Forum Topics

PARKING PERMITS

Does anyone know whether the council are still issuing paper permits for residential parking because I am very confused.  I received a letter dated 23 March 2015 reminding me to renew my permit which expired on 20 April 2015. The  last two sentences/paragraphs are highlighted in yellow and say 'Please ensure that your permit is clearly displayed in the windscreen of the permitted vehicle' and that otherwise I might get a PCN.  I renewed it on line but noticed that the website said that from 15 April 2015 no more paper permits would be issued.   I have received my permit has not arrived.  I have tried phoning and emailing the parking services and have received no replies.  I would like to know whether it is safe to park without a permit or visitor's voucher which would obviously cost money as I am not keen on getting a PCN and having to appeal but can get no confirmation from the council.

Lucy Gray ● 4162d8 Comments ● 4156d

Independent candidate Jonathan Notley excluded from CCA Hustings

This has recently come to my attention.Apparently the reasoning is that they couldn't cope with more than the 5 main parties (UKIP and Green included in that).Other Hustings, including those at Hanger Hill and Bedford Park appear to have managed, so I'm not sure I buy this line of argument.Of course Jonathan is not expected to win, but then neither are the Greens or UKIP. What he is doing though is fighting for this area against inappropriate development - which is a big topic on this forum. So surely that message being spread is a good thing?I know the organisers are on here, and I urge you all to reconsider. He is a decent chap, and much less controversial than me :)

Julian Smith ● 4157d27 Comments ● 4156d

Goodbye QPR

Well it's been fun while it lasted in the Premiership. The team seemed resigned to the fact that we are going down today. Least Brentford will not be too far next season.

Tony Crumpton ● 4159d1 Comments ● 4157d

Damp proofing

Am looking for someone to come and fix some damp that I have around my living room window.  I am sick of having workmen in, being ripped off and then having the problem recur.  Would be grateful for any recommendations.

Danielle Fox ● 4157d2 Comments ● 4157d

Redbrick residents association

For anyone who is affected by the South Acton regeneration project, a group has been set up which holds monthly meetings to make sure the residents involved get a fair deal on the compulsory purchase of their properties.  Feel free to follow on twitter https://twitter.com/redbrickactonOr on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/redbrickresidents/timelineJo

Jo Jackson ● 4160d6 Comments ● 4157d

Why we need to hear Independent voices in elections

Please all watch this guy speak. He is not local, and has no party affiliationsI happen to agree with him, but that's beside the pointhttp://youtu.be/AWZKiIyyVNY4 minutes well worth spending

Julian Smith ● 4157d0 Comments ● 4157d

Horn Ln. Industrial Site...EA LBE Angie Bray meeting 12th July.

Time required of meeting please.  Time to let the polluters know how we feel.From Angie Bray speech at Westminster Hall, 25 June 2013.Notwithstanding the inaction so far, I have pursued a further meeting with the Environment Agency and Ealing council, which we are holding at the Horn Lane site on 12 July as a last-ditch attempt to bang heads together. It is no use the council launching new and costly consultations about what new monitoring or green infrastructure measures might help to ease the problem. We have already had eight years of monitoring. At the very least, what is needed is action against the pollution perpetrators and, more importantly, greater thought to be given to a site that should be a regeneration priority for the borough, especially when we consider the fantastic opportunity that a new Crossrail station in the area presents.However, there is a real fear that Ealing council will continue to make noises about small, remedial measures to ease the problem, which anyone who has followed this issue closely knows will do precisely nothing to ease the problem. Also attending the meeting on 12 July will be representatives from City Hall and I hope that Ealing council will be prepared to discuss with the Mayor’s team the wider planning considerations of a rezoning of the site for residential and business use, and to promote the obvious benefits that a rezoning might bring.

Nikki Howard ● 4828d15 Comments ● 4157d

Drone flying

Hi all.  A few people have mentioned to me that they're concerned about the drone that gets flown around the St Dunstan's Ave/Friars Way.  I too have seen and heard it and have been driving along when the drone has been feet away from my car.  It does look like great fun and no-one wants to stop anyone having this kind of fun at all (I don't think it's a child flying it, as I saw a man with the controls but couldn't stop to speak to him.)  Have fun by all means and if that person is reading this, here is some information I found about flying a drone which will help to stop people being concerned and alarmed (one person has a dog who gets really spooked by the sound)."......you must avoid flying it within 150 metres of a congested area and 50 metres of a person, vessel, vehicle or structure not under the control of the pilot."  and...."That’s probably going to be fine if you’re flying the drone in your back garden, but if you’re in a park, for example, you need to be very careful about making sure you’re not flying it within 50 metres of other people who are in the park.."   Clearly this drone isn't being flown with those distances in mind.  I got these from various sites.  Here's a good one.  Enjoy your drone and keep everyone happy by respecting privacy and safety.   http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/11541504/Where-is-the-legal-line-in-flying-drones.html

Angela White ● 4157d0 Comments ● 4157d

15th April, Conservative Councillors walking away from Labour Councillors

I'm apolitical (i vote for the person rather than the party). Anyway, many years ago a very very wise, esteemed and eminent man once said to me "sometimes in life you have to walk away". Personally i think that the Conservative councillors must have felt that they couldn't reason with some of the Labour councillors and maturely and collectively decided to walk away, ergo using their time more wisely and effectively, rather than wasting their time with some of those in the Labour ranks that purportedly didn't want to have a reasoned, mature and sensible debate about a major issue of our time ie Affordable Housing. An issue that is currently affecting many of the working class poor in the wider Acton area. So, in a nutshell, the Conservative Councillors wanted to talk about it but it would appear that some of the Labour Councillors didn't. Mind you it was only a Full Council Meeting, heh.

Alex Thomas ● 4159d4 Comments ● 4158d

Arwani murder investigation holds Khalid Rashad brother of former Boney M member

Interesting comment from the Centre, who seem more concerned with getting the accused released than cooperating with police and seeing justice done.  Discuss.  Especially the connection with Boney M.

Anne Brown ● 4158d1 Comments ● 4158d

New Youth Centre in Southfields

Firstly can I say, I have every respect for Sally Chacatte and what she and her team have achieved at W4youth how she wants to expand.I am a bit miffed though when she states there is nothing in the Southfield ward for young people.My scout group on Rugby road has been there years, we are only small but we try to help young people ( we cannot offer the same activities as W4youth ) but we try.We also support the local residents, they use the hall for local meetings, quizzes etc, again with no fuss.LBE are quick to call us when they need meeting space and they want it for free as well.I would love to have the backing and grant access Sally has, we need a new floor and toilets.We like Sally want the young people to have fun, learn and develop themselves, which we certainly achieve.I apologies if I sound bitter, but I and my very small team put a lot of hardwork into the group and the only thanks we get is the smile on the young peoples faces.Glenn Young14th Acton Scout Group   

Glenn Young ● 4158d0 Comments ● 4158d

BUCKWHEAT HUSKS

I have lots of buckwheat husks that I was going to bin.  Before doing so, does anyone want them?

Pat Smith ● 4159d10 Comments ● 4158d

Friary Park consultation - last chance tomorrow 10.30

Good people. Please see if you can find the time to attend the last ever Friary Park consultation tomorrow morning at 10.30. I know it is Saturday and you have other things in mind, but please try, even for half an hour. Bring the baby, bring the dog, bring your mama. No need to ask questions or even comment if you don't like, but if you value your GP appointment, your child's school place, the view from your back garden, even your own garden, come and listen to the plans for a 20 story tower, blocks of flats six stories high, a 'plinth' 2 meters high, and the transparent hope that 660 dwellings can be squeezed into a site that currently has 220. The'workshop' will take place in the Community Hall more or less diagonally across from the front entrance to Friary Park estate. Catalyst kindly provide refreshments. The cake is delicious.

Maire Lowe ● 4160d5 Comments ● 4160d

Clairvoyants

Does anyone know of a good clairvoyant or medium in the area?  One that's not going to charge ridiculous amounts of money?!!

Danielle Fox ● 4165d15 Comments ● 4160d

Thanks to the good citizen...

...who picked up the bunch of keys (house, bike, Boris Bike aagh) which fell out of my bag near the gym this morning.Your handing them in to the gym reception has made ALL the difference to my day/weekend.Thank you.

Sara Nathan ● 4161d3 Comments ● 4160d

Local part time bookkeeper required

I own a small boiler repair business in Acton and need someone for 5/10 hours a week. Any suggestions anyone?  Thanks

David Halpin ● 4162d1 Comments ● 4161d

WARA hustings tonight

Arranged only in the last week, but for those of you who can't wait for the CCA event next week, they'll be doing it tonight at West Acton Primary School, Noel Road 7.30-9pm. Questions in advance to WARAHustings@gmail.com.

Vlod Barchuk ● 4163d5 Comments ● 4161d

Reminder:  Catalyst Workshop happening 6.30 tonight - Friary Park

Friary Park community centre at 6.30pm re Friary Park "regeneration".

Angela White ● 4161d0 Comments ● 4161d

Skyscraper Acton

Coming to a corner or back garden near your soon!  Skyscraper Acton.  Do you want an 10, 14, even 20 storey tower looming over Acton Central?  If Catalyst Housing have their way we’ll be looking at a super-sized Friary Park estate pretty soon.  And it won’t stop there…..once these monsters are given planning permission (that’s the towers, not Catalyst) you’ll find these little darlings popping up all over the place.  You think that strip of land at the end of your road is safe?  Think again.  We must stop this proposal.  Catalyst haven’t yet put their planning application in – they are consulting residents via their workshops.  You need to make your voice heard loud and clear if you wish to stop these towers being built.  Of course, the towers aren’t the only concern, but they should be our priority.  This development is just the tip of the iceberg.  We must make our Councillors take note and take action.  Don’t let the developers run amok – say no, or Acton will be high rise heaven for developers.  Where next? East Acton?  Top of Perryn Road?If you’re concerned, there are many things you can do:  write to your Labour Councillors for Acton Central, Angie Bray, MP, Labour candidate for MP Rupa Huq, to name a few.  Attend the Catalyst Workshops to voice your opinion.  You can also join the Friary Green Residents’ Association (at no charge).  We have our first AGM next Tuesday, 24th March at 7.30 to 8.30pm at St Dunstan’s Church, W3 7AW.  Here’s the residents’ association website for you to join online:  http://www.friarygreenresidents.org.uk/join-fgra  See you there.

Angela White ● 4195d43 Comments ● 4162d

Final Catalyst Workshop for Friary Park redevelopment - find out proposed tower heights

The next and final workshops run by Catalyst Housing regarding the Friary Park regeneration are as follows. It is hugely important that residents, their views and objections are represented at these meetings by as many residents as possible:Workshop 4 - The design journey*   Thursday 23rd April 6.30-8.30pm*   Saturday 25th April 10.30am-12.30pmThe above workshops are repeats, so you only need to attend one of them.Workshops are held in the Community Centre, which is on the Friary Park estate.  Please come along and make your voice heard. Catalyst are nearing the end of their “consultation” period and will finalise their planning application shortly. We need that planning application to reflect our views and concerns on the proposed high-rises in particular.

Chris Petrie ● 4168d3 Comments ● 4162d