Forum Topic

Wrong approach: "Petition calling for Ealing-wide ban on travellers"

I.M.O. Having an Ealing-wide ban on travellers is far too much of an encroachment on personal freedom. I think we should just let Kingdom (Ealing Council's Academi(Blackwater)) make sure that they behave themsleves. I don't see why gypsies, travellers, etc., shouldn't be allowed to travel and camp for up to say a week or so, however, they should not dump rubbish, refuse and garbage everywhere. Make sure that Kingdom are enabled to fine and arrest as is necessary to control them. This shouldn't cost Ealing Council anything.

Mark Julian Raymond ● 2769d5 Comments

Allowing travellers to camp for a limited time in a park or common and expect them not to leave the place in a mess is not as easy as it looks. First of all they will need access to fresh water as well as facilities to dump their grey water and a chemical toilet plus access to a refuse containers.none of these things are currently provided to them.  Even thought the council could charge a fees for the use of the site and facilities which could demand to be paid in advance, the question is : where do travelers get their money from?In most cases from the local residents who do not believe their luck when told that they could get their new front drive repaved or their trees in their back gardens pruned for a fraction of the cost charged by qualified traders - all work paid in cash. Where does all refuse end up? Everywhere else except in the council recycling facilities. Some areas also experience a rise in crime rates. In order to live travelers one way or another still need access to money.

Rosa Popham ● 2766d

Mark's post was surely tongue in cheek. The unfortunate men and women employed by Kingdom on close to minimum wage and under huge pressure to issue as many tickets as possible would tell their employers where to stick their job if they told them they had to take on a group of travellers.

Dennis O'Shea ● 2767d

HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHah!!!!!Go on..... tell us another one.Do gooders will assume there’s good in everyone no matter the reality being to the contrary.One things for sure.... a petition is likely to achieve zero Off to stitch my sides up.

Colin Goodman ● 2768d

I recall the day I gave up on democracy in Ealing. I listened to a gentleman who had collected a thousand signatures in a petition to stop the Southall recycling centre (dump) from being closed. He spoke his piece in front of the whole Council Chamber, he was thanked for his speech and the petition was completely ignored. I watched the whole sad process from the audience chamber and never went back to see another full Council Meeting. Of course, the Southall Dump claosed.

Mark Julian Raymond ● 2769d

if only a petition was the answer to everything. Would love to think it was that easy,but worth a try, I guess.

Simon Wycombe ● 2769d