Sue

Sorry to hear that. Whether it works out cheaper depends entirely on the amount of water you use. You used to be able to work out via a calculation on Thames Water's website whether it would work out cheaper in your particular situation, to decide whether or not to have a meter installed. I don't know whether you still can, but once you've had it installed it's probably too late, although I think it used to be that you could change back to the old billing system if the meter wasn't saving you money?

Before privatisation people paid for water through water rates. How do you think it could be provided free? Do you think larger families should also not pay for the full amount of the gas and electricity they use, because they've been "hard hit by many increasing bills"? You started this thread to ask for advice on your increased water bill, and appeared to think it was because you were being charged according to a meter which had been installed by Thames Water although you hadn't requested it. Several people have given you advice and information which hopefully was useful. So what was the outcome of your call to Thames Water? As for your jibe about single people living in 3 bedroom houses (I am one of them, though the "third bedroom" is an extremely small office which wouldn't even have room for a single bed) "disadvantaging families by taking up more space than needed", you have no idea of people's background and circumstances and how they came to be in that situation. In any case, what on earth has that got to do with your water meter, and why shouldn't I have a spare bedroom for when my family and grandchildren come and stay?

We always see swifts over Ulverscroft Road in the Summer. It's a high spot of the year when they arrive. We probably won't now I've said that!

So it's an assumption, then? You haven't spoken to the driver?!

Article in today's Grauniad on how to save money on water bills. Though only if you are on a meter. If you aren't on a meter, there's nothing you can do to reduce your bills, so far as I know. Though from an environmental point of view etc I guess it is always good to reduce your water usage where you can. https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/apr/16/cut-water-bill-england-wales-best-ways-to-save?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

Is this just an assumption, or did you also speak to the driver?

There were no hold ups at all when I passed about 8.30am yesterday morning towards Denmark Hill, nor coming back towards ED about 10am. Though there wasn't a lot of traffic.

Did he say why it had overturned?

I wasn't suggesting doing a survey, with all that entails! I was suggesting you phoned (or emailed or otherwise messaged, as appropriate) the surgeries of which you are in their catchment area, and asked them directly. I wouldn't have thought there could be that many of them. I have known of hospital specialists who later became GPs. But Soylent Green's advice above seems like your best option.

Stop outside the station was closed this morning

I just passed there on the bus this morning, and the wider pavement didn't look any wider than it already is a bit further up the road?

Sorry to be dim but I have no idea what you mean. What I mean is, what is the evidence in the public domain that leads you to post on here that there is "a lot more crime in Dulwich than you can see", and to specifically mention launderettes and car washes?

What is the evidence for this?

You might have more chance of a reply on the Forest Hill forum (if it still exists)?

Ah. Wasn't it some kind of club or something?

Gift shop?

That's amazing nobody was seriously hurt, but good, obviously!

Yes, if you know how to do it and can teach me 🤣

So this BBC article begins with two Kurdish asylum seekers who are "later released". It doesn't say why they were "later released " But presumably because the police could find no evidence that they had done anything criminal? But never mind, the seed has been planted in readers' minds. FFS.

Is there evidence/information that it was a Veolia lorry, though? And surely a driver wouldn't have been using a mobile while turning right (obviously shouldn't have been at all, but while turning would be even worse)? What qualifications/experience/skills etc do you have to have to be taken on as a bin lorry driver?

Maybe they have changed the system, or maybe I've just forgotten how it works. Mine was installed as a one off after I requested it (having worked out that it would save money). Yes, it would seem odd for Thames Water to install a meter which wasn't requested, but then not to communicate anything at all to the house occupants, especially if neighbours in the same road said they didn't have a meter! I'm wondering what TW said to EDmummy101 when she contacted them?

Oh yes, you're right. So it could have been a Veolia lorry

Nothing for veggies, then? 😭