Forum Topic

Recycling in the bushes on Churchfield Road

The Acton Central Ward forum voted to uproot the litter-concealing bushes at the Oaks and to install recycling bins. Nothing happened for about 18 months.Now I see there is hard standing for the bins - which is great - but the absolute minimum of bushes have been cleared, so it will probably end up messier than before.Just what I need - another brick wall to bang my head against.

Sara Nathan ● 5942d21 Comments

It's such a barren area, though. A few bushes amongst the concrete can't be bad.

Becky Bell ● 5942d

The problem is they are used as a dumping ground for cans, bottles, needles, nappies and all sorts of other nasties.Generally I would agree with you but these are unmaintained and unchecked and hold some horrid surprises.

Sara Nathan ● 5942d

Yik.

Becky Bell ● 5942d

Doesn't a housing association want to build flats on this site?

Dee Cook ● 5942d

Dunno, do they?When last heard, the council couldn't even track down the current owners. But maybe things have moved on.The park rangers say they will strim the other side - the meadow - tomorrow.

Sara Nathan ● 5942d

Perhaps there is a need to remove the railings from the cemetery next door and open up the site.  Are there any landscape architects that could give some advice?It seems such a waste to have all that open space not being used as a public park in an area where there is none.

Dee Cook ● 5942d

I don't think that's a good idea - the Oaks land is not public property - the shopping mall owns it.the churchyard may be deconsecrated but surely it still needs to be more than common land - people do use that to sit in and it's very pretty in spring...I think the Grove Place residents use it a fair bit.Can't see how taking down the railings would help anyhow.And I don't know any landscapers (as my garden amply demonstrates)

Sara Nathan ● 5942d

I was told that the graveyard was a drug dealing site, taking away the railings and opening it up would have the effect of self-policing the area.

Dee Cook ● 5941d

I was told that the graveyard was a drug dealing site, taking away the railings and opening it up would have the effect of self-policing the area.

Dee Cook ● 5941d

No-one told me that and anyhow, if people are happy to deal drugs in Churchfield Road and the park, I can't think removing the railings would make any difference - or increase the practically non-existent police presence.

Sara Nathan ● 5941d

About one day a month, several pairs of police walk up and down Churchfield Road. All the dealers have to do is avoid police day.

Becky Bell ● 5941d

The Park Rangers say they are going to pull thistles from the patch within a week but, having looked at it,  it's too soon to strim if we want it to be a flourishing wild flower meadow next year - so they will do that in July when the flowers have seeded.Will check on the thistle pulling!

Sara Nathan ● 5939d

If you are saying that the drug dealing in the Churchfield Road area is being ignored by the Local Community Police Service, this is something that needs to be raised at the Acton Forum Meeting on 23 June as a matter of urgency.

Dee Cook ● 5939d

Can someone tell me more about the forum meeting. The most active of you seem to be Churchfield Road area, I live on Gunnersbury Lane. We have regularly reporting drug dealing in Denehurst Gardens (opp fire station, borders the tram depot) which is a route for the kids from Acton High and Twyford. WE are managing to get more attention from police and PCSO's for our local problem, why not get our heads together and get some serious representation and response from the police?

Len Worrall ● 5936d

The ward forum under discussion is for Acton Central - which you are not in. Can you find out your ward -then there should be a list of dates on the Ealing website - though I have no idea whether there is.Do you have a local residents' or community association? There's certainly one for Mill Hill residents....and South Acton. If so, you have a rather good local community policeman called Danny i think.

Sara Nathan ● 5936d

Thanks, Sara. I'll look into this. I don't think there is any harm in input from outside the wards as our problem may become yours tomorrow and the more communication we have the better. I run a property maintenance business locally, with several clients in your ward so see and hear the same issues. Drugs are absolutely iniquitous, especially when they are being sold so openly to school children. I am in and around the area most days and if I see the same guys dealing in your area as in mine I will contact the police to get after them.

Len Worrall ● 5936d

yesterday evening at 6ish young man hanging around the walkway over the railway station, Goldsmith Avenue j/w St. Dustans Avenue, tall, thin, wearing a green hoody top

Dee Cook ● 5936d

But hanging around definitely not a crime - young people do it a lot especially if they are not flush - we shouldn't demonise the young just because they hang around on their own or in groups - it's what they do...like sleep a lot and not put their washing in the machine.

Sara Nathan ● 5936d

Yes, teenagers need to be out and seen! I was a goody-two-shoes with a strict mother, but even I managed a bit of aimless hanging about with a girlfriend at the age when you need to be out there in case you miss something, but have no money for cafes and are not allowed in bars.

Becky Bell ● 5936d

Walking through Acton Park last week, two teenagers, in school uniform, a girl on boys lap, sitting on a park bench, kissing.  (Cue shocked of Acton)20 minutes later, after I'd reached home, same two teenagers walked past the house. I thought I was going mad when they walked past the house once more, in the same direction as before, about half an hour later.  Simply walking 'around the block' together!

Fred Bray ● 5935d

How sweet - didn't know kiddies did that any more!

Sara Nathan ● 5935d