…Something to make you change your mind

Let’s take a child by the hand and see the community through their eyes:

“I’m cared for by my parents.

“I was born in Queen Charlotte’s Hospital. We use Fulham Health Centre, we go to Ravenscourt Park, Furnivall Gardens and we love the view of Hammersmith Bridge.

“At our Sure Start centre we’ve made friends, we attend Hammersmith Library for stories, singing and homework clubs. My older brothers and sisters use the youth centre. At school we’ve made links with theatres, football clubs and other groups.

“We shop in Kings Mall and go to Shepherd’s Bush Market, meeting people from around the world

“This is what we’ve built in the borough of Hammersmith and Fulham – a diverse community – but sadly for how much longer?

“My parents cannot afford affordable houses. They are on a low wage working locally to save fares. Maybe we will be one of the families they move to the Midlands (Chronicle, May 4). I’m sure the people are nice there but they have housing and unemployment problems too.

I just need the same chances as others to live with my family and friends in our community. Being moved around you don’t feel part of a community and get into trouble with others who feel the same. Older people get confused when taken away from their surroundings, others’ mental health is affected.

Many people will be, or are, homeless because of the loss of jobs and high private rents. The solution is easy – build more social housing. It will create jobs, too.

When I’m grown up I will take you by the hand to care for you, but only if I have grown up in a cared-for community.

DESIREE CRANENBURGH

Ashcroft Square, King Street, Hammersmith

‘Portobello’ station tag would be misleading

Sir Merrick Cockell asks, ‘Can you see any flaws with Portobello Crossrail station?’ (Chronicle, May 11). Indeed we can.

First, the station will be at Kensal and that is what we all thought it would be called. To have to go back to the 18th century to justify the name of a location which is in Kensal and not even on the ‘other’ end of Portobello Road, speaks volumes for the weakness of his argument.

Second, the vast majority of visitors who come to Portobello Road, come because of the fame of its antiques market, as has been proved by survey after survey over the years – two as late as last year. A smaller number of visitors come to see the bookshop that featured in the film Notting Hill.

Both of these are at the other end of Portobello Road – almost a mile away. Calling the station Portobello is, to say the least, misleading the tens of thousands of people who come to visit us.

Any visitors who alight would be likely to be so disappointed with what they are faced with that they turn back, or likely to be exhausted by the time they reach their desired destination. Our association has backed the council’s campaign for the Kensal station from the start because we believe it will help regeneration of the area.

COSTAS KLEANTHOUS

Portobello Antique Dealers Association

Portobello Road

Notting Hill

Boris must be held to his pledge on homes

The typical deposit to buy a flat in Hammersmith and Fulham is now almost £83,000, while the average monthly rent for a two-bedroom flat in the area is almost £1,700.

With the newly-elected Mayor in post, hard-pressed families in Hammersmith and Fulham and beyond will be waiting to hear what Boris Johnson is going to do to make housing more affordable.

He has vast new powers over London’s housing. With control over the budget for new homes and the land to put them on, he can build more homes that Londoners can afford, and take action to drive rogue landlords out of the rental market.

Mr Johnson has promised to set up Homes for London – like Transport for London, but for homes – to fix London’s housing.

Hammersmith and Fulham residents can hold him to his promise by joining our campaign at www.homesforlondon.org.uk.

CAMPBELL ROBB

Chief executive of Shelter

Vote ‘yes’ to betterlocal democracy

As the Queen’s Park ward Labour councillors, we urge residents to vote ‘yes’ to setting up a Queen’s Park Community Council. We believe an elected community council will strengthen democracy and give residents a stronger voice.

We have supported the idea of a community council since the proposal was put forward nearly two years ago. A community council will build on the work of the previously elected neighbourhood forum.

PAUL DIMOLDENBERG, PATRICIA MCALLISTER AND BARRIE TAYLOR

Queen’s Park ward