Muggings of School Children, Lime Bikes and Bee-eating Wasps

Chiswick Homefields councillor John Todd reports back

Cllr John Todd

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July 22, 2023

Street Robberies near Chiswick Station

Following these serious offences I promptly spoke to Laura the Head Teacher of Chiswick school and the Deputy Chief Executive of London Borough of Hounslow (LBH).

Our Safer Neighbourhood Team in our Ward are a small committed team. I wanted a stronger police presence to actively protect our children and residents.

A meeting was later held with the Head Teacher, Police and LBH community Liaison officers. The mobile LBH in-house police team of six police officers were made part of the response.

I’m pleased to report that their was an adequate police presence when I visited on Friday. Chiswick schools staff do an excellent security patrol too outside their premises.

The prompt arrest of a robber who stole Alex Jones £17,000 watch nearby is good news.

Lime Bikes

Loads of complaints about dumped bikes, excessive and badly placed bays and noise from lime staff delivering bikes.

Cllr K. Dunne told a public Open Forum meeting in Brentford where there were numerous complaints that there is no LBH contract with Lime just a 'Memorandum of Understanding'. We’ve learned that it seems been most accommodating to Lime. She explained that we couldn’t stop Lime coming to Hounslow.

Cllr Lambert said that Hounslow Highways had reneged on their undertaking regarding Lime Bikes without clarifying.

The defects in the bikes software and the uncontrolled abandoning of bikes clearly requires greater control and sanctions. Other Local Authorities are taking tougher action. W sehould without further delay.

Pleyell Ave & Stamford Brook Common. Uncontrolled greenery



Residents keen to see the Hounslow Highways (HH)Hoe Team clearing our footways.

HH advise they are working in W4 and will complete this work within 4 weeks. A potential danger to those with poor sight.

Dukes Meadows Footbridge shortlisted for an award

 I am delighted to learn that, following a recent judging meeting, the above structure has been shortlisted for the 2023 Structural Steel Design Awards. The full shortlist is available here.

Tough competition.

LBH Signage Audit. A316, Staveley and Hartington Roads traffic scheme

Following the outcry over the issuing of 80k plus PCNs LBH agreed to do a signage audit whilst emphasising the signage currently in use was compliant.

I’ve chased this issue and have been advised by our traffic department that, the changes to the signs relate solely to the addition of the word “taxis” following the decision to permit taxis through the access restrictions. No other changes are deemed necessary.

'The changes to the A316 signs include the addition of the word “taxis” and also include the following proposed changes:

• North-east bound approach to Hartington Road. This sign is being relocated to avoid ongoing maintenance of overhanging vegetation.
• South-west bound approach to Hartington Road. An additional nearside sign is proposed to reduce the ongoing maintenance need of overhanging vegetation.
• North-east bound approach to Staveley Road. An additional offside sign is proposed to reduce the ongoing maintenance need of overhanging vegetation.
• South-west bound approach to Staveley Road. An additional nearside sign is proposed to reduce potential instances of the sign being masked by a stopped bus and overhanging vegetation.

The changes on A316 requires TfL approval, which we are seeking.’

I asked Richard Jennings for his initial views. He says, ‘while it is welcome that taxis will be able to drive through the restrictions, it is unfair that Uber etc. will still not be able to, despite offering a very similar service.  We still have restrictions that deny visitors, deliverers and tradespeople from taking the most direct and natural routes to and from local addresses.’ 

My view is that the signs were wholly inadequate. Adjudicators did allow some appeals on that ground. Residents and visitors did not seek to flout the law and paid a severe penalty in the process.

Planning Appeal - 17 Hartington Road. 26th July 2023 Hounslow House

The appeal is part heard. On the 28th June 2023 LBH Planning published 245 pages of the appellants submissions to the Inspector they had received on the 23rd April. Those opposing the appeal were not given notice of this late publication and had instructed lawyers and others to appear at the first day of the hearing in early July.

The Inspector acknowledged the unfairness and adjourned the hearing to the 26th.

I believe the Planning Committee made the right decision in refusing planning permission to build four houses on the Thames edge. The LBH Surface Water Management Plan Map shows this site to be a high risk of surface Water Flooding. LBH has a responsibility to protect residents from such risks and dangers. The due diligence and evidential objections should have been more robustly tendered at the planning hearing. Local residents have admirably at their own cost pursued this vital aspect for the public good.

LBH Audit committee

At last the LBH accounts for 21-22 are to be approved. 22-23 audit starts shortly.

Part of our role and that of the external auditor who is present is to comment on ‘value for money.’

I raised the matter of 450 council homes being empty, £9m income loss in rental and voids and outstanding repairs to council houses increasing from 57 units to 1200.

We learnt that 152 blue badges had been cancelled by LBH. These badges have a street value of £5k I’m advised.

More wild life - Chiswick House and Gardens

Wild Life Chiswick arranged an interesting talk on the Digger and Beewolf Wasps on Thursday.

I couldn’t attend but had a comprehensive briefing post.

Both wasps breed below ground feeding exclusively on our local bees. Fascinating.

Cllr John Todd

john.todd@hounslow.gov.uk

07866 784651

CONSERVATIVE COUNCILLOR SURGERIES

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). 

CONSERVATIVE COUNCILLORS and CONTACTS

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