Thanks for posting this. The ward improvement team recently walked along the whole of Chiswick High Road, Devonshire Road and Turnham Green Terrace looking at locations where more grit bins are needed for purple sacks as it is obvious, daily, that there isn't enough space in the existing bins for the needs of residents of flats above shops. I walked along the stretch of Chiswick High Road in Chiswick Gunnersbury ward, and the western sides of Devonshire Road and TGT with this officer discussing local problem hot spots (such as one block whose residents seem not to have been told that they must use a grit bin and who have been leaving their sacks randomly, not realising they were doing the wrong thing). We discovered that all grit bins had huge amounts of random litter in them; one was almost full, ensuring there was no space for purple sacks; the only option at these bins is to leave purple sacks on the pavement next to the bins. The bins have since been emptied but might need to be emptied again. Additional grit bins were ordered and, the last time I checked, were waiting sign off for delivery. I will immediately email the enforcement team about this new absurd attack on residents who are trying to do the right thing. If LBH can't provide enough grit bins, residents should not be penalised for leaving their waste next to the bins; they are not fly tipping. Of course this would be improved with better policies for waste and recycling including recycling for flats above shops; some communal recycling bins (in sensible places) for recycling eg large packaging; big skips so residents can get rid of waste they can't take to the Mortlake or Space Waye recycling/waste centres; and other ideas. Being penalised and fined for the council's policy failures is not acceptable.
Joanna Biddolph ● 3d