There is a new Council consultation on a proposal to stop weekly collections:  It’s all about saving money : What do you think?

I live in a house and have space to store rubbish – unwillingly for two weeks – but what if you live in a small flat where storage is a real problem ? Weekly bin collections are surely the least we can expect in a civilised community.

Please go to the consultation

For two if not three of the last AGMs we have given a Wooden Spoon to the Council for their lack of a policy on street tree pits – that is the area around the base of the tree in the footpath. We have shown that there is no consistency of treatment which varies from just earth, to hoggin, to black tarmac to various forms of ‘bound gravel’. This is despite the formation of a StreetSmart guide adopted by the Council about 10 years ago after much exhortation by the Hammersmith Society. Lots of Borough’s deal with this problem successfully. It is a difficult problem as trees have to receive water, their roots go all over the place and dogs do nasty things on them.

As a result of our campaign, Harry Phibbs has been particularly tenacious in trying to get answers from Council Officers : They have recently come up with a new product – another form of permeable bound gravel which is being trailed at the moment around the Brackenbury area and Kings Street/St Peter’s Square – see illustration.

What do you think? Looks smart – will it last?

Resin-Bound Tree Pit

An alternative approach – not necessarily suitable for all locations – or certainly busy ones – is the personalised planted approach. I understand this is being trailed in Fulham (I am afraid the photo is from another Borough – but the principle is the same).

What do you think? Please contact Harry Phibbs or the Highways Department with your views.

Personalised planted tree pit

Hammersmith Bridge

Despite recent emergency closures, the bridge is due to be completely closed next year for a more radical overhaul and strengthening to allow double decker buses to use it again. (They were banned when there were previous structural problems).

Our understanding is that this work is likely to take six months from next summer. The works will also involve repainting (and relighting). When it was last repainted, many lamented the loss of the more decorative treatment in pastel colours by the London County Council. The replacement in what many people refer to as Harrods green came about after studies of the original paint scheme by Sir Joseph Bazalgette in 1887 and was strongly advised by English Heritage. A new lighting scheme was also installed by the Council and which won a Hammersmith Society Environment Award in 2001, but the deck lighting has proved unreliable and difficult to maintain.

The Hammersmith Society Committee feel that there is an opportunity to revisit both the colour and the lighting and that an exciting way to explore possibilities would be for an open competition : We would be happy to organise this but obviously there would need to be agreement with both the Council and TfL who are funding the main project.

Do let us know what you think!

There will be a presentation and opportunity to discuss the Council’s new proposed strategy in the Small Hall at the Town Hall on Tuesday 8th September at 7pm.

This is organised by the Economic Regeneration, Housing and the Arts Policy and Accountability Committee. For the draft strategy and full agenda for the evening, visit :

http://www.lbhf.gov.uk//Directory/Council_and_Democracy/Committee_reports_minutes_and_agendas/Committee_Archive/homepage.asp?mgpage=ieListMeetings.aspx%26amp%3BCId%3D487%26amp%3BYear%3D0

This was announced by the Council on 23 June 2015 and is quite separate from the above. The intention is that the panel will assist the Council determine the future of Hammersmith Town Centre including options for tunnelling the A4.  Refer to the council website here

The original deadline for registration of interest was extended to the end of July and an announcement on the operation of the panel has yet to be made.

Community Infrastructure Levy and Section 106 Agreements

The Council recently released their latest ‘H & F planning news’ : This may be accessed by visiting http://www.lbhf.gov.uk/Directory/Environment_and_Planning/Planning/

The main change here is the introduction on 1 September 2015 of ‘The Community Infrastructure Levy’ or CIL as it is referred to. The news bulletin explains what this is for and how it will be charged on all relevant planning applications for creation of new dwelling or floorspace over 100 square metres. The article does not fully explain how in most cases CIL will replace Section 106 contributions. However, within the above website link you can read how CIL and Section 106 contributions work together. (Councils cannot apply both to the same development).

The Davies Commission has now been published. Its main recommendation is in favour of a Third Runway at Heathrow, but does not rule out the possibility of a Second Runway at Gatwick.

Read the full report

Unsurprisingly the recommendation for Heathrow in particular has prompted a torrent of articles and commentaries. Below are some of the places where these can be found :

• www.londonforum.org.uk
• hacan.org.uk

Other sources include the regular blog from Andy Slaughter MP, the Chiswick W4 newsletter and many others.

Hammersmith and Fulham Council commissioned its own resident led report earlier this year – as previously reported.  Our Vice Chairman (and former Chair) Melanie Whitlock was one of the members of the panel.
The report and update comments can be seen at :
www.lbhf.gov.uk/Directory/News/Hot_topic_Heathrow.asp

The Council are currently consulting upon introducing a universal 20mph throughout all roads in the Borough

Have your say at :

www.lbhf.gov.uk/20mph   or e-mail

Closing date for comments 31 July 2015.