Forum Topic

Worst things about Ealing ?

What are the worst things about Ealing? And where are they?

Gerry Tan ● 4984d65 Comments

Boarded-up shops, crime and a council more content on following a political ideology than serving real needs.So, the same as every urban borough I guess.

Nigel Brooks ● 4984d

I like the trees and the parks and its largely Edwardian and Victorian housing stock and buildings.

Penny Crocker ● 4984d

I like the trees and the parks and its largely Edwardian and Victorian housing stock and buildings.

Penny Crocker ● 4984d

Rents and house prices.

M Duley ● 4984d

My views encompass the Borough and not just Ealing Broadway1) Pound shops and the way that Ealing's retail pull is disappearing / disappeared2) Ealing Broadway Station - unfit for purpose for the daily footfall3) Greenford Broadway which has turned overnight into a downmarket Southall4) Violent Crime5) Copley Close / Gurnell Grove / Golf Links Estates / Green Man Estate - all of them - they're outdated and on the whole nursing beds for an unpleasant way of life - I pity the good and honest families that live there and have to put up with some of the vermin that live there too6) West Ealing Hight Street7) Speed bumps8) Number of bus routes9) The new rubbish / recycling service

Bud Richards ● 4984d

re 6), I took one of my regular walks up to West Ealing yesterday; admittedly, it was a grim day weather-wise but the Broadway was looking unusually dirty and uncared-for with its array of pound shops and pawnbrokers.

Susan Kelly ● 4984d

GERRY,  The worst Thing about Ealing Southall is the standard of Motor Vehicles Driven through Cross Roads at Traffic LIGHTS. Too many Drivers want to be the last one to race through a red light when it appears at the end of a sequence.I am glad you posed the question Gerry. I  would add too, the number of dual seated Baby Buggies being pushed along crowded pavements and loaded underside with trolley-full of shopping,and MUM having a phone conversation at the same time . Many an elderly person has had the front of the trolley crashing into their HEELS.They never fail to say "SORRY" and walk away regardless.

Os A Whittle ● 4984d

West Ealing has definatelly changed a lot in the last 15/20 years where rents ans house prices have remained stable and affordable compared with other parts of Ealing in the W5 or W13 areas. As with most shopping areas, it has adapted and changed in order to cater for the needs of the local residents. Things will probably change again as rents and house prices here too are expected to rise in the region of over 20% due to the incoming Crossrail.

Rosa Popham ● 4984d

Lack of a cinema. I used to be able to walk to the cinema, now it's a drive or a tube ride to Westfield. The amount of litter people leave in all the lovely parks we have. House prices!

Emily Heath ● 4984d

'They never fail to say "SORRY" and walk away regardless.'Is that what you meant to say?

Susan Kelly ● 4984d

Empire. Bunch of underhand, mendacious weasels.

Alex Weel ● 4984d

The worst things about Ealing are:Spent chewing gum patches and cigarette ends on pavements. Spit and phlegm marks on the ground. Inconsiderate car and lorry drivers on the roads. Dog pooh in parks. Rubbish tossed on the street. People who talk loudly on their phones. Untidy and dirty gardens(both public and private gardens). Noisy traffic.

Gerry Tan ● 4983d

1. The ongoing deterioration of aesthetic standards along Uxbridge Road, especially in West Ealing and Hanwell.2. The proliferation of idiots bent on concreting over their front gardens.3. Sky-high property prices.

Tom Carroll ● 4983d

SusanThat is exactly what I mean Susan.The Under carriage of some of those Buggies are as large as a supermarket trolley I have been walking around with a bruised Heel last October.

Os A Whittle ● 4983d

Having lived in the borough for over 40 years the worst aspect is the deterioration of once pleasant towns eg. Greenford. These are now dirty, shabby areas. Foreign tacky shops which seem to stay open 24/7 and the whole area looks like a third world shanty town... With not one decent shop...so sad..

Marie Anne OConnell ● 4983d

It was the 'never fail to say sorry' bit I was querying, Os. Surely you mean that they never do say sorry?

Susan Kelly ● 4983d

Nothing specific to Ealing, then?

M Duley ● 4983d

Re  looks like a third world shanty town...       xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx  which in fact is what it has been reduced to, and talking re shanty towns, any news on the national scandal nearby, I haven't heard re any  bulldozings, prosecutions , evictions etc, seems to have gone all quiet on the Southall front. Cover-up going on?.

Tony Price ● 4983d

Of course Tony.Don't forget, we are dealing with a culture of corruption which has become the normal way of getting anything they want...

Marie Anne OConnell ● 4983d

Re  a culture of corruption        xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx  another of the joys of diversity, an import. And I am sure on that  very long thread re the beds in sheds, someone in " Authority " towards the end of it,  assured us there was a team investigating the situation and prosecutions etc would be order of the day. Am I not correct in thinking that, maybe itself needs to be investigated?.

Tony Price ● 4983d

Getting a bus westwards from Ealing Broadway along the Uxbridge Road - the barging and pushing getting on the bus, the stench once you're on board (a romantic mixture of stale curry and stale sweat!), the ignoramuses shouting nonsense on their mobiles or worse playing music on their mobiles (earphones afterall are so very expensive these days!), the young cretins still stinking of the weed they just finished smoking before getting on, the bad attitude of many Somalian teenage girls who growch at you if you so much as glance at them and give you a dressing down if you accidentally nudge them, I could go on .....

Steve Charls ● 4982d

Re  I could go on .....          xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx  ooh, better not Steve. There are loads of persons on these Forums who don't like the truth. Doesn't tie in with  their warped  perception of what our once esteemed Borough has become. Have a look on the Acton Forum and the thread dealing with the article in The Telegraph. Very interesting, very revealing. And don't forget btw, you are the minority now, in your own country, in London in general outnumbered 2-1 but I would say in Ealing, even more so.

Tony Price ● 4981d

Agree with everything....the worst bus journey is Heathrow, through Southall to Greenford .. The bus stinks to high heaven and it's so depressing especially if you are making that journey coming  back from holiday.... You really know  you are back in smelly Southall....older people glare at you if you are sitting on a seat in the front expecting you to get up for them.......they haven't even paid a fare as they have free passes....home sweet home -NOT..

Marie Anne OConnell ● 4981d

Ref concreting  front gardens. I would love a pretty  front lawn,. However some roads eg Costons Lane - if everyone parked their cars on the road they would get hit by through traffic because there is not enough room. If you put two wheels on the curb, the sneaky traffic wardens who lay in wait slap a ticket on your car. Most residents including me have been victims - getting a ticket and having a car hit...... Hence no option but to use the frontage for parking......

Marie Anne OConnell ● 4981d

The entire area has been taken over by immigrants  giving rise to grotty shops with foreign signage, dirty unkempt streets, smelly buses and gradual deterioration everywhere ....

Marie Anne OConnell ● 4981d

Saying the WORD " Sorry does not mean they really were sorry Susan, particularly when they walk away without even stopping a fraction of a second, to see who the are saying sorry to.It leads me to believe that the utterance of the word is meaningless.That happens more frequently, not occasionally.It was nice of you to give me the opportunity to clarify- on the way i presented my post.

Os A Whittle ● 4981d

Re  If you put two wheels on the curb    xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx    Marie, if the road is too narrow to allow  parking fully on the road, see if the Council will permit  a certain part of cars to be parked on the pavements and put lines on the pavements up to where parking  would be allowed. That certainly happens in W5 / W13 areas and no reason why your road could not, IF the Council were accomodating, of course.

Tony Price ● 4981d

Re  they walk away without even stopping       xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxunless you protest vigorously Os, they probably won't even notice. Prams at one time had the wheels well under the body of the pram, now the most forward part are the wheels which is the part which catches your feet, and yes, it can be damned painful. Plus of  course they usually have a fair cluster of kids hanging all sides, so the pusher's  sight is limited as to what or who she is bashing into. The chances are however, she won't ( or want to ) understand English anyway. Don't forget, we are outnumbered 2-1 in the whole of London and I would say in Ealing, to a much higher degree.

Tony Price ● 4981d

Re  gradual deterioration everywhere             xxxxxxxxxxxxxx    the joys of diversity Marie, the joys of diversity.

Tony Price ● 4981d

"the joys of diversity Marie, the joys of diversity."Diversity doesn't excuse poor personal hygeine and anti-social behaviour which is evident in abundence on the westbound 207/607.You are also right about the 'attitude' of young, I guess by their appearance and dress, Somalian girls. Simply, and apologies, bloody rude!

Nigel Brooks ● 4981d

The bigoted, narrow-minded, racist correspondents who seem to dominate this forum!

Helen Johnson ● 4981d

Re  The bigoted, narrow-minded, racist correspondents who seem to dominate this forum!             xxxxxxxxxxxxxx oh Helen, change the needle, that groove is a tad worn out now. Find another toad stool.

Tony Price ● 4981d

The bigoted, narrow-minded, racist correspondents who seem to dominate this forum!Well, if that's the worst thing you can find in Ealing can I come and live in your delusion?

Nigel Brooks ● 4981d

I have just read this on HufPost which I appreciate is not re Ealing, or even London but it has so staggered me:-        "Sasha Marsden Death: Blackpool Teenager Fatally Stabbed Before Being Set On Fire In Alleyway"    She was a 16 yr old girl. What on earth is this world coming to. Who could do such a thing, to multi stab someone, let alone a young female,to death and then set light to her body beggars belief. I despair of humanity. Her poor parents!.

Tony Price ● 4981d

Helen - have you ever actually travelled on a 207/607/427 westwards from Ealing Broadway, particularly at rush hour?  How am I/we racist to be stating the bus typically reeks to high heaven?  Is my nose simply deceiving me?  Are my smell sensor neurons racist?  Are my eyes racist as I frequently see glaring eyes?  Are my pressure neurons racist when my arms feel ignaramouses barging in to me?  These are the facts I personally witness nearly every day of the week.  Are these facts simply to uncomfortable for your perfect little PC world of diversity.  Send me a PM and I will happily accompany you on any of said buses and defy you to deny the facts as presented.Now I have only lived in this area for a few years so cannot really comment on how things have changed over the years.  But I can certainly say that my bus journeys now are far less pleasant than the bus journeys I have taken elsewhere, both in London and elsewhere.

Steve Charls ● 4981d

Re  cannot really comment on how things have changed over the years.          xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx  well I can, have lived here since 1972, was pleased and proud to live in the Queen of the Suburbs, and I don't care what anyone says or thinks, the area has gone downhill dreadfully. That is a fact. And the Helens of this world know it but their PC minds blind their sight. The downfall in the past  15 years or so has been the most noticeable. I am fearful for the future as the number of indigenous folk gets less and less, which it will do due to the much greater breeding rates of others. Just look at the  young ones in the schools to see where Ealing is heading. We are vastly outnumbered already, building our own funeral pyres?. It was the indigenous who made London what it is and it will be others who will continue to make it what it is becoming. The Helens of this world  will no doubt rejoice, or so they make out. Just look at Southall to see the future and what has happened there in 30 years, indigenous down to 10%. Beds in sheds all over the place maybe and the local persons " in charge "  seemingly doing nothing about it.

Tony Price ● 4981d

Maybe this is where we part Tony.  I actually consider that the many many waves of immigrants over the centuries are in part what make this city great.  They are actually one of the many reasons I uprooted and moved to London 13 years ago from a quite un-diverse part of the country.However, this does make me enjoy many of the facets that I now come across in this part (and others) of London.I would primarily summarise this as about the significant specific groups who seem to have no respect for this country, its history, traditions and culture.  Examples who have not lacked this respect, most recently would be the many thousands of Polish who have come here in recent years, and quite frankly add significantly to our nations - culturally and economically.  Just so as to not incur the wrath of "racist" screamers I would put the Sikh community in exactly the same bracket - as a polite, respectful group who bring vast enrichment and benefit to this country.Which leaves me to dare name the group who I appear to be increasingly surrounded by and who appear to have zero respect for any of the cultures, traditions that make this country great.  And before the PC scream racist - they are not a race - they are a religion - made up of all races, even many white English who have decided to convert.

Steve Charls ● 4980d

Maybe this is where we part Tony.  I actually consider that the many many waves of immigrants over the centuries are in part what make this city great.  They are actually one of the many reasons I uprooted and moved to London 13 years ago from a quite un-diverse part of the country.However, this does NOT (correction from previous post) make me enjoy many of the facets that I now come across in this part (and others) of London.I would primarily summarise this as about the significant specific groups who seem to have no respect for this country, its history, traditions and culture.  Examples who have not lacked this respect, most recently would be the many thousands of Polish who have come here in recent years, and quite frankly add significantly to our nations - culturally and economically.  Just so as to not incur the wrath of "racist" screamers I would put the Sikh community in exactly the same bracket - as a polite, respectful group who bring vast enrichment and benefit to this country.Which leaves me to dare name the group who I appear to be increasingly surrounded by and who appear to have zero respect for any of the cultures, traditions that make this country great.  And before the PC scream racist - they are not a race - they are a religion - made up of all races, even many white English who have decided to convert.

Steve Charls ● 4980d

Re  many waves of immigrants over the centuries           xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx    Steve, as I am recorded as saying, immigration to a certain extent is desireable but not the tsunami that we  have now, unprecedented in history and to the extent that we are  vastly outnumbered with the writing on the wall it will  increase until possibly we are like the 10% remnant in Southall. I cannot imagine why any indigenous person would want that. Self destruction. And please don't say it can't happen. If you knew for example the far extremity of this Borough at the other end, ie  Shepherds Bush Market and knew what it was like in the '70's and go and have a look now. Apart from the total wipe-out, it is a fire and safety hazard, which presumably the Authorities are scared to tackle for fear of being tagged racist, like the Police were over the Asian white girl procurement gangs. Then walk along the Uxbridge Road and witness the creeping takeover.

Tony Price ● 4980d

Helen said:  "The bigoted, narrow-minded, racist correspondents who seem to dominate this forum!"With respect Helen, there are half-a-dozen or so people on this excellent forum who might be considered as bigotted, narrow-minded racists, but the majority are not. Its hurtful to be labelled as a racist. Most are fair-minded, reasonable folk.

Gerry Tan ● 4979d

I don't even think it is half-a-dozen Gerry. There are a couple of ranters but the majority make resoned arguments which they are prepared to debate. The racists I have encountered do not have the intellectual bandwidth to do so, much like those who make sweeping generalisations about forum domination.

Nigel Brooks ● 4979d

Thanks Tony that would be ideal... However when I rang the council with that suggestion i was told that they are not concerned with people's parking issues just keepiing the footpaths clear of obstructions ..

Marie Anne OConnell ● 4979d

Ditto that Nigel.

Keith Iddon ● 4979d

Re  not concerned with people's parking issues          xxxxxxxxxxxxx  charming, so if they ever suggest C P Z's for your area, which could well spread to Greenford, you can tell them you need sufficient parking facilities!.

Tony Price ● 4979d

Parking wardens

David Wright ● 4977d

Oh yes - *ESPECIALLY* parking wardens!

Tony Colliver ● 4977d

With respect Helen, there are half-a-dozen or so people on this excellent forum who might be considered as bigotted, narrow-minded racists, but the majority are not. Its hurtful to be labelled as a racist. Most are fair-minded, reasonable folk.XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXI have wanted an opportunity to say this - Gerry is quite possibly the loveliest, kindest person here :-)

Suzan Issa ● 4977d

Never been the same since they were 'rebranded' Civil Enforcement Officers. Even the job title is adversarial.

Nigel Brooks ● 4977d

Parking wardens lurk around in the dark evenings and put tickets on cars that have 2 wheels on the kerb edge ( because the road is too narrow ) ....

Marie Anne OConnell ● 4977d

Re  lurk around in the dark evenings         xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx  believe it or not but they have been known to arrive on mopeds etc at 1am, yep, one o'clock in the night and dish out tickets to cars on double yellow lines.

Tony Price ● 4976d

Thanks Suzan - that's made my day, together with England's 2 - 1 win over Brazil.

Gerry Tan ● 4976d

At the risk of repeating myself, if it's so bad why not just sell up and go somewhere you do like?

Bob Knight ● 4975d

"...if it's so bad why not just sell up and go somewhere you do like?"I think few would want to move - most complainers rather like a good old moan imo.

Gerry Tan ● 4975d

he he I agree, that's what I Was getting at. I love living here (except for when I don't)

Bob Knight ● 4975d

Agree with you Bob, we love living in Ealing too - we've lived here for years, indeed we met in Ealing! But I must confess, I still like the occasional moan.

Gerry Tan ● 4975d

Re  I think few would want to move            xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx    explain the white flight then. As for myself I would keep my properties here, let mine out and  move to my place in Hampshire permanently, instead of half-time as now.

Tony Price ● 4975d

Re  I think few would want to move        xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx  one person on here started 2 threads, one asking re the BEST things re Ealing  and one re the WORST things re Ealing. One thread has 6 X more messages than the other.

Tony Price ● 4975d

"One thread has 6 X more messages than the other."One thing I learned from running a Service Department more years ago than I care to remember is that people are never 'slow to chide and quick to bless' the obverse is true.We used to around five  of a particular reel-to-reel tape recorder (I am that old) back for repair every week along with the accompanying complaints. I mentioned this to the Service Director who said that we never heard from the other 80,000 owners of the same model and that the failure rate over the design life was less than 1%. I guess we just love having a moan, don't we?

Nigel Brooks ● 4975d

Re  'slow to chide and quick to bless' the obverse is true.      xxxxxxxxxxxx maybe Nigel but here not only  were people specifically asked to comment on BOTH aspects but also provided with the facility to do so, everything thus on level playing fields?.

Tony Price ● 4975d

Not really.We used to send out reply-paid "what you like, what you don't like cards" with every product. We got very few "what you like" returns despite the product being the market leader. It was expected that it would work so no need to tell us I guess.

Nigel Brooks ● 4975d

Maybe people were just getting what they expected Nigel and did not feel the need to comment.It's a little like that daft message you get on a receipt from Tesco's 'How did we do' when all you've done is to buy some groceries.If I have a problem I will tell them at the time.And if there are no problems,that is what I expect.

Keith Iddon ● 4975d

You are very probably right Keith.

Nigel Brooks ● 4975d

I quite often fill the Tesco thing in if I'd have problems at the self checkout.

Susan Kelly ● 4975d

I never use those self checkout tills.

Keith Iddon ● 4975d

Well deserved, meant every word and Well done England :-) good game

Suzan Issa ● 4975d