Havering Residents'Association
Working for the people of Havering
Your Letters |
AG, Romford:
A DARTFORD TOLL MYTH
I read in the Yellow Advertiser (13.8.08) that the D of T spokesman referred to research that showed that “if the toll was taken away, traffic congestion would worsen at the crossing”.
What research is he referring to?
The comment beggar's belief and whoever did the research either has a vested interest in retaining the toll or has no conception of the word congestion.
Congestion does not occur simply because the volume of traffic increases, it occurs because there is a restriction or obstruction. When was the flow of traffic allowed to pass unimpeded, occasioned by the removal of all of the toll booths, to enable this hypothesis to be validated? The tollbooths currently provide the restriction to the free flow of traffic, which dispensed with would ease congestion dramatically.
The D o T spokesman really needs to acquaint himself with queuing theory before making such a crass statement.
Simple economics also dictates that whether the toll is 10p or £10 that drivers will not wish to incur huge additional fuel costs by finding an alternative route to the Dartford Crossing.
I feel that the motorist, as usual, is being stitched up once again.
Editor: I agree with you 100% and am equally dumfounded by the logic of saying that the toll somehow 'controls' traffic flow. Like you, I believe that traffic volumes would be the same if it were 10p, £1, £1.50 or zero!
15.8.08
CG, Cranham:
CRANHAM BUS STOP STORM (2)
I write with reference to the closure of the bus stop in Cranham village.
Whilst this does not affect me in any way I feel that an injustice has been served on the bus users, resulting from this decision.
Unfortunately due to the Council's decision to charge for car parking, the whole area has become congested including the bus- lay by, but not of course the carpark.However, I do sympathise with the protest against paying for parking, but as a responsible motorist I do not think drivers should get away with parking in bus lay-by's causing this sort of disruption for bus passengers.
Where is the smart car now I wonder? still doing it's round of Cranham Gardens and other quiet streets in the area.
Furthermore this bus stop is topped with a yellow cover directing people to Dorkins Way , but unless you look up in the air, the first realisation of the situation is when the bus pulls out of the depot and passes without stopping. It should also be said that Dorkins way is a bus ride away for many people.
Something has to be done to resolve this problem.
Editor: See next letter.
23.7.08
GD, Cranham:
CRANHAM BUS STOP STORM
I've just read your story on the suspension of the bus stop outside Tesco in Front Lane, Cranham, having gone to get my usual Monday morning bus to work in Hornchurch only to find the notice pasted on the shelter regarding the suspension.
It is so infuriating that the world stops for the car driver. This bus stop has been used for over 40 years (I'm a lifetime resident) and because some idle motorists are too lazy to get off their fat bums and park in the car park the rest of us are put to a great deal of inconvenience. Instead of dealing with the problem - illegally parked drivers - TfL take the easy way out and just get rid of the bus stop. Where's the commitment to public transport in doing that?
I now have the options of waiting further up Front Lane, where I can't see if a bus is even in the terminus and thus waste 20 minutes waiting; or I can spend that 20 minutes walking into Upminster to catch a 248 or 370 there; or I can catch a 346 in Cranham and then a 248/370, paying twice for the privilege of trying to get to Hornchurch. I have a car but won't drive to work while there is a bus route almost door to door and car traffic in the local area is appalling, mostly because of the school run.
Of course it doesn't help that the car park has lost its free status. Since the car park is so unpopular, wouldn't it make sense to turn that into the bus stop, as suggested in your website story?
Editor: The suspension of the bus stop is really down to selfish motorists who continually park in the bay thereby causing a hazard as the bus has nowhere to pull in. As set out on the website item, enforcement is key but if it is mobile for two or three times a day the drivers will simply pull in there when the parking attendants have left. I would like to see a fixed enforcement camera there and the problem would be solved at a stroke. However, the current thinking is to move the boarding point into the bus turnaround area, but this could take many months.
In the meantime we are meeting with Council and TfL this Friday to set out a way forward for the immediate future.
23.7.08
Cllr Clarence Barrett, Cranham:
NICE WORK.....
Last week it was reported that senior civil servants qualified for bonuses totalling some £128million, £19m of which was paid to Revenue and Customs staff. Also revealed last week was the fact that Revenue and Customs had wrongly paid out some £1.5billion of tax credits. Whilst I understand the correlation between ‘bonuses' and ‘targets', I dread to think what the bonuses would have been had the tax credits been paid out correctly!
19.7.08
JP, Hornchurch:
DARTFORD TOLL MISERY
I was obliged to travel through the tunnel this week. I had forgotten how chaotic it is during the rush hour and believe that, if the fee is increased, it will be even more so due to the large number of motorists who will find that they do not have the required change. There will be log jams at the booths where notes have to be offered as payment. Still, at least the Government's coffers will be boosted by the extra income gained by even more fuel being wasted by this lengthening queue of motorists. The moral is: " talk green but think tax".
Editor: Couldn't agree more. I too was caught up in the hideous jams this week and am appalled that the congestion is largely caused by the collection of a congestion charge itself! As you may be aware, my petition to the PM has so far gathered some 6,000 names and is growing fast! To view/sign please visit: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/dartxx/
5.7.08
MS, Upminster:
St FRANCIS HOSPICE FURNITURE REMOVALS
I did not realise that the St Francis Hospice Furniture Shop (Avon Rd, Cranham) will dispose of old furniture for you. The items I had were not suitable for them to sell, but they were able to offer the disposal service. The gentlemen were brilliant, carrying heavy furniture down the stairs with the utmost care - a very tiring and awkward job - for a very reasonable price!
18.6.08
UPMINSTER LIBRARY NOT WORKING?
I couldn't agree more with the Bulletin reader (June 2008) and comments made about the so called beneficial changes to the above – what nonsense!
The moving of the counter (it now causes a bottleneck situation), the silly bits of paper instead of stamping the book, the lack of staff – they are so busy at the counter they hardly have time for filing the books away, the computer area (this could be moved to the upper floor where there is plenty of space and it would be a much quieter area for them), the new shelves where the books all fall out etc., etc., so much public money spent and they haven't got it right yet!!
13.6.08
Geoffrey Farmer, Upminster:
WHEN IS A SPITFIRE NOT A SPITFIRE?
On page 16 of issue 82 of "Living" there is a photograph with the caption "A Spitfire in action at North Weald". It is not a Spitfire; it is a Hurricane (see images).
If ‘Living' cannot get simple facts like this correct how are we expected to believe anything else written in the newspaper?
Spitfire
HurricaneTom2006
4.6.08
A Cranham Resident:
WHY NOT GREEN SACKS IN SHOPS?
Is there any possibility of arranging a partnership with the local shops in Cranham to provide an outlet for the green garden waste bags as I was talking to my elderly neighbour yesterday and she had been to Upminster Library specifically to get these and was told by the assistant we haven't got any at the moment but they have got them in Hornchurch Library!
It is bad enough that we have to pay for them when the service is free elsewhere (Brentwood) but to treat an elderly resident like that is not on.
1.6.08
Editor: Yes, I agree. I shall pursue this as anything that makes recycling our waste (green or otherwise) should be encouraged.
MY, Havering:
I am very much against the closing down of the two remaining care homes in Havering. I have written in support of them staying open to the Recorder on several occasions and would like to support HAAHC action in trying to keep them open.
29.5.08
BP, Upminster:
ENCOURAGE TO RECYCLE – NOT PENALTIES
Much is being said in the national papers about the possibility of penalties for householders failing to recycle "sufficient" waste.
However the last notification received from LBH on what can and what cannot be recycled in Havering, showed that there are still many types of "plastics" in everyday use which cannot be recycled. Tesco's at Thurrock used to have facilities to recycle "tetra pac" cartons, but this had to be abandoned because of arson attacks.
Most people I speak to would like to be able to recycle more waste, and therefore progress on facilities, rather than Government threats, would seem to be a better way forward.
19.5.08
Editor: A good point! I think persuasion and education will prove more productive than penalising people, although there may be capacity for this in extreme cases (eg industries, shops, etc).
Cllr Barbara Matthews, Hacton:
GOOD NEWS – BAD NEWS!!
Good News - Residents of London can celebrate as Boris has ceased production of the overly expensive and crass publication The Londoner, thereby increasing savings.
Bad News - Residents of Havering cannot celebrate, as LBH has increased production of the overly expensive and crass Living in Havering, thereby increasing costs
Oh well, you win some and you lose some!!!
14.5.08
E&S Smith, Harold Wood:
NO TO ‘LIVING’ IT UP
Most people pay their council tax reluctantly but dutifully for essential services. They do not want frills and compulsory subscriptions for magazines which mostly end up in the bin unread. We feel that twice a year would be quite sufficient as the Council is unlikely to publicise its shortcomings. Personally, we would rather not receive it at all.
8.5.08
Editor: Our on-line poll shows that 51% would prefer the newspaper every other month whilst 42% don’t want it at all!
JP, Hornchurch:
EMPTY CAR PARK
The car park at Woodhall Parade, Hornchurch continues to be under-used. I doubt whether enough revenue has been raised yet to pay for the ticket machine since the imposition of fees, although traffic wardens may have made a killing there by targeting the few that do not display Disabled or Council Employee badges.
In view of the fact that this is now a large vacant area, I suggest that it be turned over to recycling. Bottle banks, if sited here, would help to reduce the carbon footprints of local people who currently have to drive to such facilities that are some miles away.
Second thoughts: not a good idea, knowing this Council, they would charge us a parking fee to do so!
25.4.08
VB, Cranham
CAR PARK CHARGES = EMPTY SHOPS?
Further to MTD's letter below regarding Upminster car park charges, I have noticed there are now a few empty shops in Corbets Tey Road. Are people starting to desert the shops of Upminster due to the parking charges, thereby taking trade and profits away from local shops?
We already have more than our fair share of charity shops in the area and it's not a healthy sign to see shops standing empty. Let's hope this isn’t the start of the downfall of Upminster as a small, but good local shopping area and if it is, then we all know who to thank for that!
17.4.08
MTD, Upminster:
CAR PARK CHARGES GHOST TOWN
I am dismayed to see that Aldi/Upminster car park is now ‘pay and display’, it may be "only" 20p, but you still have to have coins, leave the car, get a ticket, come back, and if you leave the car unlocked while doing so, then you are a fool.
It could be a little busy at certain times, but with the advent of charges, there are always spaces to be had, if you want to measure success by the number of EMPTY spaces!
With the price of a standard bus fare at a ludicrous £2 each way, is Upminster soon to become a ghost town with only bus pass pensioners and bus pass truants?
17.4.08
Editor: The Residents’ Association have opposed charges in our out of town shopping centres and will continue to do so. The number of empty spaces is a telling consequence of this flawed policy.
VB, Cranham:
NOT SO QUIET RETIREMENT VILLAGE
I read with great interest and bemusement the cleverly crafted package of information on the proposed Moor Lane retirement village.
It was slick to the point of being oleaginous, but the section that stood out and made me laugh out loud was in Section 5, “Where could we build it?” under “To summarise ......” where it states “Older people …… would enjoy all the benefits that this location has to offer. It will be peaceful and relaxing.” !!
Peaceful? Who are they trying to kid given the proximity of the site to the A127 and the soon to be widened M25?
The noise of the traffic from these roads, especially the M25 can be heard the length and breadth of Cranham and if the wind’s in the right direction it can be deafening.
Who in Cranham hasn’t heard the drone of the traffic thundering along the M25? This is especially evident in the summer when windows are open or sitting in the garden.
I live in Cranham, relatively close to the A127 and M25, although not as close as this proposed development, and believe me it can be very noisy at times. I can imagine that this retirement village would be anything but peaceful!
Obviously someone hasn’t done their research properly concerning the siting of this development, or has chosen to ignore it. (I presume the latter.) One thing’s for sure, you could never tell prospective residents that it would be peaceful!
15.4.08
Editor: The draft proposals can be viewed by following this link
http://www.cranhamprojects.co.uk/Cranham1/Home.html
DC, A Dartford Crossing User:
DARTFORD TOLL CONTRADICTS GOVERNMENT ‘GREEN' AGENDA
I was delighted to see your petition for the removal of the tolls at Dartford; and gleefully signed it. I would like to add my penn'orth and tell you what passes through my mind every time I cross the Thames.
I am a lorry driver and have to use the Dartford Toll crossing frequently.
In addition to congestion, fumes and transport costs (not to mention the mind numbing tedium of sitting in an unnecessary queue that adds, on occasion, well over an hour to a day's hard work) I have always felt that the congestion at the Crossing is at odds with the Government's “green” aspirations.
At a time when we are all being asked to think carefully about energy use/waste, I think it is criminal that we sit in that queue using and wasting energy. It makes a mockery of my efforts; turning the heating down at home, turning off lights, recycling, walking rather than using my car etc. I reckon that all the energy that I save by these means is more than used up every time I sit in that queue.
Fridays always seem worst with queues on both sides, the southbound queue consisting largely of foreign lorries trying to get home for the weekend. The amount of diesel a 40 tonne, 400+ horsepower lorry uses is enormous, especially when it has to keep stopping and moving away again. All of that fuel simply heats south Essex and north Kent.
For the Government to say that it reduces congestion is ludicrous; no-one would use it unless they had to and there is no alternative, particularly not the foreign lorries, the drivers of which must often sit heartbroken while they watch their weekend plans disappearing in a cloud of diesel fumes.
It would be interesting to see what would happen if the toll was removed for an experimental period.
I wish you luck with your petition.
5.4.08
Editor: I agree 100% with these points. The petition is gaining tremendous momentum and is moving considerable faster than the traffic waiting to pay at the Dartford tolls!
Mags, Havering:
MORE SPACES AT HILLDENE WOULD RELIEVE TESCO CHAOS
In reference to the letter from Dave Ainsworth (5.3.08) about Tesco overflow of traffic onto the A12 and the chaos it caused. If the local shops, ie Hilldene shopping centre, had more parking spaces for the shoppers to get a few items, then people wouldn’t have to go to Tesco for just half a dozen items and use Tesco for the main heavy shop, rather than daily
If you try to park at Hilldene shopping centre any day at any time it’s ridiculous. No parking bays whatsoever. All taken by long term parked cars that either live in the flats above the shops or workers that park their cars in the parking bays all day while working in the shops.
If you travel to Hilldene shopping centre before 9am or after 6pm you will see that there are not many spaces available to park your car, because there all ready taken by residents or workers
This is why, when I try to park there and after twice circling the shops, I carry on to Tesco to park my car to get my few items of shopping
If more local shops had better parking, one would not have to go to Tesco when only needing a few items and adding to the congestion
5.4.0
Editor: What do other readers think? Should there be more parking bays at Hilldene? If there were would they be taken up by long stayers? Email your views to Have Your Say.
MS, Hornchurch:
RECYCLING MADE EASIER
I have just moved into the Borough after moving from East Ham and I wanted to find out about the policy regarding the recycle bags issued by the council.
After an initial understanding about moving waste off my premises for collection where the "waste disposal operatives" did not even knock at door to advise me that I had to move said waste before collection I phoned the council regarding rules and regs etc regarding waste. I was informed that the "operatives were not allowed on my premises. It all seems a bit daft as i was used to having my wheelie bin collected from out of my own front garden but Hey Ho.. do as in Rome.
The main issue i had was when i asked for recycle bags I was told I would be issued with one roll every 3 months. As a father of young children I avidly encourage them to recycle and feel that the bag provision is just not adequate. I understand that I can take recyclable waste to the Gerpins Lane site but I feel that using a vehicle and its carbon footprint would negate all efforts. Would it be possible to increase allowance of recycle bags to residents or at least supply the waste collectors a surplus so they can be issued on request?
As a new resident to the borough I have been appalled at the fly tipping that I have seen in the lanes heading to Thurrock. I have moved here not just for the schooling for my children but also for its parts of rural beauty and I feel that the inadequate supply of recycle bags can only encourage fly tipping.
30.3.08
Editor: The issue of fly tipping is a matter which was recently raised in Full Council. I have some figures outlining incidents, prosecutions, etc which I am just collating and will set out on website in the near future.
Additional orange bags can be collected from libraries and council offices, but I will pursue the option of the waste collectors carrying a 'supply' of extra bags. In terms of quantity, by coincidence the Council are currently undertaking a borough wide survey about recycling and are asking that very question in respect of the adequate supply of 'orange bags'!
In respect of placing bags for collection, the council ask that bags are left on the perimeter of properties because, technically, leaving the bags kerbside is legally construed as 'fly tipping'.
BW, Upminster:
PAVEMENTS FOR PEDESTRIANS NEEDS ENFORCEMENT
I would like to take issue with the article entitled ‘pavements for pedestrians’ on page 8 of the Council ‘Living’ magazine. In this article it states that 'pavement parking is strictly enforced'. It is clearly not in Upminster, as vehicles park on pavements around Forth Road without any fear of enforcement. I would also point out the during the 'school run' both morning and evening, pavement parking in Humber Drive is endemic, but no one stops it.
27.3.08
Editor: This matter has been referred to the Council Parking department who will take action.
D. Ainsworth, Romford:
SAINSBURYS RETURN TO HAROLD HILL
The public opening ceremony, by our Mayor, of Sainsburys at the main Harold Hill Shopping Centre on Wednesday 19th March throws up a few talking points. The Sainsburys 'high-ups' were keen to use their speech time to claim an interest in supporting the locality. Hmmm! I can remember when this firm had a most successful branch trading in Harold Hill (with current Havering Councillor Len Long as its Manager and my late mother as one of its cashiers). When they opened a larger branch in Romford town centre, they closed the smaller Harold Hill store and told its customers that they could go to Romford instead. Take it or leave it! Len Long spoke out but to no avail. They made a big trading mistake and have really only come back as they see it as an earner.
The local Conservative Administration claim credit for attracting a big name like Sainsburys onto the Estate, and probably rightly. But...is this the same Administration which now forces small shopkeepers out of business by imposing sky-high leasehold increases (see Romford Recorder March 14th edition)? Such action can only lead to more boarded-up units and short-let charity shops.
CB, Upminster:
NO SAY ON LISBON TREATY!
Our system of democratic representation took another body blow last
week when MPs voted against a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, despite
previous assurances that a public vote on the European Constitution
would be allowed.
The Lisbon treaty refers to the agreement originally called the Reform
treaty, which was drawn up to replace the draft European constitution
after that was rejected by voters in France and Holland in 2005.
There is little doubt that the treaty will lead to a fundamental shift
of power between the UK and the EU, yet it seems incredible that we can
have referendums on locally elected mayors or for an assembly for the
North East, but cannot have a say on our place in Europe?
13.3.08
Keith Westhead, Secretary, Kings Heath Residents' Association, Northampton:
RA WEBSITE GETS THUMBS UP!
Just happened upon your excellent site while searching for RA web sites for inspiration, as we are considering a website for our local RA in Kings Heath Northampton.Just like to say your site looks very professional and would be a credit to many a company or branch of local government.
We shall be visiting again for inspiration and ideas, keep up the excellent work!
11.3.08
Editor: Many thanks for that.
Barbara Holland-Davies, Upminster:
I recently had to accompany my 86-year-old mother to an appointment at the London Hospital, Whitechapel.
We went to Upminster Station in order to travel to Whitechapel on the District Line as this would mean no changes or walking for my mother, who has had both hips replaced, and is awaiting a knee replacement.
Having got down the stairs to the platform and waited for the train to arrive, I was somewhat disappointed (or should I say amazed ) that the edge of the platform was an awful lot lower than the step of the train. I mean it was more than a foot away. My mother was on her way to have x-rays to check on the condition of a hip replacement; there was simply no way that she could board the train. It made me wonder what someone in a wheelchair would do – there are signs in the station and elsewhere that state that Upminster has ‘step-free access from road to platform' (we were not made aware of this facility even though my mother is patently disabled) but is it not totally pointless being apparently able to reach the platform ‘step-free', if one cannot then board the train? I would imagine it would also prove extremely difficult for a mum with a pram or pushchair to board the train here.
I approached the driver, who informed me he was not able to provide anything such as a box or step to help my mother get on the train, the gap was not as great at Whitechapel (brilliant; if only you can get on in the first place) and as he had to depart, my choice was to either get on or not. A young man came to our assistance, telling us that the depth of the gap was not quite as bad at the other end of the platform, if we'd like to walk down. When I said the driver was about to leave, this helpful young chap directed us to start walking – he then ran to the driver's cab and told him to wait! He came back to us at the end of the train and offered my mother his arm, and with the support of her walking stick, she managed to board. Without his kind help, I don't know how we would have managed.
I am very concerned that with all the millions of pounds apparently spent on the railways, we are in the position of trains being completely out of kilter with station platforms. Surely something can be done to enable people with less than perfect mobility to use public transport more easily.
7.3.08
Editor: There has been considerable investment by Railways to conform to the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and one would have thought that the ease of boarding and alighting from carriages for those less mobile would be duly considered. This letter has also been sent to the Upminster Station Master and we await a response with interest.
Dave Ainsworth, Romford:
TRAFFIC CHAOS CAUSED BY PARKING CHARGES?
Vehicles on one of Havering's major trunk roads was reduced to a crawl for much of Saturday (1/3/08) - all caused by shoppers trying to gain access to the Tesco Extra Superstore in Whitelands Way near Gallows Corner.
I intended shopping there at about 12.30pm but saw that the traffic jam from Tesco's stretched all the way along the A12 Colchester Road from Whitelands way to the junction of Gubbins Lane and Gooshays Drive. I then decided to go later at what one would consider to be an off-peak time. I tried again at 4.30pm and the jam, though reduced a bit, was still such that it took me just under 25 minutes to get into their car park.
I shopped and left at 5.30pm and while I had no trouble leaving, the queues trying to gain entry were still horrendous. It was bumper-to-bumper along the entire stretch of Whitelands Way, with vehicles trying to gain entry to Tescos from both directions. The tailback from Whitelands Way was then blocking-off the main A12 truck road, causing all manner of concerns and a monster traffic jam.
I have a theory as to why it has got worse recently, this all coincides with Havering Council's introduction of parking charges in local shopping centres, for customers are now moving on to where they can park for free. The problem is caused by the time taken to get into Tesco's car park from Whitelands Way.
I've written to Tesco asking them to look at ways of redesigning their access and egress arrangements at Gallows Corner, in a bid to improve matters. It's no good asking the Council to do anything as they've never embraced the basic principles of traffic management, while Transport For London - who control the A12 - think all who drive cars are a menace to Society.
5.3.08
Editor: Are there any other examples of displaced parking resulting from the recent introduction of car parking charges? Please e.mail ‘Have Your Say'.
PT, Havering:
BEWARE ‘OYSTER CARD' DRACONIAN FINES
I am concerned by the bullying exploitative stance taken by TFL over the matter of damaged 16+Oystercards which give free bus travel to students. My son accidentally stood on his card which was on the bedroom floor at the time. The card is brittle and it fractured along its length. He carefully repaired this with clear tape and this photo-card was accepted by bus drivers on the school run. On a subsequent occasion having being accepted as a passenger by the bus operator an inspector on the same bus found the tracking device on this card did not function with the card reader he had. He kept the card and issued a fine of £20 on the basis of the card having being "altered". A replacement card had to be obtained at a cost of £10, so a £30 event for accidental damage to a cheap card made from inappropriate material. Had the driver refused the card he could have paid the fare and would have had an incentive to get an expensive replacement.
TFL terms and conditions make no reference to being fined for having a worn or damaged card, only a comment that anyone with a failed card should ring one of their phone lines.
We appealed on the basis that there was no intent to be dishonest in a free travel situation and in fact had no idea it was an offence. The appeal was quickly dismissed.
It seems that TFL were complicit in the matter in the first place, used an incorrect reason on the penalty ticket and failed to describe anywhere in their terms and conditions these so called offences.
The same draconian measures probably apply to all similar cards given to children and perhaps show how much TFL / the police value being able to track the movements of our children.
Be warned!
1.3.08
Editor: Are there any similar accounts out there? E.mail your views to Have Your Say.
Mrs MS, Aveley:
SHOCK AT AXING OF 373 BUS ROUTE
I am very shocked and annoyed to hear of the plans to axe the 373 bus route in Aveley, Essex from the end of March 2008 and particularly that there are no plans to replace the bus route. I currently live in Usk Road in Aveley and am very dependant on the 373 to take me to Upminster station for work but also to take my son and daughter to and from school every day in Upminster. As I do not drive the idea of losing the 373 is unthinkable. How are we expected to get to Upminster after March!!!
I know that a lot of people use Upminster for shopping purposes too. I am not alone in this as the morning 373 buses are very busy with children from the Aveley and South Ockendon area going to school (Gaynes school in Upminster particularly), how are these children supposed to get to school. In a world where we are being asked to use public transport and get out of our cars, you are forcing parents who can drive to drive their children to school. The alternative for people living in Aveley would be to get two buses from Aveley (Route 66 to South Ockendon run by Ensign every 30 mins and then change to the 370 to Upminster run by TFL / Arriva every 15 mins), very time consuming at least any extra half an hour on their journey (ifall buses run on time) and costly as the buses are run by different companies and also the danger factor of asking people to leave home earlier on dark mornings.
If the 373 is taken away then there is no doubt in my mind that it has to be replaced as it would isolate Aveley and the attraction of the area to commuters. I moved to Aveley 4 years ago and the appeal to me was that as a non-driver I could still get to Upminster. This is now to be taken from me. As South Ockendon is having buses added to the area to improve transport, Aveley is being forgotten about and detached.
I am sure I am not alone with my complaint and hope a solution is found before we lose a very valuable bus route.
25.2.08
Editor: There is a growing protest against this proposal. All six Upminster and Cranham councillors have registered their opposition and have requested greater detail about bus usage, reliability and have suggested a ‘stay of execution' whilst this information is gathered and considered.
JP, Hornchuch:
NO TAKERS FOR CAR PARKING CHARGES
Since the imposition of parking fees at Woodhall Parade car park, very few vehicles now park there other than those with disabled badges. The only other regular is one that does so with impunity, for most of the day every weekday without having to display a ticket. However, it does sport a 'Havering Council' parking permit.
Why should Council staff be exempt? Not only do we pay their wages but also, in this instance, it appears that we donate a (taxable?) benefit / perk which does nothing to decrease our Council Tax.
22.2.08
PO, Havering:
STATISTICS, STATISTICS AND CRIME FIGURES….
I was amused to see your item "Crime Figures Down In Havering", in which it declares that crime figures were down 131% in Havering from 67 to 29.
Obviously the crime figures can't go down by more than 100% On the other hand if the crime figures had gone up from 29 to 67 then they would have increased by 131%.
21.2.08
LE, Aveley:
SCHOOL KIDS NEED 373 BUS ROUTE
The 373 bus service is the only one which serves the residents of Aveley to Upminster. How are children suppose to get to school? There was rarely a seat on this bus in the morning so I do not understand why Arriva say the bus service was never used.
18.2.08
Editor: What do regular users think? E.mail your views to Have Your Say.
AB, Aveley,
SAVE THE 373 BUS ROUTE
I am shocked to learn that the 373 bus route is going to be scrapped. I work in London and travel from Upminster. The only way to the station is by bus.
Do you know of any petitions to save the bus route or any organisations looking to take over this route?
I am writing to Andrew Mackinlay MP with regards to the bus route. Aveley residents need to be able to get to Upminster Station via a direct route.
18.2.08
Editor: The proposed axing of this route comes at very short notice. The route is renowned for unreliability and if it were more reliable perhaps more people would use it. Indeed there is a petition on this matter, please click here
SC, Upminster:
FUNDING OLYMPIC SIZED SALARIE
It comes as no surprise that the ever increasing bill for the 2012 Olympics is fuelled by the massive salaries of senior executives of the Olympic Delivery Authority. How can the Chief Executive of the ODA justify an annual salary of £372,000 when our own Prime Minister can only merit a less flattering £189,000 per year?
Funding such colossal salaries provides little comfort to the council tax payers of Greater London, who have been saddled with a £625million Olympic levy, or the many arts, sports and heritage groups have had £675million of lottery cash taken from them to fund such excesses
6.2.08
Editor: What do other readers think? Email your views to Have Your Say?
Bill Amos, Collier Row:
PACKAGING IS RUBBISH!
I read with interest the article on the Rubbish Poll (8.12.07). As I see it the problem is the amount of surplus packaging supplied by the supermarkets. It wouldn't be quite so bad if it was all recyclable, but it isn't! I can't understand why it isn't as they've had long enough to get their act together. It would be nice if we all had the time, and the nerve, to remove the packaging at the till and leave it at the supermarket, but we don't.
Maybe the councils (all councils not just Havering) could force the supermarkets to have containers in their car parks solely for the packaging that they supplied and make it their responsibility to recycle/sort it. Perhaps then they'd do something about it. This would save the councils the cost of sorting and dealing with this packaging. You never know it might even lead to a reduction in council tax (some hope!).
29.1.08
Editor: Are there any more ways we can reduce supermarket packaging? Why not e.mail your views to Have Your Say.
B. Boakes, Upminster:
COUNCIL TAX REDUCTION?
Now that the Council is charging for car parking across the whole of Havering can I expect a decrease in my Council Tax?
27.1.08
Cllr Clarence Barrett, Cranham:
‘GOOD CAUSES' DEPRIVED THROUGH OLYMPIC FUNDING
In a recent declaration from the minister for the Olympics and London , Tessa Jowell, it was announced that there is no shortfall in the finances for the 2012 Olympics and that ‘good causes' will be repaid the £675 million ‘loan' through land sales following the Olympics.
If this is considered a loan, then why can't the Treasury relinquish the £600million tax collected on lottery sales for a year and then pay itself back through land sales? By the time any funding is ever returned to our arts, sports and heritage bodies many, unlike the Treasury, would have folded through lack of money.
26.1.08
GH, Harold Wood:
IMPACT OF HAROLD WOOD HOUSING PLANS
I am concerned over the impact of allowing 874 housing units to be constructed on the former Harold Wood Hospital, in particular:
Roads - The volume of traffic using Gubbins Lane and Squirrels Heath Road at peak times of the day is already at an unacceptable level. I am given to understand that provision is to be made for around 1300 car parking spaces in this development. If this development is allowed to take place the volume of traffic will not only exceed that previously experienced but will also cause grave congestion at peak times
Character - I cannot think of a scheme more clearly designed to destroy the character of Harold Wood than this monstrous development. Whilst I am aware of the usual arguments about ‘not standing still' ‘a place for people to live' etc. there is the counter argument of not allowing the destruction of a community which has developed and built up over very many years for the sake of ‘progress'. Harold Wood has for many years suffered from the blight of numerous ‘infill' developments. These have eaten away at the pleasant suburb which I knew when I first moved into the area.
Surrounding Environment - The leaflet handed out at the public exhibition refers to the scheme helping to ‘improve the visual appearance of the site'. I profoundly disagree. If the aim was to do just that then the scheme would include a greater amount of open space and reduce the density of the housing units, or better still take it back to parkland
Density of Housing - In a letter from the Policy and Partnership Directorate (3.10.01) reference is made to 51.5 dwellings per hectare as a guideline. The current proposal appears to be more in the region of 70 dwellings per hectare. This represents an increase of 36% in the density of dwellings from the original proposals
Conclusion - In the Countryside Properties' own Website the density was given as 780 as late as March last year for a 31 acre site. This has now crept up to 874 as a result of the sale of more land by the Hospital Trust. This proposed development has already gone too far and we owe it to future generations to halt the despoliation of our communities
23.1.08
Cllr Barbara Matthews, Hornchurch:
NHS CARE MUST BE SAME FOR ALL
Yet again we hear that thought is being given to certain categories (i.e. the obese and smokers) being made to pay for their health care because any problems they incur are ‘self inflicted'.
This old chestnut gets an airing on a regular basis, and to be frank gives me the pip. Obviously, and understandably, those currently awaiting medical or surgical attention are bound to think ‘Yes those people are taking up treatment that I desperately need' so the Government of the day, and the numerous failing Health Trusts and Primary Care Trusts can point at these folk as proof they have support for the idea. What a low and crass way of wriggling out of their responsibilities.
For how long would this charge be levied? How long after an obese person manages to lose some weight or a cigarette smoker attempts to kick the habit will such charges cease, because problems relating to these conditions may not show for a number of years? It is all utter nonsense and we should not be sucked in to such an exercise.
Isn't a gardener who unfortunately slices their foot with a spade or fork ‘self inflicting' that injury? Who do we D-I-Y fanatics blame if we fall off a step ladder when decorating? And what about those that do exercise regularly like running or walking - would they have sprained that ankle if they hadn't decided to enter the London Marathon?
Let's continue as we are, all paying our National Insurance contributions into the central ‘pot' to allow health care to be readily available for ANYONE that needs it, when they need it.
Think about it, whatever you may think of this or previous Governments alot of money gets put into the NHS. Most of the wastage I have witnessed has nothing to do with the patients but more with gross mismanagement and incompetence. There is a lot of good work done by staff, but that seems to me to be despite the powers that be rather than because of them.
Look at our local PCT. They closed the clinic in Westland Avenue , and there it stands unsold and still empty. The new clinic in South Hornchurch boasts a general reception are and a separate one for podiatry and dental care – except it is not open but used as a storage area. New rooms built specifically for the dental side remain unused as the dental care isn't actually sited there but remains in a portacabin type building by South Hornchurch Library. A chimp could organise this better I am sure!
Numerous GPs refuse to do house calls, have cut their practice hours and despite denials patients are still complaining they cannot make an appointment, but have to ring each day to see if there is a cancellation.
On more than one occasion, I have personally witnessed staff in hospitals whisking away a stone cold untouched meal from a patient with a merry ‘Not hungry today then?‘ when in reality the poor soul is immobile from a stroke or similar and cant reach the slop even if they wanted to!
Ask anyone who has suffered from diabetes for a number of years their view of the difference in the standard of monitoring and support care over the past five years.
Why did it take nearly FIVE months for someone I know very well to find out whether or not breast cancer had reoccurred?
Now there's talk of people with certain conditions treating THEMSELVES at home! Well that's something I would go for as I don't have MRSA in my house and think of the fun we'll all have playing doctors and nurses! I suppose we'll be given a medical degree to hang on our walls and of course a rebate of our NI contributions. Who knows, the next move could be that we'll be expected to treat each other.
22.1.08
Editor: Some powerful and well demonstrated points made by Cllr Matthews. I think that the founding principle of the NHS that care should be ‘free at the point of need' must prevail. What do other readers think? Why not e.mail your views to Have Your Say?
WW, Havering
LIGHTS OUT PETITION (3)
In response to the letter from Ian Wilkes, I am happy to pay council TAX for extra street lighting rather than reducing it. Reduced street lighting only encourages Drug Dealing, burglary, and Antisocial behaviour. Just the other day I witnessed a burglary where lighting was very poor and an ideal location for drug dealers as I have seen too. So unless you want to encourage this disgraceful behaviour I suggest the petition should be for more street lighting and not less, to drop 1 in 3 street lights is not the answer unless you have a zero crime rate in your area
20.1.0
Editor: In other parts of the country there are examples of reduced street lighting after a certain time (eg 2am ). Whilst security should not be compromised, I do wonder why long stretches of motorway need lighting in the middle of the night when other stretches do not (particularly in non-built upAnon, Havering:
LIGHTS OUT PETITION (2)
I am unable to sign this petition because, having been a recent burglary victim in this Borough, I am now obliged to increase my carbon footprint by leaving some house lighting on throughout the night even whilst I am in residence. Therefore, I urge all other Havering householders to do likewise and not to desist until detection and suitable punishment is enforced. Once I am confident that I reside in a 'safer neighbourhood' I shall consider reducing my carbon footprint.
16.1.0
Editor: I understand and agree with your concerns; however the petition is only concerned with shops, depots and offices which have lights blazing away all night where a health & safety or security need is not demonstrated.Ian Wilkes, Romford:
LIGHTS OUT PETITION (1)
My grouse on night-time lighting concerns all the street lights permanently on. While I appreciate that salient lights should be on all the time, it should not be beyond human endeavour to drop, say, one in three along most suburban streets - again resulting in a significant saving in global energy (and reducing our Council Tax burden into the bargain).
15.1.08
Cllr Clarence Barrett, Cranham:
FINES FOR MISSED APPOINTMENTS NOT THE ANSWER
A recently reported proposal to impose a £20 ‘deposit' upon patients in order to tackle missed appointments would be an unwelcome development.
In 2006/07, 52,000 operations were cancelled at the last minute owing to non-clinical reasons. The distress caused to patients and their families by these cancellations is significant, yet there is no suggestion that they should be eligible for similar compensation.Whilst many people on low income may be unfairly penalised by the scheme, the additional bureaucracy generated by collecting, retaining and then reimbursing £20 for each patient is an administrative burden that the NHS could do without. Rather than imposing needless financial impositions on people, perhaps it would be better to use some of the £6.25 billion set aside for the NHS computer to provide an automatic reminder system that works. 8.1.08
Editor: What do other readers think? E.mail your views to Have Your Say.
RS, Cranham:
LISBON TREATY WORRIES
The signing of the Lisbon Treaty will undoubtedly lead to a more centralised Europe , but how can we put our trust in an organisation that, for the eleventh year in a row, has not had its annual accounts approved because the vast majority of spending is affected by errors of legality and regularity?
27.12.07
Editor: This, of course, refers to the agreement o riginally called the Reform Treaty, it was drawn up to replace the draft European constitution after that was thrown out by voters in France and the Netherlands in 2005.
All 27 EU countries will be expected to ratify the Treaty in 2008 with a view to it coming into force in 2009.
What do other readers think? E.mail your views to Have Your Say.
Anon, Upminster:
POLICE FIGURES DOUBT
None of my neighbours have been burgled, thanks to their own security measures and not because of any police presence because it is is non-existent in our area, except on paper. None have been subject to motor vehicle crime, thanks to the manufacturers' efforts whereby you can no longer access cars with the key from a can of corned beef. Never-the-less, many have been victims of credit card fraud. How fortunate for the Police that they do not have to record such thefts by fraud as crimes in their statistics. I also note that homicides are not included: do they not occur in this borough? There are lies, bigger lies and then you get statistics!
23.12.07
Editor: The figures released by the Metropolitan Police (now updated for November) include 5 homicides for 12 months up to November 2007 against the same number for the 12 month period up to November 2006; this is against a total of 169 homicides across London for the same period.
Anon, Havering:
LIMIT COUNCIL TAX RISES
In view of the low grant from the Government, perhaps a petition could be directed at the Council requesting them to stop wasting money on things like the Romford Area Action Plan documentation. This has CD's and large books which I suspect nobody will read. Perhaps people would like fewer services but "lower" council tax. The Council must learn to live within what we as council tax payers can afford. I would like a Rolls Royce but I can't afford it.
I think the rise in council tax should only be in line with the cost of living rise percentage.
16.12.07
Editor: There are many duties and expectations placed on the Council by central government with little or no funding to go with it. The Government themselves spend some £338m a year employing 3,252 spin doctors and support staff, they should take a long hard look at just what (and why) this is spent on! What do other readers think, e.mail your views to Have Your Say.
VB, Cranham:
MAKE PAPER ROUNDS SAFER FOR CHILDREN
I leave for work each morning at about 7.00 am when it is still dark and have noticed young people delivering newspapers. Some of them are on foot and some of them ride bikes. This morning, when it was very frosty and the usual assortment of drivers were starting their journey with very limited visibility, because they couldn't be bothered to de-ice their windscreens and car windows properly, I saw a young paper boy cycling through Cranham and, apart from his fluorescent coloured paper bag, he was dressed in dark clothes and had no lights on his bike and no red rear reflector. This rendered him almost invisible.
These young people provide a great service in all weathers, and save many people from having to go out themselves in cold or wet weather to get their daily paper, but they are putting themselves in danger.By law, at night, cyclists must have white front and red rear lights, a red rear reflector and, if their bike was manufactured after 1/10/85, amber pedal reflectors.I think the people who employ these young paper deliverers should check to make sure that their bikes are suitably lit before they let them deliver papers on them, otherwise they are condoning their employees breaking the law. I would also like to see them supplying their deliverers with hi-viz waistcoats with reflective strips on them, in order for them to be better seen by motorists in the dark and bad weather.In most other areas, employers have to supply hi-viz clothing to their employees, i.e. building sites, school crossing patrols etc etc, so the same should apply to those who employ our paper boys and girls, after all, one of the most potent dangers to young people is on the roads.
13.12.07
Editor: A good point from VB. Considering the work they do, paper boys/girls get paid a pittance. It should be the responsibility of the ‘employer' to make sure they are given very basic safety measures, such as hi-viz bibs. What do other readers think? Why not e.mail your viewsto Have Your Say.?
TB, Havering
POLICING BY WAREHOUSE
I read in the online paper 'The Register' of 7/12/07 that the Met. Police is proposing, in each London Borough, to house its active police in one warehouse type facility, leaving the PCSOs to face the public and man shop-type High St units. If this is an April Fool then it is a bit early. They were supposed to support the police not replace them!
12.12.0
Editor: This article - see link -
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/12/07/met_copper_warehouses/
relates to a consultation document which suggests placing PCSOs further into the community whilst freeing up regular police officers for operational duties. What do readers think? Is this a good or bad idea? e.mail your views to Have Your Say.
SL, Havering:
WHY NOT TACKLE LOW PAY FOR KITCHEN/DINNER STAFF?
I am a resident of Havering and I also work for the Council in school meals and I have to take up the comment of Clarence Barrett regarding paying school crossing people £10 an hour. I have ladies who supervise kitchens of up to 10 staff feeding 1,100 children in secondary schools in the borough who do not earn much more than the £7.42 quoted. They have to be financially aware, staff motivators, hygiene and health and safety trained, able to communicate with students and a whole host of other skills so I think he needs to take a reality check!
Many of them also only work 39 weeks a year and work many more than the hours they are paid for, just so that the students are well fed and looked after - a job made much harder after the intervention of Mr Oliver!!
10.12.07
Editor: I certainly take on board the comments about low pay for kitchen/dinner staff. Whilst I am very conscious that there are many other people on low wages, I was referring solely to the school crossing patrols in my argument and used the figure to draw attention to the high vacancy factor (33%).. I am particularly interested in low pay issues and often comment on the iniquitous arrangement whereby the minimum hourly wage for workers aged over 22 is £5.52 per hour, whilst those aged 18 – 21 can only expect £4.60 – and those aged 16-17 years old can only anticipate a minimum of £3.40. Whether you are 17 or 62, an hour's work deserves the protection of same minimum wage, ie £5.52 per hour. This is an issue that is being pursued by the British Youth Council and I fully support their endeavours.Anon, Havering:
SAME MINIMUM WAGE FOR ALL
In response to the letter from VR (7.12.07) about teens not doing anything, I'd like to offer my own thoughts on the matter!
When I was growing up in the US , I had a JOB. I was working at the age of 14, making minimum wage, but it was a job!!
In the UK there is legalised age discrimination for workers under age 21. The minimum wage is actually lower, and in some cases, as low as £3.40 per hour before taxes? Would you work for £3.40 an hour now? I wouldn't.
If the exemptions for the minimum wage were taken away, those under 21 could have the same minimum wage as adults, enjoy the wonders of job satisfaction, learn how to have a work ethic, and actually help the economy. Now that's progress!
9.12.07
Editor: I could not agree more about the minimum wage and scandalous way it is not the same for everyone.
Low Pay is an issue that affects many thousands of people across the country. In part, this is a baton taken up by the Low Pay Commission, but even the increase in the minimum hourly wage in October 2007 is, in my
opinion, still unfair. While workers aged over 22 can expect a minimum wage of £5.52 per hour, those aged 18 – 21 can expect £4.60 and those aged 16-17 years old can only anticipate a minimum of £3.40. I believe that, whether you are 17 or 62, an hour's work deserves the protection of same minimum wage, ie £5.52 per hour.
This is an issue that is being pursued by the British Youth Council and I fully
support their endeavours.
VR, Upminster:
GROW UP!
I am sick to death of teenagers who live in Upminster and Cranham moaning that there is nothing for them to do in the area and that is the reason why they hang around on street corners and smash things up.
I moved to Cranham when I was two years old, in the early fifties, and therefore, I too grew up with "nothing to do" when I became a teenager, but my friends and I used our initiative, got off our butts and travelled to places like Hornchurch, Romford or further afield to find our entertainment.
Teenagers these days all seem to want spoon feeding and want everything on their doorstep. They have far more opportunities than I ever had and far more money, which is evident in the fact that they all have the latest mobile phones and i-pods etc and they have free bus travel.
Cranham is the safest ward in Havering and I should imagine Upminster is not far behind. Introduce night clubs and rowdy pubs and you will introduce trouble. (Witness Romford town centre!)
The small minority of youths who hang around and cause trouble, whether it be in Upminster, Cranham or elsewhere, will still do just that no matter how much entertainment is laid at their feet. Their sort do not want organised entertainment, especially anything run by adults.
The great majority of local teenagers manage to find things to do and places to go. Maybe some of them could put some suggestions on this website for those moaners who cannot help themselves.
These whinging youths should thank their lucky stars that they are growing up in such a nice area, a fact that they will appreciate one day, when they are more mature.
7.12.07
Editor: Some strong points made by VR. What do other readers think?Why not e.mail Have Your SayNick Cook, NW London :
DARTFORD TRAFFIC MISERY
I have now been working in Anchor Boulevard , just to the South East of the crossing for the best part of a year. I live in NW of London and have to commute into this area every day.
In my opinion the Crossing is being allowed to cause unacceptable delays in the area to the south of the Crossing. This applies to the local roads as well as the approach from the south on the M25. I cannot speak regarding the effect to the North of the river, but generally there would appear to be lengthy delays south bound as well.
As soon as the approach backs up, the feeder roads such as the A206 West bound between Greenhithe and the crossing block up because traffic which wishes to go into the tunnel cannot get onto the slip roads. Traffic which wishes to continue west bound on the A206 cannot get through either. A new bridge has been built over the tunnel approach for busses only, which could have carried west bound vehicles to the A206. A total waste of time and effort!
Myself and my colleagues on occasions have had to queue for in excess of 2 hours to get out of our car park in Anchor Boulevard ! Let alone get any where near the tunnel approaches.
I believe there are several problems to be resolved.
1. Traffic coming down to the tunnel toll booths is very restricted when they join the main flow. Even when the North bound M25 is flowing reasonably, we still have to queue.
2. There are no facilities for Dart-tag users to get across to where there used to be booths for us!! Or where the lanes for cars only are running freely.
3. Considering the number of LH drive lorries and cars I find it incredulous that nothing has been done to accommodate these vehicles. You only need two or three foreign lorry drivers having to get out of their cabs to pay at the booths to cause delays. Why cant there be specific lanes for these vehicles with collectors on both sides of the lane?
4. Early in the morning, 5.45am when I usually cross southbound, why do I have to queue from the southern pylon of the mainspan? Toll booths not manned and LH vehicle drivers getting out to pay.
5. Why as in other forms of transport, such as the railways do you not have penalties against bad service? If a rail traveller is delayed by late services he is entitled to compensation. Keeping thousands of vehicles queuing for hours on end is acceptable?? You should have a system whereby, if the tailbacks on the M25 or the surrounding roads pass a set distance or time period, the tolls should be opened to allow the back log to clear.
This particular area is very badly effected by the crossing. There are obviously no roads to the North. To the East we are funnelled round onto the M2, which is jammed by the crossing. To the South there is the M2 and to the East there is the crossing! We are trapped. And to make the situation even worse I understand that planning permission has been granted for more offices in Anchor Boulevard ! Unbelievable!! The infrastructure in the area cannot cope.
Something needs to be done!!
5.12.07
Editor: The words congestion and the Dartford Crossing certainly seem to go hand in hand. Although Anchor Boulevard is some way from us in Havering, the congestion caused by the Dartford Crossing is something we are all familiar with and an issue which I have highlighted for some time - especially so recently with the prospect of the standard charge increasing to £1.50 from April 2008. What do other readers think? Why not e.mail your views to Have Your SayHenk Bakker, Harold Wood:
DARTFORD TOLL – A WIN-WIN SCENARIO
The December issue of The Bulletin carried the surprising headline " 77% say scrap the Dartford toll ". If we polled turkeys and saw 23% voting for Christmas, we would want an explanation, wouldn't we?
I think, in this case, the explanation is that many people (a minority, admittedly) are realistic. They know that the government is not going to kiss goodbye to £50m of net revenues. They also know that the Green lobby, headed by David Cameron, would have a field day if the Government was seen to make car travel cheaper.
Having thought about the matter for 15 seconds, I believe there is a compromise solution that would satisfy all parties: raise the toll to £2 and charge it only for going North (through the tunnel).
This would allow a free flow of traffic across the bridge, easing congestion. The toll plaza for the tunnel could be extended to part of the redundant bridge plaza, increasing capacity. The total cost of a return journey - which, ultimately, all must be - would stay the same, pleasing the 20% who voted for this option. The operator would save on staff costs, going some way to recouping the 50p rise that is foregone under this scenario. A win all 'round. Only the Union of Toll Collectors could possible object.
But it is undoubtedly a far too sensible proposal for any political party to campaign for.
1.12.07
Editor: The difficulty I have with the 'toll' is that it is not a 'toll' but a congestion charge. The legal authority to charge a toll expired in 2003 when the full costs of the tunnels and bridge were eventually paid off.The option of keeping the 'tolls' and charging a congestion charges (caused by the tolls themselves) is a bizarre twist of logic that serves only one purpose - to generate revenue for the Treasury.
I think the Green Lobby would be quite pleased if the toll charge was scrapped as it would put an end to many thousands of cars emitting thousands of tonnes of CO2 emissions whilst they wait in a queue to pay a charge for 'congestion'.
I'm not sure about other proposals and I accept that the government are not likely to drop the charge. I suspect their way forward will be charging through 'image capture' (similar to the congestion charge) where vehicles will not wait in line but pay the 'toll' anyway. This way the Treasury get the revenue and the environment is less damaged.
RB, Upminster:
MORE INVESTMENT NEEDED FOR JUSTICE
With prisons at bursting point and the criminal justice system struggling to cope with existing demand, it is quite unbelievable that the government intend to impose £1 billion of cuts on the Ministry of Justice in the name of ‘efficiency'.
Instead of cutting resources, it would be better to provide increased investment in order to improve the courts service and to enlarge prison capacity, perhaps by releasing some of the £5.75 billion earmarked for the needless national identity card scheme.
24.11.07
Cllr Clarence Barrett, Cranham (RA):
THE WAGES OF RESPONSIBILITY?
I recently read that a £1.3 million pay package (including £633,000 basic salary) has been awarded to Royal Mail Chief Executive, Adam Crozier. Defending the award, the Chairman of the Royal Mail, Allan Leighton, said that Mr Crozier ‘runs a bloody big company' and the remuneration still lags behind his competitors across Europe .
In terms of accountability, responsibility and magnitude, it makes you wonder how the annual salaries of European leaders such as Bertie Ahern (£217,000), Gordon Brown (£187,000), Angela Merkel (£183,000) and Nicolas Sarkozy (£168,000) are arrived at?
6.11.07
Anon, Upminster:
CLEAN UP NEEDED AT HALL LANE PARK
I live close to the park in Hall Lane, Upminster and regularly take both my granddaughter and dog for a walk there. On a Sunday after the football/Rugby teams have left, the rubbish left behind in the park is disgraceful and it is also dangerous with lots of broken glass lying around.
A solution would be for the person responsible for booking these pitches to also become responsible for the disposal of the rubbish left behind. If this does not work, then fine the club and if this does not work, ban them from booking the pitches.
There are also the inconsiderate people on a Sunday who park with their wheels on the pavement so you cannot get pass with a buggy. Where are the 'parking wardens' and the council spy car?
2.11.07
Editor: Parking enforcement certainly takes place in this vicinity over weekends, as several ‘ticketed' motorists who have contacted me in the past can vouch for. In terms of hirers' responsibility, I shall check the conditions and report back.
SK, Emerson Park:
MENACE OF RED POST CARTS
I've noticed in recent weeks that the Post Office has taken to leaving its red carts attached to lamp posts in a number of roads in my area. I've seen about five of them in various locations around Emerson Park!
Not only are they unsightly for residents, but the one where I live, in Rayburn Road has been there for about 2 to 3 weeks and is causing an
obstruction being in the middle of the pavement. I've reported it to Havering Council who have said that they'll contact the Postmaster. That
was a week ago.
Is this acceptable?
17.10.07
Editor: A similar e.mail has been received from a resident in Stanley Road, Hornchurch. We have written to the Royal Mail asking for an explanation and will report back.
Jeffrey Casciani-Wood, Cranham:
A QUESTION OF ENFORCEMENT
I have just received my copy of the Bulletin and consider it to be a great magazine.
There are three points I would like to raise.
1. Since the introduction of payment for parking at the Front Lane carpark, Cranham it is noticeable how deserted it is when it used to be very full. To compensate one finds it difficult to find any where to park along the junction of Front Lane and Moor Lane with cars often parked on the corners making it very difficult for the 346 bus to turn that corner.
2. Is there anything that can be done about the selfish idiots who park in the bus bay outside Tescos? Not only do they often take up the and of the bay where it is double yellow klined but there are regular parkers on the end outside Tescos where the white zig zag lines are. These are for the pedestrian crossing and it is illegal to park on them. Could it be arranged to have a PCSO standing there to hand out a few fines an points on the licence. Very often the 248 bus has to stop in the middle of the road to take on elderly passengers completely blocking the fairway until all are boarded.
3. Despite the fact that there are a number of fixed rubbish bins (including one set there by Tescos) in the village centre there are stll litter louts who just drop everything just where they stand. Why?
4.10.07
Editor: a) The parking enforcement depatrment have been alerted to this pattern of parking since charging became operational in Cranham. I shall contact them again.
b) Tesco - I spoke to the police about this and in a typical month about about 6 tickets given out for parking on the zig zag lines. Parking on single and double yellow lines is carried out by council parking enforcement officers. Not alot of tickets I know, but if we had a PCSO standing there for long periods of time no-one would park there - but is this a good use of the police reources? I think we should be looking toward CCTV enforcement which is very effective. The site of the 248 bus stop o/s Tesco has been the subject of much debate in the last few years. I do think that greater enforcement would make this stop alot more accesible.
c) It is always annoying to see people drop litter without consideration, there is legislation in place to fine the culprits but catching the offenders in the act is another
matter!!
MS, Upminster:TRAVELLING SHOWMAN HQ PLANNING APPLICATION
With regard to this application (P1708.07) I have forwarded my objections to the planning office. Lets hope we can stop this as it will lead to many local residents being very unhappy with remaining in the area.
I am writing to express my, and many of Upminster's residents deep concern regarding this application. It will place unbearable strain on the existing infrastructure of the area and also impact on local schools, refuse collection services, policing, etc. We also all have serious concerns regarding sanitation arrangements for this application .
It is totally out of keeping for a semi- rural area and this land should be kept as green belt land. If this application is passed what hope is there for the rest of our green areas?
Travelling Showmen will also have large vehicles which will place pressure on our already congested roads and will add to the noise and pollution where, in a borough which is attempting to raise its "green" profile seems complete hypocrisy.
This application will bring nothing of good to Upminster and its surrounding areas and the local residents are totally opposed to it, and it is hoped the planning permission will be totally rejected.
1.10.07
Editor: There has been a huge response to this application and the important points raised above have been consistently made. Objections can be lodged by visiting havering.gov.uk/planning - please be sure to quote the Planning Application number.
Cllr Clarence Barrett, Cranham (RA):
BEWARE CRIME STATISTICS
Recent figures published indicate falling numbers of crime in the borough. Whilst that is a very welcome trend, the only reservation I have is that the figures have been derived from the British Crime Survey.
The British Crime Survey compiles statistics from a survey of 37,000 householders. What is interesting is that the figures exclude all crimes against children (u16), all crimes against commercial victims, shoplifting, crimes against public sector property, drug offences and all murders. What is left is hardly the most comprehensive set of statistics.
As is often the case with statistics, the figures often mean more to the people compiling the information than those to whom it is aimed at. As we live in target driven culture, the reality of crime and the fear of crime can be lost in a fog of statistics and performance indicators, with the real challenge of maintaining law and order overshadowed by the need to satisfy targets and statistical returns.
The considerable resources employed in producing masses of statistics may be better diverted into recruiting more police officers on our streets.
29.9.07
Editor: What do readers think? Why not e.mail your views to Have Your Say
VB, Cranham:
RE-TEST FOR ELDERLY DRIVERS
Like Andy Smallbone, I have seen some awful driving by elderly drivers, who clearly should have given up driving and taken to traveling by bus or taxi long ago. One of the worst things is that they dither along at well below the speed limit, when there is nothing in front of them, causing a line of very frustrated drivers behind them. Driving too slowly can be just as dangerous as driving too fast, especially on motorways.
Older drivers may have many years of driving experience, but experience has to be balanced with the inevitable effects of ageing.
In many older drivers sight, hearing and judgment of speed and distance are not quite as sharp as when they were younger. Reaction times eventually slow significantly in the elderly. These are all vital factors in driving and they often deteriorate very gradually, so the driver may not be immediately aware of the full extent of the change. It is usually the sons and daughters of elderly drivers who realise that their parents should no longer be behind the wheel of a car as they have become a danger to themselves, other drivers and pedestrians.
Many elderly drivers haven't had their eyes tested for many years to check if they are up to the standard for driving, i.e. you must be able to read a vehicle number plate from a distance of 20.5 metres (67 feet - about five car lengths) in good daylight. As of September 2001 all drivers had to be able to read the new style number plates from a distance of 20 metres (66 feet). I know of one 90 year old gent who was found to be blind in one eye and only had 20 per cent vision in the other eye, yet was still driving! The dents and scrapes on his car were evidence of his appalling eyesight. He was lucky he didn't kill himself or someone else. The onset of cataracts, common in the elderly, can seriously affect vision, especially at night.
Often older drivers haven't read a copy of the Highway Code since they first learned to drive. The most recent edition was published in 2004 and contains nearly 300 paragraphs of rules and advice, plus many pages of the latest road signs, markings and signals. A new edition is in the pipeline and will probably be published next year.
Most elderly people are on some type of prescribed medication and often this can (unbeknown to them) affect their ability to drive safely.
As a middle-aged driver and member of the Institute of Advance Motorists, I am somewhere in the middle of the teenage boy-racers and the elderly drivers. I have encountered some frightening driving by the elderly and sincerely hope that compulsory re-testing is introduced for all motorists once they reach the age of 70. If they are still as good at driving as they think they are, then they will have nothing to fear from a re-test, which will also give them reassurance as to their abilities.
Organisations such as the Guild of Experienced Motorists (GEM) can arrange for driver assessments or a driving instructor can check your driving and make suggestions.
Having to give up driving is a terrible blow to the elderly, as they feel their independence is being taken away, but it can often work out cheaper to sell the car and use taxis instead. This also eliminates the worry of maintaining and running a car and could save a life.
11.9.07
Andy Smallbone (aged 35 and a half), Cranham:
YOUNG DRIVERS NOT ALL BOY RACERS
In response to the article by Terry Matthews accusing the DVLA of ageism and which criticises "younger" drivers, I would like to point out that I have driven many thousands of miles without incident. In fact, in 2yrs as an engineer I covered over 80,000 motorway miles and I have been driving since I was 18 (17yrs).
Like everything there is a small minority of younger drivers who are idiots but on the other hand there is also a lot of older drivers who can be just
as dangerous. I had an incident a year ago when I was going around M25/A127 roundabout when an older driver pulled out right in front of me and only due to my own quick reactions was able to stop him smashing into the passenger side of my car – and then just looked totally shocked to see me and shrugged.
In response to the quote: "It is not the elderly driver who drives on your back bumper at 70+ mph. It is not the elderly driver who swerves in and out
of traffic at 70 mph on trunk roads and motorways. It is not the elderly driver who drives like a lunatic down country roads." Your right, it's the
elderly that dither in the right hand lane of a dual carriageway at 50mph causing massive queues behind them even though they could pull over to the left hand land where there are no cars. It's often the elderly that dither at roundabouts and junctions to pull out because their reaction times are slower.
Believe me I have nothing against the elderly... my parents are both in their late 60's and I will be classed as elderly myself soon enough, but the
fact remains older people, although may have more experience in driving, have slower responses and are more likely to have vision issues and therefore need to be tested more frequently, unless they are prepared to hold their hands up and call time on their licence when they can tell they are not fit to drive anymore. In summary I welcome the DVLA's proposals.
We all have to remember that driving is a privilege....
7.9.07
Editor: I think it is fair to say that examples of inconsiderate driving are not confined to a particular age group but span the ages. It is interesting to remember that the threshold for passing the driivng test in the UK is one of the highest in the world and only 43% of candidates pass first time.
LC, Upminster:
DAMYNS HALL AERODROME
I read recently in The Bulletin that some people are concerned about the recent increase in the amount of planes doing acrobatics, etc, around this
airfield. It might put their minds at rest to know that I think that these planes were taking part in the Red Bull flying competition which took place along the Thames near the Dome recently, and that they had to do 'qualifying times' etc, in order to take part.
I must admit, I had a fright when I saw, as I thought, a plane plummeting to earth, only to pull up at the last minute!! Then my son explained what was going on. It would have been better if those involved had, perhaps, advertised
what was going to happen in advance. I hope this helps [and is all that's
going to happen!!].
6.9.07
Editor: Thanks very much for that.
DG, Upminster:
PAVEMENT ENCROACHMENT
It would seem that the traders in Corbets Tey Road are increasing their frontage by encroaching on the paved walk-way. My concern is:
Have they permission to do this? If so, are they paying an additional rate? How much farther into the paved area are they going to encroach?
Already a shopkeeper close to a bus stop causes obstruction and the latest encroachment is from a display of plants further down. This latest obstruction extends at least three metres into the paved area.
4.9.07
Editor: This is an issue that was raised by Cllr Pat Mylod (RA, Upminster) at the last Council meeting. It was agreed this was a concern and the relevant scrutiny committee is to address the matter.
LN, Havering:
HORSEBOXES IN LOW EMISSION ZONE
I am writing with regards to the Low Emission Zone proposals that are due to come into operation in February 2008. I own a horsebox that will fall into the category of the low emission zone charging. I am very upset and angry at the proposals, of course I am aware of climate change and the need to comply and I do all I can to keep my family's carbon footprint to a minimum, but I cannot stress enough how this will affect 99.9% of horse owners around our area. The majority of horse owners do not use their horse boxes on a regular basis and to pay the proposed £200 to travel a short distance into the M25 area would crucify us.
I don’t know if you are aware but Upminster Riding Club, which has been established for the past 40 years is closing this year, the reason being is that their shows are held at Harwood Hall Equestrian Centre in Upminster, this venue would fall into the zone and the organisers of the club know that people just cant afford to travel the half a mile inside the M25 to be able to compete, no entries to a show means no show! Another Venue would be Aldborough Hall in Goodmayes, which again comes inside the Zone, this will probably be another riding establishment that will soon close its doors to competitors & may even close altogether if transporting horses to and from the yard is going to cost £200 per time. There is also a yard in Rainham, Eastminster School of Riding, which I’m sure will also be affected by the changes. These are just three riding establishments that I mention; there are so many more that will be crucified by the proposals.
The only option for horse owners to transport their horses will soon be to buy a 4x4 & trailer, surely this would defeat the object of trying to lower emissions as there will be more 4x4's on the road? The other option for horse owners will be to buy a new horse box which falls into the Euro 3 category (around £15k +), generally this is vehicles from 2000 OR if a vehicle is older and is able to be converted to Euro 2 category, I have been advised that an approximate cost would be £4000 (hardly an amount which an everyday person can afford). I am told that my lorry is not eligible for conversion as it is a 1985 model.
I am therefore asking for the use of non commercial horse boxes to be exempt from the charge, even an exemption at weekends as the current congestion charge operates would be fair, as most events are weekends only.
Horse riding is a fantastic sport and what a shame it would be to lose an important part of our leisure industry inside London, Livery Yards and Riding schools will just not be able to survive, Horse Riding in London will soon cease to exist if this charge goes ahead. With the 2012 Olympics coming to London, I would have thought that encouraging young people to take up sports such as horse riding would be a priority, with no more riding establishments in London, this will be one sport that I guess Londoner's will not have a chance to take part in.
Please help support the equestrian industry in London.
21.8.07
Editor: The Low Emission Zone (LEZ) will be introduced from 4th February 2008 and will impact on heavy motorised horseboxes (over 12 tonnes) from that date. For lighter motorised horseboxes (between 1.205 and 3.5 tonnes) the enforcement starts in October 2008 and for all motorised horseboxes from January 2012.
There are few options for those affected by the legislation other than modifying vehicles, upgrading to newer vehicles or paying the charge (£200).
There has been an extensive consultation carried out in respect of the LEZ which the Mayor of London summarised in May 2007. It was interesting to note that owners of specialist showman’s vehicles would be provided with a 100% discount, Ken Livingstone conceded that the numbers would be relatively few and their options to upgrade/modify would be very restricted. Based on that principle I would have thought that specialist nature of a horsebox would at least warrant a discount.
I’m not sure if there were any representations regarding horseboxes during the consultation period, but I am happy to get a view from the GLA.
Alex Donald, Havering:
TROOPS OUT NOW - HAVERING PUBLIC MEETING
I've just read in our local Recorder of the tragic death of another British soldier in Iraq. The boy was from Romford, he played the drums in his local Royal British Legion band and was only 22-years-old.
There is so much anger and disillusionment among the people of Havering with this government and their policies of war and destruction. In Romford, I've collected hundreds of signatures for a petition to bring our troops home and have talked to many people in this area who share the same passion that I hold against this illegal and disastrous war.
This is why I believe we, the people of Havering, deserve to have our voices heard.
I've organised a public meeting to unite everyone in this borough in our opposition to this war and our determination to stop this government putting any more lives at risk by slavishly continuing to submit itself to US foreign policy.
I invite you all to attend this meeting which will be held at Wykeham Hall, Romford on Wednesday 19th September from 7pm to 8.30pm.
Guest speakers will include Rose Gentle, co-founder of Military Families Against the War (MFAW) and Lindsey German, convenor of Stop the War Coalition (StWC)."
17.8.07
JP, Hornchurch:
FLYING THE FLAG FOR ALL?
AOL News today: "The (Scottish) Prime Minister's plan to raise the Union flag on public buildings every day WILL NOT APPLY TO SCOTLAND, Jack Straw assured the SNP earlier this month".
More proof, if needed, that only the English are expected to fly the Union flag!
29.7.07
Anon, Hornchurch:
IT'S ALL BRITISH!!
My two pence on the flag issue in your letters section: when I swore in to become British, they didn't tell me whether I was English, Scottish, Welsh
or Northern Irish. My certificate just says I'm British (and I'm very proud to be so)! I'm all for flying both the British flag and the English flag at
the Town Hall.
24.7.07
Rikrok, Havering:
KEEP THE FLAG FLYING
I think it's right to fly both the Union Flag and the St Georges Cross above the town hall (Letter,10 July). We are still a part of the United Kingdom as are Scotland and Wales. I'm sure Gordon Brown's intention is that the Union Flag is also flown in Wales and Scotland too as well as their own flags. Besides which, the Union Flag is too great a flag to lose. Keep it flying I say.
19.7.07
Editor: Any other views from readers? E.Mail your comments to Have Your Say
JP, Hornchurch:
FLY THE FLAG?
Our new (Scottish) P.M. wants us all to fly the Union Flag. What a joke! Why should that flag fly above Romford Town Hall when it does not fly over any Scottish or Welsh Town Halls? This is spin which desires the English to be British but does not expect the Scots or Welsh to do likewise. Beware, dear reader, we are being conned. We are expected to subsidise those two nations with blank cheques even though they do not want to be united with us. Fly the Cross of St. George Flag over our Town Hall but not the Union Flag because the 'Union' is over! I have both Scottish and Welsh ancestors but consider myself to be English, and not 'British', because this is where I was born (in the east end of London: how about home rule for Cockneys flying the Flag of West Ham United?)
10.7.07
Editor: What do readers think, should the flag of St George be flown or the Union Jack - or both? E.mail your views to Have Your Say.
GB, Upminster:
POLICE STATION WELL HIDDEN?
I would like to comment on the new "police station" that has opened in Corbets Tey Road. There has been much fanfare etc in the local press and in the bulletin surrounding it's opening. However if you were not aware of this, you would hardly know that it is indeed a police station. In fact at first glance it appears to be an extension of Corals the bookmakers, as it has the same colour fascia!
I noticed today that there is a small 3" x 9" sign saying POLICE at the bottom of the window but again it isn't exactly prominent. Also there is no other information displayed as to it's usage apart from a sign advising that the place is only open between 9 - 5 Monday to Friday, weekend trouble makers take note!
It doesn't exactly welcome people in, or even suggest what they can do at the station. Come on, make a bit more of an effort and advertise it's use, as it may even be useful!!!
8.7.07
BT, Upminster:
EUROPEAN TRAVEL INSURANCE
In the July edition of the ‘Bulletin’ newsletter there is an extensive article on travel insurance. However, no mention is made of the fact that if your journey is to an E.U. country, you as a British Citizen have automatic access to that countries health Services and presumably need no additional travel insurance. It may be commercially inconvenient to those who sell travel insurance, and indeed I have found resort travel reps. reluctant to discuss this issue. Some have even denigrated the level of health service provided locally. Yet in this country our health service often suffers by comparison with other E.U. countries and indeed our N.H.S. have in the past sent patients abroad for operations. So, do we need travel insurance for time spent in other E.U. countries? Perhaps you would be good enough to cover this aspect in another article on the subject. I for one , would be most grateful.
5.7.07
Editor: While the EHIC card will cover emergency treatment and such like, travellers to Europe are still advised t obtain travel insurance. For example the card will not cover any transportation home (repatriation) or expenses for relatives; accommodation costs etc. should an emergency occur. It will not cover loss of luggage or other personal items. It is also important to remember that treatment covered will be the same as that received by locals, which can vary considerably among EU member states.
MK, Upminster:
SCHOOL RUN TRAFFIC JAMS
When is something going to be done regarding the cars parked outside Coopers School between 3pm & 4pm. You never see a traffic warden there?
1.7.07
CB, Cranham:
SAVE OUR BACK GARDENS FROM PROPERTY DEVELOPERS
The recent trend for property developers to focus on back gardens and green corridors for development is a real concern to all of us. This practice owes much to the last Conservative Government who first classified back gardens as 'brownfield' land and then to Labour who put the definition into planning rules.
Developers realise the profitability of building on ‘back gardens’ rather than, say, a disused chemical works as the infrastructure of roads and services are already in place and by building small plots it avoids much of the criteria to include affordable homes.
Whilst our back gardens are given the same status as an old industrial estate, so it leaves local planning authorities with little room for refusal in respect of proposals from property developers.
At the current rate of development, it is estimated that green space the equivalent of 2,755 Wembley pitches will be wiped out by 2016.
In order to protect our back gardens and green corridors from this erosion, the government should change existing planning policy and reclassify our back gardens as Green Belt land.
22.6.07
Mr & Mrs C, Upminster:
WELL DONE AT UPMINSTER PARK
Hi, firstly we really love receiving "The Bulletin", it really keeps us informed of whats going on in our area. Secondly we were hoping to read in this months Bulletin about how wonderful our park in Upminster has been looked after. The workers and volunteers have worked extremely hard and are still working very hard everyday to keep this park looking great! even the vandals graffitti is not getting to them...the vandals spray all over the park, and the workers paint over it! its about time we stood up to the vandals...as a tax payer I like to see how my money is being spent...you must agree the park is one of the most important places in Upminster for families and friends to socialise.....WELL DOWN THE VOLUNTEERS AND WORKERS OF UPMINSTER PARK!! (I wonder if there are any plans for video cameras in the park).
7.6.07
Editor: Agreed - well done to all concerned! Whilst CCTV cameras are to be installed in Upminster this year, there are no plans at present to install cameras in the park.
DM, Harold Wood:
WOMEN GPs IN HAROLD WOOD
Further to the letter from AA (Lack of women GPs in Harold Wood, May 2), I waited almost four months hoping a women doctor would join our surgery in Gubbins Lane. Finally had to give in and see a male doctor, nothing against male doctors but some women matters are more comfortably discussed with a female doctor. I cannot believe there are not any female doctors applying for jobs in this area. I do hope this gets resolved very soon as I think there is a great need.
4.6.07
Lois Amos, Upminster:
GOOD NEWS FOR NORTH STREET HALLS PROJECT
Regarding the North Street Halls Project (news), how wonderful to hear some good news for a change! Congratulations to everyone who has been campaigning and working together in the community to save, re-use and promote this charming piece of old Hornchurch and such a valuable piece of our history.
How I just wish that places like the Boyd Hall in Cranham and the little Victorian School on the right of the road leading up to the Roller Ball from Collier Row, could be rescued as well.
Conservation and re-use of these important historical buildings is the way forward - not fast food joints and pulling them down to build yet more 'apartments'! No wonder young people don't feel they belong anywhere and we seem to have a 'lost tribe' in our midst - are we all losing our connections and respect for our history and past and our sense of place within the modern world and our local community?
By the way can anyone tell me what is happening in North Street to the little cottages that were so important in the care of the injured soldiers at Waterloo? Has an estate agents/ developer purchased the whole of that side of North Street?
29.5.07
Editor: Saving our cultural heritage from the ravages of progress is something we should all be concerned about. Whilst blocks of flats may come and go, real heritage is something that, once gone, cannot be resurrected. Can anyone help Lois with the enquiry regarding the cottages in North Street. Please e.mail 'Have Your Say' and I shall pass on.
Terry Matthews, Hornchurch:
KEEP HORNCHURCH FC FOR HORNCHURCH
I and others are very concerned about recent news regarding the apparent blatant discrimination against Hornchurch FC to the benefit of yet another Romford organisation i.e. Romford Borough FC.
To force Hornchurch FC to share the ground with Romford FC and the athletics is nothing short of stupidity. If this is allowed to happen Hornchurch FC, after overcoming all their problems in the past, face being kicked out of the league they so successfully got promoted to this season. Hornchurch FC kept this stadium going when all others deserted it, in fact it faced closure with housing being built on the site. Romford FC should stay in the Romford area.
I am sure that there are other sites in the Romford area to accommodate them. What would they do if they changed their home ground, change their name to Upmin ster FC?
This is apparently yet another blatant case of discrimination by the Romford clique? (a similar organisation exists in Italy,well known throughout the world!). Local people do not want the constant disruption that would occur if two football teams were using the stadium, even without the athletics. Instead of league matches alternative weekends they would have them every weekend. There would be more evening training sessions which would double the noise and light pollution.
It is about time that those residents living outside the Golden Triangle that Romford Councillors assumes it is, actually were considered worthy of the same attention showered on Romford.
27.5.07
Editor:Showdown talks with the FA and Council officals were due to take place last week, we shall provide an update asap.
Cllr Barbara Matthews, Hcton Ward:
SAY NO TO CAR APRKING CHARGES ACROSS THE BOROUGH
Dear Editor, well done on the excellent work done by yourself with the petition on charges for the 2012 Olympics. We, i.e. Havering, now need you to do something similar with regard to the heinous decision by this Council to introduce it's new Parking Policy. Not only will this will affect every driver in Havering, including our disabled community, but also those who may not be motorists but live in a road with waiting restrictions. I'll bullet point the main items below:-
1. Car Park Charges in all Council Car Parks in the Borough. So much for the Administration's weasley words regarding regenerating our smaller shopping centres!
2. No waiting restrictions in roads around any of these car parks being extended to include Sundays. Where do these residents' friends and families park if they visit during the weekend?
3. Charging our disabled drivers for parking in Council Car Parks.
4. Charging our disabled drivers to have a blue badge - obviously it's a privaledge to be immobile hence a fee!
5. Disc Parking (an excellent scheme) to be replaced by Pay and Display along our roads.
6. Residents Parking Permits to increase by 50% in price.
I could go on but space is tight. I'll leave it to you to offer Havering's residents an opportunity to petition this Council to rethink these dreadful
proposals.
11.5.07
Editor: I have formulated a petition and urge ALL readers to sign and pass on. There will also be plenty of paper petitions around the borough. The Residents' Association is firmly oppossed to these proposals and recognise the need for free car parking to support our loacl traders. PLEASE CLICK HERE OR VISIT OUR HOME PAGE TO SIGN.
AA, Havering:
NO NOTICE FOR DIGGING UP!
There was a knock at my door this morning (10.5.07), it was Morrisons (contractors to Transco). Apparently they are replacing the gas main in our street and may need to dig up our driveways! "I don't know where you are going to put your cars", he said looking at the two cars on my double drive. They are very sorry but Transco haven't sent the letters informing us of this work yet! A 'boss' was meant to come and speak to us today but it is 4.45pm and no-one has appeared.
Our cul-de-sac is busy enough at the best of times but today has been a nightmare, no street parking, the entrance to the road being dug up, people trying to turn around in their cars, etc.
Surely Transco legally have to give us written warning of work they wish to carryout on our property?
Has any other street had this problem?
11.5.07
Editor: Do readers have similar accounts? E.mail Have Your Say.
TR, Upminster:
FUTURE OF UPMINSTER CLINIC
I felt compelled to write regarding Upminster clinic. The idea that it may be closing is awful! I had heard rumours, but when I asked my Health Visitor she said that they had not heard anything.
I believe this is a vital facility for the community. A year ago I gave birth to my daughter. During my pregnancy I saw the midwife at the clinic & had bloodtests there by appointment so I didn't have to queue at hospital. Following her birth the Health Visitors (HVs) based there were wonderful! (Cutbacks in HVs is another issue!). They ran 10 talks for new parents on topics of great interest, encouraged us to socialise & make friends so we were not isolated (in fact us mums still meet for coffee & the occasional meal).
HVs run 2 clinics a week to weigh babies and discuss any problems you or your baby may have. They have been a lifeline for me and my friends. They are always friendly, reassuring & comforting. When I was going through a tough time the HVs & nursery nurses were great. Even the receptioninst was supportive and always greets me and my daughter warmly. I could go on...
The clinic also provides a dental service amoung others. I am able to walk there, which is a plus. If it is closed I guess we'd have to go to Cranham Clinic, which is lovely & new, but we'd have to drive (parking is awkward there, I've tried). They have recently cut 1 of the HV clinics at Cranham, so is there more need/demand in Upminster?
US MUMS ARE NOT HAPPY ABOUT IT CLOSING, WHAT CAN WE DO? SAVE UPMINSTER CLINIC!
11.5.07
Editor: At the Upminster Area Committee on 30th April held at Upminster School, the Chief Executive and the Chairman of the Havering PCT were asked a direct question as to whether the Upminster Clinic was to close, their response was categoric 'that there are no plans to close this clinic'.
MM, Upminster:
PICK UP THAT DOG POO!
I was helping a relative of mine, who backs on to the Hall Lane Playing fields near to the Hall Lane Road, with her garden when we found 12 bags of discarded 'dog Poo' that had obviously been thrown into the garden. I have contacted the Parks division to see if a little bin could be placed near to the Hall Lane end of the field. My reason for contacting yourselves is to see if this is to remind dog walkers that these bags should either be put in the litter bins or taken home not thrown in peoples gardens. My relative has three children, so this is not very hygenic particularly with the warm weather we are now having. She also has a dog and like most considerate people take the bags home with us.
5.5.07
Editor: There is no excuse for dog owners to allow their dogs to foul public space without taking on the responsibiliy of disposing of the evidence. The Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996, allows authorities to designate any land in their area as poop scoop areas without any requirement to provide signs or dog waste bins. The penalty for not clearing up dog fouling can be up to £1,000 if taken to court, but there is also provision for a fixed penalty scheme with a fine of £50.
J.Prestor, Hornchurch:
RE: UPMINSTER POLICE STATION TO CLOSE:
I am so old that I can remember when, up until the late 1980's, most Metropolitan Police Staions were manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week by bona-fide Police officers: normally a Sergeant with a PC in reserve plus a civilian telephonist. Now we are to be 'served' by Community Officers, who do not have the powers of true Constables, in a disused shop from 9am until 5pm only Monday until Friday. If this is 'Service' then I would rather go back to the days when the Metropolitan Police was a 'Force'.
4.5.07
Editor: Policing methods have changed dramatically over the past 25 years, but the recent introduction of ward neighbourhood police teams has generally been welcomed across Greater London. There was a time, about 5 to 10 years ago when it was unusual to see any kind of police officer on the beat - at least now there is an increased presence on our streets. However, the best way to tackle crime is to get more fully trained police officers onto our streets rather than being diverted by masses of paperwork and form filling.
AA, Harold Wood:
LACK OF WOMEN GPs IN HAROLD WOOD
I have discovered that the Gubbins Lane surgery has 5 male GPs but no female GP, Oak Road surgery has 2 male GPs but no female GP, this gives a total of 7 male GPs for Harold Wood but no female GPs.
With a total female population in Harold Wood of about 5,000, is there anything that can be done to address the situation and even remedy it ?
I have complained to Havering Primary Care Trust asking the above question
but I received an inadequate response (with grammatical errors). I was informed that there are female GPs in Harold Hill, which wasn't answering my question. With a response like that, I thought what's the point of pursuing the matter; I'll only be complaining about the "complaints process" next !
It appears that unless the Gubbins Lane surgery and the Oak Road surgery
recruit a female doctor, then females living in Harold Wood will either have to accept male GPs or change.
So, to conclude:
- Harold Wood Hospital closes, losing services such as blood testing etc.
- Harold Wood doesn't have female GPs.Harold Hill now has a Health Centre.
- Harold Hill has female GPs.
- Harold Hill awarded £ billions.
Is Harold Wood now part of Harold Hill ?
2.5.07
Anon, Havering:
YOB DAMAGE DOES SO MUCH HARM
Last week my dear old Land Rover 110 was attacked by drunken and probably drug fuelled yobs and, with a large piece of concrete, smashed the rear fixed window. Naturally, being on old vehicle the usual replacement company recommended by the Insurers cannot get hold of the glass of this type as it is an older vehicle. Now we have to search high and low to get a second hand replacement or equivalent. The vehicle is used for my land based work and is now, consequently temporarily incapable of being secured, which means it, and its contents are vulnerable to theft and until it can be mended it can't really be used or