Hayes Town News - £400 for a black bag

Welcome to the latest edition of Hayes Town News. This week we report on the strong action being taken to tackle rubbish-dumping and the success of a local campaign against a hot food stall plus some coronavirus updates and an invitation to the Open House weekend.

David Brough

Chair

Hayes Town Partnership

55 people fined for dumping rubbish

Hillingdon Council's Cleansing and Anti-social Behaviour Teams have nabbed a total of 55 people for dumping rubbish in the street. They have each received a £400 fixed penalty notice, making a total of £22000 in fines. The Hayes Town Partnership wrote to the Leader of the Council about the endless problem of black bags of rubbish being left alongside litter bins. He authorised a clampdown operation across the whole Borough. It took place between 17 and 22 August and involved officers identifying dumpers from the contents of the bags and the names and addresses shown on cardboard boxes and packaging. The picture shows the search of a bag in Station Road. We have offered to deliver a leaflet to all the residents and shops in the Town Centre to tell them what will happen if they get caught dumping rubbish. To find out Council arrangements for waste and recycling please click here and to report dumping click here.

Hot food stall turned down

The application for a licence to run a hot food stall outside the Cancer Research shop in Coldharbour Lane has been rejected by Hillingdon Council. There was strong opposition from the Hayes Town Business Forum and local Councillors on the grounds that it would become a focal point for anti-social behaviour and was unfair competition for takeaways that have to pay the full costs of running a shop. The Forum's petition gathered 528 signatures.

Open House will be open on 19 & 20 September

With so many events cancelled and buildings closed it is good to hear that the annual Open House weekend is still on - but with social distancing measures in place, of course. It will be on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September and is a wonderful opportunity to see inside over 800 places in London that you might never see. There are three iconic venues close to Hayes that are really worth a visit - Cranford Park, the Great Barn at Harmondworth (pictured) and St Mary's Church in the same village. Click here for details including opening hours.

Rule of 6 starts on Monday 14 September

The 'Rule of 6' is a new phrase that we will all have to get used to. Coined by the Prime Minister, it is intended to explain that from Monday 14 September it will be against the law to meet with people you do not live with in a group larger than 6, whether indoors or outdoors. The Police will have powers to issue fixed penalties of £100 rising to £3200 for further breaches. To read more about the rules click here.

Walk-in tests available in Central Avenue

The Council has clarified that people without cars can get a coronavirus test at the mobile testing centre in the Central Avenue car park if there are some vacant slots. The existence of the centre is still not known by many people I talk to in Hayes but it is there to help the public and from my observations it does not seem to be very busy. It is located to the rear of Lidl's as shown in the picture kindly supplied by a reader of Hayes Town News. This week it will be present on Wednesday 16 September and Saturday the 19th. To find out how to book a test please click here.

Station works making noisy progress

Another reader of Hayes Town News has sent me pictures of the work going on at Hayes & Harlington Station taken from his flat at High Point Village. The one alongside shows a mammoth 450 tonne crane that is moving steel work into place for the new footbridge - and creating quite a bit of noise. To see the September edition of the West Stations newsletter click here.

Mental health support for the young

Public Health England has launched a new campaign under the 'Every mind matters' banner to support the mental wellbeing of children and young people. Click here for more information

Cycle circuit closed following accident

The Hillingdon Cycle Circuit at Minet Country Park has been closed by Hillingdon Council for a temporary period as a result of a serious accident to a pedestrian on Wednesday 2 September. An investigation is under way and bushes and trees are to be cut to improve sight lines. as these are believed to have been a factor in the cause of the accident. To see the joint statement issued by British Cycling and and the Cycle Circuit Users Group click here.

Beggar or gang member?

The reopening of shops after the lockdown has seen the reappearance of people begging in the Town Centre and local Councillors have been making regular reports to the Police and the Council. Some of the beggars are thought to be members of an organised group who are dropped off and picked up each day but nobody has been able to produce any definite evidence. If any readers see that happening please try and get the registration number to send me but do not put yourself in any danger.

Time to look closer to protect the vulnerable

The Children's Society, British Transport Police and other agencies have launched a campaign to raise awareness of the plight of exploited children and young people. Under the slogan 'Look Closer' it aims to encourage people to look out for the symptoms of exploitation in public places like railway stations but also in hotels. takeaways and hair and beauty salons. Its advice is "If something doesn't look right, it probably might not be". Click here for more

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