Nigello

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Streethawk - Futurecop!

Luana, Ring 7525 5000 and tell the enviro division that you have ongoing problems with litter and ask them to tidy it regularly and install a bin. I agree that litter-louts are prevalent so you have to use what resources you can to fight them. Don't be too proud to pick up some of it yourself: I do and it sure beats getting wound up and doing nothing. (I also tell the council about grotspots and ongoing problems.)

Glad to have (part of) Goodrich resurfaced with minimum fuss, though I object a great deal to nonsensical bicycle symbols being put down. I'll take that back if Goodrich is on an advertised and signposted cycle route and similar signs appear on different stretches of that route, but I don't think it is. We all know that bikes are road-going vehicles (I'll not take the chance to bring up pavement cycling here) so why the need to paint a picture of one on the highway?

The Minkey, I'm totally unsurprised, unfortunately.

Posters write about there being rules, perhaps, but they're not being enforced. It's all part of the general "can't be arsedness" of the British public, including those in supposed positions of authority. When was the last time a bus driver chastised anyone for anything less than dismembering of fellow passengers? Do rail guards/drivers/conductors actually bother about their trains' being sullied by litter and loutish behaviour? Is the average commuter brave enough (like you really should be "brave" to ask someone) to not play their music out loud? I think not. It's a real shame and it's perplexing and very disheartening.

Just returned from Japan where, despite the high number of vending machines and low number of rubbish bins, the trains and stastions - not to mention the streets - were litter-free. Noone needs to eat on a train or bus, unless they are diabetic perhaps, so ban it henceforth. The number of people who think it is A-OK to eat smelly food and then - sometimes - drop their litter afterwards on the bus is staggering and makes me angry and upset about society.

It's fair to say that some buses after the peak hours run at less than full capacity, sometimes considerably so, so I can understand it when some people say capacity should be cut. If companies had different sized vehicles for different times, that would be a boon, but I'm really not sure how it pans out. FYI, and re another post, I am writing to the GLA and CCing Tessa Jowell about the idea of express versions of the 176 and others, or at least some way of increasing capacity at peak times. I'll keep you posted.

George.Paints asks "what can we do" about hairdressers littering the streets with discarded hair. It's very easy: ask them to stop, ideally yourself or, if you have stylistophobia, by writing to them or phoning them.

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I Can't Wait - Nu Shooz

To get back on topic: FHR shops are good but let down by a few grotspots. The yellow/blue monstrosity has been like they for years, so I doubt its owner will do anything to improve its looks. I like the bollards and bins that've been painted but lament the uneven shop fronts. Well done to those businesses that are doing their bit to beautify it and boo-hiss to the ones that aren't.

Ah, I thought it was word association. Didn't realise it had more rules. Instead? Wavey

Scalp

There's a ragbag of comments and attitudes about a variety of subjects on this thread; as regards civility and cleanliness etc on and around public transport, let me say this: I spent two months in NYC (based in Brooklyn Heights) recently and have to say that, despite the handed-down lore of the Big Apple being hard-nosed and hard-bitten, London (and the UK in general) takes the cake. The Subway was cleaner and more civilised than the Tube. No-one was eating or drinking, meaning they actually took notice of the signs showing passengers that it was against the rules. Free sheets were read and taken with them: none of that new, reflexive "behind the head and onto the ledge" shoulder move some Tube riders employ to get rid of the City AM/Metro/LES etc they've flicked through. People said "please", "thank you" and "no problem" often and in full voice, not as if they were embarrassed to be seen and heard being civil to a fellow human being. Here in London I challenge people - of all ages, sizes, colours and backgrounds - when they drop peach stones, orange peel, chicken bones etc on the bus or at the stop and, so far, have only got Paddington Bear hard-stares back. I get the impression that people's narcissism is as ramped up as much as their anger is suppressed - not a healthy state for either the individual or the society to which s/he belongs.

I agree with SJ that the bus is more reliable and reasonable than others (perhaps non bus-users) make out, but I still think the providers should do more to reduce overcrowding on certain stretches of their routes. The X68 from Waterloo to Croydon (?) runs at peak times; would a 176 or 12 with similar restrictions help? Instead of a Tube/tram/monorail/cable car, boroughs really ought to consider the guided bus. It's much cheaper than any of those modes of transport just mentioned but lacks their cachet. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guided_bus

Boris might not be around for that much longer. A shame that cold, hard politics enters into it, but I'm not that green to think it doesn't. FWIW, the 176 service from Penge into town really ought to have some express options, or at least more buses at peak times. If I do have to use it, which is not that often in the morning, even at Townley Road it is getting full up.

I agree. Bakerloo to E and C and then the overheated, claustrophic trek to over-populated lifts thence to skitter along the packed pavement for a 176 or 12 or 40 is the least appealing thing about living beyond SE1. A station at Walworth Road would be a big boon. Give it twenty years....

In parts of northern Europe (Finland, for example) it's obligatory to wear a reflector if you are a pedestrian. It makes sense there and would do here. This doesn't remove the obligation from the motorist/cyclist/motorcyclist to drive safely!

There is no rail - light, underground, overground - from Camberwell to Denmark Hill. There used to be a station at Camberwell, and - as far as I know - could still be one if the money and effort were forthcoming. This part of the capital is very poorly served by rail. The buses are often overflowing, especially at peak times, so I am for anything that makes travel more civilised from central London to SE15, 5, 22 etc. Can you imagine Clapham without any rail link? It's got two Tubes and an Overground line now and look how it differs from Walworth Road. (This is not necessarily an argument for Claphamification, just an observation, so please, no endless arguments a la Rye Lane thread).

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One Aldwych is good, or the bar at Skylon (which is a walk over the bridge), with its good views of the river.

The council will collect fly-tipped items, so ring the relevant department on 020 7525 5000 as soon as you see anything that's been dumped. In my experience, the council takes it seriously, acting quickly to remove offending items. As for the Heights, I'm going to look around for the service tree, which I've never heard of before. If I see any cans or bottles I'll pick them up and put them in a bin: I recommend it to everyone!

Sue, you'd be much better off sending this to an official at the council and/or speaking to the park attendants. You can't legislate for unmannerly behaviour, but you can make your feelings known to the right authorities.

Why not just approach them? Tell them what they are doing is annoying, potentially dangerous and not acceptable. You might get a bit of cheek but they'll likely slope off, flicking you some Vs and spitting through their teeth as they go. At least it will be quiet then.