Forum Topic

the stolen A of Acton

I tried to report the theft of the 'A' on the newly refurbished bridge over Acton High Street; the police say they can't do anything about it until the Council reports the matter- the Council can't put me through to the right department because they don't know who is responsible - the Highway Department says it's not them - none else seems to know either - any ideas anyone ?

Susan Hauser ● 5041d18 Comments

Get through to the council and ask for the 'A' team.

Adrian Morrish ● 5041d

As always, apparently, actual accountability and any action as absent as Acton's 'A'Agree Adrian?

Fred Bray ● 5041d

Agree Fred.

Adrian Morrish ● 5040d

Apparently it fell off and was on the pavement. This was reported to the Council well over a week ago.No doubt the Council did nothing and the A was stolen and is not installed in a local student multiple occupation house - thus of course replacement will incur more debt for you and me who pay Council tax.

Dee Cook ● 5040d

thank you Dee, for this additional info - I find that rather reassuring that at least it was not ripped off the bridge; and who knows, maybe it was 'officially' collected and is being repaired as we write.

Susan Hauser ● 5040d

My worry of course if that if this A fell off, I'm surprised it didn't kill someone walking along the pavement.So I ask the question, are the other letters fixed securely to the bridge, else they might fall off!Of course (I think not) that Ealing Council will have checked all this out.

Dee Cook ● 5040d

Strange.  :o(The silly pots were hung up months ago, and all have stayed firmly in place, but the first letter of the _CTON sign falls off after barely a week.We all sensed there was something a bit 'iffy' about those pots. Has anyone been seen doing ritual dances underneath them? Has CCTV been checked?We were originally told they would contain soil from various forests.More likely got it from Gowing & Pursey.Just as well they didn't put all 22 up.

Fred Bray ● 5040d

Correction!Have just been told by a lightening engineer at Ealing Council, who fitted the lighting behind the letters, that the letters are/were of solid BRONZE and the A was definitely stolen, no chance of them falling off - no doubt the others will follow suit soon.And apparently the Council is well aware of the situation.

Susan Hauser ● 5040d

Not sure who to believe.  On the one hand, these letters are solid bronze, on the other, they are thin copper sheeting and cheap to replace.  I go with thin copper sheeting (cheaper, safer, easier to mount).Also, this was either stolen, or not stolen, but left at the side of the street for people on this forum to see.

N Roberts ● 5040d

Dear All, We thought it would be worth clarifying information regarding the damage to the Acton Bridge sign. 1. The bridge was vandalised and the letter ‘A’  ripped off and stolen.  2. It was reported to the police (by Nick O’Donnell, Ealing Council’s Assistant Director of Strategic Transport) on the day of the incident 3. The lettering is thin copper sheeting not solid bronze.4. The letters were originally secured by three clamps to the bridge (plus multiple wiring) which were all wind and pressure tested and installed by an experienced team of engineers5. The Council has already performed a full inspection of the damage and has instructed further works to both repair and look at additional security measures for the existing lettering6. This may require the temporary removal of the existing letters that are there 7. The corrective works will be undertaken in the coming weeks8. They will be funded out of our Transport for London Flexible Fund as agreed by the council’s Cabinet earlier this yearThank you.

Ealing Council ● 5040d

The A could have been vandalised and left on the pavement, as reported on the other thread, and then stolen later by someone else. So both versions could be true.Two crimes for the price of one. That's BOGOF Acton-style.

Peter Millman ● 5040d

I think this is a first.Hurrah!

Sara Nathan ● 5040d

Phew ! Thank you to whoever you are for this clarifying message, really helpful.And how good to hear that it will be sorted soon, a nice Xmas present for Acton!

Susan Hauser ● 5040d

Perhaps pedantic of me to point out, but it's not a first - they have commented recently on one or two other threads - about rubbish/recycling or something like that as far as I remember.

Clare Gittins ● 5039d

Hope it makes up for the loss of all accessible casualty departments to Actonians - so should a letter, hanging on the wall, "accidentally fall" on a resident, they will just have to drip blood.

Sara Nathan ● 5039d

Dear Ealing Council:As you have access to the bridge, please can you ensure that any graffiti painted on it is reported to your graffitti department and removed immediately.  It has been proven that fast removal of graffiti prevents its reappearance.Thank you.

Dee Cook ● 5039d

This is an interesting read as we saw it propped on the pavement by the bridge the morning after we noticed we had become "Cton".  To be honest, we had been waiting to read about someone being hurt or their vehicle being damaged by 'A's falling from the sky in West London.So the theory is, vandals took an A down, propped it safely against the side and then came back in daylight to collect it...now that is brazen!  Wonder why they didn't need any of the other letters...  Perhaps the cctv will say why.

Michele Pay ● 5039d

In M&S Westfield today I noticed there is a huge letter 'A' right next to the moving staircase in their Food Hall situated in the basement! Well it made me smile!  ;-)

Jean F Fernandez ● 5038d