Following continual sewage spills in Bessingby Park, Lib Dem Councillor Mike Cox called in Thames Water to investigate.

Thames Water cut through the branches and relined the main sewer. But during a site inspection today with Cllr Mike Cox and local resident Mike Gettleson, Thames Water found a new sewage and water drain they were previously unaware of.

The new drains were built for the Elliot Avenue estate on the site of the former Southbourne School. Thames Water took over the maintenance of these drains from the Council in 1997 but the new drain was not shown on the Council’s plans.

It was this “lost” drain that has been causing much of the problem.

Thames Water have promised to survey the drain before Christmas and make any necessary repairs soon after.

Cllr Mike Cox said

“Congratulations to Thames Water for coming out to meet us and getting to the bottom of the problem. Without this inspection the Elliot Avenue drains would have remained “lost” for years and the problems would have continued. I am delighted that after all this time some positive action has been achieved.”

Heathrow airport is once again in the news and for local people it is for all the wrong reasons.

As I write this now the battle lines seem to being drawn. After a peaceful picnic in Terminal 2 by environmentalists, an advertising campaign and news conference by Future Heathrow and various celebrities with Greenpeace buying pieces of land near Sipson to frustrate a decision to build the 3rd Runway Gordon Brown has finally wielded the dagger to shove in the back of his environmental policies

As a local council there has been rare unanimity amongst the political parties in our opposition to the building of the 3rd runway. To his credit none have been more vocal in his opposition than local Labour MP John Mc Donnell. We must refrain from making this Labour versus the rest battle. This is a battle of those who would put the environment first and those who take it for granted.

The Exxons of the air, BAA, have conspired with bureaucrats and politicians against neighbours and friends which leaves a bitter and sour taste in the mouth.

One of my favorite quotations comes from an American Indian, Chief Seattle, who said “We do not inherit the earth from our parents, we borrow it from our children.” Never has this quote been more relevant.

The 3rd runway would be a personal disaster for those evicted from their homes, a painful and distressing experience for relatives of those buried in Cherry Lane cemetery and an environmental catastrophe for the residents of Hillingdon and many parts of West London.

There is a growing acknowledgement that these large infrastructure projects must now be environmentally sustainable. If they are not we will not only be escalating the environmental disasters of the past, but we will also be saddling our children with the problems it causes in the future.

Heathrow is vitally important to the economy of Hillingdon and West London. Heathrow does need investment if it is to become a 21st Century sustainable and efficient airport. A 3rd runway need not and cannot form part of its plans or our future. Yesterday I have signed up with Greenpeace to be an owner of a piece of land in Sipson, so can you. As the weeks and months progress there will be more to be done. I hope we will all do our bit for the environment and stop this hideous plan.

Extract from letter from officer after Mike Cox called for Special Willow tree to be protected

“This tree was the subject of a detailed tree survey (T13 on plan) and arboricultural implications assessment submitted to the local planning authority as part of the planning application (ref. 7969/APP/2006/94) by The Barn hotel. Although the tree falls outside the proposed new fence line it is accurately plotted on the approved plan and shown ‘to be retained’. The specification of temporary protective fencing for this and a neighbouring tree (during the construction period) have also been specified to prevent accidental damage.

Although the tree clearly has some amenity value, the Willow is rated a ‘B’ category tree - that is to say its value and condition is considered moderate. While it is shown to be retained, it is not the type (or quality) of tree which would merit the serving of a Tree Protection Order.

However, in the light of your concern I will inspect the site to ensure that any activity on site is in accordance with the approved plans and that appropriate tree protection is in place.”

Following the meeting regarding Bessingby Park on 25th September, I thought I would give a round up of events so far.

Out of the 36 residents who attended, 30 feedback sheets were received back with over 90% of them in support of security measures (fencing) being the priority for any subsequent Chrysalis bid. Damien Searle has since submitted a bid for £65,000 which, if successful, will be able to provide fencing along three stretches of the Bessingby Park end that are the most vulnerable and which residents indicated to him on the night. These are:

Whitby Road, 280 metres  
Beverley Road, 244 metres
Fencing between Bessingby Bowling Club and the children’s playground. 222 metres

This would provide new fencing where residents have built gates to back onto their gardens which was a point of concern. It also fences off an access point used by motorbike riders which was highlighted by the SNTs.

Springfield Gardens, 72 metres ( if funding allows)