Nigello

FROM MONOCLE 16/08/22 NB Westminster council Walking in London has become particularly unbearable in recent weeks – and it’s not just because of the rising temperatures. It seems as though the £20m (€23.5m) that e-scooter and e-bike company Lime invested in the British capital this year is finally bearing fruit. There are more riders, sure, but also more pavements blocked by these micromobility “solutions” left carelessly in the middle of thoroughfares, creating an obstacle course for pedestrians, particularly those with prams or in wheelchairs. And while I’m certainly not against increasing the number of e-bikes and (dare I say it) e-scooters on our streets to encourage people out of cars, users’ seeming inability to park them without making footpaths unpassable presents a major issue. London isn’t alone here: cities from Madrid to Minneapolis are dealing with the same problem but who has the solution? Well, this week, Westminster council began seizing “nuisance” bikes that are left strewn across its streets. I welcome this move but I don’t think it should be the responsibility of local councils to clean up the mess: micromobility companies need to step up. Holding them accountable would be a good first move: if a Lime bike (or similar) is parked incorrectly, the company should be fined in the same way that a car owner might. New York might be rolling out the infrastructure that will allow this to happen. The state legislature is currently working on a bill that will see cameras introduced to discourage cars from parking illegally in bike lanes, ensuring that those who ride have safe passage. Could there not be capacity for e-scooters and e-bikes littering footpaths to be policed by the cameras too? The logic stacks up: if cities and councils in the US, UK and Europe are intent on ensuring that people can cycle securely and comfortably, why not guarantee that they can walk that way too?

The only way to get the council to act is to email the local councillor. You can also ask individual landlords or business owners to clean up their vandalised property. Give it a go.

I think since they’re advertising their sport facilities as part of their pitch to attract “buyers” they’d be daft not to keep the turf in good nick. If they break the rules, report them if you like, but even if people think it’s “inappropriate” they’re not doing anything illegal.

Dustbin men = refuse collectors in modernese

I agree and have watered an established tree near me. I’d like it a lot if a pub or business that has plenty of grey water would adopt a new tree if one’s nearby and water it daily.

Bring these misleading signs to the attention of the MP.

Shingles is, as Foxy can unfortunately testify, painful and disfiguring. A vaccine is available for 70+ (I think) so if you’ve had chicken pox (whose virus lies dormant till triggered, resulting in shingles) it’d be worth having it if you qualify (or pay for it if not).

We still get free healthcare in EU countries and certain others. The name of the card/system has changed but it’s almost identical to the previous format. Always take out insurance, though!

The rotting fruit, veg and even animal matter predated the Covid lockdown periods. It’s a midden but the council won’t intervene to demand landlords keep up appearances and so leave the people who use Rye Lane (many who are working class and not well-off) with no choice but to lump it.

I’ve filled it in and said that 2-way bus traffic is my preferred choice. Without the buses it’s pretty empty up near the southern end and with all the litter and vandalised shopfronts it’s grim and the buses help alleviate that a bit.

Best to contact the operators to show your concern. It’s unlikely they’ll be reading this.

Likewise re not using them, but I’ve not even had a delivered takeaway from the local Chinese, etc. for at least 25 years and have never ordered an Uber or Lyft, etc. I think they’re exploitative though I know others say they’re a good form of self employment.

Ban people? Some folk are responsible and others aren’t. Best thing you can do is move a badly placed bike or scooter to a safer place.

It’s easy to put pressure on them - just never use them.

The two small bushes in the square plot at Cyrena/Whateley are burnt to a crisp. If anyone loves trees (and the benefits they bring to animals and humans) please water them, ideally with waste water.

Honor Oak Park or Forest Hill to E Croydon then to Gatwick can take as little as 42 minutes, including five minutes to swap platforms. You can use contactless. Especially good if you’re travelling light.

The lawlessness continues past the junction up to the park entrance near the Gallery - the pavement from the corner cemetery to the park gate is often used by cyclists of the “nice” kind who obviously think that because they’re upper-middle class and are cycling on expensive bikes with tots and/or pooches it’s magically legal to ride on the pavement.

Tell the councillors and cc the MP. Include all personal information or the MP won't reply. WriteToThem is the place to find the information. Add images to help explain.

Good tree management is a realistic part of any council's tree policy. Southwark has planted up to 11 000 trees recently, according to its own figures. Don't think that careful and considered action is the same as eco vandalism. Why not plant a tree yourself? Split open a pear or apple, plant the seeds in a pot or put them on damp tissue in a jam jar, and you'll likely get at least half of them sprouting. It'll take a little longer than posting on a website but don't let that put you off.

Cyclists do barrel through the LTN, even the "nice" lady ones with silver helmets and all manner of day-glo sashes and cute kiddies on board. Very selfish but likely from a feeling of eco-powered entitlement that itself is fed by the anti-vehicle set up there.

Jersey tiger moth already? I saw one in early July - probably the 6th or 7th. Is this a record?

The heat was high and relentless over weeks, not a few days, in 1976. I doubt this heatwave will last more than six days though the highs will likely be higher than back then

The newly finished area with the entrance on Underhill Road is now open and looks really good. Lots of new planting of native trees and bushes and large stretches of unmowed wildflowers.

I have seen improvements regarding bins, etc. Southwark responded to my request that litter collectors put their plastic bags full of litter on top of bins where they can - apparently, according to a Southwark employee, agency staff were not told this. As for the parks, bigger bins have been put in Dulwich and Peckham Rye parks, so that is a good response though I would like to see more fines for people witnessed to have littered. There is nothing stopping anyone from picking up the odd bottle or can; lamenting that it is not one's job to do that is just a waste of time, IMHO.

Yes - I stand corrected. Thanks