Category Archives: College Road

Notes on a Conservative leaflet

Am grateful that while Unsa, Richard, our supporters and I have been talking to Osterley and Spring Grove residents at their doorsteps, one of our people has sat down and attempted to analyse the latest Conservative Party leaflet that started doing the rounds last week.

It’s a folded A3 colour sheet with a combination of local pictures and a few from internet stock. You do not need to have it in front of you to match what you read but please drop me a line for a copy if you live in the Ward and I’ll email one.

The supporter has written this in sequence and uses the word Tory or Tories, I prefer Conservative because that better describes a more narrow view on matters.

Here goes:

1: A new deal for Osterley and Spring Grove

  1. It is claimed that the Tories would “vastly improve” local services. Easily said. The deep cut by the government to the Council budget (now over £70m per year on the 2014 grant, and another £20m on the way) is not mentioned. There is no costing anywhere in the leaflet. The claims are hollow.
  2. The leaflet speaks of a Tory “master plan” for the area. Where is it? We have never heard of such a plan and, frankly, doubt that it exists.
  3. The Tories promise better roads, parks, libraries, youth services and waste collection without a costing in sight. This is to take the public for fools, expecting us to respond to any promises without asking any questions about how they will be paid for.
  4. They promise to end “waste and overspending” but give no idea of the scale or nature of the alleged overspending.
  5. They promise to “massively improve air quality” without a hint as to how this would be achieved.
  6. They promise an accessible Council which will listen and respond. Councillor Louki has been fulfilling that role as many residents are aware. It is one thing to moan and another to get things done.
  7. Councillor Sheila O’Reilly claims that for 46 of the last 50 years Labour has allowed the borough to fall into disrepair. A look around Osterley and Spring Grove makes it difficult to understand her claim. (The picture of The Grove in the leaflet shows anything but decay. It looks very pleasant.)
  8. The leaflet mentions a Tory Plan to revive the borough. Where is it? Why do they not give a link to it so that people can judge for themselves?

2: Wipe out waste

It is claimed that Tory financial management would save “millions”. How many millions? How it would be done? How does it compare to the £70m of government cuts the borough has endured?

It is claimed that the £28 million on a new waste and recycling centre has been entirely wasted but no argument is made to justify this claim. As the new service develops we think that residents will see for themselves how vacuous this claim is.

3: Fix the potholes

Hounslow’s streets are maintained under a PFI initiative instigated by the last Tory Council. It was negotiated to run for 25 years and leaves little room for the Council to determine matters. What are the Tories proposing in terms of a renegotiation of the contract? We are not told. Maneesh Singh says that a Tory council would “free up the money” to fix the potholes but he doesn’t tell us where it would be freed up from. The contractor fills and repairs potholes because Councillor Tony Louki reports them regularly, the Tories made just 23 such requests to Hounslow Highways in 2014 to 2017, only three of these in this ward.

4: A new deal for council services

This section repeats the extravagant claims of Section 1 (above) without a hint of costing in sight. This is to assume that residents can be satisfied with political fairy tales rather than grappling with the real problems.

5: Keep Osterley and Spring Grove special

The Tory candidates say that they will look after the special character of Osterley and Spring Grove which has been “forgotten by Hounslow Council for decades”. You wouldn’t guess from this that the Osterley Park conservation area was designated by the Council in 1998, the Spring Grove conservation area in 2001. You wouldn’t guess either that the Council has set up a new and enthusiastic conservation team which is currently reviewing the conservation areas and is doing so in consultation with residents.

The Tory candidates also say that they would work with police and residents to deal with problems of anti-social behaviour but say nothing of the problems of the massive reduction in police personnel and resources due to Conservative government cuts since 2010.

5: News Snippets

Candidate Cynthia Torto repeats the empty promises about air quality and claims that air monitoring in the area has been reduced but doesn’t say where or when.

It is claimed that Hounslow has failed to meet the demand for good schools, but Hounslow’s schools are performing well. The government website shows that the great majority of schools in Hounslow have a good or outstanding rating. So what are the Tory candidates referring to? They also do not mention two large new schools in Osterley and Spring Grove and a significant expansion of Isleworth & Syon School, using local funds.

Chiswick Conservative Councillor Gerald Macregor caught delivering the said leaflet on London Road but walking straight past a flytip

OUR CONCLUSION

We are all for robust debate in politics and welcome a challenge. It is therefore sad to see that the Tory candidates for Osterley and Spring Grove are prepared to produce such poor quality material devoid of facts, full of unjustified claims and empty promises and lacking in any genuine argument. Residents have seen the difference in having a Labour councillor like Tony Louki working for them and taking care of matters long neglected by a Tory Party that has long taken our people for granted.

TL 29.4.2018

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Filed under College Road, Events, Great West Road, Hounslow Highways, London Road, Neighbourhoods, Northumberland Estate, OSG data, OSG documents, Osterley, Reports, Road works, Spring Grove

One done. Nine to decide. CPZs in Osterley & Spring Grove Ward updates

These past two years, there has been a fair demand in a number of neighbourhoods of Osterley & Spring Grove Ward for residents only parking.

In response, Hounslow Council’s Traffic Team has undertaken a number of consultations which have been reported at meetings of the Isleworth & Brentford Area Forum. This piece provides a situation report.

160430 NG CPZ

Northumberland Gardens – This came in to operation early April 2016 arising from discussion at the 12 March 2015 IBAF when proposals for the improvement of the pedestrian crossing outside Syon Lane Station were agreed.

The scheme was designed as an extension to the existing Syon Lane Station controlled parking zone and provides an additional 14 spaces to that scheme operating from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday. A map of the extension can be found here.

Thornbury Road South – Development of this arose from an online petition started on the Hounslow Council website in the autumn of 2014 by a local resident. It began as a response to impacts from parking by college, mosque and new developments parking.

Following a first stage informal consultation during April 2015 and for a detailed scheme in November 2015, IBAF agreed to add proceed to statutory formal consultation at its meeting on 21 January 2016.

Formal traffic orders are being compiled for the statutory consultation expected to run for 21 days from late June 2016. It will propose the addition of Thornbury Road (between Spring Grove Road and Eversley Crescent), Stanleycroft Close and Weston Gardens to the existing Spring Grove CPZ which operates from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm, Monday to Friday.

A copy of the January IBAF report can be found here and map of the proposed extension here. Should June’s statutory consultation not yield unresolvable objections, it is expected that the scheme will be installed late October 2016.

160430 Church Road

Thornbury Road North – Work on this scheme also arose from a petition started on the Hounslow Council website by a resident concerned with commuter and holiday maker parking due to the proximity of Osterley Station.

Following a first stage informal consultation during April 2015 and for a detailed scheme in November 2015, IBAF agreed to add proceed to statutory formal consultation at its meeting on 21 January 2016.

Formal traffic orders are also being compiled for a statutory consultation expected to run for 21 days from mid June 2016. It will propose the creation of a completely new controlled parking zone to include Thornbury Avenue, Thornbury Road (between Great West Road and Church Road), Church Road (between Thornbury Road and Osterley Road) and Osterley Road (between Church Road and Great West Road. It would operate from 10.00 am to 12.00 pm, Monday to Friday.

Should the statutory consultation not yield unresolvable objections, it is expected that the scheme will be installed late October 2016. A copy of the January IBAF report can be found here and map of the proposed zone here.

Permit holders only past this point sign proposed for Ravenswood Gardens and Naseby Close. These negate the need for bays marking.

Permit holders only past this point sign proposed for Ravenswood Gardens and Naseby Close. These negate the need for bays marking.

Naseby Close and Ravenswood Gardens – These two roads located off The Grove, already covered by the existing Spring Grove CPZ, were also consulted in April and November 2015 and reported to the IBAF in January 2016. Residents here also wanted in and formal traffic orders are also being compiled for a statutory consultation, mid June 2016.

Again, in the absence of unresolvable objections, the scheme is expected to be installed late October 2016 but done so with no road markings, just signs at the start of these two cul-de-sacs. A copy of the January IBAF report can be found here and map of the proposed zone here.

Spencer Road – Councillors agreed with the council’s traffic officers’ recommendation that residents of this road be included in the April 2015 consultation with neighbouring streets. The results showed that there is demand and a scheme is being progressed to address commuter parking attracted by Osterley Station and the expected impact of a zone being commissioned south of Spring Grove Road.

Statutory consultation will take place from early June 2016 for a completely new controlled parking zone and, without unresolvable objections, is likely to be installed late October 2016. A copy of the January IBAF report can be found here and map of the proposed zone here.

NewsStandIsleworthStation

Across from Isleworth Station – Work on this began following the presentation of a 100+ signature petition to the Mayor of Hounslow at a council meeting in January 2015. The petition arose from residents’ concerns over parking by commuters, crown court users and residents from nearby developments, already built and in the pipeline.

Following a first stage informal consultation during April 2015 and for a detailed scheme in November 2015, IBAF considered an officer report at its meeting on 21 January 2016 where differences of opinion on the proposals were raised, particularly over hours of operation. This gave rise to a further meeting on 9 February 2016 called by councilors and attended by 20 residents and a way forward agreed to proceed.

Formal traffic orders are now being compiled for a statutory consultation from late June 2016. It will propose the addition of Grove Road, Avenue Road, Overton Close, College Road (south of Ridgeway Road), Henley Close and Beechen Cliff Way to the existing Spring Grove CPZ which operates from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm, Monday to Friday.

Without unresolvable objections, is likely to be installed late October 2016. A copy of the January IBAF report can be found here and map of the proposed extension to the Spring Grove zone here.

The Six Gardens – another consequence of commuter parking by Syon Lane station and close to employment sites around Great West Road. Residents appeared not only concerned by all day parking but also its effect on waste collections not taking place in this neighbourhood due to refuse lorries as well as pedestrians not being able to negotiate tight and inconsiderate parking by some on these narrow roads.

Following correspondence and meetings with residents, I raised this issue at the July 2015 IBAF and a detailed design consultation took place in January 2016 which saw serious support for parking controls here. At the 3 March 2016 IBAF, councillors agreed that the scheme should progress to statutory consultation.

This consultation will take place mid June 2016 with a proposal to include Warkworth Gardens, Otterburn Gardens, Redesdale Gardens and Northumberland Avenue (from Roxborough Avenue to Syon Lane) to the existing Syon Lane Station CPZ which operates from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday.

Without unresolvable objections, is likely to be installed late October 2016. A copy of the January IBAF report can be found here and map of the proposed extension here.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

North of Gillette Corner – Another request arising from commuter parking impacts and a petition from residents on the Wyke Gardens Estate off Syon Lane I presented to the Mayor of Hounslow.

Informal consultation on a scheme to include Syon Park Gardens, Syon Lane, Stags Way, Crowntree Close, Wyke Close and Oaklands Avenue took place in September 2015 and reported to IBAF at its meeting on 12 November 2015. A copy of the report considered then can be found here and a map here.

Consultation on a detailed design has just ended and is expected to be reported with next steps, if any, to the next Isleworth & Brentford Area Forum scheduled for 26 May 2016.

Burlington Road – Concerned with the implications of a controlled parking scheme due for neighbouring Spencer Road, a petition was presented by residents of Burlington Road requesting that the Council consider the introduction of a CPZ in their road (operational 10.00 am – 12.00 pm, Monday to Friday. This was considered at the 3 March 2016 IBAF.

An informal consultation in Burlington Road and neighbouring streets, Vincent Road, Spring Grove Road, Witham Road and Eversley Crescent is expected to commence in June 2016 and reported to IBAF in September 2016.

Phew!

I shall make an effort to offer updates here but in the meantime happy to correspond.

 

TL 30.4.2016

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Filed under College Road, CPZ, Great West Road, London Road, Neighbourhoods, Northumberland Estate, Osterley, Parking, Roads, Sky, Spring Grove, Thornbury Road, Wyke Green

Borough Road College: 11.11.2015

Pupils from Isleworth & Syon, The Green and Ashton House schools and local residents came together as they always do this day every year at the memorial outside the former teacher training college in Borough Road, Osterley and Spring Grove Ward.

Memorial to the students and staff of Borough Road College acknowledged locally this day every year

Memorial to the students and staff of Borough Road College acknowledged locally this day every year

Nice and low key as ever.

TL  11.11.2015

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Filed under College Road, Education, Events, Middlesex, Neighbourhoods, Osterley, Spring Grove

Wood Lane 3: Hounslow Highways share more detail of next week’s resurfacing works

Following some lengthy correspondence with Hounslow Highways, details of how the long awaited resurfacing of Wood Lane will be carried out and managed have now been made available.

150921 Wood Lane Musgrave sign

After a few residents made contact with me about access to their properties (see item from 13.9.2015), Hounslow Highways have agreed that the works will now be carried out nightly, in sections: Parkwood Road to Musgrave Road; Musgrave Road to Borough Road; Borough Road to Great West Road.

Obviously, there will be short term disruption but whilst parking on Wood Lane itself will be suspended, residents should not be prevented from parking on their own drives outside road working hours.

The works start on Monday night, 12.10.2015 and are expected to last until Tuesday morning 20.10.2015 between 9.00 pm and 5.00 am (not Friday to Sunday due to the rugby). During the works there will be no access between Great West Road and Parkwood Road (apart from and to 120 Wood Lane via Great West Road).

Advanced warning signs have already been placed advising road users and residents of the start of the works and markings have appeared on the carriageway and by road humps.

Residents should expect parking suspension signs, no parking cones and all properties and vehicles parked in the area leafleted with another reminder of the works.

After 9.00 pm on road working nights, the H28 bus
 will be diverted to and from Wood Lane (north) via Great West Road, Syon Lane and London Road, see detail here.

Road diversions will also placed between Thornbury Road, Spur Road and further east; maps showing these can be found here, here and here. Finer detail can be read here.

All mobile plant used for the resurfacing will be parked safely at the end of each working shift; signed and protected accordingly.

Ruth Cadbury MP and I have asked for and waited a long time for improvements to this well used and important road and are grateful for Hounslow Highways’ positive response. Yes, there will be disruption to normal routine but the result should be worth it and (like our cars’ suspensions) last for many years.

The contact number for any resident enquiries during the works is 020 8583 2222.

TL 7.10.2015

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Filed under College Road, Great West Road, Hounslow Highways, London Road, Neighbourhoods, Northumberland Estate, Osterley, Public transport, Road works, Roads, Spring Grove, Thornbury Road, Traffic

Improve London Road and Isleworth Station meeting: Wednesday 30 September 2015

Stn

Wednesday 30 September 2015

The Music Room, Spring Grove House, West Thames College

London Road, Isleworth, Middlesex, TW7 4HS

Doors open 7.15 pm, starts 7.30 pm, finishes by 9.00 pm

Many of us live by and use the facilities of London Road from Brentford to Hounslow, particularly the part in Spring Grove and Isleworth. It has seen better days and plenty of people want this decline reversed.

A number of residents and businesses have already agreed to come along on Wednesday in order to focus on ideas and solutions and to start working on a plan.

The aim is to have a working meeting so that people can quietly discuss issues and potential opportunities for London Road, St Johns Road and the station then feedback on ways forward.

It’ll be about finding out, ideas, solutions and avoidance of wasting time bashing the council, train companies or particular businesses.

Groups will focus on status, knowledge gaps and ambition for at least these aspects:

  • Isleworth Station (building, bridges, car park, access) and other public transport
  • Retail (the offer, fabric of premises, branding, business support)
  • Physical environment of London Road (road, pavements, street furniture, signs, trees)
  • Cleanliness, tidiness and community safety
  • Links to attractions and community facilities (Osterley Park, Indian Gymkhana, Brent Lea Recreation Ground, Syon Park, Thornbury Park, West Thames College, Brentford, the river).
  • Marketing initiatives, seasonal events, community participation.

I hope you may come but if not please drop me a line with any comments to tony.louki@hounslow.gov.uk.  Will try to keep you informed otherwise and via www.osterleyspringgrove.org

TL  27.9.2015

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Filed under Brentford, College Road, Events, London Road, Neighbourhoods, Public transport, Roads, Spring Grove, Thornbury Park, Thornbury Road