Forum Topics

Smell in Brentford

Has anyone else noticed the 'rotting vegetation' smell which I first noticed at the end of last week in Boston Manor Road (north of A4)?  Walking to work today I was still aware of it in Windmil Road.  Any ideas what it might be?

Helen Walker ● 6507d17 Comments ● 6471d

Fire on the tracks outside Brentford Station

Apparently yesterday, 16 February. Driver reported to have battled flames.Anyone know more?

Kath Richardson ● 6472d0 Comments ● 6472d

The Informer

Any one else not receiving this lately?We used to have a very nice old gent who used to come out in all weathers to deliver the paper.He used to wheel a shopping trolley around and would come out in all weathers.I offered him a cup of tea a couple of times because he looked frozen and I offered him an umbrella when it was raining but he always declined.Since he has not been on the scene the deliveries have dropped off.I fear the worst has happened to him as he looked quite elderly.

Keith Iddon ● 6475d8 Comments ● 6472d

Increased cost of a PCN

Just wonder if anyone else has been made aware of the increase in the parking ticket fines in Hounslow? I got a ticket for overstaying my time by five minutes at the Brentford Leisure Centre and was asked to pay £60 or the reduced amount of £30 within 14 days. However, a few weeks ago I got another ticket for parking on a single yellow line on a Saturday afternoon and the PCN was for £100 or a reduced rate of £50 if paid in 14 days. When I challenged it I got the following response."In response to your comments on differential parking penalties I can advise that the scheme was introduced following an extensive consultation with the public, motoring organisations and other interested parties carried out last year by London Councils and Transport for London (TfL).The levels of penalties were agreed following extensive consultation by London Councils' Transport and Environment Committee. They were also agreed by the Mayor of London and the Secretary of State. I am therefore unable to allow you to pay the lower level charge.It is London Councils' policy that the penalties can only be set at a minimum level to act as a deterrent - making people think twice about parking in contravention of the parking regulations. Before the two-tier system was introduced on 1 July 2007 the last time the penalty levels were increased in London was on April 1, 2003."My question is has anyone been made aware of the increased charges? Maybe I was caught in some sort of vortex because I certainly have not seen hide nor hair of this new charge.

Ruby Almeida ● 6478d13 Comments ● 6472d

On the map

Brentford is well and truly on 'the map' now - Robbie Williams at Brentford on Saturday and a visit from the Queen on Friday.  Did anyone see him there ?

Pat Kingham ● 6473d2 Comments ● 6472d

Live Web Chat with South West Trains  - 17 February

Your chance to ask questions about the SWT service.www.southwesttrains.co.uk

Chris Calvi-Freeman ● 6473d0 Comments ● 6473d

Frightened Pointer type dog roaming in vicinity of Syon Park

A brown and white Pointer type dog has been roaming in and around Syon Park most of today (Friday).    Last seen at 5.30pm when it ran off barking when I tried to call it to me.     It looks to be well looked after but was very frightened.    I looked around again at around 6.30pm but it could not be spotted.      Someone is missing a lovely looking dog.     I will look around again later and over the weekend.          

Brian McMillan ● 6476d5 Comments ● 6474d

carpenter needed to repair bed

Does anybody know or is able to repair a broken wooden top bunk bed? All the pieces are waiting in the shed to be re-assembled but I need somebody who knows a safe and sure and solid way of fixing the base of this bed, if it is at all possible!Obviously , I am looking for somebody who can do it for a reasonable price, cheaper than buying a new bed.( I can reassemble the rest of the bed myself.)

Mariette Labelle ● 6502d6 Comments ● 6474d

South West Trains services disrupted on Sunday Fri, 13 February 2009

Track improvement work is taking place through the Feltham and Staines area from early morning until 4pm on Sunday 15 February.During this time, no trains will serve Feltham station.      Two trains an hour will run between London Waterloo and Hounslow via Richmond and Twickenham (stopping at all stations)      An hourly train service will run between London Waterloo and Hounslow via Brentford (stopping at all stations)Replacement bus services will run:      between Hounslow and Ascot      between Hounslow and Windsor & Eton Riverside      between Hounslow and Weybridge A revised train service will run between Ascot and Reading, connecting with the bus services.Parts of the railway may be closed for overnight engineering work or emergency repairs. SWT may then have to alter some late evening and early morning trains or replace them by buses at short notice. Please check your journey details for late alterations if you intend to travel after 2300 or before 0530.Further information is available from National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50 or visit the National Rail website

Kath Richardson ● 6475d0 Comments ● 6475d

Is this the way to run a business

My fridge freeze is on it's last legs, an engineer advised me to buy one fairly quickly........so off I went to Comet store in Brentford and ordered and paid for a Hotpoint model on Jan 16th, when will it be delivered I asked naively.....shouldn't be too long Sir was the enlightening reply.....off we went back home to await the delivery of a nice new shiny FF. I later phoned the shop (they don't usually give their number out, but we will let YOU have it just in case SIR!Phoned the shop, still unable to advise on an approx delivery date, as Hotpoint cannot say when they expect a delivery to them. Further phone calls to the shop and the so called customer services (who charge 15p per minute for the privilege !)I was finally advised to a) cancel the order and take a refund or b) Cancel this order, and order a different model! And there was me believing that Gordo was asking me/us to go out and support local businesses........my ar*e!!And we wonder why the country is in a recession......I'm orf to outer Mongolia, where you don't need a bleeding fridge!

Andrew Michael John Atkinson ● 6484d8 Comments ● 6476d

Thames Water Fined

Mogden campaigners will be interested in this story of Thames Water being fined for polluting the River Wandle in Croydon:http://www.edie.net/news/news_story.asp?id=15929They are also starting to lay off staff - 300 mooted so far.JL

Jim Linwood ● 6485d2 Comments ● 6476d

What do you reckon...

Spain 2 England 0 ?

Keith Iddon ● 6478d3 Comments ● 6477d

Drop-in Surgeries

The Osterley and Spring Grove Safer Neighbourhoods Team will be holding two drop-in surgeries in February 2009. The first will be at Osterley Library on 02/02/09 between 3 and 5 pm , and the second will be at Tesco Syon Lane on 06/02/09 between 9 and 11 am. This will be an opportunity for local residents to meet their local Safer Neighbourhoods Team and share any issues or concerns they may have. Nicolai Fanovich PCSO 7250 TX Osterley & Spring Grove Safer Neighbourhood Team Coomb House 7 St. Johns Road Isleworth Middlesex TW7 6NH Tel: 020 7161 9004 "Working together for a safer London"

Osterley Safer Neighbourhood Team ● 6495d4 Comments ● 6477d

Was you in the RN Between 1966 and 86?

I am looking for anyone who was in the Royal Navy between 1966 and 86 and served on any of the followingHms TenbyHms OracleHms SceptreI am searching for my real father who Served on the Above Ship and Sub his name was David Wright, he will be 60yrs old this yr and from Birmingham.When he served on Hms Oracle he was a CPODid you serve with him?

Simon Anderson ● 6502d7 Comments ● 6477d

Firestone Building Great West Road

Does anyone have any old photos of this building to add to our local collection for possible future post cards of Brentford and Isleworth.  It really was quite stunning - how was it allowed to go?

Simon Groves ● 6479d16 Comments ● 6477d

It's official  - Isleworth & Syon school are simply the best!

Isleworth & Syon School have topped the secondary schools league table for Hounslow and are among the top 3% of schools in the country. Congratulations to all the wonderful staff who have made this possible and to the students for their hard work.

Vanessa Smith ● 6484d7 Comments ● 6478d

South West trains reduces opening ours from 7 to 4

No surprise that on the worst rail services in the Capital, the worst train company is dropping its' already laughable service levels again at the same time as putting up their ticket costs yet again.It seems that we passengers that have to use SW Trains and Brentford station are being yet again exploited by this charming organisation.

Niel Gavin ● 6479d0 Comments ● 6479d

A4 Cycle Path -  Questions to the Mayor

Cycle path, A4 Hounslow (1)Question No: 62 / 2009Caroline PidgeonDespite the answer given to then AM Geoff Pope by the previous Mayor(2299/2007) there appears to have been no substantial work to improvethe cycle path as promised. As a cyclist has recently been killed onthis section of the A4, will you ask TfL to expedite this work?Answer from the Mayor:TfL has two schemes in progress on the A4 in Hounslow. The first willimprove the continuity and condition of the existing cycle ways on theA4 between Boston Manor Road and Chiswick Roundabout. Works are due tostart next month and be completed in the Spring. The second schemeconcerns the A4 junction with Syon Lane where a Toucan crossing isproposed for installation on the west side of this junction in the newfinancial year.In addition to this, TfL will investigate improved cycling conditions onthe A4 between Syon Lane and Boston Manor Road in the new financialyear.*Cycle path, A4 Hounslow (2)Question No: 63 / 2009Caroline PidgeonWill TfL investigate the potential with London Borough of Hounslow ofpiloting the safety benefits of giving the cycle route the right of wayover roads joining the A4 between Chiswick and Hounslow?Answer from the Mayor:As part of the Cycle Highways initiative TfL will investigate thepotential to trial new traffic arrangements and priorities - such asthose you suggest - which go beyond what is permitted within the currentregulations. This will, of course, require the agreement and support ofthe Department for Transport.

Tim Henderson ● 6484d1 Comments ● 6479d

FREE HEALING

Tomorrow is the 2nd Monday of the month again so 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, although a donation is most welcome- all donations are given to the Vihara).No appointment necessary,waiting time, if any, is 5-10 minutes.  If you want any further information before coming please give me a ring on 0788 189 6449.

Pat Smith ● 6481d0 Comments ● 6481d

Ann K££n sued for laziness by war veteran

According to the Daily Mail, our alleged Member of Parliament has achieved the distinction of becoming the first elected member ever to be sued by one of her own constituents for dereliction of duty:http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1135424/Old-soldier-takes-MP-Ann-Keen-court-lazy.html#commentsWhat an honour for the people of Brentford & Isleworth.

Phil Andrews ● 6485d9 Comments ● 6484d