Forum Topics

Hounslow Public Transport Guide

I am looking for one or two copies of the guide. Before Covid there were lots of them in the local library's. Post covid no one has given me an answer as to what has happened to them. Are they in some storage area or recycled some where? I've asked staff and and no one knows. I just need one or two to show residents in a couple of sheltered homes where they can visit to get them mobile again. Yes it's on line but to big for the elderly .

David Squire ● 1668d8 Comments ● 1660d

Vote of no confidence rules out of order

Steve Curran Leader of the council made a shock announcement to the Borough Council last night citing health reasons for standing down from the council. Theo Dennison was going to move a vote of no confidence - which was ruled out of order, but said what many of us have been thinking for a long time."STAGGERING ABUSES." MOTION OF NO CONFIDENCE IN STEVE CURRAN DISALLOWED. CALL TO RESIGN BEFORE HE ANNOUNCES HE IS STANDING DOWN BECAUSE OF ILL HEALTH."I would like to request that it be voted on in a secret ballot to avoid any attempts to bully or intimidation of members." – Cllr Theo Dennison.Before Council Leader Steve Curran's shock resignation tonight, Tuesday, a motion was submitted to Hounslow Labour Group. It was ruled out of order by the chair Cllr Sue Sampson. Cllr Dennison decided to resign as a result.Here is the motion:This Group expresses its profound concern at the staggering abuses that have taken place at every stage of the candidate selection process and the actions of the unaccountable cabal who have been responsible for them.We note:• Whip and branch reports being written by people who are candidates with a direct and personal interest in the outcome• Trumped up charges and false allegations about sitting councillors and prospective candidates• Rigged interviews by what should have been independent panels• Spiking people who pose a threat to preferred candidates• The failure to stop people paying membership fees in return for the votes of members in key wardsThese abuses have denied party members a genuine choice of many able candidates and skewed the selection results in a significant number of wards.We express our serious concern at the breach of the trust and neglect of our public responsibilities symbolised by the mockery of holding the Labour Group’s consideration of the council budget just 60 minutes before the council meeting at which it must be determined - yet whipping all Labour councillors to vote for it.In stark contradiction to the our values and principles, the budget contains yet another move to reduce the help we give to some of the poorest residents of our borough via changes in the council tax reduction scheme which will mean a massive hike in their council tax bills and is presented alongside proposals for annual increases in councillor allowances.This is no way to lead a party or a council and we hereby resolve that that we have no confidence in Steve Curran and call on him to resign.

Vanessa Smith ● 1696d21 Comments ● 1660d

Waterman’s Playground Vandalised.

How many of us have an angle grinder to hand?Perhaps the criminals stealing catalytic converters  in the area are responsible for the vandalism in the park. No conscience just steal metal and sell it.

Maria Hastings ● 1661d0 Comments ● 1661d

Building award for Ballymore!!?

Poor  Brunel. He would be mortified and no doubt spinning in his grave.His works which have endured and meet functionality with aesthetic excellence and incomparable build quality are a rather perverse comparison to this building which carries none of the above qualities. It's a bog standard concrete and steel structure with cladding and nothing endearing and certainly not something that will last 200 years plus.But then this is an awards circuit that is funded by developers for developers, just another r bit of Ballymore's marketing budget which props up other entities for marketing purposes.Must think we were all born yesterday!

Raymond Havelock ● 1665d5 Comments ● 1661d

Free tickets for Dinosaur event..

... are being given away in Ealing Broadway today.Presumably, they will be doing the same in Brentford?

Raymond Havelock ● 1665d0 Comments ● 1665d

Armenian Community Centre

What was the Princess Royal pub and also the old Brentford Football Club shop have been bought and are to be an Armenian Community Centre. The man I spoke with yesterday said that the community centre would be open to all.I hope that the pub is given a good face lift and remodel first - it certainly needs it.Out of interest, I just googled and an Armenian Community Centre has also opened quite recently in Cardiff.

Anne England ● 1679d22 Comments ● 1670d

Brentford's Parks

I don't have anything to say re Gunnersbury Park, by and large because I rarely go there. Is the burned out cafe (or an equivalent) again up and running?I would, however, like to say that the two parks I do visit, St Paul's in Brentford and Redlees in Isleworth are well maintained and good community assets. St Pauls has been looking fantastic with the daffodils in bloom - yes, I know they were planted by volunteers (not sure where the bulbs came from though). I see that there is currently some construction work going on around the basketball area.The work in Waterman's Park is also looking fantastic after years, admittedly, of decline and neglect.  

Anne England ● 1682d7 Comments ● 1671d

Something to be really proud of...

The former public park known as Gunnersbury.Now the Junta running it not only want to screw you for using it's facilities from overpriced refreshments from over levied caterers, an over expensive sports facility, over expensive 'events' and late drinking licences no doubt selling overpriced beverages but now they are to charge £1 an hour to visit by car.To boot a 4 hour maximum stay.A public park.Is this management who do rather nicely from their 'impoverished' income answerable to anyone?Something those who created this nice gravy train for the few can be really proud of.I wonder which electoral candidates will be claiming such a masterpiece of cronyism?

Raymond Havelock ● 1682d6 Comments ● 1673d

The Kew Eye penthouse for sale!

This is a cyberspace tip off. Quick before an incomer snaps it up before you.An introductory fee welcome.(thanks to a gentleman on Brentford Friends Facebook page for the lead.Pity it won't be open to the public..as was once suggested (A champagne bar and all that)

Jim Lawes ● 1744d12 Comments ● 1680d

Repair Cafe Opening in Twickenham  & Ealing

https://www.swlondoner.co.uk/life/14022022-repair-cafe-opening-in-twickenham/Hurray - here's a Repair Cafe back where a volunteer will help you to mend your belongings.Ealing also has a couple Repair Cafes which are concentrating on mending/sewing.  They have a Facebook page and are working with Ealing Transition.

Philippa Bond ● 1711d7 Comments ● 1681d

North Brentford and South Ealing have become a car park

There is a very large sign on the A4 stating "Match Day Parking" with a very large arrow pointing up Windmill Road, when were our very narrow roads made into Football Parking Streets? I don't remember being asked! Anyone else? Or was I out that day.

Sharron Clarke ● 1707d13 Comments ● 1681d

Over-development versus rainwater run-off

I see another large development has been shoe-horned into a tiny piece of land on the corner of Windmill Road and the A4 – where there used to be a small car lot. The development looks totally out of place in terms of its character and size – I’m wondering what people would want to live practically within touching distance of the M4 flyover with the noise and pollution this generates. It wasn’t long ago that Windmill Road and the surrounding area was badly hit by flash floods – it would seem to me a good idea to use this parcel of land as an open area to help alleviate flooding, rather than over-developing the site which will only increase rainwater run-off and flooding. We often see accusations in this forum of those in the council who make planning decisions being in the pay of developers. I’m sure this can’t be true – surely not all of them. But one wonders what their motives are for allowing such inappropriate development – who do they think is being helped by these decisions? Not the poor people who will have to live next to a motorway fly-over, and certainly not the environment. I hope we can all send a strong message in the May elections to get rid of these people who would wantonly vandalise our communities. This is very much the thin end of the wedge – the Tesco and Gillette Corner developments dwarf this one – good to know that the council has ear-mark thousands of pounds of OUR money to fight the objections!

Graham Thorpe ● 1688d10 Comments ● 1682d

A VISION FOR BRENTFORD - PUBLIC MEETING ON 15 MARCH

This meeting, open to all, will take place at the Holiday Inn, Brentford Lock, from 6.00 to 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday 15th March.At the request of Brentford Voice, the meeting has been arranged by LB Hounslow. A presentation will be followed by an hour of discussion and questions. This will focus upon two documents - the Vision for Brentford and "Prosperity and Place". The latter is a recent draft place-based strategy from LB Hounslow.The Vision for Brentford can be read here:https://brentfordvoice.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/LBH-Vision-for-Brentford-Town-Centre-FINAL.pdfThis meeting is a rare opportunity for all of us, both residents and businesses, to learn something about current plans for our community. More importantly, it is an opportunity for us to shape and to influence a very significant part of our future.Brentford Voice await further background information from LB Hounslow and we will post this as soon as if it available.Please try to make it along to the event at Holiday Inn on 15 March. Our own "Local Conversation" on 29 March will provide an opportunity to reflect on what we learn and to discuss our priorities and next steps.

Jim Storrar ● 1686d0 Comments ● 1686d

Dr Bike - Sat 12 Feb - 10-12  outside Chiswick Town Hall;  Cycle Training & More

https://www.hounslow.gov.uk/info/20053/transport/1985/cycling_in_hounslowLots of info and help on getting yourself and your bike ready to go.

Philippa Bond ● 1715d4 Comments ● 1687d

York Road incident

Last Monday evening I went past York Road and there were lots of police there, along with an ambulance and other emergency vehicles. There were SOCOs putting on forensic suits who then went into a house at the Windmill Road end of the street.All week there seem to have been police present there, and a blue gazebo and portaloo have been in place. It looks like a major crime scene but I’ve not seen or heard anything in the local media about what may have happened.Anybody here know anything?

Simon Hayes ● 1700d6 Comments ● 1689d

Council elections

Anyone know where I can find a list of candidates for the Council elections in May? Thanks.

Pat Kingham ● 1690d3 Comments ● 1690d

Ukraine Emergency Appeal - link to justgiving

Please may I ask you to donate to the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Emergency Appeal? To do so please copy and paste this link into your browser. Thank you.https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/latymer-upper-ukrainedecCharity Registration No. 1062638The purpose of the fund and further information is also below.Every pound donated by the UK public will be matched by the UK Government up to £20 million.£30 could provide essential hygiene supplies for three people for one month£50 could provide blankets for 4 families to keep them warm£100 could provide emergency food for two families for one monthIntense conflict in Ukraine is threatening the lives and livelihoods of civilians across the country, causing hundreds of thousands to flee. Homes have been destroyed or are unsafe to live in. Essential services have been hit. Families have been separated. People have been injured. Lives have been lost.DEC charities and their local partners are in Ukraine and across the border in the neighbouring countries. They are working to meet the immediate needs of all people fleeing with food, water, medical assistance, protection and trauma care.

Joy Griffiths ● 1695d2 Comments ● 1694d

Smartmeters

We now learn they will be obsolete by 2030 as 2g and 3g on which they depend is being pulled. Seems funny to me they are going to continue to be installed. I seem to remember there was a great push to reduce electronic waste. Well how does this help that!

Nicholas Beard ● 1737d21 Comments ● 1696d

Hounslow Cllrs Misogyny & Blatant disregard of our Democratic process

Attending the recent  Council’s Public meeting held last Thursday in Brentford, I was constantly interrupted by Cllr Tony Louki when given the opportunity to put forward my question to the Panel.  Cllr Tony Louki was  Chair at the meeting. His behaviour became increasingly aggressive when he left his seat to storm directly towards me and snatch the microphone out of my hand. Previously in attendance before their premature departure were 2 Policemen and 2 ladies from Ivybridge Anti-Domestic Violence Community Support Team who’d been invited by Hounslow Council to partake. The silence from the Panel  witnessing this misogynistic assault & blatant disregard against public participation  speaks volumes and most disturbing when there had been female Cllrs on the Panel, one a former Mayor; Cllr Sue Sampson the other a vocal campaigner  of Womens Rights and Cycling advocate Cllr Katherine  Dunne. Cllr Tony Louki had possibly felt emboldened to attack me as the Policemen and Ivybridge  Womens support group against Domestic Violence  had left, and considered his actions would be acceptable  by the Labour Councillors present. It was very intimidating not only to myself but also to the other women present in the public gallery and risks deterring their Democratic right to participation. My  question to the panel was to ask whether the Council was aware of the higher incidents of injuries and death  in Holland of cyclists and that rolling out a “Mini- Holland “ in Hounslow would invariably lead to higher incidents of Death and Injuries to Cyclists, particularly Children. Clearly it had struck a nerve.

Philippa Auton ● 1712d9 Comments ● 1697d

Disappointing from the Greens again

Yet another flyer from the Green Party. So many local serious issues and they turn out a piece of utter whimsy.  No evidence of any sort of pragmatism or common sense reality.This time on Boston Manor Parks pathways.If they stopped and thought for a few moments, it might occur to them why paths are being widened.Cleaning is mechanised, from sweepers & litter to leaf clearance. Cyclists use the pathways, so do pushchairs and wheelchairs and mobility buggies.Take one walk around Lammas park or Ealing showcase park to see how Bikes and cleansing trucks - even small ones have churned up all the footway edges into mud. Much of it is a complete mess slimy in winter and concrete hard and devoid of grass in dry summers.Plus the need for emergency service access.  In the 'olden' days paths were narrower simply because most maintenance was not mechanised and vehicles were much narrower and in the case of Ealing's Parks Adult cycling was not permitted . In fact, from 12 upwards. ( I was regularly thrown out for cycling by Parky) Stephen Clark, to be taken seriously needs to get some common sense rather than putting out stuff and nonsense.Din not see him kicking up a fuss about the loss of a Bowling green complete with herbaceous borders or the derelict lumps of Concrete in Gunnersbury Park. Or the completely unworkable paths in most of the southern half of that park. Rendering it inaccessible for so many.Surely Greens can do better than this - and publish flyers where one can ask a question rather than just agree?

Raymond Havelock ● 1701d4 Comments ● 1699d