Hello, welcome to London!

Some buses currently do not have air conditioning

"At present, most buses operated by Arriva London North have air cooling systems rather than more effective air conditioning.

Air cooling is only able to reduce temperatures by around two or three degrees during heatwaves."

Which is absolutely mental. How on Earth did they buy buses without AC?

Witnessed a small debate on the Elizabeth line recently and wanted to get people's thoughts on the etiquette here.
An elderly woman with a blue badge boarded the tube. A guy sitting a couple of seats away from the priority seat asked the woman sitting in the priority seat to stand up for her, which she did without issue.
However, a few bystanders started heckling the guy, saying that if he noticed the elderly lady, he should have offered his own seat rather than volunteering someone else's. Someone else then started defending him, saying priority seats exist for a reason.
Curious how others view this.

Lots of police, armed officers

Don’t get me started on the over £100 ones.

But 80 fluffing pounds for half an hour appointment for a treatment that should be basic and funded by the NHS!?!?

In my country the national ‘nhs’ equivalent funds two treatments a year. Our teeth are not less important than any other organ in our body.

It’s mental!!!!!

Just a rant…

Just 29% of damp and mould investigations in Lewisham received a written summary within the three-day legal deadline required by Awaab's Law. In Sutton, a revised restoration plan for the 161-hectare Beddington Landfill site was approved, replacing a failed proposal for acid grassland with "species-rich" meadowland. And in Barnet, 370 staff will return to direct council employment after the council authorised the insourcing of its IT services from outsourcing giant Capita, and other news from local councils this week.

Barking and Dagenham - Barking and Dagenham Council is reviewing its gambling licensing policy. The aim is to better protect vulnerable people and prevent gambling-related harm. Some residents feel the current proposals do not sufficiently address the number of betting shops in the borough. The council is also examining how to ensure gambling is conducted fairly and openly.

Barnet - Barnet Council is bringing its IT services back in-house following a failed procurement process. Councillors also addressed the increasing issue of dockless e-bikes obstructing pavements.

Bexley - Bexley's planning committee has approved six new developments. These include converting family homes into houses for multiple occupants and adding extra residential units. One approved plan will significantly expand a supported living home for older people with mental health issues, increasing its capacity from ten to seventeen bedrooms. The council's planning committee proceeded with these residential changes despite some resident concerns regarding parking and design.

Brent - Brent Council is reviewing its parking strategy, viewing the kerbside as a shared asset. Potential changes to charges based on vehicle emissions are being debated. Councillors confirmed a £1.54 million variation to the street cleansing contract with Veolia. The council is also working to increase its spend with local businesses. Procurement processes are being improved.

Bromley - Pub hours at The Swan and Mitre may be extended, despite local concerns regarding noise and anti-social behaviour. Bromley's air quality is good, with nitrogen dioxide levels continuing to fall. A plan to renew dog control orders is progressing, though opinions differ on excluding dogs from cemeteries.

Camden - Camden Council is addressing a rise in anti-social behaviour complaints. The council is also working to expedite the return of empty homes to residents. Two new food and drink establishments encountered objections from police and residents regarding their licensing applications. Concerns about crime and public nuisance were raised. The council is preparing to implement new legislation concerning tobacco and vapes.

City of London - A Co-Opted Member requested permission to discuss school matters despite their child attending the school. The council is re-evaluating its policy regarding members with declared interests participating in discussions. This situation mirrors a previous instance where an Alderman was granted a similar dispensation.

Croydon - Croydon Council's planning committees have approved a new hotel on Brighton Road and a bungalow on Graham Road. Discussions also covered a large residential development planned for land north of Lansdowne Road, with councillors raising points about affordable housing and potential congestion. The council also held a meeting to discuss appointments to senior roles within its structure.

Enfield - Enfield's Health and Wellbeing Board is prioritizing giving children the best start in life and addressing inequality. The Safer Neighbourhood Board is determining the optimal use of £17,000 in MOPAC funding to enhance community safety. Information from the Bush Hill Park Ward Forum is pending, though councillors were present.

Hackney - Hackney Council will invest £1.8 million in a new service to support rough sleepers, addressing the health risks and dangers associated with street life. A local pub has secured an extended alcohol licence following agreement on stricter conditions to mitigate noise and disturbance. The Castle Climbing Centre is considering plans for a new sauna, with accessibility and potential neighbour noise being key discussion points.

Hammersmith and Fulham - Hammersmith and Fulham Council's Chief Officers Employment Panel convened to discuss proposed changes to senior legal and governance roles. The specifics of these proposed revisions were not disclosed to the public.

Harrow - Harrow councillors rejected a controversial housing conversion, going against officer recommendations. They approved a community health hub in a historic building. The council is also pursuing funding for regeneration projects. A decision allows the Harrow Strategic Development Partnership to continue work at Byron Quarter to meet funding deadlines.

Havering - Havering Council plans to update its constitution. This could alter how planning decisions are made and when council meetings commence. Councillors are also voicing concerns regarding waste collection, road sweeping, and the sharing of CCTV footage with the police. A local newsagent's application for an alcohol licence has met with objections from the police and residents. These objections stem from worries about potential increases in street drinking and anti-social behaviour.

Hillingdon - Northwood Hills Supermarket's street trading licence renewal faced scrutiny. Concerns about highway obstruction and public nuisance were raised. The council's Anti-Social Behaviour Response Team objected to the application. Issues cited included pavement blockages and food waste. A licensing sub-committee was scheduled to decide on the renewal, possibly with modifications.

Hounslow - A shop's licence is under review following the seizure of thousands of illicit cigarettes and vapes. Hounslow Council is examining improvements to cyber security. The council is also reviewing the performance of its contract with APCOA for enforcement services. The Planning Committee discussed plans for temporary events at Gunnersbury Park. Redevelopment of Victory Business Centre for housing was also on the agenda. A public footpath around Brentford Dock Estate might be added to the official map. Local projects funded by the "Pride in Place" initiative were highlighted. Concerns were raised regarding anti-social behaviour and waste management for flats above shops.

Islington - Sunnyside Community Gardens will receive a new community building following planning permission approval. The council is undertaking a comprehensive review of housing costs. This initiative aims to transition from crisis management to proactive investment. Significant savings have already been achieved in homelessness prevention.

Kingston upon Thames - Kingston Council's audit plan has been approved. Auditors have identified risks concerning pension fund investments and staff retention. The council is also updating its strategies for extreme weather events. A cautious approach is being taken towards the adoption of artificial intelligence. Councillor Sachin Tulyani inquired about the presentation of financial sustainability risks.

Lambeth - Amazon has secured a licence for a distribution hub in Norwood, notwithstanding local concerns regarding traffic and noise. A new Clapham venue, Mimosa, has been granted a licence to serve alcohol until 3 am, subject to conditions for noise and public safety management. The council is also focusing on enhancing health and care services throughout the borough, particularly through neighbourhood teams and support for individuals experiencing homelessness.

Lewisham - Lewisham's Housing Select Committee is addressing Awaab's Law compliance. Damp and mould issues have received "Amber" ratings. The committee has a low 29% success rate in providing timely investigation summaries. The Healthier Communities Select Committee discussed a successful mental health centre pilot. This pilot has resulted in a 43% reduction in emergency attendances.

Merton - Merton Council is experiencing a rise in complaints, especially regarding Council Tax and refuse collections. A notable portion of these complaints appear to be AI-generated. The council is piloting new Integrated Neighbourhood Teams in Morden to provide more coordinated health and social care services. Substantial savings have been achieved on agency worker costs, although specialist interim roles continue to be expensive.

Newham - Newham Council is investing £1.335 million to address cladding and damp issues at Aubrey Moore Point and Albert Bigg Point, shielding leaseholders from associated costs. The council is also seeking tenders for a £700,000 restoration project at Forest Lane Park, with partial funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. A new Director of Public Health is being recruited to navigate past challenges. A restaurant's licence is currently under review due to concerns regarding illegal working.

Redbridge - Redbridge Council is developing a new strategy to ensure residents have access to high-quality supported housing, particularly as the borough's older population grows. A curry house's bid for a late-night licence faced objections from the police and council enforcement teams. Concerns were raised about potential crime and nuisance in a busy area.

Richmond upon Thames - A Tesco Express store's bid for a late-night alcohol licence has met with opposition from local groups. Concerns have been raised about potential noise and anti-social behaviour. Councillors are questioning the store's age verification policy, particularly regarding self-service checkouts. The council's licensing committee is currently deliberating on the application.

Southwark - A new coffee kiosk will open next to Tate Modern, replacing a converted taxi cab. A car park in Myatts Field Court will now be used for private hire vehicles to help fund essential roof repairs. A Walworth Road takeaway has secured a licence to operate late into the night after agreeing to stricter conditions.

Sutton - Sutton Council has approved the restoration of Beddington Landfill. Plans involve replacing acid grassland with lowland meadowland to address soil challenges. Local committee meetings also covered rail improvements in Belmont and community projects funded by developers. Efforts are being made to enhance public engagement and communication for these council meetings.

Tower Hamlets - Tower Hamlets Council is seeking a new Corporate Director of Communities to ensure leadership stability. Plans are being considered to extend alcohol sales and opening hours for the Star of the East pub, though residents have raised concerns about noise and disorder. Approval has been granted for a new roof extension at the Theatre Building, which will create nine new homes.

Wandsworth - Stonehenge Food and Wine is facing a licence review by the council. This follows repeated alcohol sales to underage individuals and numerous licensing condition breaches. The licence holder acknowledged errors and indicated a willingness to cease alcohol sales entirely. Local businesses and residents have also voiced concerns about the shop operating beyond permitted hours, which they believe contributes to noise and anti-social behaviour.

Westminster - Westminster Council is reviewing its planning decision-making processes due to new government regulations affecting committee structures. Residents have voiced concerns regarding a hotel's request to extend its alcohol licence to a rooftop terrace, citing potential noise issues. The council is also examining proposals for a new restaurant and an ice cream parlour, with attention to potential public nuisance and crime.

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Every year I buy a season pass for the BBC Proms at Royal Albert Hall.

And since I can't go to every concert, I try to give away the surplus tickets for free (selling is _not_ an option).

Up to now I announced this here in this group. I get _tons_ of replies from interested people.

But then it fizzles out (every year!) and in the end maybe one or two concerts are watched by someone from here.

My question is: what do I do wrong? Or how can I improve this process?

I am sure there are people in London who would like to go to the concerts and stick to their commitment, but how can I find those?

Say the line bart....

A new build development is going ahead despite no affordable housing as it isn't 'viable' for the project.

I know we always go around the houses with the affordable housing % debate which is a fair one. But I also want to throw in how this affects young families or aspiring couples who need houses, if they cant even afford a flat, let alone a house, they'll put off kids, or just leave London altogether to start one.

I feel like when we talk about the falling birth rate, schools closing and families leaving, we tend to ignore how much housing is impacting new families from forming in the first place.

Lovely snap of River Thames from Blackfriars Station. Was a nice sunny day with high tides. Sun was shining, weather was fine.

Great stuff tbf, even if the city had to endure 12 nights of Harry Styles. Music is back (it never left).

Last night whilst driving past London Bridge station I saw this man (30-40s) who was digging through the bins. Smartly/ casually dressed. Initially I thought he’d lost something. But after a minute or so I realised he was looking for food. He didn’t find what he was looking for, and he walked back to his suitcases (3 large suitcases).

It broke my heart and I can’t stop thinking about it. That’s someone’s son/brother. I really wish I’d have just stopped and given him a tenner or bought him a meal.

It made me realise this cost of living has started to affect more people than we realise. I also saw a Reddit page of people in the UK asking for people to buy too good too go bags for them. This is so sad.

I appreciate it’s not just a London issue, but London is one of the most expensive cities.

I’m sharing this just to encourage whoever is reading this to be kind and help people if you can as you travel through the city. And if you need help, please do ask someone for help.

If you know any organizations/ services that help out people like this please let me know and I’ll start referring people as I meet them.

Might I add later closing times and less restrictive licencing for venues, more police and night buses wont improve nightlife.

And the tories push for banning standing drinks in pubs - shut that nonsense down.

This is what you’re currently smelling in Walthamstow as the wind takes the smoke North.

I’m from North West London and we have a person who is known by eveeryone here as the “jumper guy”. He’s a guy who will be wearing 30 jumpers no matter the occasion. also wears a helmet and an American and UK flag.

The worst I saw was last year in Camden when it was 40 degrees and low and behold jumper guy is there in his 20 or so jumpers… I know something isn’t alright with him but hes iconic. wondering any fellow Londoners have iconic people in their community that everyone knows

Spotted this in Charing Cross yesterday.

It says “HELP! The Metropolitan Police is running a Homophobic hate campaign against me.”

Absolutely zero context.

Does anyone know what this is about?

Hey all,

Just wondering if anyone has (after the brutality of this summers heat !) had AC installed - looking to do now when AC folk are hopefully a little quieter..

What system did you use ? (Confusingly a lot of options with lots of pros and cons)

Also if you did go with a split system - where did you ‘hide’ the outdoor unit ?

Thanks !

Should I report this to the Advertising Standards Agency?