Forum Topic

Pavement Blockers!

Every morning, my commute involves getting dropped off near the roundabout by Haven Green and walking to the station. At the very end of the shops (the last one being the kebab shop), each morning, are at least 2x people trying to put into your hands City AM or some other free publication. Being right by the bus stop and a narrow part of the pavement, this area always gets congested and these guys do not help. This morning, there were 4x distributors (there was a milk drink promo too). It was mayhem. Who do I complain to about this (if anyone) ? Do the companies that employ these distributors require a license to do so ?You may think this petty, but I know this is a great source of irritation to myself and others.

Bud Richards ● 4682d14 Comments

The council do have powers to enforce overhanging hedges and vegetation.Hounslow enforce it quite vigorously.The same powers can be used by Ealing.You have to give the details to the council, presumably Highways or the environment services

Michael Brandt ● 4678d

Funnily enough Gerry, that's another gripe of mine - on Jubilee Lane (small lane between Haven Lane and Mountfield Road), there's a property there with shrub overhanging so much, you have to walk onto the road!

Bud Richards ● 4678d

This pavement blocking is not a petty matter, especially at Ealing B'way Station during rush hours. You have my sympathy Bud.We experience another type of irritating form of pavement blocking, which is by caused by the uncontrolled growth of hedges and bushes in some front gardens, such that there's precious little room to walk on pavements without being brushed by overgrown hedges, especially after a heavy rainshowers.  I find this quite irritating and sometimes dangerous.

Gerry Tan ● 4678d

You're miles off Ben - my issue here is solely with the positioning of the people that hand these out...

Bud Richards ● 4678d

Ben and I settled our differences about his defence of cyclists long ago.He's wrong and I'm right - end of discussion :-)

Nigel Brooks ● 4680d

It seems that what's being complained of, isn't what's being given away. But the fact that distributors aredoing this in the narrowest part of the pavementopposite the bus-stop.Presumably these distributors are paid by the numberof copies they distribute to legitimate targets.Most likely they're being checked occasionallyto make sure they don't give away multiplecopies, dump copies etc. So that rather than stand outside the Station where there's more room, from their point of view it makes sense for them to creep along the pavement so as to be the first to encounter potential recipients.Normally you might think this would constitute obstruction of the Public Highway whichshould render them liable to being moved onby the Police  and render the organisers of the operation liable in Law unless they ensure that their distributors only operate where there's adequate room.michael adams...

Michael Adams ● 4680d

That's telling you Bud! Now,according to Ben, you are unsure in your own mind about what upsets you and what doesn't.One of you may need therapy to come to terms with your denial and transference of negative feelings...I think I know which one of you two it is.

Keith Iddon ● 4680d

I will make a strong bet with you that if they were handing out every day free copies of the national newspaper that you would ordinarily buy you wouldn't be upset.Commuters like a free newspaper to read on the train. The real issue here is not the pavement blockers, but you don't read or like City AM!

Ben Owen ● 4680d

I very much doubt your nephew is any of the people I am referring to unless he's of Asian decent and says "City AM please" to each and every passer by.

Bud Richards ● 4681d

He'll be the bloke in a Sou'wester!

Michael Brandt ● 4681d

Well tell him if he sees an irate man with a water pistol, it's Bud, and he needs to duck!

Marie Shelny ● 4681d

Actually one of those pavement blockers is my nephew who is a cambridge graduate and has a full time graduate job. However, this does not cover his rent so he has not one but two other jobs, Doing papers before work in the morning and doing bar work 4 nights a week.That's how tough it is just to stay in your home town. I never had to work like that, indeed, like most, I did not graduate with a debt around my neck.So rather than bemoan some who get off their arses and do something just think what it could be, people obstructing your way wanting your valuables or worse.

Michael Brandt ● 4681d

You know I have never seen anyone actually reading or even looking at what those leaflets and cards say. They take them because its easier/and seems less rude than refusing, then deposit them in the nearest bin. Just a waste really.

Marie Shelny ● 4681d

Take a water pistol with you.Fill it with some brightly coloured sickly sweet children's drink and starting spraying them with it.If enough commuters start doing it they will get the message very quickly and, like Pavlovian dogs, begin to recoil at the merest hint of a pistol muzzle.

Tony Colliver ● 4681d