peterstorm1985

Thanks for providing the link Peckhamboy. The survey is written as if you are in one of the streets being considered but you can still fill it in and it's well worth doing so.

Wouldn't it be best to ask Southwark council directly, with a specific question? If you are thinking of having one installed the planning department would seem the right place to start. You can ring them up and they don't bite.

Were the foxes burrowing in the underside of the bin, or into the earth beneath it? My compost bin sits on paving slabs and that may be why I've never had a problem.

Hideous

James Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > > > Also amused at the suggestion that if you choose > to eat less/no meat but still eat eggs and cheese > you are a hypocrite (why?) Cheese and egg production require male/female selection of the fatal kind. As long as you don't claim that your vegetarianism means that no animals die in order for you to fill your belly then you're not being hypocritical. Unfortunately, there are some vegetarians who don't quite understand how their food is produced. I don't see what's hypocritical about having a pet and eating meat; both indicate a use of animals for pleasure, just a different sort (any other 'pleasure' should be discussed in the lounge)

helena handbasket Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Or as my husband says: vegetables are what food > eats. I was doing my damnedest not to join in this thread, but I just love this. Made me laugh.

catgirl Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Must create huge problem dealing with cakes and emails, not to > mention the logistics and van miles when going out > again to collect them all. cakes?

Undisputedtruth Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Me too. I would like to grow herbs like Basil > throughout the year. You'll need to heat the greenhouse - frost free isn't enough for Basil - much cheaper to buy the occasional pot from the supermarket and keep on your windowsill in the kitchen. Winter use for non-heated is really just protection for tender plants, growing winter lettuce and getting spring crops off to an early start. We have a tiny (6x4') greenhouse - aluminium/glass, bought on the internet. You need reasonable DIY skills (and common sense) to put them together yourself but it is a lot cheaper. Solid and very level concrete base is essential (can be made of paving slabs). Make sure you can squeeze yourself (or handy small child) all the way around it if it's near a fence so that you can clean the glass and pull up weeds that might obscure the light. Don't position in the shadow of a tree - you'll get mosses/lichens.

I'm adopting the Scottish interpretation. No poem, no chocolate

I think you have mentioned a very important aspect of the statistics James, that ED has the lowest 'reported' level of crimes. Every crime should be reported. Anyone who doesn't report a crime may inadvertently add to the problem as 'nipping it in the bud' is a useful tool in crime prevention that is denied to the police if the problem is allowed to escalate. I suspect that there may be some high earners who are concerned that reporting a theft may cause them to lose as much money in terms of time as the stolen item itself. Perhaps a reminder of the easy ways to report crime would be helpful. RE domestic violence fuelled by alcohol - I'd be very interested to know if there is any clear time related aspect to the problem. Does the violence tend to occur late evening/night, or at any time during the day? If late at night then there may be a link to the late opening premises which would justify a limitation in licences. If not, then it's difficult to see the link. Has anyone asked the victims if they know where the perpetrators obtained their alcohol?

I've finally remembered what this all reminds me of - my history 'O' level. A collection of meaningless facts that I managed to learn off by heart to be spilled out on paper on the day and immediately forgotten. Who cares when British women got the right to divorce, as long as they have it now? Surely that should be the point of the questions; to judge if someone can take an active and sociable part in our community today. I'd like to see questions such as, What places should you expect to queue? Should you let your dog crap on the pavement and not clean up after it? Is it OK to spit on the ground? What are litter bins for? Is it good to open doors for old people and those carrying heavy objects? OK, so a few questions on the origins of Bonfire night, and how many days before Christmas you can expect to see Santa in his grotto if you go to Selfridges, won't do any harm but they shouldn't be the deciding factor.

I wonder how much the ability to park near the station is actually worth? I have off street parking but perhaps I should park my car on the road, paying for residents parking if it comes, and then rent my off-road space out to a commuter. Anyone know how much profit I might make? Whoops, is that not in the spirit of CPZs?

Well, I've just had a look at the supplementary survey questions for those with dropkerbs and I can see a few potential punch-ups. Option A is a double yellow line across your driveway but that means that every visitor will need a permit and - more relevant to your neighbours - will take a precious space elsewhere in the road. Option B is a white line across your driveway but the space is still shown to be a parking bay so you'll still need a permit for visitors, and the existence of the parking bay markings will encourage others to park there, blocking you in. Whilst this is breaking the law (parking next to dropkerb/preventing legal access) and I guess you could sue the perpetrators for any costs incurred (loss of income etc if you can't leave to go to work), the most immediate result will be both parties being really angry as it will look as if Southwark has condoned the action of blocking someone in. Really, really, bad idea. If I was being given the choice, I would have to choose Option A as I don't like being blocked in or getting into fights. That will immediately reduce the amount of parking available. I suspect my road is similar to others in that neighbours commonly 'borrow' the space in front of our dropkerb when they have visitors or those who don't have off street parking and want to get closer to their house to drop off shopping etc. If it's an unfamiliar car they simply drop a note in, or knock on the door so we know who to ask to move a car if we go out. If there is a double yellow they will have to find a proper space - but there simply won't be enough of them.

What happens if you don't want double yellow lines (which could lead your own visitors to get ticketed) or a parking bay (which would tempt others to block you in)? What's wrong with the current system of advisory white lines in front of drop kerbs? They have no legal meaning but are helpful for those who don't otherwise seem to notice the drop kerb?

15, and 50% of those were guesses. Some of the 'correct' answers are ridiculous; I've been switching the lights off and hiding behind the sofa every Halloween since this American style of celebrating a pagan festival has become prevalent, and it's worked every time. Apparently I'm supposed to give them sweets and chocolate. Pah!

James, I was interested in this sentence: "A supplementary questionnaire will also be sent to residents in Elsie Road and Melbourne Grove who have a private driveway, on their preferred parking restriction across their dropped kerb." What options are there for parking restrictions across the drop kerb? I thought it was just a matter of law that it is illegal to park in front of one of them. Am I missing something?

Amelie Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Has anyone considered mentioning the dread phrase > 'breach of the Human Rights Act' to Thames Water? > That should focus their attention. I'm hoping that's a joke. It would certainly get a good laugh at TW if you did.

SCSB79 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > > Keep pressing the matter - as doublesj says, if > they've modified their exhausts it is illegal. And if they have made illegal adaptations to their bikes, their insurance will be void, so they will be riding without insurance.

Have you thought of just offering them money? No one likes moving when they've found somewhere nice to live but if they know you'll go to court if necessary - after following the statutory procedure - then the value of a free holiday may make them more amenable.

Ah that sounds like a problem but not TW's. It should be easy enough to confirm. When the residents of the maisonette are on holiday, do you get better water pressure? If so, then it looks as if TW have complied with their legal duty (to provide the minimum pressure at the entrance of the premises) and the 'fault' lies with the configuration of pipework. Is your property owned/rented? By the sounds of it, having your own direct supply from the mains installed - although you will have to pay for it - would solve the problem.

Just out of interest Bunny19, have you had an explanation from anyone as to why you are losing so much pressure between the intake point and your kitchen?

Sue Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > > The whole recycling scheme seems to be in complete > disarray :-S There may be outbreaks of disarray but not the whole scheme surely? Painting a bit of a bleak picture there Sue for all those council workers who do their very best to get things right.

Cutting 4 minutes off my commute? Wow, that would change my life. I guess there must be loads of others in ED who need to take back that time. Just think, in a week that's a whole 20 minutes. Now if we had the same in the mornings.....

That sounds like a really good balanced diet. I particular like the rare steaks - reducing cooking times uses less fuel, better for the environment.

You were very sensible in not following the link to reactive the account - this would appear to be a scam. Have you contacted Halifax to let them know of this? If not, then your really should do so.