Street cleaning
Long periods of dry weather greatly increase the amount of leaf fall on pavements and roads causing potential hazards when the leaves become wet, as does the October/November leaf shedding .
Both councils state that additional sweeping takes place in some streets during peak periods of leaf fall and where necessary we have followed up problems with the respective boroughs to increase the cleaning routine. However, it is often more effective if residents report problems, particularly safety hazards, directly to the relevant authority.
To report a problem with street cleaning, contact:
Hounslow
Report a problem or phone: 020 8583 2000.
Ealing
Report a street cleansing problem or phone 020 8825 8825.
Electric charging points for cars
In response to requests for information, the Society contacted Ealing and Hounslow councils for their current policies.
Both councils are at the early stages of development of electric vehicle charging points (EVCPs), and are working with the private operator Source London to expand the network. The Society welcomes the extension and is keen to work with the councils to ensure that, wherever possible, existing features such as lampposts are used and stand-alone points minimised to avoid street clutter in Bedford Park.
It would also seem to make sense to avoid restricting resident parking spaces and use shared parking bays for charging points. We requested updates from both councils and communicated these to members, drawing attention to a consultation process about Ealing’s proposals to introduce EVCPs in 27 streets across the borough, which included one location in Bedford Park.
In Hounslow, we advised members that the Council is fitting electric vehicle charging points into streetlights as part of a three-year TfL funded trial, allowing residents without off-street parking to directly charge their car from lamp columns located on the kerb side.
Details of charging points across the boroughs and in London generally can be found on the Source London map.
You can also find information on Hounslow’s current policy and its plans for the 3-year trial.
BT cabinet by St Michael & All Angels
We have made numerous complaints about the new large BT cabinet, which appeared without warning or consultation on the footpath through the ‘Triangle’ on the west side of St Michael and All Angels. This site is not included in the locations for new cabinets (to improve Wi-Fi speeds and locate new fibre-optic cables) in the Conservation Area that were discussed and agreed with the BT contractors in 2012. Following our contact with the Conservation Officer at Hounslow, the Council informed BT’s agents that the cabinet location is unacceptable due to the harm it is causing to the setting of a listed building. We have not received a satisfactory response.
20 mph speed limit and street signage
Following the introduction of the 20 mph speed limit and overnight lorry-parking ban across both boroughs, we pressed the councils to ensure that the boundary between the two boroughs in Bedford Park was not disfigured by an unnecessary clutter of competing signs. As a result, Ealing removed all its overnight parking ban signs, and Hounslow refrained from installing signs on its side.
Replacement heritage street lighting for Hounslow
Under their contract with London Borough of Hounslow, Hounslow Highways replaced the street lighting in the borough with appropriate lights. The trial heritage lantern originally proposed did not conform to the required standards and was not in keeping with the conservation area. This was established thanks to a specialist’s report the Society had previously commissioned. With the help of Councillor John Todd we managed to have the decision referred back to the full Cabinet for further consideration.
Initially there was a problem with incorrect height street lighting columns being installed , which were one metre (20%) higher than the ones they are replacing despite the Council’s assurances that the columns would be the same height. Following our contact with the Council, the installation was halted so the columns could be reduced and any new ones matched to the existing column heights.
Taller streetlights alter the aesthetics of the street, look out of proportion with the houses and affect the balance between the columns and the lantern details. Additionally, if the lanterns are too tall they can be lost in the canopy of trees so are ineffective and can also shine directly into front bedrooms.