An asinine reply from the Complaints Resolution Unit

Warning.

Alfred Binet and the Birth of IQ (Early 20th Century). One of the most significant milestones in the history of IQ was the work of French psychologist Alfred Binet. In 1904, he was commissioned by the French government to create a test that could identify children who needed special education. The resulting test, known as the Binet-Simon Scale, measured cognitive abilities such as memory, attention, and reasoning. This test introduced the concept of a mental age – the level of cognitive functioning typical for a certain age group. The field of cognitive psychology has provided insights into different types of intelligence, including emotional intelligence, social intelligence, and creative intelligence, which go beyond what traditional IQ tests assess. IQ scores are typically distributed on a bell curve, with the average set at 100 and a standard deviation of 15. This means that the majority of the population falls within the range of IQ scores from about 85 to 115.

Police; MOPAC

Many employers use personality tests in the workplace. They test what candidates will do, rather than what they say they’ve done.  For example, those who score high in empathy may do well at jobs in customer service. When coupled with a good interview, personality-tests can help gain more insight into candidates’ abilities.

The portrayal of police officers as clumsy, stupid, and inefficient in movies and television series could be attributed to ‘Satire and Critique’ or ‘Cultural and Social Context’. However, some films and shows use satire to critique real-world issues or institutions. By portraying police officers as bumbling or ineffective, creators may be commenting on perceived flaws within the criminal justice system or highlighting instances of abuse of power. Throughout history, there have been instances of police abuse of power and corruption. Media often draws from real-life events, and negative portrayals could be influenced by historical incidents that have eroded public trust in law enforcement.

Cops

Following my letter [https://vicious-ealing-council.co.uk/?p=215] to the Complaint resolution unit, I have received the reply below

Line

Good morning,

Your case has been completed, and will not allocated to another officer.  As advised in my previous correspondence, if you are unhappy with the explanation provide by PC Bulmer it will be necessary for you to contact MOPAC.  The officer has completed the actions required by MOPAC as a result of the review.

Kind regards

Sergeant

Claudine

Claudine | Police Sergeant | Complaints Resolution Unit| Directorate of Professional Standards|

Metropolitan Police Service | Newlands Park Sydenham SE26 5NF

Tel: 07775 61

Email: feedback@met.police.uk

Line

 

This case has been completed using the most disgraceful and inappropriate conduct exhibited by a member of the Complaints Resolution Unit.

The words chosen in the title of “Directorate of Professional Standards,” might prompt the public into thinking that this is some ‘bona fide’ and competent organization. Far from it, it seems. Any reasonable institution would have taken my letter seriously, but the ‘comatose’ members of the Complaints Resolution Unit seem happy to take home taxpayers’ salary whilst not seeing the need to actually address issues or complaints in any satisfactory way.

 

Line

The Police receive and is paid directly to collecting authorities by local taxpayers.

Police officers are generally considered public servants. Their primary role is to serve and protect the public, uphold the law, maintain order, prevent and investigate crimes, and ensure the safety and well-being of the communities they serve. Police officers are entrusted with a significant responsibility to enforce laws impartially, protect individual rights, and respond to emergencies and incidents that require their attention.

The idea of police officers as public servants highlights their duty to act in the best interests of the public and to uphold the principles of fairness, justice, and accountability. However, it’s worth noting that the perception and reality of police officers’ role and behaviour can vary depending on the specific context and jurisdiction.

  • Council tax for GLA services (Ealing)

The GLA’s share of the council tax for a typical Band D property has been increased by £38.55 (or 74p per week) to £434.14. The additional income from this increase in council tax will fund the Metropolitan Police and the London Fire Brigade, and will also go towards ensuring existing public transport services in London can be maintained, meeting requirements set by the government in funding agreements. Council taxpayers in the City of London, which has its own police force, will pay £142.01.

For the financial year ending 31 March 2024:

  • up to £17,613 million in funding for policing in England and Wales has been agreed
  • overall funding will increase by up to £556 million (3.3%) compared with the previous financial year, in nominal terms
  • when considering total funding for Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) (including Government funding and Council Tax precept), funding will increase in nominal terms by up to £810 million (5.5%) in the year ending 31 March 2024, when compared with the previous financial year
  • overall funding will increase by up to 0.7% in real terms
  • funding has grown in real terms for the last 9 consecutive years, following a decline between the financial years ending March 2011 and 2015

 

 

 

A Police Story

It is in my opinion that the letter (below) sent to the police Complaint Resolution Unit, clearly outline that there is still a lot of incompetence within the Metropolitan police services. There is dishonesty and obstruction.

Ms. Sophie Linden is Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, has worked with the Home Secretary and Ministers on policy development and strategy, including, police reform, crime and antisocial behaviour reduction, neighbourhood policing, and reducing the harm caused by illegal drugs.

She has also been a member of the Local Government Association (LGA) Safer Communities Board, a peer reviewer for the LGA on community safety, and a member of the HMIC advisory board on PEEL (the police effectiveness, efficiency, and legitimacy programme) inspections.

Commander Jon Savell DPS, has been involved, in 2022, with an MPS-MOPAC joint audit panel with the view to address the HMICFRS Report on Counter Corruption.

My complaint has been addressed to a number of senior figures. It will be interesting to see who takes the time to respond.

Police

[Calls to the Met’s dedicated internal hotline raising concerns about officers’ integrity and behaviour have more than doubled in the past six months, with 14 reports a week compared with an average of six previously. Source = Met. Police NEWS – 

Following the Grenfell Tower fire play at the National Gallery, I learned that, while escaping death, residents of Grenfell Tower were greeted by the Metropolitan Police’s SCO-19 (formerly SO19) Specialist Firearms Command unit (riot police), when exiting the building. YouTube has short videos of the play.

Blog letter

Mr. C...

Complaint Resolution Unit

40-42 Newlands Park                                                                                                                                        

London SE26 5NF

 

 

  Your reference: PC/07
                                                                                                                                            [MOPAC  reference: PC/07]

 

Dear Mr. C…,

Further to your letter of 25/07/2023 you haven’t failed my expectations; once again you have refused to take my case seriously.

MOPAC has presented a very comprehensive and skilful report comprising 16 pages of documentation. Your presumptuous attitude ignores MOPAC’s professionalism and recommendations by favouring only the section of the report that fits your particular perspective of dismissing my concerns. Having the opportunity to obstruct my case again, you appeared to breathe a sigh of relief and egotism when you wrote – “don’t give you any further right”.

Crime is an unfortunate reality in societies worldwide, and the fundamental role of law enforcement and justice systems, is to efficiently address and punish criminal activities to maintain social order and protect citizens. It was clear from your first email that you did not grasp and address this issue.

When instances of police misconduct come to light, the public’s trust in the police force is irreparably damaged. Each case, however large or small, creates a ripple effect among friends, family and the community, leading to a widespread perception that officers cannot be trusted to act in the best interest of the public. This lack of trust hinders cooperation and vital communication between the community and law enforcement, reducing the ability of the police force to prevent and solve crimes, thus increasing the area’s crime rate.

Negative police conduct not only tarnishes the reputation of individual officers but also raises questions about the overall integrity and accountability of the entire police force. Your careless conduct has severe implications for society as a whole, allowing unpunished crimes to thrive. This breeds fear and insecurity among citizens, eroding public trust in the justice system and authorities. Such impunity fosters a culture of lawlessness, emboldening criminals, like Mr. S…, to commit offences without repercussions, further perpetuating crime.

Why has my case taken such a sloppy turn? Since the very first email you sent, you have hampered any investigation and prosecution. Throughout all of your correspondence, there is a constant contentious element; it is unclear whether this is directed at me or the case.

There should be no reason for your hostile behaviour as I am seeking help from the police, as the victim of crime. However, there is no doubt that your communication with me is hostile. Moreover, I wonder if your unprofessional behaviour is motivated by racism against me.

In your very first email of 17/08/2022, you wrote: “If no reply is received within 7 days your complaint may be closed pending further contact”. On this occasion you wrote: “This further response does not give you a further right to review with the complaint now finalised”. Your eagerness to set aside my case has given me very limited chances to pursue it. You also wrote: “You will be updated by an investigating officers every 28 days”. This has NOT happened and the issue of missing correspondence to West London police stations with no replies has never been addressed.

The MOPAC report raised important points: “I’m not satisfied that the outcome and handling of your complaint was both reasonable and proportionate”. The ‘reasonable’ and ‘proportionate’ have been conveniently ignored by you.

In response to this, you wrote: “I will address each of the points MOPAC have raised”. And with this you took the sluggish opportunity to write: “the matter has been accepted and that further clarification should be given to you regarding your complaint”.  You should have been a politician, one of those that never answer questions asked and do not address points raised. And: “clarify them to help ensure that you are able to contextualise and better understand”. It is clear that you are patronizing me and ignoring my complaint at your inefficiency to act in accordance with your job responsibilities.

I would like to address MOPAC statement: “his matter should be remedied under paragraph 28ZA of Schedule 3 to the Police Reform Act 2002”. Instead of addressing the full meaning of the Act, you offered two negligible clarifications, both of which were mere terse paragraphs. Part of the Act states: “… to continue to take the steps from time to time appearing to him to be appropriate for the purposes of Part 2 of this Act for obtaining and preserving evidence relating to the conduct complained of”.

I’ve requested, via the Metropolitan Police website “Update us/Ask for an update”. I’ve also requested, again, the full crime report dossier from the Acton Police station. We will have to see if even this letter has been discarded.

Which brings me to your point: “Your crime report 2515977/22 was regarding malicious communications which was being considered by the CPS”.

Presenting the charges solely as “malicious communication” displays ignorance, arrogance, and indifference to the case. Crimes committed by Mr. S… come under:

  • Crime and Disorder Act 1998 
  • Communications Act 2003
  • Public Order Act 1986 (many sections)
  • Protection from Harassment Act 1997

….and more; which they could carry a six months jail sentence.

You are insulting my intelligence with your “clarification”, not everyone is a dimwit. Nothing concrete has been done on a case that has been a clear cut and unambiguous from the start and for over a year. Rather than considering facts and the bigger picture, you and PC F… have taken persistent ease of action to address minor and negligible offences without clarifying anything that we didn’t know already.

In this case the Metropolitan Police has shown obstruction to justice, incompetence and inappropriate conduct. The caring and professionalism displayed by your colleagues every day is certainly not reflected by your stance.

It shows sheer arrogance and conceit when you refused, in past correspondence, to provide me with names of your superiors. I am confident that a professional approach would have made a big difference in my case. The actions of Mr S…, combined with your inaction, continue to impact me professionally and personally today. My case should have been proficiently addressed from the beginning, so that many hours would have not have been wasted by so many professionals over the course of the last 12 months. Not to mention precious resources!

Sincerely

A B M Procaccini

 

 

cc –  –     Social Media via Blogs and private website. -/ V. Drago, Solicitors /

The Rt Hon Chris Philp MP

Claire Penney, Chief Inspector, Professionalism – DPS, DPS Reviews Team, 40- 42 Newlands Park, London SE26 5NF

Rebecca Lawrence, Chief Executive. CPS, Petty France, London SW1H 9EA

Commander Jon Savell DPS, New Scotland Yard, London SW1A 2JL

Sophie Linden, Deputy Mayor, Policing and Crime – Sophie.Linden@london.gov.uk

Station House Officer, Acton Police Station, 250 High St, London W3 9BH

ComplaintReviews@mopac.london.gov.uk -/ ReviewsTeam@met.police.uk / enquiries@policeconduct.gov.uk -/

 

Redevelopment comprising a three storey rear extension, Pitshanger Lane

https://pam.ealing.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=neighbourComments&keyVal=R2PZ23JMLG500

My Objection

I object to this proposal that is unnecessary, it will detract to the life of the residents, it is out of keeping with the character of the area and it is on over development.

Allow me to specify: as per 2018, there were 22,480 empty homes in London. Figures have gone much higher in recent years due to almost 2 million workers having left London, back to continental Europe and having moved to the countryside. It is an “empty market” worth £15 billion.

The Borough of Ealing cannot fix the many potholes on most of the Borough roads. It cannot fix problems with drains, as many areas are left with swimming pools when it rains. It cannot look after the parks as most of the rangers have been fired. It cannot clear leaves in most areas or fix uneven pavements where elderly can easily fall. It cannot keep roads clean or empty the few rubbish bins left (plenty of strategic areas are now empty of bins). It cannot look after the elderly with Social care, because there is no money, staff, proper supervision or professional management. Most libraries have been closed or remain open thanks to volunteers. Yet, they have money for developments, other unwelcome policies and they are considering the sale of Victoria Hall which is not even theirs to sell. (Awful management and bad policies have been created to push for the sale).

The last Census on London flats goes back to 2011. At that time, there were 1.75 million flats in London. On average 40,000 new homes are build every year. A sector that is registering a 9% increase per annum.

That is good for the economy if it wasn’t for the empty homes and a hole in the pocket worth £15 billion. Someone, of course is making money, cashing in on the misery of others.

In a meeting at Ealing Council, some three years ago, all proposals were passed by the Committee and the Councillors. This reminds me of a recent article about Chiswick “£1 billion car tech site “narrowly” gets green light”. When they say “narrowly” it means that all agreements took place before the meeting and a theatrical performance was staged. A poor performance if one pays attention, I must add.

Such performance took place when the Council decided to demolish the Art Deco Woolworth building in West Ealing to build flats and to build blocks of flats in Perivale. Despite signatures and petitions signed by thousands against such proposals, both cases “narrowly” passed and were won by the building companies. The flats in Perivale had hardly any parking provision, so the Councillors proposal was to introduce CPZs in the area for the residents already there before the building work started. Don’t we just love  – democracy!

There are currently hundreds of flats been built in Ealing, West Ealing, Southall and I am including Brentford too as it is “in the area”.

Questions come to mind. If residents have left London and many “homes” are empty where are the tenants coming from? If the future is for electric cars, how many electric charging points will we need and where will they be placed in a block of, say, 60 flats?

The previous Council leader, Julian Bell, was notorious for the monstrous malfeasance of his administration. He has turned the Uxbridge Road in a veritable canyon and money was wasted on installing and removing speed bumps and LTNs, some really stupid traffic regulations (too long to list them), social care, housing and cycle lanes. One has to wonder why so much of our money is wasted and why the Queen of suburbs is being cemented over and turned into an inhospitable overbuilt sun less neighbourhood.

Hounslow and Ealing are together in crime by assuring that asinine projects are approved. They have no interest on what residents think (the building monstrosity inside Gunnersbury Park comes to mind, not to mention the £1.3 million cycle lane in Boston Manor Road).

Corruption, greed, selfishness or simple stupidity is what drives these awesome public workers to continue, interrupted, with mercenary projects like this one. I object strongly to it.

 

 

Ealing LTN – “Zoom Force” coming!

LTN

Dear Cllr Block and Cllr Driscoll,

Thank you for your leaflet and email announcing a zoom meeting for next Wednesday. I will not be participating but please note my family and I opposition to any LTNs and any other form of active travel that actually entails no vehicles active travelling on some roads.

My husband is a psychologist and in his studies he has closely followed work done by James W. Pennebaker, an American social psychologist. One of Pennebaker major works is Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC). The use of LIWC is widespread. It is commonly used to examine how difference groups of people communicate or write and is used to detect deception. Most people will not notice but in your leaflet “We’re changing your local LTN” many deceptive words and sentences have been used.

image001 LIWC

  1. “This decision made the LTN21 trial unworkable”  = The “trial” was a six months trial, LTN should have been removed in any case, a few months ago. The trial was never approved and there was no consultation.
  2. “Long term plans to encourage active travel”  =  1) Long term plans are not made public. What will they want to achieve, say, by 2025? 2) Encourage (push, instigate, stir) are ways to “convert” people to the will of the leadership. 3) Active travel – nice words but they don’t really mean what you intend them for  =  making journeys by walking or cycling.
  3. “Consult on smaller sections – that you have told us are successful” = In other words “selection of members of the public that will meet the Councils’ agenda”.
  4. “Residents will be consulted before implementation” = as per point 3 above, the objective is only to consult those residents that are in favour of the implementation.
  5. “local people will have the final say on the outcome” = great statement based on democratic baselines but as per points 3 & 4 above, reflects a typical political statements giving the impression of impartiality when, in fact, their hidden plans are something else.

Supporting minorities, those that are keen on LTNs in this instance, is a noble gesture. Unfortunately, on this occasion, the demand and suggestion that the minority’s craze should prevail, will negatively affect the majority that do not want the LTNs and actually it will also affect the minority in a negative way, although they are blind to the realization.

In Ealing and across London, the majority of residents do not want LTNs. Proof of this are the large demonstrations, the many letters of complaint and the removal of LTNs in some wise Boroughs that respect the residents’ wishes.

The question that everyone should ask is why LTNs are such a “Government” priority while crime is on the increase and not addressed? With knife crimes and thefts growing in numbers, I would have thought that these would have been our local priority. The timing for the imposition of LTNs seem illogic too; the pandemic has brought people to work from home so there will naturally be a reduced need to travel unless of course this is the perfect time to introduce a money making scheme as the natural reduction in traffic will be used as a fake proof that the LTNs work.

LTNs are a menace, full stop. Only disdainful and uninformed individuals would believe that LTNs will address the issue of climate change. Probably, the same individuals that take flights for holidays abroad and are welcoming the introduction of another runway at Heathrow airport and the flattening of a whole village. The same individuals that buy the latest electronic equipment, that eat lamb from NZ or that are welcoming the new trade deals with Australia. Shouldn’t we ask why the UK imports 1,200 tonnes of chicken from Thailand every year? Or why Brazilian mango is exported to Vietnam to be canned over there and sold to Europe? These are the pollution sources that we could do without or reduce but they make money so they are not considered. Instead new block of flats are built with no parking (with no consideration either for where and how many electric car chargers can be allocated?) and ULEZ is forcing the underprivileged to buy a car that they can’t afford so that people like the nurse, working shifts, can go to work.

The LTNs are also money makers, nothing else. If we really wanted to reduce pollution we would discuss the elephant in the room: the one single cause of pollution is man, as a species. With the 1992 Rio de Janeiro Conference (Agenda 21) and the UN Summit, New York in 2015 (Agenda 30), the main matter discussed was to tackle world population and poverty, but while it was discussed nothing has been done to make people understand the need to procreate less. So while we are free to do what we like it would be nice if people were coherent in their actions eg. if one procreates with no consideration for the earth and the carbon footprint and pollution that their decisions cause, they should not be then expecting others to compensate for their actions. They are hypocrites.

What we read on many local posts and blogs is utter selfishness. No parking in my street. No parking in front on my house. No cars on my road. We should all walk or cycle. Forgetting about the elderly and disabled that cannot walk or cycle, forgetting about emergency services stuck in traffic jams (traffic jams created by LTNs and cycle lanes that not many use), forgetting that, by creating ghetto like areas, it will also be difficult and demanding for delivery companies to do their work efficiently, forgetting awful events like the Grenfell Tower made worse by the one only single access road to the building.

LTN (Lunacy Towards Nothing) are smoke in the eyes for the disdainful individuals I have mentioned above when the real issues are somewhere else.

Any road closure has consequences and even the current Swynecombe Avenue closure in one direction only has meant that the homes on Boston Manor Road are experiencing higher traffic and pollution and so does the whole area as pollution travels.

Air pollution from Heathrow has been detected in central London ‘We now know that airport emissions, even if located at the outskirts of the city, can travel far enough and reach populations in urban areas,’ says researchers. [Shaun Lintern, Health Correspondent, Friday 03 January 2020]. The article says from Heathrow airport and not from planes. Meaning that pollution from the main roads in Ealing can reach all streets, houses and gardens in the area.

Unless residents wishing for their roads to be closed to outside traffic do not own and use any vehicle and do receive any goods unless carried on foot or by bicycles, their expectations of a personalized vehicle free road is preposterous, selfish and not to be encouraged.

As Councillors you are meant to represent to the Council the views of your constituents, not the other way round. Also it would be nice if you could register our views without the need for us to repeat ourselves over and over. It goes without saying that the majority of residents oppose LTNs and yet you insist in finding ways to pressurize the opposite.

Most people have busy lives and don’t really have time to constantly reminding the Ealing Labour Councillors what their opinions are. The Conservative Councillors are able to retain information once given so it is possible for you to do it too.

Regards.

Lorena Martin & Family

 

Found this on line today (07/07/21) and thought worth sharing it.

Pears

Reply from Frame Projects. My main concern is how they have selected the 36 people that will attend and engage in the workshop. Once again, a very interesting choice of words – overwhelming, selected, time and effort, other opportunities for involvement, best wishes! ?? Best wishes about what!? Kind Regards would have been more appropriate. I wonder if, under the Freedom of Information Act, we can ask who they have selected and why? On which basis will these 36 people look after the best interest for the residents?

Frame Projects

What Hitler and Julian Bell have in common?

Hitler for Nobel Prize!

In 1939 Adolf Hitler was recommended to the Nobel committee by Erik Brandt, a social democratic member of the Swedish parliament.

Hitler

It takes “all sorts” to endorse unsavoury characters.

Public trust in the mainstream media has plummeted to an all-time low. The Guardian is certainly not immune to distrust. The BBC, extremely unpopular in recent years, is amongst “the most biased propaganda machines in the world” so it comes as no surprise that the BBC admits to spending £139,000 a year on buying the Guardian – that’s over 1,300 copies a week. The Guardian is the second most popular paper at BBC with 69,212 copies ordered. [Source: Mail-on-Line, 6th June 2021].

Why would The Guardian publish “The evidence is in: low-traffic neighbourhoods are popular” by Julian Bell (ex-leader of Ealing Council)?

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2021/jun/02/the-evidence-is-in-low-traffic-neighbourhoods-are-popular

Julian Bell has been a very unpopular figure for many of the local residents during the years he spent as the leader of Ealing Council. He acted very much as a self-centered little dictator, disregarding the residents opinions and interests.

A good 99% of what he has written in the article can only be seen as Julian Bell’s ‘cognitive distortions’ = irrational, inflated thoughts and beliefs that has distorted his perception of reality. He is only clever because there are people out there that are even more senseless then he is.

What he stated in the article is utter nonsense and somewhat delusional. It would take many pages of detailed clarifications to address all of the points he made.

One comment about the sub-title should suffice. “The London election proves that measures to make streets safer are a vote-winner”.

I said, above, that many residents are senseless and that goes for the electorate too. During the Mayoral Election, having had the opportunity to choose an Independent candidate, the majority of the voters still voted for a political party.

Majority is a big word because only 42% was the turnout of those entitled to vote that actually bothered to take part in the election. That is a 3.1% down on the previous 2016 Mayoral Election. However, the “pandemic” may have played a part in this, bringing about a rule change, [The Local and Greater London Authority Elections (Coronavirus, Nomination of Candidates) (Amendment) (England) Rules 2021 (February)], that has lowered the number of signatures from each borough required to enter the race from 10 to two.

Khan got just over 1 million votes; that would be those that voted Labour. In fact, forgetting about the 2nd vote, Khan (Labour) got 1,013.721 votes, against 1,517.636 votes on those that did not vote for him. It is easy to play with figures especially if one is only after demonstrating one’s own interests.

So it goes that this is a very biased article, a fake piece of news, from The Guardian that is very much concerned in pushing the narrative for the New World Order. For those that still don’t know what the NWO is, I suggest to look at Agenda-21 and Agenda-30 official government documents.

Questions

The government and media are making strenuous efforts to keep up their propaganda. They don’t want to give to the public time to understand or research what their future plans are.

Having noted the extensive mess that this Mayor of London (Mr.Khan) and previous ones have made of this great City, I voted for Independent candidates. – “If you want different results than what you’re getting, you have to try different approaches”. – It sounds easy but people need stability, in their mind, first.

By voting for someone like Farah London we could have had a diorama of her dream world, a utopia perhaps. The Croydon-born former Conservative activist’s campaign was focused on the capital’s economic recovery. In contrast to Valerie Brown’s single issue approach of abolishing the role of Mayor, Ms London has a lot of policies. She is pro-black cab trade and anti-Low Traffic Neighbourhoods. She is also pro-bee, pro-indoor farming and against vets that overcharge. Her manifesto was headlined “jobs jobs jobs jobs”, which is one more “jobs” than Khan’s approach.

News paper has been used to wrap chips but, also, as been often used as toilet paper. The latter is the best use for such a waste of paper.

Toilet paper

New Ealing leader and LTN

Original email from Cllr Peter Mason, is after my comments.


Thank you very much for your email. Indeed, many residents have tried to encourage as many individuals as possible to send to your office their thoughts. I am not surprised you have received a few emails, not many of them, considering that Ealing population is almost 345,000.

It is with careful consideration that I have read your comments and it would be nice for you to explain to the community about “active travel”.  This was a proposal by ‘Public Health England’, taken on board by TFL, that was covered by a May 2016 document titled “Working together to promote active travel”.

Their very narrow minded proposals are suggesting the following:

  1. physical inactivity directly contributes to 1 in 6 deaths in the UK and costs £7.4 billion a year to business and wider society [source and proof would be necessary]
  2. the growth in road transport has been a major factor in reducing levels of physical
    activity and increasing obesity
  3. building walking or cycling into daily routines are the most effective ways to increase physical activity
  4. short car trips (under 5 miles) are a prime area for switching to active travel and to
    public transport
  5. health-promoting transport systems are pro-business and support economic
    prosperity. They enable optimal travel to work with less congestion, collisions,
    pollution, and they support a healthier workforce

There is not one single point above that cannot be challenged on various grounds. Therefore the problem is at source with those that have probably lived a sheltered life and have absolutely no idea how the world really works. Those individuals that Claire Fox calls: “lacking experience…. do not have a legitimate claim to that identity”; from her book – I find that offensive.

They certainly cannot be inspirational for a better society and yet we are asked to follow their lead. Digging our own grave comes to mind.

You wrote: “West Ealing and Hanwell has been the most controversial”. It might have escaped your consideration but by closing almost all the roads in Hanwell, you have created, on the Boston Manor side, a very modern Ghetto.

It would be great to understand what you or, maybe, the residents mean “Many residents have contacted me about the huge impact this would be likely to have”!? Huge impact on what and whom? The word huge fascinates me.

Another explanation would be also needed for: “the restrictions have worked well and there is genuine resident support for them”. How did they work well and for whom, again!? If there is so much support for them why are the supporters a minority?

While your words may sound comforting for some, I really hope that the new administration will not be committed to promoting active travel and tackling the climate emergency by following the dictates of asinine agendas.

It would be crucial to understand why you keep referring to: “sections of LTNs areas have been successful”. You are still giving more credit to the minority pro-LTN-supporters, while ignoring the majority of the residents’ wishes. Why have these areas been successful and what does successful means in this context?

Trial periods, via a Controlled Parking Zone style consultation, can only be seen as “Divide and Rule” based on the old Latin motto “Divide et Impera”. The feeble-minded will not understand this policy. In reality it is a simple one. The way it works is by forcing one street residents, the most keen in the area, to accept CPZ.  By doing so you deliberately moved traffic and parking to other streets, thus causing nuisance to those streets that didn’t want CPZ in the first place.  A simple approach which allows to force residents to accept your policies. A technique that works every time.

With reference to ‘rising traffic volumes’, the only ones to blame are the Government and Local Authorities. In reality there are no rising traffic volumes apart from those extra 112,000 mini cabs that have recently been given a licence. And if climate emergency is so crucial why are more runways considered to be built at Heathrow airport? What is good for the goose is not always good for the gander!

I don’t find your email reassuring, to the contrary I find it somewhat patronising and making a fool of the residents with window dressing comments.

I close my reply with a famous quote and one that I am sure you will like.  > But after all it is the leaders of a country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy or fascist dictatorship, or a parliament or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders.

 

EMAIL FROM EALING COUNCIL

Thank you so much for writing to me about Low Traffic Neighbourhoods in Ealing. I’m sorry I can’t reply in detail to your email at this point.  I have received over 1000 emails in the last week alone on LTNs.

I’m very grateful to you for taking the time to let me have your views. This is an issue that I know many residents feel very strongly about and I have committed to leading an open and transparent council that listens to everyone’s views and experiences. Since it was announced that I would become the new council leader, I have received in excess of 500 emails about LTNs, expressing every possible shade of opinion from strong opposition to strong support.

Unfortunately, the pressures of time mean it will not be possible for me to respond directly to everyone who has emailed me about LTNs. I hope, therefore, that you will forgive my responding in this way for now, as I wanted to let you about the steps we have taken so far. Since the new administration was elected on Tuesday, the new cabinet member for Climate Action, Cllr Deirdre Costigan, and myself have met with and listened to groups on both sides of the argument about LTNs – OneEaling, CAMTAG, Better Ealing Streets and the Ealing Cycling Campaign. We are very grateful to them for meeting with us, for sharing their stories and experiences and to discuss how the council can work more closely with them on promoting active travel in the future.

I know that LTN21 in West Ealing and Hanwell has been the most controversial of the nine trial LTNs installed last year. The decision by Hounslow Council to close Swyncombe Avenue eastbound for two months from Monday in order to carry out roadworks means that we need to act quickly at this location. Many residents have contacted me about the huge impact this would be likely to have. I agree that the temporary closure of Swyncombe Avenue would make LTN21 unworkable. For that reason, we have decided to end the trial of LTN21 early, and have removed it over the course of the weekend. Enforcement of the filters in LTN21 has now stopped.

I know this will be welcomed by many, but also come as a disappointment to other residents. I know that in parts of LTN21, the restrictions have worked well and there is genuine resident support for them.  The new administration remains absolutely committed to promoting active travel and tackling the climate emergency, but we also know that we need to take residents with us if we are to make real progress on these issues. Over the next couple of months we will therefore be coming back with proposals for smaller sections of LTN21 in areas where residents have told us it has been successful. Residents in those areas will be consulted before implementation, and nothing will be implemented without a majority of residents supporting them.

In line with this commitment to listening to residents, the future of the other trial LTNs in the borough will be decided, at the end of their trial periods, via a Controlled Parking Zone style consultation in each area, keeping schemes that work and are supported, and removing those that are not. The collection of data on traffic volumes, congestion and air quality is well underway at these locations and will be published before the end of the trials to help residents make an informed decision.

I know from many conversations with residents that people in Ealing want a cleaner, greener borough with less traffic and congestion. Rising traffic volumes on our roads is an issue that isn’t going away. Our commitment to tackling the climate emergency and enabling active travel and cycling remains unchanged, but I know that we must take people with us and not be afraid to be honest about what works and what doesn’t.

Thank you again for letting me have your views, and we look forward to working with you and other residents who are passionate about their neighbourhoods to find a way forward that can command the support of our communities.

Yours sincerely,

Cllr Peter Mason

Leader, London Borough of Ealing

LTN in Ealing

I am strongly opposing LTNs and I am also aware that the majority of residents oppose it too. It is a scheme that was started without any consultation, it was imposed on the residents and it was supposed to be a trial that should have already have ended and removed.

These new LTNs, that have ‘conveniently’ appeared during the Covid lockdown, are a huge nuisance to communities and commuters alike. They are certainly not delivering what they are officially being implemented for. Cyclists only make up less than 10% of the daily commute around London. While their needs ought to be considered, they are still a minority and not the ones that must be prioritised over others.

The ‘strategy’ behind LTN is nonsensical and asinine at source: ”By removing through traffic from networks of minor roads, LTNs reduce the space available for traffic. Just as adding an extra lane to a motorway leads to an increase in traffic (induced demand for driving), removing neighbourhood streets from the strategic network leads to a decrease (reduced demand for driving)”. Maybe the Council and TFL might like to explain why over 111,092 minicabs have recently been approved to operate in London.

Maybe, an analogy within the field of medicine will make more sense: Plaque (fatty deposits) build up in your arteries. (We can call it traffic). As plaque builds up, the wall of the blood vessel thickens. This narrows the channel within the artery – reducing blood flow. That lessens the amount of oxygen and other nutrients reaching the body. In other words traffic (pollution) is a recipe for early deaths.

The scheme was based on dangerous lies – In September 2020 Julian Bell reassured the residents that all emergency services had been consulted before the road shake-up began. Cllr Bell and transport boss Mik Sabiers apologized on Friday, September 25, admitting that, in fact, the London Ambulance Service had not been involved in talks just like they had not talked to the Metropolitan Police and the London Fire Brigade.

There is nothing positive about LTNs and it is causing my family and I a lot of aggravation. Shopping for the family or for the pets cannot be done on a bicycle. Most of the shops are in South Ealing (bakery, butcher, chemist) and even the laundrette is over there. Our weekly washing consists of four very big and heavy laundry baskets. Driving and shopping at Waitrose or Iceland or Wilko takes a lot longer now. We are now wasting much more  time and money by sitting in traffic jams or by finding uncomfortable alternatives by bus or tube. Not everyone can cycle, by the way.

Within the last few months the traffic on the Boston Road has been particularly heavy. I started coughing but only if I sit in the lounge, which is at the front of the house. Pollution could very well be the cause.

Research has shown that Heathrow pollution can travel up to 20 miles from the airport. Traffic gridlock in Boston Road is causing heavy pollution that can easily travel all the way to the residential streets all around. Thanks to LTN we are now breathing in more pollution.

Surveys of the general population suggest that approximately 12.7 million people in the UK (approximately 1 in 5) have a history of asthma, COPD or another longstanding respiratory illness. Some is due to smoking but a 2015 study published an updated by King’s College London shows that in 2010 there was the equivalent of up to 5,900 premature deaths across London associated with NO2 long term exposure. Nearly half the health effects of long term exposure to air pollution were caused by pollution from outside London, as well as 75% of cardiovascular hospital admissions associated with PM2.5. (Yet there are strong efforts to open bigger runways at Heathrow airport ??).

On several occasions I need to go and pick up my daughter at Northfield station as this is very late at night. Thanks to LTN you are obliging me to take longer journeys.

In a few days, thanks to your policies, Hounslow Council is closing the only minor road still open to go to Northfields and South Ealing. What is the traffic going to be like then? One of the Ambulance depots is also on the Boston Road. How can you not think that you may end up being responsible for someone’s death?

Deliveries and suppliers are being affected, with couriers getting lost, taxis unable to pick up or drop off their clients and lorries unable to drop off supplies because the road blocks are taking up parking spaces. It’s not safer if cars and lorries are stuck, and having to reverse back out on to the main roads, and in areas without cars going up and down, you have effectively created mugging hotspots.

LTNs will cause an increase in prices because the plumber, the builder, the delivery company will take longer to reach us. LTNs are the last straw for some small businesses that have already been affected by the pandemic. There is also the issue that our roads as less safe, no cars in the side streets, darkness and no people about makes it an ideal ground for criminals.

One small (one lane) road work at the end of Boston Road caused three miles of traffic queues only a few days ago. Bus stops and refuse collection also slow traffic down. Boston Manor is becoming completely isolated, making this, probably, the best modern version of a Ghetto.

The question to ask is – what is LTN for?

Making money for the Council it seems. As the Congestion Charge was created to keep pollution out of Central London, why from 2025 all electric cars will have to pay for the Congestion Charge?

Ealing Council is only interested in collecting fines from those that “jump” the LTNs restrictions. Lies and propaganda, for many years, have made us believe that 20mph speed limit is safer (but pollutes more) when studies have revealed that it is not safer at all. Electric cars pollute less, they say. Another massive lie as mining for lithium and disposal of batteries are causing more pollution than current vehicles.

Cycles lanes – they want! Over £1 million spent on the cycle lane in Boston Manor Road and cyclists are mainly using the road. In fact, cyclists are now preferring the pavement and that goes for scooters too. Just more accidents waiting to happen.

Mini-Holland is another big lie. Studies want us to believe that the Dutch scheme is better and safer for everyone. Holland has the highest death rate in Europe for cyclists. This part of reality is conveniently left off. Residents prefer to believe in lies than seeking information.

People don’t use their cars for cruising and LTNs are simple stupidity in any shape or form.

cyclist

Ealing would build flats on a roundabout if they could.

Re: Construction single storey, part two storey building comprising 9 new self-contained apartments (Class C3 Use)  | Garages /  Rear Of 10-24 Byron Court Boston Road Hanwell London W7 2AY

[Statistics published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) put the number of empty homes in England in October 2019 at 648,114. This represents a 2.2% increase on the previous year’s total. These figures are still going up]

 

I think it is important to understand who we are dealing with in Ealing.

An ‘inspirational’ quote states: “Tell a lie once and all your truths become questionable”. I am certainly questioning Ealing Council’s not so impartial intents in their decision making.

Sir Gerard Cowper-Coles [Group Head of Government Affairs at HSBC Bank and Director of HSBC Bank Egypt] is also Chair of the Trustees of Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery Trust (PMGT) in Walpole Park in the London Borough of Ealing, as is Julian Bell, Leader of Ealing Council. PMGT, a charity, banks with HSBC. In Walpole Park there was a cafe’, Spencer’s Cafe’, run by Alan Dillon and his partner Sarah. Alan had run the cafe’ successfully for 10 years, and had built up the business to become a very popular local amenity. However, Ealing Council decided to put the running of the cafe’ and another restaurant within the park out to tender. Alan submitted his tender, but without being told of the result, discovered that he had been unsuccessful when a second tender process took place. Thousands of people signed a petition to save Spencer’s Cafe’. The winner of the tender was Social Pantry. Social Pantry is bankrolled by Cowper-Coles’s bank HSBC, who have a fixed and floating charge over all assets of Social Pantry. There are also questions surrounding the social/family relationships of Alexandra Head, owner of The Social Pantry, and the Chair of the PMGT and family. (Despite the Trust’s denials, there is plenty of interaction on social media).

On another note – Responses to Freedom of Information requests reveal that in May 2012 Cllr Bell sent an urgent email to officers asking them to make out a cheque for £10k to A&H Events Ltd. The money was said to be for a community Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Party in Southall Park. Oddly, Ealing Council did just that and Bell arranged for A&H Events Ltd to come to Ealing Town Hall the next day to collect the cheque. A&H events Ltd (now dissolved) was run by Harry Randhawa, otherwise known as Harry, a mate of Bell’s boss, Ealing Southall MP Virendra Sharma.

In March 2020, MP Virendra Sharma and Ealing Council leader Julian Bell were named as co-defendants in a court claim by a local restaurant for a dinner that the Ealing Southall CLP (constituency Labour party) new treasurer and new auditors had refused to pay as organized without proper consultation. Legal costs and interest increased the amount claimed from £5600 to £6877. The Labour Party, at the end, paid for all costs.

About LTNs – In September 2020 Julian Bell reassured the residents that all emergency services had been consulted before the road shake-up began. Cllr Bell and transport boss Mik Sabiers apologized on Friday, September 25, admitting that, in fact, the London Ambulance Service had not been involved in talks just like they had not the Metropolitan Police and the London Fire Brigade.

Worth noting that Julian Bell bought a five bedroom property in West London several years ago while staying on as a housing association tenant in another property despite the purchase. Apparently he is keeping the property for a family member. Five bedrooms houses are not so big after all.

In 2017, around £4.2bn of suspicious money is believed to have be laundered through the London property market. In the same year Ealing Council approved the award of a large contract to Rydon, the main contractor of the Grenfell Tower development, weeks before the fire broke out.

A couple of years back there was a petition that received 10,000 signatures to keep the Art Deco Woolworth facade in place on the Uxbridge Road but it was rejected by Ealing Council.

Only the persistence of a group that wanted to save Warren Farm made it possible to keep it for the use of local people. Ealing Council wanted to give it to QPR on a 200 years lease for… free (free they say).

I objected to the above planning application. Why raise a “containers” style residence in the backyard of Byron Court? Byron Court does not need those flats in such close proximity. Those flats will not fit in with the area and they would be an over development. A clear example of over development can be seen at No. 94 Boston Road corner with Osterley Park View Road, where there used to be a small garden in front of a little block of flats at such address, now there is a cube that is a flat or flats. Allowing these unsightly over developments creates dangerous precedents. Why is Ealing Council allowing such monstrosities? There is no parking on site and servicing the flats will be a problem. What would happen in case of fire? Also I don’t see any foundation slabs in the plans and there could very well be an increased risk of flood and subsidence.

What else is there that we don’t know about? Many planning applications approvals by Ealing Council are very questionable, with no apparent benefits for the existing residents nor for the overall amenities of the borough.

I sincerely hope we will be able to instigate change at this coming next local elections.

Council Committees are a Farce

One of the most hideous, contested and out of character building in the whole of Hanwell District, has been given approval to raise the high of the office building by two extra floors. On the same proposal, the owners are also allowed to construct an extra building in the existing car park.

All residents are very upset on such an approval to this unsightly construction, understandably so, as per images enclosed. No privacy, no sunlight, imposing ugliness in one’s own back garden.

While Boundary House can be seen as far as Wembley, M4 flyover and Northolt, the office building, next to Boundary House, in the Borough of Hounslow, blends well within the height of residential homes.

20190226_094514 20190226_102035 BOUNDARY DSC_0137-001 DSC_0146 DSC_0148 IMG_7108 IMG_7110 (1) IMG_7118 IMG_7119 IMG_7120

 

The theatrical performance held during the meeting by the Chair (Councillor Shital Manro, North Greenford) and all Councillors, was carefully rehearsed and prepared prior to the meeting.

Readers must understand that during these meetings any objections are futile as decisions have already been taken. This is all part, maybe to the untrained eye, of a theatrical performance that the Committee has been performing for many years and during many similar meetings.

Worth observing that the demolition of an Art Deco building at West Ealing and new large block of flats (with no underground car parking but with CPZ implementation) in Perivale, were also approved.

While guarantees by Ealing Planning office have been given that the new extra floors will not affect the structural integrity of the building, we certainly don’t know for sure if subsidence, and the building being shaken by passing trains, will tolerate the weight of the extra floors. No comments were raised on the possible ‘asbestos fumes’ that construction might release.

Just a small reminder to readers.  All Borough residents pay yearly Council tax and Councillors should look after the interests and concerns of all residents. On the basis of “Divide et Impera” (and that goes for many other Council policies too), keeping residents divided serve the purpose of the Council and those that wish to speculate and not, on the long run, looking after the residents’ best  interests.