Free led rides through Ealing’s most beautiful spots this Sunday

Ealing Council is hosting two days of free guided bike rides from Hanwell on Sunday, 25 June and from Northolt on Sunday, 2 July.

Called Ticket to Ride, the events are an opportunity to explore Hanwell, Northolt, Greenford and Southall as part of a group, led by experienced, qualified cycling instructors. Cyclists of all levels are welcome, but the rides are likely to be of particular interest to family groups, nervous riders, or people who want to return to cycling.

Rides set out every hour, on the hour, between 10am and 3pm. On Sunday, 25 June, they will start from Churchfields Recreation Ground near the band stand. And on Sunday 2, July they will set out from the café at Northala Fields.

Each ride is less than 10 miles long and takes between two to three hours to complete. The route will take in canal towpaths and green spaces. Cyclists can choose to ride only part of the route if they prefer.

There will be free ‘Doctor Bike’ maintenance checks throughout the day, as well as free bike security marking. There will also be refreshment breaks along the way.

Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for transport, environment and leisure, said: “I love cycling and Ticket to Ride is one of my favourite events of the summer. It’s a wonderful way to take a closer look at the greener parts of the borough and to explore some of our beautiful cycling routes.

“It is a fun event for all the family and last year more than 300 cyclists of all ages took part. So if you haven’t been on a bike for a while, or you just fancy a lovely day of cycling with friends and family, come along and join in. We’d love to see you there.”

Residents can register their interest for the event online at www.ealing.gov.uk/cycleride.

Alternatively, just turn up on the day and join in with the next available ride.

More information about cycling in Ealing is available at www.ealing.gov.uk/cycling.

Read Full Post »

Further investment for Ealing’s roads and footways

Cllr Bassam Mahfouz takes a closer look at a road in Ealing

Almost £4.3million is to be spent on improving roads and footpaths across the borough, Ealing Council has announced. 

The programme, which was approved by the council’s cabinet this week (25 April), will see the council investing £3.5 million into improving roads and footways across Ealing. Of this, £3million will be invested in roads, with £0.5 million to be spent on footways. 

In addition, Transport for London has contributed £771,000 for the repair of major roads in the borough. 

Each year independent, accredited surveyors walk the entire length of all of the borough’s roads checking them for defects such as potholes, cracking, and other signs of deterioration and damage.  Each road is then given a condition rating on a scale of 1-100 and those with a high rating, which are in the poorest condition, are targeted for resurfacing. 

The council works hard to co-ordinate resurfacing works with other work carried out by utilities companies, but on the rare occasions where there is a clash with major works, resurfacing works will be postponed until the first subsequent opportunity. 

Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for transport, leisure and environment said: “Resurfacing our roads and pavements continues to be an important priority for this council and for our residents. 

“That is why year after year we continue to invest significantly to ensure that local people benefit, whether they are pedestrians, cyclists or motorists.”

Find out which roads are in line for resurfacing over 2017-18 by clicking on the images below:

List of Roads to be resurfaced in 2017-18 part 1

List of Roads to be resurfaced in 2017-18 part 2

List of roads to be resurfaced in 2017-18 part 3

and pavements:

Read Full Post »

Residents urged to take care in cold snap

A weather warning has been issued for London with very low temperatures and heavy frosts expected over the next few days. Residents are being asked to take care in the cold snap and to look out for elderly neighbours.

The Met Office has issued an alert about cold weather, with the lowest temperatures expected to occur between 6am on Wednesday, 4 January and Friday, 6 January.

Council gritters are on standby and will be sent out to grit primary routes across the borough to keep main roads moving whenever freezing conditions are forecast. Drivers are also being asked to take extra care.

The council is also asking residents to be good neighbours during the cold weather by checking that elderly or vulnerable people in their area are safe, warm and have essential supplies.

Residents who are concerned about keeping their homes warm can call Ealing Council’s Cold Weather Support in Ealing (COSIE) helpline to receive tips and information on how to keep their homes warm and their energy bills down. Additional support is also available for those who are struggling to pay their energy bills. Residents can call the COSIE Freephone number on 0800 083 2265 between Monday-Friday, from 9.30am until 5.30pm.

Anyone who is concerned about someone sleeping rough during the cold weather – or at any other time – can report it using the national Streetlink website http://www.streetlink.org.uk/ or by calling 0300 500 0914. The information will be sent to the local St Mungo’s outreach service, which is contracted by the council to contact and help rough sleepers (people who are sleeping outside such as in doorways, disused vehicles or stairwells).  Please give as much information as possible about the location at which the person is sleeping.

Read Full Post »

Ealing’s efforts to improve air quality awarded

Ealing Council has been awarded the ‘Cleaner Air Borough’ (CAB) accreditation by the Mayor of London following a range of initiatives designed to monitor and reduce pollution in the borough.

All London boroughs are required to monitor air quality in their areas and take actions to improve it. They have to report on their progress every year. The CAB status is only given to boroughs that can prove they are effectively tackling the issue.

Much of Ealing’s pollution comes from its geographical location, with London and the south east generally suffering from poorer air quality than the rest of the country. However, its proximity to major roads such as the A40, A4020 and A406, the impact of diesel trains travelling through the borough plus local industrial sites also add to its problems, some of which can be addressed at a borough-level and some of which cannot.

The CAB accreditation recognises that many air quality issues are outside of the council’s influence, so it is not a measure of overall air quality. Rather it recognises how seriously the council takes the problem and gives credit for its achievements in making a difference where it can.

Ealing Council was particularly congratulated for its work with the Ealing Broadway Business Improvement District (BID) to reduce journeys made by waste collection vehicles in the town centre. A special scheme brought together 105 businesses to buy their waste collection and pest control services jointly, instead of buying them separately resulting in 8,650 fewer vehicle journeys over a year.

Previously, the council has also undertaken to include a ‘no idling’ trial in Acton and the replacement of traffic signals with mini roundabouts to reduce the levels of pollution emitted from idling vehicles. It also continues to fund and promote sustainable transport measures, especially support for and promotion of cycling.

In addition, the council drew up a low emission strategy for the goods yard in Horn Lane, Acton; which until recently was a pollution hotspot where air quality frequently exceeded EU limits. Under the strategy local industries signed up to a voluntary agreement on more effective dust management plans.

Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for transport, environment and leisure, said: “The CAB accreditation recognises the work that we are doing to make the borough cleaner and safer for local people. Pollution is a silent killer and has a devastating effect on health, especially for children. We take the problem very seriously and are using a range of measures to tackle it.

“Unfortunately, many of the sources of pollution in the borough are outside of our influence, but we are working with local organisations and residents to make as much of a difference as we can and we will use our enforcement powers when people break the law. Local people can make a big difference by changing the way they travel. If more people switched to walking, cycling or public transport, especially for short journeys, it would help to reduce the levels of pollution, particularly in our town centres.”

For more information on the Cleaner Air Boroughs accreditation, go towww.london.gov.uk/airquality. Air pollution problems, including dust odours from commercial premises, can be reported online by going to www.ealing.gov.uk and searching ‘air quality’.

Read Full Post »

Ealing Council gears up for Cycle to Work Day

Ealing Council is backing national Cycle to Work Day on Wednesday, 14 September and is encouraging local residents, businesses and employers to get involved at www.cycletoworkday.org.

The council has pledged to support the event by encouraging its staff to sign up and use two wheels to get to work that day.

Cycle to Work Day is open to everyone and those that pledge to take part will be automatically entered into a competition to win amazing prizes such as a Boardman Hybrid Pro bike worth £999, a Refuge jacket from Showers Pass worth £220 and lots more. People who pledge will also be able to claim a free bike MOT at a local retailer. Pledges can be made at www.cycletoworkday.org.

Cyclists who share photos of themselves cycling to work on 14 September with the Cycle to Work team will be entered into a separate prize draw to win a Verenti Substance Sora bike worth £550. All they have to do to enter is Tweet their photo using #cycletoworkday and tag @cycletoworkday, or share it on their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cycletoworkday or email it to info@cycletoworkday.org.

Ealing is a bike-friendly borough and offers its residents a number of ways to get cycling. People that live, work or study in Ealing can improve their skills and build their confidence by signing up for free cycle training. In addition, free Dr Bike maintenance sessions are available across the borough on a ‘turn-up’ basis.

Residents can also buy discounted bike locks and wall brackets as well as hire cargo bikes for free. The council is also investing millions of pounds in improving cycle routes and cycle parking to make it safer and more convenient to travel by bike.

Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for transport, environment and leisure, said: “I am delighted to support Cycle to Work Day and I will be making my pledge and travelling by bike on the 14 September. Cycling is a convenient, free, healthy and environmentally-friendly way to get around and in Ealing we are doing everything we can to encourage people to swap four wheels for two by offering free training, social bikes rides, improved cycle parking and bike routes, as well as help with maintenance.

“The average speeds on London roads are getting slower all the time and I’d encourage everyone who is fed up with sitting in a queue of traffic every day to make a pledge and give cycling a go next week.”

To find out more about all of the discounts and benefits available to cyclists in Ealing, and to read more about how the council is making it safer and more convenient to travel by bike, go to www.ealing.gov.uk/cycling.

Ealing Council also has a special programme called Ealing Women on Wheels to encourage more women to take up cycling. Go to www.ealing.gov.uk/wow for more information.

Read Full Post »

Drivers warned to keep off the zig-zags

As children return to school after the summer break this week, the council is reminding drivers that they will be enforcing the yellow school keep clear zig-zags outside of schools to help keep students safe.

The council’s fleet of CCTV vehicles will patrol outside schools at drop off and pick up times to catch selfish drivers red-handed. During the 2015/16 school year 1170 motorists were issued with penalty charge notices (PCNs) for parking on the yellow ‘SCHOOL-KEEP-CLEAR’ markings in the controlled hours. PCNs are charged at £110, reduced to £55 if paid within 21 days.

The yellow zig-zags are there to provide a clear space for children to cross where they are visible to drivers. Motorists  who park on zig-zags for any length time are putting children in danger. Council teams are asking parents to help keep children safe by parking away from schools and instead take a short walk to the school gates. In Ealing, motorists are permitted to park in a resident’s parking space for up to 10 minutes whilst dropping off or collecting children as long as the vehicle is parked in a close proximity to the school.

Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for environment, transport and leisure, said: “There is never a good excuse for parking dangerously and we make no apologies for issuing PCNs to motorists who think it’s acceptable to put children’s lives at risk in order to save themselves a few minutes’ walk. When selfish drivers park on zig-zag lines outside of schools, it makes it harder for children to see when they cross the road and for drivers to see them. It also forces them to cross between parked cars.

“We have worked closely with schools to encourage parents to do the right thing, but those that insist on putting children’s lives in danger should now that we are actively looking out for them.”

Read Full Post »

Acton becomes a 20mph zone

Following a public consultation carried out last year, Ealing Council is today rolling out a trial 20mph speed zone across Acton.

The trial in Acton starts today (Monday, 5 September 2016) and will run for approximately a year. If successful, then a further public consultation will be carried out to extend the new 20mph zone across the borough, enabling the council to build upon its strong track record of improving road safety and creating a better environment across the borough.

On average, 200 people are injured in collisions in the Acton area each year. With the  implementation of the new 20mph speed limit, the council estimates that at least 14 incidents could be prevented each year.

The proposed 20mph trial applies only to the Acton area east of the A406 Hanger Lane/Gunnersbury Avenue and will encompass the following wards:

• Southfield

• South Acton

• Acton Central

• East Acton

• Ealing Common (part)

The 20mph speed limit won’t apply on Transport for London red route roads such as the A40 Western Avenue and A406 Hanger Lane/North Circular Road.

This new speed limit is being introduced in co-ordination with a similar scheme being implemented by Hammersmith and Fulham Council.  The benefits of this scheme include making roads easier to cross and less noise from road traffic.

Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for transport, environment and leisure, said: “I’m proud that we have a strong track record of road safety across the borough.  We want our roads to be among the safest in London and already have 20mph zones or limits on more than a third of the roads in Ealing. Expanding the scheme and reducing speeds across the borough will bring many benefits.  Our streets will not only become safer, but it will also improve the local environment.”

Read Full Post »