Nearly There on the Dukes Meadows Footbridge
Chiswick Homefields Councillor John Todd reports back on his week
Cllr John Todd
I was re-elected Councillor on 5 th May 2022. There’s been no major council meeting since that date. Our next main council meeting is now scheduled for 20 th September.
At an earlier cancelled meeting I and colleagues were to ask questions about an unseen unsatisfactory Ofsted report on the boroughs SEND provision and the excessive number of empty council houses.
The answers remain unseen. Governance, accountability, and transparency are clearly wanting.
Dukes Meadows Footbridge
After so many years in planning and battling the demands of so many agencies and regulators, two sections of the bridge are now firmly in place. Another section is on site and two others await delivery shortly.
On the day of the first installation, we were joined on site by engineers from a number of companies including some who are currently constructing bridges on HS2 and elsewhere but not involved in this project.
They all readily agreed that this initial installation was complex, made difficult by the adjacent rail bridge and related restrictions and the limitation on the number of supporting piers allowed in the Thames by the PLA.
Our engineers used the neap(high) tide to position the footway section above the two piers and used the pontoon barge, whose height can be adjusted by discharging or taken on water, carrying the bridge section to make final adjustments.
The neap tide options amongst other things reduced our carbon footprint.
Here’s a link to additional photographs of our activities which include the bridges journey from Tilbury.
The second section now safely secured. The two upright steels adjacent to the pier are emergency Jacking points. They will be removed shortly.
Nearly there!
Bridge section being reversed into crane site. The engineer shown is steering the last four set of wheels via a cable connection.
Abandoned Hire Cycles
Chiswick High Road and elsewhere has recently been a magnet for dumped dockless hire cycles including the Dott brand.
Hammersmith and Fulham Council allow Dott to operate in their borough and it appears those found in LBH emanate from that borough.
I’ve received numerous complaints. This issue still continues unabated. Blind Association representative have highlighted the real danger to their members by this ’significant safety risk’.
Whilst the rental cycles are by arrangement of Hammersmith & Fulham council, Dott can be contacted directly via this page on their website if their cycles get parked outside of the designated parking areas.
Westminster Council have now decided to seize these abandoned cycles and I believe LBH should too.
I’ve asked traffic officers to consider this suggestion.
Contemporary case work
Working with residents and officers we resolved an issue in Edensor Rd where purple council waste bags were left out and ripped to pieces by foxes.
In Cranbrook Rd following damage to a lamp post, a resident had film set quality lighting in her house which penetrated heavy blinds and restricted sleep. Our engineers quickly identified the replacement lamp fitted was twice the light strength required. Resident delighted and sleeping pattern resumed.
I helped a local resident to promptly obtain the grant given to those who accommodate Ukranians under the Government scheme. Regrettably some initial delay at LBH.
Met with officers and local residents about Stamford Brook Green and the suggestion that a larger dog free area be introduced and professional dog walkers made subject to a new licensing regime.
I meet so many people in my role. All bring a fresh perspective to Chiswick and to life in general.
I love finding out about their careers too.
I met a charming and unassuming constituent recently who told me she works in corporate communications for the European Space Agency, explaining how telecommunications satellites are vital for keeping people and devices connected at all times and everywhere, which is crucial for the digital transformation of society.
She mentioned If I wanted to look prescient, you could chuck in a reference to the upcoming Artemis I launch. On 29th August, NASA is launching the first of a series of flights that will eventually return humans to the Moon. Many of the components are made in Europe, including ESA's European Service Module, which will provide electrical power and propel the uncrewed Orion capsule in an extended orbit around the Moon.
Thought others might be interested…….
Cllr John Todd
07866 784651
SURGERIES IN CHISWICK AND GUNNERSBURY
We are back to our usual routine of holding face-to-face surgeries in Chiswick and in Gunnersbury.
Chiswick: Every Saturday from 9.30am to 10.30am at Chiswick Library (the eight Conservative councillors take this surgery in turn).
Gunnersbury: First Saturday of the month from 10am to 11am at The Gunnersbury Triangle Club, Triangle Way, off The Ridgeway, W3 8LU (at least one of the Chiswick Gunnersbury ward councillors takes this surgery).
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Thursday, 25th August at 7pm: Planning development presentation
Tuesday, 1st September at 7pm: Overview and scrutiny committee
Thursday, 8th September at 7pm: Planning committee
Tuesday, 6th September at 7pm: Cabinet
Tuesday, 13th September at 7pm: Chiswick Area Forum
Tuesday, 20th September at 7pm: Borough Council meeting
CONSERVATIVE COUNCILLORS
Chiswick Gunnersbury (was Turnham Green) ward
Cllr Joanna Biddolph joanna.biddolph@hounslow.gov.uk 07976 703446
Cllr Ranjit Gill ranjit.gill@hounslow.gov.uk 07976 702956
Cllr Ron Mushiso ron.mushiso@hounslow.gov.uk 07976 702887
Chiswick Homefields ward
Cllr Jack Emsley jack.emsley@hounslow.gov.uk 07977 396017
Cllr Gerald McGregor gerald.mcgregor@hounslow.gov.uk 07866 784821
Cllr John Todd john.todd@hounslow.gov.uk 07866 784651
Chiswick Riverside ward
Cllr Peter Thompson peter.thompson@hounslow.gov.uk 07977 395810
Cllr Gabriella Giles gabriella.giles@hounslow.gov.uk 07966 270823
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August 19, 2022