Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re: Come on Eric tell the truth | |
Posted by: | b smith | |
Date/Time: | 17/12/10 09:47:00 |
From reading this thread it seems there is a real lack of understanding about what the rangers do actually provide for us. From various events I've spent time with the rangers and they provide a really wide range of services. In regards "not doing ANY maintenance or rubbish collection" I would have to ask what you classify all the nature conservation work in the borough as? There are in the region of 60 sites (of the 170 green spaces) that are conservation sites that are managed and maintained by the ranger service with assistance from volunteer groups. Not by contractors. The rangers do the meadow cutting, tree planting, hedging, pond and reed bank management, pulling blockages and litter from the river Brent, just to name a few. They run volunteer days every Tuesday on both sides of the borough. Any doubts about this please go along and see for yourselves. The rangers also deal with the removal of drug and drug paraphernalia from our parks. Everyone with a bit of sense knows that after dark parks are a common spot for users. Where do you think all those needles go? In regards byelaws, they are freely available and they clearly state open fires of any kind are not permitted in public open spaces. The same way dog fouling, flytipping, littering and use of unauthorised motor vehicles are not permitted. The BBQ one does seem over zealous but it is the usual scenario that a few spoilt it for all of us by scorching the ground and causing fires in bins. You could argue this should be dealt with by the police but (bearing in mind this weeks news) there are a large number of violent criminals in our Borough who are far more deserving of the polices attention. I would rather a (cheaper than a PCSO) park ranger dealt with these byelaws within parks than tie up the time of a police officer. On the subject of what they do provide and in addition to nature conservation and byelaw enforcement mentioned the rangers are also responsible for checking all our public playgrounds, paths and fences and arranging repairs. They monitor the millions of pounds worth of work the contractors carry out annually. Would anyone here have work carried out in their house or garden and not check it was done? They work with charities to help relocate homeless living in our parks. They also attend the various ward forums and public meetings. Bearing in mind the London Borough of Ealing has in the region of 170 sites stretching from Northolt to East Acton and the rangers cover 7 days a week (including everyday apart from the 25th over the festive period) it is not surprising few have seen them. We have all seen there work though. As other people have said earlier on they are a good bunch and if you have any queries or questions about what they do for us the public why not give them a call? |