Forum Message

Topic: Leaves
Posted by: John Day
Date/Time: 07/10/25 14:25:00

I live in a heavily treed part of Bedford Park, and for many years I’ve tried to be a considerate neighbour and responsible member of the community by sweeping the fallen leaves from the pavement outside my home. I’ve always disposed of them in my own garden waste bin — at my own cost. I also clear the pavement outside my property in winter after snowfall or when it's icy, to help keep it safe for pedestrians.

Last year, I noticed that Hounslow Council didn’t start leaf-sweeping in my area until December. In the meantime, it was really upsetting to see how slippery and dangerous the pavements became — I know of several neighbours who were genuinely anxious about walking in the area. I reported the issue several times via StreetMap, but nothing changed.

Recently, I read that some residents in the borough have started sweeping the leaves into the gutter instead of using their own garden bins, arguing that it's the council’s responsibility to remove them. I tried this myself last week, but was quickly challenged by two people (not my immediate neighbours). They said I was potentially obstructing drainage and could even face a fine, and that by sweeping the leaves, I was letting the council "off the hook" from doing their job.

I tried to explain that, in my experience, the council hasn’t increased their efforts regardless of whether residents help or not. And I honestly thought a clear, safe pavement was better than slippery leaves — even if it means some water pooling in the road.

Now I’m genuinely unsure what’s the right thing to do. I don’t want to create more problems or upset people, but I also don’t feel comfortable doing nothing when I can see the hazard to pedestrians. Is there any guidance or advice on how residents can handle this responsibly — both legally and in terms of community values?


Entire Thread
TopicDate PostedPosted By
Leaves07/10/25 14:25:00 John Day
   Re:Leaves07/10/25 15:55:00 Janice Evans
      Re:Re:Leaves07/10/25 18:08:00 Peter Evans
         Re:Re:Re:Leaves07/10/25 18:26:00 Julian Pavey
            Re:Re:Re:Re:Leaves07/10/25 20:34:00 Peter King
            Re:Re:Re:Re:Leaves09/10/25 19:19:00 Davey Harris
   Re:Leaves08/10/25 15:24:00 Iris Hill
   Re:Leaves08/10/25 16:19:00 Paul James
      Re:Re:Leaves08/10/25 20:05:00 Peter Evans
         Re:Re:Re:Leaves09/10/25 17:25:00 Janice Evans
            Re:Re:Re:Re:Leaves09/10/25 18:13:00 Peter Evans
               Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Leaves09/10/25 19:32:00 Steve Taylor
                  Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Leaves09/10/25 19:49:00 Janice Evans
                     Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Leaves10/10/25 09:05:00 Paul James
                        Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Leaves10/10/25 09:23:00 Janice Evans
                           Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Leaves10/10/25 09:59:00 Simon Hayes
                              Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Leaves10/10/25 11:00:00 Philippa Bond
                                 Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Leaves10/10/25 11:36:00 Philippa Bond
                                    Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Leaves10/10/25 11:47:00 Janice Evans
         Re:Re:Re:Leaves10/10/25 15:02:00 Paul James
            Re:Re:Re:Re:Leaves10/10/25 15:32:00 Simon Hayes
               Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Leaves11/10/25 13:22:00 Claire Moran
                  Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Leaves11/10/25 15:54:00 Philippa Bond
                     Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Leaves11/10/25 17:04:00 Claire Moran
                        Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Leaves11/10/25 18:07:00 Simon Hayes
                        Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Leaves11/10/25 18:10:00 Denis I. Fox
                           Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Leaves11/10/25 18:35:00 Philippa Bond
                              Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Leaves11/10/25 23:38:00 Claire Moran
   Re:Leaves12/10/25 10:56:00 Bhavesh Gohil
   Re:Leaves12/10/25 11:37:00 Jonathan Wilkinson
      Re:Re:Leaves12/10/25 14:14:00 Julian Pavey
   Re:Leaves13/10/25 01:06:00 Tony Antares
      Re:Re:Leaves13/10/25 07:23:00 Philippa Bond
         Re:Re:Re:Leaves13/10/25 21:15:00 Peter King

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