Extra travel for disabled DISABLED residents will have their subsidised travel extended after council chiefs bowed to calls to make life more manageable for those with serious medical conditions. Residents who are eligible for the taxi-card scheme

Extra travel for disabled

DISABLED residents will have their subsidised travel extended after council chiefs bowed to calls to make life more manageable for those with serious medical conditions.

Residents who are eligible for the taxi-card scheme, which provides subsidised taxi trips for those unable to use public transport because of mobility impairment, will now have their unused allocation rolled over to the following month.

Cllr Simon Green, of Queen's Park ward, who campaigned for the change, said: "This is excellent news Brent's disabled residents. The council will now offer even greater flexibility to those with conditions such as ME."

Thames tidy up time

OFFICE workers abandoned their desks last Thursday to clean up a stretch of the river bank, writes Sejal Kapadia.

Staff from Coca-Cola Great Britain's (CCGB) HQ, in Hammersmith Broadway, joined environmental charity Thames 21, to clean rubbish from the River Thames, near Queen Caroline Street.

Liz Lowe, a CCGB's manager, said: "Since water is crucial to our business, it was a great idea."

In their tenth river bank clear up more than four tonnes of waste was removed. Liz said: "It's amazing what is thrown in the Thames. We found paper, lolly sticks and a lot of iron grids."

Another problem is: trees and shrubs on the banks become wrapped in rubbish which is difficult to disentangle.

Liz added: "The river could be a beautiful space of trees, wildlife and water, if enough action is taken."

Tina's winner

A LUCKY woman won a luxury trip to a horse racing championship and four nights in a five-star hotel.

Tina Tavares, 42, from Neasden, won an all expenses paid holiday to the Dubai World Cup worth �5,000, and includes world class racing at the Meydan Racecourse, a stay on a multi-million pound yacht, and four nights at a lavish five-star hotel.

She won the prize when she joined an online casino site gcasino.com.

Just the job

What is the secret to loving your job? Just ask employees at a borough housing association, which was named one of the best places to work in the public sector.

Brent Housing Partnership (BHP) was 33 in a national newspapers 75 Best Places to Work in the Public Sector list.

According to the poll, 75 per cent of staff said they loved their jobs and are excited about the future. Employees also said they felt they could make a real impact in their roles.

Firefighters blaze plea

FIREFIGHTERS are asking the public to help reduce arson as 30 per cent of all London fires last year were deliberate.

The London Fire Brigade in Kensington and Chelsea say arson remains a problem in the area and urge residents to keep rubbish clear outside homes, as this is an easy target for arsonists.

Parking bays boost

TRANSPORT for London will restore almost half of parking bays, following pressure from Hammersmith & Fulham council and residents.

In 2008, 70 parking bays in Talgarth Road, were suspended.

However, following consultations for new amended design plans, residents will see several car, motorcycle and cycle parking bays reinstated on the road in June.