Public services » West Ealing Neighbours Blog

A blot on West Ealing: the shame that is Canberra Road

David Highton, Public services, West Ealing 5 Responses »

Oct 162011

A blot on West Ealing: the shame that is Canberra Road

To be honest Canberra Road is driving me nuts! Canberra Road is the service road that runs along the north side of Sainsbury’s and across Melbourne Ave by the side of Luckhurst’s and to the back of Lidl’s. I pass it almost every day and almost without fail it’s a disgrace – dumped black bags, old sofas, bags of clothes and overflowing wheelie bins. The problem is that it’s at the back of a row of shops where deliveries have to take place and it now is the entrance to a host of new flats built on top of many of these shops (some of which do not appear to have any of their own bins) and it has a large charity collection bin for clothes. All in all, it’s seen as a good dumping ground for people wanting to fly-tip all manner of unwanted goods. In fairness, the Council tries hard to keep [...]

Residents’ concerns about drug dealing in West Ealing are being addressed by police and Community Safety team

Public services 1 Response »

Aug 022011

Following up on West Ealing Neighbours’ recent public meeting a West Ealing resident writes: The young man had a limp and looked uneasy. As my neighbour watched him from an upstairs window, he crossed and re-crossed Mattock Lane several times, hovering near St John’s Church. After 20 minutes a car drew up, the man got into the front seat. A minute later he stepped back on to the street and headed for Dean Gardens. A drug deal? Probably. Certainly when I told the police about this incident, and another that had taken place near St John’s Church a few days earlier, you could see the police sergeant’s ears prick up. He wanted to know what time these deals usually happened? What time of day should he send his officers on patrol? My conversation with the police was at WEN’s recent meeting about drug dealing on the streets of W13. While grateful [...]

The Grim Reaper could soon be in charge of Ealing’s heritage

Eric Leach, Local Development Framework, Local history, Public services No Responses »

Jul 222011

Last night I attended the first Ealing Council LDF Advisory Committee Meeting. The Local Development Framework is our National Government’s ‘vehicle’ for Local Authorities to define their preferred use of land within their borders for the next 15 years. Attendees attending the meeting who were allowed to speak were seven Councillors and a handful of Council Officers. I was one of a precious, small group of residents who were invited to attend as observers. It reminded me of attending a lap dancing club where you could watch the girls ‘dance’, but you were not allowed to touch them. Chairing the meeting was Leader of the Council Councillor Julian Bell. He was on his first day of holiday from his day job at The Houses of Parliament.

The battle is on to save Northfields Library

Eric Leach, Public services 4 Responses »

Apr 142011

The battle is on to save Northfields Library

Vice Chair of WEN Eric Leach went to last night’s consultation on Northfields Library, and reports back. With standing room only at a well attended meeting last night, Ealing Council tried valiantly to defend its proposal to close Northfields Library. The Council plans to close Hanwell, Northfields, Northolt and Perivale Libraries as part of its need to cut £65 million from its running costs for 2011/12. Council Leader Bell attempted to respond to residents issues and questions which included: 1. Public Libraries are open to all and provide easy, affordable access to information and books to both young and old. Closing public libraries is a sign of a civilisation going backwards. 2. In 2006/7 the Council spent £610,200 on rejuvenating Northfields Library. How can you now just write off that money and close the library down? 3. £2 million is currently being spent to build a new Log Cabin, Scout [...]