pinkladybird

The excavation is of the grounds the surrounding the residential building. The reason why I think it might contain asbestos is because the land contamination report of these grounds said that it might. The site has had previous demolitions prior to the control of asbestos act - i.e asbestos debris may be there. Also it is likely to have Made ground (ground made of buried debris that sometimes contains asbestos). I believe I have a valid concern. If you think I don't then, rather than sarcasm, it would be interesting to hear your reasoning.

Good points - thanks for that.

Hello, I wonder if anyone has experience of being a Southwark council leaseholder in a top floor flat and buying the loft space to do a conversion? I understand the council charge for this due to increase in value. It would be great to have a rough idea of how much they charge. Thanks

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flippit Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Getting to and from work is taking much longer > these days due to greater congestion arising from > increased traffic on the main routes. This > displacement is caused by the road closures > established by London Transport and Southwark > Council. > Buses have always been slow - they did not start being slow with LTNs. Traveling by bus in London has never been anything but a painstaking experience. I have spent a huge amount of my life sitting on a bus. And as you state - it is to do with traffic. Concern over whether the bus times have increased from long to a bit longer is ignoring the fundamental issue which is that there are far too many cars on the road. A study looking into road reallocation (70 case studies) concluded that over time traffic reduces to below initial levels (it evaporates). A bit of extra short-term congestion may reduce traffic in the long term, with driving becoming a less attractive proposition - especially for short journeys. If we want faster buses - then reducing traffic (and ensuring bus lanes are unblocked as previously pointed out) is the way to go about it.

I've just booked my place - thanks.

Thanks for that post. Some good ideas. I have been really concerned about the air quality in Dulwich myself. I bought a particulate monitor and I had to stop using it because it would freak me out and spoil my day. Even on seemingly fresh days, the air can be awful - it is impossible to tell. I guess that is why noone seems to care that much. Winter is especially bad due to the large number of woodburning stoves. I think it is good to highlight that as so many people don't realise. I'm afraid I am not very positive. I think unless there is drastic action through regulation nothing will really change. Maybe the most effective thing an individual can do is to let MPs/councillors/council officers know that you do actually care about your air, vote in those who promise to effect changes, and lend support where steps are taken - no matter how small - and ask for more. I don't suppose anything will change in time for me - and knowing what I know, both the health effects and how high the levels can be, I feel no choice but to move out before it is too late. Maybe that is what happens - people who care/know enough leave.

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Just wondering how long people have to wait for their second jab of the Pfizer vaccine?

Does anyone know whether the vaccine at the Tessa Jowell Centre is Pfizer or Oxford/AstraZeneca?

Handyman with experience using concrete wanted. Need to fill a small trench (20cm width x 20cm depth x 4m long) with concrete and add a slight slope. Please pm me. Thanks

Naiada Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I've read through all the above comments - if > anyone has a link to any online site selling > reusable N99 + N95 masks that would be helpful as > I can only find disposable ones .... I was looking for the same thing. But it seems N95/N99 filters are not available for reusable masks. You can get fabric reusable masks with pockets to insert filters - but the only available filters are labelled PM2.5. I assume they are not quite as effective (2.5 microns is quite a bit larger than the 0.3 microns N95 masks are able to block) however, I believe they still give a reasonable degree of protection. I'm afraid I don't have any reccomendations as I am reusing N95 dust masks while I am deciding which reusable one to get myself. But while looking around I came across these two which both have built in filters (filtering >90% of 3 micron particles): https://www.vistaprint.co.uk/masks/all/adults/ https://www.boobalou.co.uk/100-organic-cotton-3-layer-face-mask.html They are not perfect as I believe virus aerosol particles can go down to 1 micron in size. But I think that is why it is important for everyone to wear masks. It is easier to stop the particles when they are still large which is just after they have left someones mouth, than later on when they have broken down and got smaller.

It's so much more pleasant to walk down now - I do hope they keep it like this. I've actually stopped avoiding it.

As far as I know, masks labeled N95 are probably the best type available to the public. They filter 95% of particles down to 0.3 microns (small enough to include viral aerosol particles). Don't use a mask with an exhalation valve as your breath comes out unfiltered and you do not protect anyone else. I've just been wearing disposable N95 dust masks. For self-protection, seal is important. Some people's masks look quite loose. The gaps on the sides of the nose are points where air can get in, so masks with metal strips over the nose are good or a mask which comes high up. You can buy bags of nose strips on Amazon that can be sewn onto fabric masks if they don't have them. You'll probably never get a perfect seal, but personally I like to see the mask move in and out when I breath. I think this indicates that not much unfiltered air is being sucked in. Also, I check how much the smell of perfume spray is blocked. I've just read that one test is to try and blow out a lighted match - it shouldn't be easy.

I'm glad it's not happening on my section. I'm really sorry to hear it's happening to you. I guess you could try a councillor - but doubt it will change anything. There are so many people going through similar issues. I do wish someone would take it up in parliament. It is a human rights issue to order people to stay indoors 24/7 and then to allow construction companies to release silica dust and use pneumatic drills all day near them - a real conflict. Here is a petition https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/308933

seenbeen Wrote: > Yes it has been shown that people who live in > regions with poor air quality get the virus more > seriously. Also, as well as the non-essential > domestic building work we in Crystal Palace Road > are going to have to suffer resurfacing work. At > the moment I can go to the back or front of my > house to avoid the builders' noise but if there is > road works at the front. Pathetic. Oh no seenbeen - I live on Crystal Palace Road - is the whole road going to be resurfaced?

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I will do. Thanks.

Hi James, Thank you for your reply. They are not following the social distancing measures on this site. The builders are working pretty close to one another - definitely less than 2 metres.

I wonder if the council have any powers to assist regarding unessential building works in residential areas? I believe many are still ongoing - for example loft conversions. They can be very dusty and noisy - unfair on neighbours who are stuck at home and cannot get any respite. For example, I have a demolition going on metres from me. When that is over, it will then be rebuilt. The dust and noise are difficult to deal with - and those of us with adjoining gardens are stuck inside. There is also the matter of the dust affecting the lungs of anyone with the virus.

Is there a local handyperson out there who can pop round today or tomorrow and take off my radiator? It doesn't need to go back on. Shouldn't be a hard job - I just don't have the tools. Please pm me - thanks.

I'm looking for someone to fill a large hole in a rotten sash window. I have some rot hardener and filler - I was going to do it myself but think it is better I get someone with a bit of experience. Please PM me. Thanks.

It's not the sort of wood that is the problem. The particulate emission figures using dry wood are shocking. The Air Quality Expert Group which advises Defra calculated the particulate emissions in terms of car fumes to make it easier to visualise them. http://www.iapsc.org.uk/assets/document/0618_P_Monks_Jun2018.pdf (slide 17): 1 Defra approved stove = 33 modern diesel cars The newest cleanest Ecodesign stove = 18 modern diesel cars So using a Defra approved stove for 1 hour is roughly like adding 33 idling cars to your road for 1 hour. This is using DRY wood (<20% moisture) and under ideal conditions. 5kW stove. 80% efficiency. Minute per minute. Some pollution scientists are trying to get this info into the media, not sure that most people buying stoves are aware of this though.