (no planned maintenance in the area this weekend).Buses running through Chiswick are of course being severely delayed, despite the many bus lanes that give them some respite.Chris Calvi-FreemanHead of TransportLondon Borough of Hounslow

Chris Calvi-Freeman ● 6468d1 Comments ● 6468d

Major power failure affecting the Hounslow Council Civic Centre

Due to a major power failure affecting the Hounslow Council Civic Centre and surrounding area, all the phones there are "coming up engaged" and the Civic Centre switchboard is going to a recorded message saying calls cannot be answered."For major emergencies only, telephone 020 8583 2222".The Council’s website also appears to be down.

Chris Calvi-Freeman ● 6469d0 Comments ● 6469d

Cows!

According to teletext a heard of 200 cows burp and belch out as much methane in a year as a family car with an annual mileage 111,850 miles.In the last 250 years CO2 emmissons have risen by 31% whereas methane has increased by 149%

Steve Bonnici ● 6587d2 Comments ● 6470d

Council Tax office

I have tried to contact someone human in this office yesterday and today,after being told by recorded message that someone will answer me "shortly" (can someone explain exactly what "shortly2 means in this context?) I gave up trying in the end. My question is "Do people find it easier to get an audience with the Pope, than they do with this godforsaken department? I wish someone would also change the bloody music that is played, while the dead are awakened, which I am convinced is to act as a deterrent, to anyone having the temerity to phone them.Is it also beyond the wit of some bright spark at the Civic Centre, to add a message, to enlighten you where you are in the queue to speak to someone from customer services. Last of all, can any councillor find out how many callers drop out from their call, without speaking to someone first?

Andrew Michael John Atkinson ● 6504d26 Comments ● 6471d