Hackblade

The council noise man just told me he has issued a notice so if the bike alarm goes off again he can remove it within an hour.

It's been going off again for 30 minutes again tonight... and went off briefly the other night. Council are apparently on their way... I kind of hope it doesn't stop before they get here otherwise they might say they can't do anything.

Manda - that sounds like an absolute nightmare. I agree Mr Loxley ought to start keeping a record and taking action, preferably with neighbours. Approaching them is unlikely to solve anything and frankly he shouldn't have to if they're an intimidating bunch.

Ian R - interesting link, thanks. I rang the usual Southwark council noise hotline twice and it was a waste of time. The first time they said they were busy; the second time they took my details and promised to call back within 30 minutes and sort the problem within an hour and I never heard from them again. I presume they deal with car alarms.

If it happens tonight I probably will! That's what's so annoying: we know what the problem is and where it is. We just need someone to disable a faulty alarm but it seems nobody in power will do it and us residents are expected to accept being kept awake ALL NIGHT! Been absolutely knackered today. I have put a note on the offending bike. If it happens again please call Southwark Council's 24-hour noise line on 0207 525 5777 or the police. Both were spectacularly unhelpful today but the more people that ring, the more likelihood of something being done.

Huggers - yes, that's what I intend to do if I don't destroy it first. CBL - it was unbelievably loud. Why on earth do alarms have to be so damn loud and long? The police said they would only respond 'if I could see someone running away'. I had already told them the alarm had been blaring for an hour so it was hardly likely.

Byongo - it was still going at 8am this morning. I was tempted to attack the bike with a hammer this morning. My girlfriend has a migraine from lack of sleep and my baby is tired and in a bad mood. Felt terrible going to work and the fact that it seems we are just expected to tolerate this has done nothing for my mood.

It's too loud for ear plugs. Sorry to hear about your daughter - ours was up last night, now this. The noise is almost akin to torture. I suspect you're over-anxious for sleep. But I hope you get a few blissful hours before morning.

Anyone know any good jokes?

Coming up to two hours. It seems residents are expected to tolerate all night noise and there is nothing that can be done about it. If I had a grenade I would use it, this noise is deafening.

Stopped for a short period then started again. Now been going on for an hour and a half. Great when you have a baby.

A piercingly loud alarm in the street on Underhill Road has been keeping me awake for an hour now. The police say it's an 'environmental health' matter and the council noise line says they're busy and will call me back when they're free. I am now sure which one is driving me madder - the sound or the response of the so-called authorities.

Yes - told Direct Line to stuff it when my renewal quote came only to skulk back with my tail between my legs a few days later when I couldn't find anything cheaper. It went up a similar amount to yours despite me not making a single claim.

Any suggestions? I'm tempted to go through the Greenwich foot tunnel and wind my way from there. Thanks.

Emilou - I cycle to Hammersmith regularly and always try new routes and the one you suggest is the quickest. Distance-wise it might not be the shortest but there are few lights along the embankment so you keep moving. It's busy but there are lots of cycle lanes and I think it's safer than the back routes where cars are nipping in and out of junctions to beat the traffic. Vauxhall is fine - just take the pedestrian/cycle route under the train line rather than go round the ring road.

Bring back the clock! Maybe it's the big society - people have to tell the time for themselves.

Are there no trains into town from Peckham Rye or East Dulwich? There seems to be a bit of a thaw so I would hope so.

I bow to your superior knowledge, Sedgewick

I do and I know some Guardian journalists and they work damn hard.

Seems like a decent article to me. Remember it's probably written by someone who doesn't know the area as well as us, for people who don't know it at all and it seems to give a good overview. And believe me, very few journalists have the opportunity to be lazy these days.

Noooooo... I hate the idea of parking wardens scuttling around. The lack of them is one of the many pleasant things about life in East Dulwich. You forget how annoying they are until you visit somewhere like Brixton.

I called about a week ago to inquire and was told there were some issues around Ofsted recognition but that they hoped they would be resolved soon. All a bit vague.

I do this route regularly, usually by bike (45 to 50 mins). But on public transport I don't think anything is quicker than train to Victoria then tube. If you hit it right it takes an hour but it's usually more like 1 hr 15 or 1 hr 30.

Thanks Molly. Do you know if most places have waiting lists, and are some nurseries tied to schools? Reading some other posts on this subject I read various comments like 'better get your name down soon because there is a waiting list'.

Hello - we have a 9-month old baby and are considering putting her in nursery for a morning or day a week to give mother some respite. Does anyone have any advice on how to go about this - do most nurseries take babies ad hoc, are they tied to schools, do we need to register etc? All advice (and recommendations) gratefully recived. Thanks.