Forum Topic

Third World Ealing

At last! An Amey team turned up in Ascott Ave W5 this morning and gave the street its first full clean since mid-August. As some of you will know, @ealingcouncil sneakily gave Amey permission recently to reduce street clean from once a week to once every three weeks. But they can't even meet that reduced commitment. Their trick is to tick off a street, by cleaning just part of it, then moving on. Shameful.

Ian Richardson ● 3112d16 Comments

Whuchever political party removes the wheelie bins and goes back to weekly bag collection will win the next local elections. The LibDems are not interested in democracy so won't do this, Labour won't admit it's mistake, and the Conservatives havn't go the guts. As always, no one actually represents the residents of Ealing or what they want!

Joanna Corbett ● 3098d

Just take pictures and tweet!  The more of this is done the more public it gets.  That is the only way we can affect change.  Not only is the council cutting back but the contractor is also cutting corners.  Make a not is street cleaning and put it in your calendar.  They work on the premise we are all to self absorbed or too busy. Act and get others to do so. Try joining NEXTDOOR a to be connected and work together.

Ewa Cwirko-Godycka ● 3098d

It is clear that the only way Amey/Ealing Council even approaches its street cleaning commitment is to do bits of each street, then tick them on the list as "done".

Ian Richardson ● 3104d

The Council is guarding street cleaning schedules but discussions with staff indicate that deep cleans in many residential streets are only being done every six weeks, with litter picks every three weeks. That would fit better with your observation of Amey's appearances.

Vlod Barchuk ● 3108d

Ealing has certainly changed a lot in the 30 years I've lived here. It was back then -- dare I say it? -- a tad dull, even reminiscent of how Orwell depicted it in the 30s in Coming Up For Air, where the hero despairs of his miserable suburban life.It still has many things going for it, such as excellent transport links (for getting home to it as well as for getting out of it!), plenty of green spaces, decent local shopping, loads of restaurants, the Questors theatre. Who knows, one day we might even have a cinema again.

Susan Kelly ● 3110d

Simon,No one is saying they don't like Ealing,but the fact is it has gone downhill in many ways,and no longer the Queen of the suburbs it used to be.John.

Dr John Stolworthy D.Sc ● 3111d

Without comment and discussion there can be no improvement. People who comment care and seek to have their views heard. Those that say nothing often have nothing to contribute as they do not care. Do you care? Or don't you?

Joanna Corbett ● 3111d

I'd rather live in Ealing than many other parts of London.If you dislike it so much , there are many estate agents that would gladly move you.

Simon Wycombe ● 3111d

Joanna,Got it in one,sadly lacking.regards John.

Dr John Stolworthy D.Sc ● 3111d

I guess our suburb Queen has given herself a pudding-bowl haircut with electric hair clippers and is wearing leggings fashionable ripped at the knees and unlaced trainers (Oh! and the hrose chestnuts are dying from a fungal plague from over the Channel). That is not to say that we should priortise rose gardens, horse chestnuts and park keepers over social security and care, though there is something lacking in the wholeness that once was Ealing.

Joanna Corbett ● 3111d

Joanna,I think the reference in calling it suburb was taking all of the London suburbs into consideration,I am afraid Ealing does not match,the loverly  and nice way you describe a suburb,regards John.

Dr John Stolworthy D.Sc ● 3111d

It is debatable as to whether Ealing is a suburb. It has more of the characteristics of an innercity area.The Quuen of the Suburbs was based on a past of rose gardens, horsechestnut trees, mass displays of annual bedding plants that were grown in the borough, and neatly cared for and mowed park lawns, not to mention full-time custodians like park keepers. Then there were libraries, public spaces, fewrt gambing establishments, and cared-for private gardens.

Joanna Corbett ● 3111d

Philippa,Ealing is no longer Queen of the suburbs,John.

Dr John Stolworthy D.Sc ● 3111d

Oops there's no hyphen - it is www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer  and then search for the title Who's Spending Britain's Billions.

Philippa Bond ● 3112d

Did you watch "Who's spending Britain's Billions?" the other night?  You need to watch it right through to the end.  It's available on www.bbc.co.uk/i-player

Philippa Bond ● 3112d

The wheelie bins which now feature so enormously in our streets and gardens have spoiled the Queen of the Suburbs.

Philippa Bond ● 3112d