Stretched by a lack of resources

I’m surprised I’m writing to defend the council, regardless of which party claims to have control of the once idyllic borough, but the lady of Coningsby Road (Letters, May 11) is absolutely correct concerning unsatisfactory rubbish clearance and parking regulation muddles.

All urban councils have ever more stretched, diminishing resources.

Eight years after Thatcher claimed people were feeling swamped by immigrants, I came to Ealing.

Out of 90 ads I’d seen in an average week, one would be unreadable due to poor handwriting.

Now I can look at seven shops, windows crammed with ads, and only be able to work out what four are about.

Social services are expected to look after 8,000 people with the resources adequate for 600 people 25 years ago.

Back then, an acquaintance got a flat. He’d been on the council waiting list for more than 10 years and lived in Ealing his entire life.

I sincerely hope it’s far-fetched to conjecture one day people will think themselves lucky to have ‘only’ taken 13 years for the tiniest bedsit on a grim estate, something tragic Sofyen Belamouadden would have been all too familiar with during his sadly brief 15 years until his stabbing.

ROB ECCLES

Osborne Road

South Acton

Credit to those helpful bus drivers

I WAS prompted to send this email after reading the article, under the headline ‘Wheelchair user insulted by bus drivers’ lack of respect’ (Gazette, May 11, page 9).

After reading about the attitude of certain bus drivers, I thought I should give credit where credit is due.

I have been in a wheelchair full time for the past 16 years for ataxia. I also have a very severe speech impairment, dysphasia.

I have a motorised indoor wheelchair.

I make approximately 12 bus journeys every week on bus numbers 266, E3, 207, 427 and 70 – in fact, any bus that goes through Acton.

I’ve also had occasion to connect with buses in Ealing, Southall and Shepherd’s Bush.

In all my years, travelling on buses, I am glad to report I have only met two drivers that I would not wish to meet again. The others I have found to be helpful, polite and cheerful.

I’ve noticed as well how frequency and reliability has improved over the years.

It’s uncanny to think I can be here now in a wheelchair and in half an hour I can be miles away, still in my wheelchair.

I think other people in constant contact with the public could take a leaf out of their book.

I am 61 years old, retired and have never had any connection to Transport for London and the only reason for sending this email, is to thank the bus drivers, who helped me open up a whole new world and helped me gain the confidence to enjoy it.

JERRY KEANE

Via email

We must keep Wildlife Crime Unit

I AM writing to congratulate PC Sara Lowe, the London Borough of Ealing’s wildlife crime officer on their work locally.

Officers like her across the city play a frontline role in helping to stamp out wildlife crime in the capital.

Together with the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), I am calling for Boris Johnson to commit to safeguarding the future of the Metropolitan Police’s specialist Wildlife Crime Unit, who provide vital support for officers like PC Sara Lowe.

With London a UK and international hub for illegal trade in wildlife, the commitment of the London Mayor to adequate policing is crucial.

We need officers like PC Sara Lowe. But we also need the commitment of the Mayor to give our police officers the teeth to bite back.

If any Ealing residents would like to find out more, I’d urge them to visit www.wspa.org.uk/wildlife.

DEBORAH MEADEN,

On behalf of WSPA

Deaf people need equal rights

Deaf Awareness Week took place last week (May 7-13) and following on from it we are highlighting the barriers facing patients who are deaf and calling on local health services to improve their access, and to commission interpreting services that use only appropriately qualified sign language interpreters for deaf patients.

Our new research shows that 41 per cent of surveyed people who use British Sign Language (BSL) as their first language have left a health appointment feeling confused about their medical condition, because the interpretation was not of an adequate standard. 68 per cent said they have asked for an interpreter to be booked for a GP appointment but did not get one.

People who are deaf have the legal right to experience the same level of service as other patients so, to avoid unnecessary confusion, anxiety or embarrassment, it is vital that they can access communication support best suited to their individual needs.

To sign our petition calling for local health services to use only interpreters registered with the National Registers of Communications Processionals (NRCPD), which shows they meet the required standard for communicating essential medical information, visit www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/deafaccess

Action on Hearing Loss,

ASLI (Association of Sign Language Interpreters),

NRCPD (National Registers of Communication Professionals working with Deaf and Deafblind People),

BDA (British Deaf Association),

SignHealth Signature,

BSMHD (British Society for Mental Health and Deafness)