Weekly Update From Councillor Guy Lambert

Meeting with people on London Road getting cross over crossovers

Only one of the three things I thought I had on Thursday afternoon/evening actually happened. I had agreed to meet with Theo Dennison on London Road in Isleworth to talk to some residents who have been served with notices to rectify their unauthorised pavement crossovers.

Crossovers are a tricky subject, because to get one authorised is a bit complicated. Most people do it correctly but some just do it without reference and this often makes the place look a mess, causes a road safety hazard and damage to the pavement that the rest of us have to pick up the bill for. But enforcement has been – cough – patchy over the decades and we’re trying to do some catching up. However, if you bought the house 20 years ago and have been merrily crossing over ever since this is a bit of a problem. We’ve agreed to stay execution for this group of people, most of whom fall into the latter category, whilst we work out an equitable approach.

On Friday I’m up early to Capital Motors for the ridiculous (but lovely) car’s MoT. It has done less than 1000 miles since the last one so we dispense with the normal service and it comes out nice and cheap – just the MoT fee. I come home (and go back to collect) on one of these Lime/Uber electric bikes. It feels such a cheat but it really works. Driving back along Chiswick High Road it’s a bit busy in the centre of Chiswick where the road design changes have been implemented but it’s completely jammed from Halfords to Chiswick roundabout, where nothing has changed in the westbound direction. The only way to reduce congestion is to drive less.

Then we had an update on the Brentford Art Trail. Looks like this is coming in September and it’s an exciting innovation – lots of artists of various types are involved and it’s shaping nicely.

In the afternoon a Hounslow’s Promise trustee meeting and then a session with the council CEO and Environment Director about the Watermans Park projects. We are paying special attention to make sure we have good strong progress across the next few months.

Saturday a brief catch up wither former worshipfulness Savin at the Black Dog. Any excuse to visit a pub and always a joy to meet Myra.

Sunday was the Chiswick Flower market, back after a COVID break. It now runs like a well-oiled machine and I would never have guessed that they had a record attendance of over 8000 visitors because it wasn’t crowded and all very civilised, both the market itself and the café society down Devonshire Road. Chiswick was buzzing, and this Sunday we will have the first Antiques Market. This is how to revive a High Street.

Monday off and Tuesday a meeting free day until Borough Council in the evening. Having proposed Tony Louki as mayor two years ago it fell to me to move a vote of thanks. Circumstances (I’ll let you guess) meant Tony had a BOGOF offer – two years for the price of one – and I think he’s been a great mayor, mainly because he’s a genuinely top person who really cares about the Borough and all who sail in her. It was great to see our tame(ish) former Gurkha Bishnu Gurung take over and he ran his first meeting admirably.

On Wednesday morning I was in the Brentford Towers car parks. They have been mainly resurfaced over recent weeks but the contractors didn’t quite finish on Friday as promised and the Residents Association cried ‘Foul’ quite justifiably. I had taken a look around on Friday evening and in general they look great but ship spoiled for a ha’porth of tar. Good to see the Exec Director of housing, no less, turning up for the inspection. It’s all very nearly finished now but just a couple of snags to iron out, mainly with road lining. The flower beds are looking great these days

I haven’t told you about my election activities as they are probably even more boring than anything else here but suffice to say I have been out and about around the ward and had a few conversations about Sadiq, Candice, the price of fish and the meaning of life, as you do. Brentford has gained a new blue plaque in recent months.

Late on Wednesday now, and tomorrow it’s the big election day, so I’ll be out encouraging people to exercise their democratic rights, so that’s all you get this week, you lucky people.

Cllr Guy Lambert

May 6, 2021