Forum Topics

'Travellers' in Elthorne Park

The feral scum have broken through the security gates and are currently occupying Elthorne Park in Hanwell. Around 35 vehicles and caravans and rubbish already being dumped! So far, eight, make that ten, police vehicles in attendance.

N V Brooks ● 1127d3 Comments ● 1127d

E1 bus route extended to Osterley Tesco

Yesterday I wrote on Pitshanger Area Friends' Facebook Page that some bus routes which terminate outside Ealing Broadway Station were inevitably going to have to be shortened or lengthened, just to reduce the number of buses using the station as a terminus. Currently, buses that terminate outside the station are the 65, 112, 226, 297, E1, E7, E8, E9 and E10 (have I missed any?!). We surely all agree that there is nowhere near enough road space to handle this number.  It was pure coincidence, then, that two E1 drivers told me yesterday that TfL is currently running a risk assessment for the E1 to run from Greenford to Osterley via Ealing Broadway. From Greenford, it will follow its current route to Ealing Broadway Station. It will then turn right onto Uxbridge Road, left into St. Mary's Road and continue along South Ealing Road before turning right onto the Great West Road and terminating at Tesco Osterley. None of this has been publicised as yet; you heard it from me first!      The change is anticipated to take place "in a couple of months, maybe more." It is more than probable that the lengthening of the route, which will bring with it more traffic and the likelihood of more roadworks, will mean that the E1's high frequency will be considerably reduced and therefore become less reliable. On the positive side, it will alleviate the overcrowding outside the station. My guess is that the E9 will be the next route to be amended; if it does it will probably terminate at Greenford Broadway. We shall see. Why do I think this? First, the E9 frequently runs late and often gets turned round at Scotch Common; second, because not only are Pitshanger Lane and Woodfield Road bottlenecks when two buses try to pass each other, but also because I don't think that Eaton Rise, Woodfield Road and Pitshanger Lane require two routes - I base this observation on traffic hold-ups and the small boarding numbers at the 10 or so intermittent stops from Scotch Common to Castlebar Road (I hope that is not a controversial opinion because I do not want to have a debate about it!).

Ben Owen ● 1156d17 Comments ● 1134d

New Lido or news management?

It really would be great to have a new lido in the area and I really hope the council are sincere in the announcement that one is being planned.  However, it is difficult to resist the temptation to be cynical that the announcement has come just after the Town Hall debacle possibly in an attempt to distract. What tends to give credence to this view is that no mention of possible sites has been made. An area near Wormwood Scrubs (outside the borough) was identified several years ago for a community-led lido project but that seems to be making slow progress. This shows that finding a location is just base camp when it comes to getting one of these built so to say that a lido will be built in the 'next few years' seems overly optimistic or downright misleading. I could be wrong. It could be that the council is well advanced with a scheme but can't tell us for commercial reasons. After all, if they have got funding for the project as they claim, it is very unlikely that this was given without some indication of where it might be spent. However, if there is no further information on this in the next six months, it has to be concluded that this is a case of 'look at this shiny thing and not the horrible mess over there'.

Gordon Southwell ● 1135d1 Comments ● 1135d

Reduce and Reuse Event - 2nd September 2023

Reduce and Reuse Event - 2nd September 2023The Acton Market Reduce and Recycle Hub is back on 2nd September!!We will be joined byEaling Repair Cafe Traid Act for Ealing Renewsharpening Churchfield Community AssociationIf  you have clothes, small electricals or books for recycling  - start gathering them together.If you have questions about household recycling our expert from Act for Ealing will be on hand to help you out.Need to fix your clothes? Ealing Repair Cafe volunteers will be on hand to help you learn the best stictches that fix!!!We look forward to seeing you on Saturday 2nd September  between 10am and 3pm.

Zahra Shah ● 1156d3 Comments ● 1136d

Gordon Ramsay Quits Ealing

I was disappointed to see the Bread Street Cafe had closed. The Full Englishs were very good and not that much more expensive than you pay else where.The closure seems very sudden and mysterious. It's been a while since I was there but it seemed to be doing reasonable business.When I told a friend about it I reassured her that it looked like a new place called Meyar was opening there but she pointed out this was just the partly revealed sign for the Limeyard restaurant that was there before. Duh!

Tricia Arbuthnot ● 1145d6 Comments ● 1136d

Ealing Art Trail 2023

https://ealingbeat.org.uk/Could be fun.

Susan Kelly ● 1137d1 Comments ● 1137d

EASEMENT (long use since 1988) upheld by the UTLC Appeal Judge on 27/7/2023

Dr Gillian Reed longtime resident of 42 Wimborne Gardens won her legal Appeal case on all 3 grounds of appeal yesterday at the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) Hearing in Court No.21 at the Royal Courts of Justice in The Strand. Dr Reed's usage of land immediately adjacent to her house for inspection, maintenance and repairs of her north-facing house wall, plinth, drains and gutters, etc since 1988 created an easement recognised in law as against the neighbouring landowner.Please see part of Andrew Skelly's (Dr Reed's barrister) summary note of the proceedings on 27th July 2023 below. The full Judgment in favour of Dr Reed is to follow in September 2023."1. The hearing was before Judge Elizabeth Cooke, sitting in Court 21 of the Royal Courts of Justice.2. There were three grounds of appeal. By an order dated 21st October 2022 the FtT granted permission to appeal on Ground 3.   The Appellant applied for permission to appeal on Grounds 1 and 2.  By an order dated 7th November 2022 the Deputy Chamber President directed that the appeal and the application for permission to appeal on the additional grounds will be determined by the Tribunal at a single hearing.3. The hearing today was thus the combined hearing of the appeal / permission to appealthe order of the FtT dated 15th July 2022.  As a matter of practicality, therefore, theTribunal heard all arguments on all grounds.4. The Grounds were such that if the Appellant succeeded on Ground 1, that would be conclusive and it would not be necessary to consider Grounds 2 or 3.  Likewise, if unsuccessful on Ground 1, but successful on Ground 2, that would be conclusive and it would not be necessary to consider Ground 3.5. The Grounds were as follows:i) Long UserThe FtT erred in law and/or procedure in concluding that the Appellant relied only on the Prescription Act 1832 to put her case, and that the claim was therefore governed only by section 2 of the 1832 Act.  The FtT should have dealt with the claim also on the basis of the doctrine of lost modern grant.  Had the Judge properly done so, he would have held that the right had been established by 2008.  Noting that happened after that – by way of permission or interruption – would have any relevanceii) PermissionThe FtT erred in law and/or in fact in finding that the Appellant had sought and obtained permissioniii) Effect of PermissionThe FtT erred in law and/or in fact in finding that as a result of permission held to have been given in 2010 for a specific purpose, the Applicant’s user for every purpose thereafter remained permissiveRESULT6. The Judge heard argument from Counsel on behalf of the Appellant, and from Mr Outten in person.  At the conclusion of the hearing she explained that it is usual for the Tribunal to reserve judgment.  However, she decided to take the less usual approach of telling the parties her decision immediately, and following up with the written decision in due course.7. The appeal succeeded on Ground 1, and the Judge said that it also succeeds on Grounds 2 and 3 if it was necessary to go that far....."Ealing Planning Department had granted a planning permission to the adjacent landowner that would have obstructed this easement - now this cannot go ahead unchallenged!

Victor Mishiku ● 1177d1 Comments ● 1137d

When is fibre broadband coming to South Ealing?

Men in hi-vis have been pulling fibre from manhole to manhole down South Ealing Road for the last month or more.But when I go to the BT Openreach site and enguire when FTTP will be available, the answer is: not planned any time before end-2025.Anyone know better/different?

Mark Vale ● 1159d12 Comments ● 1140d

Pine stripping

More like an old door than a pine one! Can anyone recommend a good local service that they have used? Thanks

Peter King ● 1140d0 Comments ● 1140d

Won’t say I told you so ….

But, tfl Santander bikes at their lowest level of hire for over a decade.Why? Because of the weather (& tfl/khan greed ££££)Cyclings fine for some occasions, but when it’s rammed  down your throat.No one drives for fun

Peter Yale ● 1152d18 Comments ● 1141d

Brentford Festival - Sunday 3rd September

I thought that this would be a good place to extend my apologies to all those that joined the festival newsletter system but heard nothing back.  Also to all those that read the Diary of an Event Manager who have not seen any updates.I have had a fantastically busy year of planning (not just this event) and of course the event is about to happen. We have an astounding 75 stalls in addition to 10 catering units, the petting farm and of course the popular dog show.   CAMRA beer arrives Friday so should be nicely chilled by Sunday - we have moved the position this year to the mirror room (more space).  Come and spend the day, particularly come and see our youngest act (The Champs) performing on the stage.  They are a primary school band and are soooooooo excited.  This will be followed by a flamenco demonstration and later on Morris dancing - it is all going to be happening at The Brentford Festival noon to 6pm

Linda Massey ● 1142d0 Comments ● 1142d

Now where did I leave my ark?

I actually saw a council gulley cleaning vehicle a few weeks ago, having thought they had gone the way of Boris' watercannons. Driving back from Victoria Road in south Ruislip today, the need for regular maintenance of local roads was there for all to see. A large ''lido'' at the bottom of Eaton Rise, the usual small lake where Woodville Road meets Haven Green as well as the same for Helena Road and Mount Avenue. The Mylett Arms forecourt was under water as well as the ''summer'' resorts to type in England. To add insult to injury, the council rejected a joint Liberal/Tory councillor ask for some of our council tax money to be spent putting in a drain at the northern exit of Montpelier Park to take away the water/mud that runs down the slope there. What does this council actually do?

Peter King ● 1171d26 Comments ● 1149d

Action West London Community Day - 24th August

Action West London will be co-hosting a Community Day on Thursday 24th August at Acton MarketAs part of the day there will be the regular market and food traders as well as;The Reduce and Recycle Hub - helping you learn to mend clothes and sew on school badges and labelsTraid helping you to recycle clothes and small electrical itemsChurchfield Community Association running a book swapEaling Council sharing information about courses for young peopleFood Cycle Acton, sharing information about their refugee food schemeNHS healthy start scheme, helping low income mums sign up for nutritional support for 0 - 4 years oldsCancer Research sharing information about their workThe Metropolitan Police sharing recruitment opportunities +moreCome and join us between 10am and 3pm on Thursday 24th August

Zahra Shah ● 1157d1 Comments ● 1149d

What's happening at Gunnersbury Park today?

Lots of kids on the tube getting of at Acton town. Gig by someone unheard of maybe?

Peter King ● 1153d5 Comments ● 1152d

Personal accountant recommendation, please?

I've just looked through the forum discussion archive, the last time an accountant recommendation was asked for was in 2013.Now 2023, I'm looking for an accountant who can complete a yearly personal SA form, for a person whose income sources is straightforward.Back in 2013, I see that accountant Joe Bourke was recommended. Does anybody now have any other recommendations? Many thanks.

Tony Heath ● 1159d0 Comments ● 1159d

The Information Commissioner Decisions re. Ealing Council

Two recent ICO Decisions re. Ealing Council referred to:A request for information about two areas of land re. Ealing Council's pre-application advice given to developers in 2019 was REFUSED by the Council. The first area of land was to the north of West Ealing Station, which led to the submission of planning application ref: 202231FUL on 11th June 2020. The applicants being Southern Grove and Thames Valley Housing. The second area was to the south east of the station on land at Hastings Road. This development was being proposed by the A2 Dominion (formerly Acton Housing Association Ltd). A planning application (ref 192864FUL) was submitted on 27th June 2019 (but was not formally validated by the public authority - the submission being considered premature in relation to ongoing discussions).The Council initially cited EIR Regulation 12(5)(f) (voluntary supply) as the reason for its refusal to provide the requsted information. Subsequently, the Council also gave additional reasons for its refusal citing: Regulation 12(4)(e) (internal communications) and also Regulation 12(4)(d) (unfinished material).The Complainant reported the matter to The Information Commissioner.The Information Commissioner's conclusion was that:"The public authority has not persuaded the Commissioner that any of its cited exceptions are engaged, thus she directs that the withheld information be communicated to the complainant. However, it is not to disclose the names and contact details of all persons therein, as this information is outside the scope of the complainant’s request."ICO Decision Ref: Reference: IC-51437-C5Z2Dated: 27th October 2020..........................In the case relating to development at 15A Tring Avenue near Ealing Common, the Complainant had requested Ealing Council to provide a number of different documents. On 9th October 2017, the Complainant wrote to the Council and requested information in the following terms:1. All internal procedure documents detailing how the planning department makes decisions under their delegated powers, in particular regarding residential properties.2. All terms of reference of internal planning department decision making bodies and/or forums.3. All authorities of planning department staff under any delegated powers.4. All documents (including but not limited to emails, instant messages, telephone call notes (and recordings thereof) and manuscript notes) relating to: 1. The original grant of planning permission (redacted); and 2. The variation of condition 5 of that permission’.The Council withheld the e-mails requested citing:  Regulation 13 (third party personal data)However, following the complaint to the The Information Commissioner, the ICO Decision stated:"2. …The Council incorrectly applied the exception to the sender/recipient details of emails sent to and received by the applicant in the planning matter related to the complainant’s request. The Commissioner therefore requires the Council to take the following steps to ensure compliance with the legislation.PROVIDE THE COMPLAINANT WITH THE SENDER/RECIPIENT DETAILS OF EMAILS SENT TO AND RECEIVED BY THE APPLICANT.3. The Council must take these steps within 35 calendar days of the date of this decision notice. Failure to comply may result in the Commissioner making written certification of this fact to the High Court pursuant to section 54 of the Act and may be dealt with as a contempt of court. 4. The Commissioner has also found that in handling the complainant’s request, the Council breached regulation 5(1) and 5(2) of the EIR by failing to make environmental information available. The Council also unreasonably and  excessively delayed in providing the information to the complainant. Additionally, the Council breached regulation 11(4) and 11(5) by failing to conduct an internal review within 40 working days."

Victor Mishiku ● 1160d3 Comments ● 1160d

Noise nuisance – Boston Manor Park

If you want to complain about the noise coming from Boston Manor Park (Junction 2 Festival), here’s how: Hounslow Council:Webform for noise complaints: https://www.hounslow.gov.uk/info/20038/noise_nuisance/1171/report_a_noise_nuisance/1Postcode of the location is TW8 9JX.You can also contact Ealing Council (which is not unreasonable, given that the racket can be heard clearly in Ealing):  020 8825 8111

David Marshall ● 1182d6 Comments ● 1164d

Travellers Site in Ealing

I wonder what Bassam Mahfouz, Dee Martin and Lauren Wall (Northolt West End's three Labour Councillors) have done to annoy the Labour leadership such that two sites in their area have been recommended for the new Traveller site(s).

Ian Fergus ● 1170d2 Comments ● 1165d

Mobility Scooter Question

Hi. A friend's mother has limited mobility at 86 and depends on him to get shopping etc. He wonders whether she might benefit from a mobility scooter - especially as she used to be a driver, so has road sense. The 2nd-hand models start at ca. £800 and, presumably, compared with a new price of £4,000, come with their own set of problems!Does anyone know where best to research this issue? I wonder if she's entitled to NHS / Council help and where to go for further info? What's the mechanism or procedure to take this forward with the NHS or social services etc?Thanks for any advice!

Phil Kay ● 1188d8 Comments ● 1170d

Closure of Amazon Fresh

I'd been meaning to give this a try just for the experience but never got round to it. Must admit to feeling a bit uncomfortable about the concept. It's a surprise that Amazon has cut it. Did anybody who used it have a view on why it failed?

Mark Evans ● 1177d11 Comments ● 1171d