Nigello

People only see the bad cyclists because it is bad behaviour that could have bad results for cyclist and anyone unlucky enough to come into contact with them. Standard, acceptable behaviour is the base so nobody need comment on it. I cannot understand cyclists who don't have light on their bikes, front and back, nor a bell. (Likewise, so many pedestrians, sometimes walking kids and dogs, have no reflective strip or badge etc. - stoopid.) The upwardly mobile ones who go through red lights, especially en masse, but even when with kids as passengers is not a good look. And those who still insist on cycling on the pavement especially when new lanes, signs, crossings etc. have been put in for them is a particular bugbear. Rules of the road are for everyone - including pedestrians - so yes, I do get miffed when others don't value their own lives as well as mine and others.

I agree totally with the tatty, ripped netting. Is there a number for the head of works? Looks a total mess and hardly exudes confident, responsible undertakers of public works!

Heartblock, the woman whose daughter's death was partly attributed to pollution now has a charity/lobby group. Perhaps she could help you do your own recording of pollution where you live? http://ellaroberta.org/ella-roberta-family-foundation/

Please explain how one's making a shift to greener transport can make it more difficult for others? How can an individual's decision to walk or cycle over driving be in any way more dangerous or harmful than taking a car? Whether or not there are LTNs is irrelevant to this question: it is possible to change one's mode of transport without its being linked to an LTN or cycle lane, etc. being established. One can make that shift even if one disagrees with the policy of LTN. There is no need to link the two and use the latter as a shield against making a positive change.

Bounce

Re schools - I emailed several schools, state and private, to ask what each was doing to encourage staff and parents to travel to and from school in a less environmentally damaging way, about five months ago. Only one replied. Traffic and therefore pollution shrinks very noticeably during school holidays, ipso facto, people travelling to and from schools (or to and from schools whilst on longer journeys) are respsonsible for higher levels of congestion and pollution. Over to you, drivers...

I don't like them. They are nice to look at but not to hear. They do have form in terms of making it hard for other species to co-exist, but our bigger birdies are getting in on the act: Concerns have been raised by Dr Hazel Jackson, an expert in invasive species and conservation at the University of Kent, over the impact of the growing numbers of parakeets in south-east England.[12] Scientific research programmes have analysed the behaviour of parakeets and found that they compete with native bird species and bats for food and nesting sites.[citation needed] Although not aggressive, parakeets have been shown to deter smaller birds due to their behaviour and noise; their large size means that they often crowd small bird feeders, further increasing competition for resources and disrupting local ecosystems. The detrimental effect of competitive exclusion has been likened to the impact of the introduction of grey squirrel on the red squirrel. However, British parakeets are not without natural predators; ornithologists have observed an increase in the population of birds of prey in London, and have reported sparrowhawks, peregrine falcons and hobbies preying on parakeets.[6] Parakeets are considered a pest in many countries such as Israel, where large swarms of parakeets can have a devastating effect on certain crops, and there is concern that the rapidly growing parakeet population could have unforeseen environmental impact in Britain.[3][4] In 2009, Governmental wildlife organisation Natural England added feral parakeets to the ?general licence?, a list of wild species that can be lawfully culled without the need for specific permission.[15] Feral monk parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus) were subsequently also covered by the licence.[16] In March 2021, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs stated that no cull of the ring-necked parakeet population in the UK is planned.[17]

I think to say that ED has a poor service is wrong. Different parts of this area are having different levels of service. I know some say it is poor where they live (but don't say which street, etc.) so it is hard to see whether it is every bit of the postcode area or just some. I have had good service for months, but had poor service for weeks about a year ago.

Karavan has good incense sticks though IDNK about cones (which I first read as "scones"!)

It is not "publicity" , which is relevant for a film, new computer game, etc. but "coverage" from media organisations, which are falling over themselves to highlight and investigate this story. As for your premonition and lack of coverage, please point us to it. Thanks

Was told (and then decided not to wait) or did you wait in it?

I hope and trust your neighbours have reported this to the police. That way there is a chance this will be stopped. Good luck

THat is a bit unfair, Sue. Even in our day and age people can and do manage to slip away. Scores of people disappear and are never found despite efforts by family, friends and the authorities. Very sad and not an occasion to blame anyone who was tasked with finding her.

Maybe outside the CoOp on Forest Hill Road or the Sainsbury's near The Plough - both have wide pavements, or the car park at the old entrance to the Dulwich Baths.

I just walked past and it has its opening covered over, saying it is out of order or similar. Is there another one nearby? Sydenham Hill is too far for me to walk just to deposit some small items. Thanks

Similar to what I saw so maybe they were wood mice. Thanks

Great spot! Are they wood mice or mice who have just gone al fresco? I tried to find out more about wood mice after I had seen what I thought were some, and read that they don't often live in urban/city areas. Nice if you have them!

Thanks - I think they will be of great help and assurance. Best wishes

It really is a joint effort. I have asked councillors to intervene with shop owners who don't keep their shopfronts clean, explaning that retail is vital to all, but nothing happened. So I asked individual shop owners and some did and some didn't. You can't rely on the council to do everything, so if you are displeased, complain by all means but do something yourself if you can. Got a litter problem near your house? Take pics, clean it up, send pics to councillor and MP to show them up! People are very keen to tap away on their keyboards, which takes time and at least a bit of effort, but not prepared to do something practical and useful. Sure, you can't apply that to education or dodgy pavements but that doesn't mean it is not a valid way of approaching at least some problems.

James - one very simple and easily achieved action would be to require the sweepers to place plastic sacks of rubbish on bins rather than at the side. Some do, some don't and it seems silly not to make it a requirement because it stops foxes from ripping them apart and spreading contents all over the pavement. I can't understand why it is not part of the job description. Maybe it is and some don't bother. (There is nothing from stopping anyone from doing that themselves, of course.)

What was the result of inquiries to the charities, Monica? Perhaps more than one could be installed at two or more difference locations.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/09/e-scooters-banned-tfl-network-battery-fire-risk - Private e-scooters not allowed on TfL due to fire hazard.

That is a bad situation - poor you. It sounds very dangerous so good on you for pushing the council. I am sure the local newspapers would be interested in this - as would your councillor and MP (writetothem is a place to find who they are and get their contact details). Good luck for a full recovery (and/or compensation for your injuries).

More e-scooter (rentals) to be placed on LL, near the Superdrug, I think. (There is a poster near the zebra at M and S.)

- You can ring 101 or use the link to the met here to report and possibly upload. Perhaps he has form and is already known about. If so this could help bring a case against him. Good luck!