News from your three Queen’s Park Ward Labour Councillors Paul Dimoldenberg, Patricia McAllister and Hamza Taouzzale
Dear Resident,
We are living in very difficult times and, along with Karen Buck MP, we are doing all we can to help the local community and individual residents and their families
Please let us know if we can be of help or assistance on any local issues.
WARD NEWS AND ACTION
Rubbish Dumping
We are becoming increasingly concerned about the amount of rubbish that is dumped on the streets in Queen’s Park ward on a day to day basis. We get ‘Fix My Street’ updates for the Ward every day and the frequency of these reports seems to be growing. We also get daily reports from residents pointing out their anger and frustration with the current situation.
Sometimes the rubbish is not picked for a number of days. Other times the rubbish is picked up but no attempt appears to be made to find out who has dumped the rubbish. The situation at many ‘hot spots’, including at the corner of Mozart Street and Bravington Road, is totally unacceptable.
We have repeatedly asked for tougher action to be taken against those responsible, including immediate fines and public ‘naming and shaming’, as well cctv to identify the culprits and posting the results on line like other Councils do.
We have told the Council that If they are reluctant to take tough action against dumpers, then other action should be considered, such as placing a collection van on permanent duty patrolling the streets of Queen’s Park ward to pick up dumped rubbish as quickly as possible.
The density of population in Queen’s Park Ward is much higher than most of the rest of Westminster and the domestic refuse collection service needs to reflect this fact.
Portnall Road
We have asked Nuno, our local Inspector, to investigate this issue and take the necessary action:
“196 Portnall Road has had old sofas in their front garden for about 6 months. Please can you get them removed? It’s so frustrating people don’t just get rid of their own stuff. Hate walking past so many dumps every day.”
We have also the Council to improve the standard of street sweeping at the top of Portnall Road where the situation has deteriorated recently.
Third Avenue
We have asked the Police to investigate two addresses in Third Avenue where residents have reported allegations of drug dealing. We have also given the Police the registration number of a car which is allegedly been used for drug dealing.
Fifth Avenue
We have asked the Council’s Tree Officer to contact a number of residents in Fifth Avenue to ask them to trim their overgrown hedges which are making it difficult to walk along the pavement.
Sixth Avenue
We have asked the Street Lighting Team to investigate this issue:
“There has been works on the corner of Sixth Avenue and it appears that a street light outside my house has been removed as part of these works and the street light across the road has been upgraded to a taller post. The contractors have cleaned up, packed up and gone and left a metal cover on the ground where the street light was. Just wondering will this street light be replaced? It was important that it was there as it provided a barrier between my home and any oncoming turning vehicles. In the event that the street light is not replaced can safety bollards be put on the corner?”
Sixth Avenue/Kilburn Lane
We have asked the Council to take action against the people responsible for regular dumping of rubbish at the corner of Sixth Avenue and Kilburn Lane.
Marne Street
We have asked the Council to improve the street sweeping in the Marne Street area after receiving this message from a resident:
“The general situation really hasn’t improved in regards to general rubbish. Crisp packets, sweets, cans etc… Could we arrange a signage campaign/leaflets to raise awareness? I love the Avenues but the amount of litter is extraordinary.”
St John’s Terrace
Following our enquiries about the street lighting in St John’s Terrace, the Street Lighting Team tell us:
“Due to the recent LED conversion of the lanterns in this area an improvement has been made to the lighting within this area. So, I hope that the area should be better lit now.”
Ashmore Road
We have asked the Anti-Social Behaviour Team to take action, in liaison with the Police and Network Homes, to deal with continuing problems at a property in Ashmore Road.
Also, we are delighted to have supported residents in Ashmore Road who have been planting around the tree bases along the pavements.
Bliss Mews
We have asked the Police to investigate reports from residents in Bliss Mews about 10-15 youths congregating at all hours of day and night. Residents say,”Some of the youths arrive and leave on scooters which is causing a lot of noise”.
Parry Road
We have asked St Mungo’s to speed up the re-letting of an empty property on Parry Road which has been empty for many months.
Ashmore Road/Shirland Road
We have asked the Council to renew the planting in the planters on the corner of Ashmore Road/Shirland Road. In the longer term, this might be a project which the Queen’s Park Community Council might want to take up.
Bravington Road/Mozart Street
We have again asked the Council to issue immediate fines to those found responsible for dumping rubbish by the tree at the corner of Bravington Road and Mozart Street (and elsewhere). Residents say:
“The ‘Don’t Dump’ signs are pretty much on every tree in the vicinity, but since enforcement does not exist they are completely ignored. Is there not a way to raise the stakes on matters such as these? I would have thought an intense blast of enforcement with stiff fines might get the message across to the perpetrators. I have watched this get worse over the last year to the point that the pavement is barely passable.”
Fernhead Road/Marban Road
We have asked Nuno to arrange for a motorbike parked on the pavement at the corner of Fernhead Road and Marban Road to be removed.
Kilburn Lane/Harrow Road/Ladbroke Grove junction – update
The highway and junction improvements at the Harrow Road/Kilburn Lane/Ladbroke Grove junction will start on 1st September and will introduce a pedestrian crossing ‘green man’ phase at the junction, in addition to footway and lighting upgrades. The works are scheduled to be completed by mid-December with anti-skid treatment installed in late January/early February 2021.
- Phase 1 – Removal of existing traffic signals, islands, and installation for temporary signals for the duration of works.
- Phases 2 and 3 (Harrow Road Westbound, Ladbroke Grove) – Deep drainage connections and adjustments to pedestrian islands (Harrow Road/Ladbroke Grove).
- Phase 4 (Kilburn Lane, Harrow Road Eastbound) – Major works to Kilburn Lane (road closure), including footway widening, new paving and resurfacing.
- Phase 5 – Resurfacing of Harrow Road (under directional closures) and Ladbroke Grove (road closure).
Working hours are from 8am to 6pm Monday through Friday and 8am to 1pm during weekends. All existing traffic movements will be maintained until Phase 4 when Kilburn Lane will be closed, however, multiway traffic lights and lane restrictions will be in place on other phases for operational and safety reasons.
Prior to commencement to road closures, a notification will be issued providing dates and diversion routes. For more information please visit
http://www.westminstertransportationservices.co.uk/transportation_projects (Traffic Safety and Parking).
Notification of works and advanced warnings of diversions will be sign posted in the weeks leading up to the start of works. For further information, please contact WCC or FM Conway on 01732 600 700.
Ida Restaurant
We are supporting Ida Restaurant’s re-opening crowdfunding campaign. Ida is a great restaurant on the corner of Kilburn Lane and Fifth Avenue which, for the past five months, has been cooking thousands of meals for local residents who have been shielding during the Covid-19 epidemic.
You can help by donating here https://payitforward.london.gov.uk/getting-ida-restaurant-back-on-her-feet
John Fearon Walk
We have been contacted by a number of residents in McFarren House who have raised concerns at the temporary memorial structure located on John Fearon Walk following the recent fatal stabbing of a local resident. We have raised this with the Council who have told us the following:
“The ASB Team and Housing Team are working with partners; including the police to ensure we have a plan to remove the memorial as a priority, in a safe and sensitive way. The ASB Team are supporting residents in the locality of the memorial who have reported matters to us.Please encourage others to report to us, so that we can support them during this time. They can do this via our contact centre 0800 358 3783, by email at housing.enquiries@westminster.gov.uk”
Harrow Road cafes – social distancing
We have again alerted the police to this recurring issue:
“I have been walking along the Harrow Road and am concerned that some of the small cafes including Nest, the one formally called Timgad next to it and FourOFive, are very overcrowded and not socially distancing. One particularly has spread in front of another shop and against the railings so as a pedestrian you have to walk between the groups of people. I do understand that the economy and small businesses need to thrive however COVID 19 has to be kept at bay and the numbers of infection need to fall.”
Harrow Road – offensive fly-posters
We have contacted Brent Councillors to ask that the offensive fly-posting is removed from the hoardings next to E. Lander Stonemason on Harrow Road.
Harrow Road shops
Residents continue to contact us about the shops along the Harrow Road with comments such as this:
“Have you noticed how bad Harrow Road is getting? The shops are ruining the aesthetic of the neighbourhood displaying their goods on more and more of the footpath and taking liberties where they can. I’ve even noticed a few pop up trestle tables sub-let to sell phone covers etc.
I know they complain that people think they’re shut if they don’t have all their gear out on display but other high streets seem to manage extremely well without making the whole street look joke a jumble sale.”
There are three main issues:
- The retailers often display outside goods beyond the limit of their forecourt, which makes it very difficult for people with buggies, in wheelchairs or on disability scooters to get along the pavement.
- Many of the retailers don’t have the legal right to display outside their shops.
- Legally, the display must be of the goods for sale inside the shop. Instead, a number of the retailers sublet the outside space to people selling other goods.
- A couple of years ago, a good, workable plan was developed but it was never implemented by the Council.
Play Streets
You can read a local press report on the play streets in Queen’s Park ward here https://www.mylondon.news/news/south-london-news/cars-traffic-london-nostalgia-kids-18836736
St John’s Church
We were delighted to attend the unveiling of the sundial at the Windrush Garden at St John’s Church on Sunday 16th August. On the side of the sundial is a tribute to Walter Tull who was the first black officer in the British Army and one of the first black professional footballers in England.
The Church would welcome volunteers to help maintain the new garden. You can contact the Church here https://www.stjohnskensalgreen.org.uk/contactus.htm
Bicycle storage
The Council is currently consulting on proposed bicycle storage installations across Westminster. Observations and comments on the proposals should be emailed to tmo.westminster@wsp.com. The deadline for submitting responses to the consultation is 9 September 2020. You can see the proposed locations here
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/secure-cycle-storage
Environmental issues
We have asked the Council to
- arrange for the bench opposite Queen’s Park Library to be repaired or replaced whichever is appropriate
- place a litter bin at the top of Portnall Road, at the Kilburn Lane end
- sweep and remove leaves in Third Avenue
- remove the cones, bollards and barriers strewn across Ashmore Road
- clean up the Dart Street and Beethoven Street area which looks as if it hasn’t been swept for ages. The gutters outside the health centre are particularly grim and the drain is getting blocked up with rubbish and old leaves
- repair a cracked wall near 22 Beethoven Street and remove a dumped fridge outside 2 Beethoven Street
- remove fencing propped up against the wall of Avenues Gardens on Harrow Road
Dogs
If you have any issues with dogs you can contact Crissie Chambers(canineculture@googlemail.com)as well as Nuno Reis (nreis@westminster.gov.uk)and they will deal with them together on their twice weekly patrols.
North Paddington Foodbank
The North Paddington Foodbank has opened a branch in Queens Park, at the Beethoven Centre. This branch is open 9am-3pm Monday to Friday. The best way to help them is to donate money, however food donations, dog and cat food, sanitary supplies and toiletries are also very welcome. They are also looking for drivers – and can speed track DBS checks for volunteers.
If you need the foodbank, or know someone in need please call 07511 590997
The Foodbank is on the frontline helping more people than ever before in a very difficult situation. Please donate here
If you can help the foodbank or are in need of emergency support, please see the information here: https://www.npfoodbank.org.uk/
School Uniforms
We have asked the Council if they can provide financial assistance to families who are struggling to afford the cost of school uniforms for their children.
Bus and Tube fares
We have started a petition to call for the reinstatement of free travel for under 18s https://action.labour.org.uk/page/s/keep-free-travel
Transport for London Travel App
Transport for London has launched a new travel app, TfL Go, to help everyone get around London. The app is now available to download for Apple devices and can help you to plan your journeys and follow the safer travel guidance. An Android version will be released in Autumn 2020 and TfL continue sharing data with other travel apps.
For every station TfL is sharing real-time train times, plus peak travel times for the busiest stations, to help you travel during quieter times. As well as the fastest public transport routes, the app offers alternative routes to give you more travel options and provides walking and cycling routes to consider for all or part of your journey.
TfL Go features the latest service status for all Tube, Tram, London Overground and TfL Rail lines. Real time bus arrivals will also be added later. With step free mode you can customise the map to show step free access to train and platform, and plan journeys accordingly. New information on toilet availability, platform access and lift status will also be added in the coming months.
If you have an Apple device, you can download the app from the Apple App store. If you need larger type, use your phone in landscape mode, or make use of iOS’s VoiceOver capability. You can send your feedback about the app to tflappfeedback@tfl.gov.uk
What is the future for Westminster?
We believe the current economic situation has placed the West End in a very precarious position which, if decisive action is not taken urgently, could threaten its survival as an economic engine for London and the rest of the UK, as well as create serious problems for the local economy.
We have set out a series of Emergency Actions that we believe need to be taken by the City Council in order to attract more families to the West End to replace the missing office workers and overseas tourists. We have also set out a series of Actions for the City Council, the Mayor and Government to take.
Finally, our document also looks at issues which the City Council should consider if office workers, tourists and shoppers do not return to the West End in the numbers necessary to sustain the area’s economy in its current form.
There is a need for wide debate and we plan to organise a ‘virtual conference’ in September to discuss these issues. If you would like to attend please let us know at pdimoldenberg@hotmail.co.uk
You can read our paper here https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/westminster-news/2020/08/21/what-is-the-future-for-westminster/
Voting by post
Voting by post is an easy and convenient way of voting. You can use this form to apply to vote
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/sites/default/files/postal-vote-application-form.pdf
You can email your completed form to electoralservices@westminster.gov.uk or post it to Electoral Services, Westminster City Council, 14th Floor City Hall, 64 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6QP.
‘Westminster Extra’
You can now read the ‘Westminster Extra’ online https://edition.pagesuite.com/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?pubname=&pubid=09649383-4dbb-4a3d-b164-9d26398578f3
Refuse collection and Recycling collection times
Recycling bags can be ordered from https://webforms.westminster.gov.uk/order-recycling-bags/
Bags will be delivered within approximately 48 hours of order.
You can check when refuse and recycling is collected from your street here http://transact.westminster.gov.uk/env/streetsearch.aspx
The doorstep recycling service concentrates on the recyclable materials most commonly produced by houses so that these can be easily separated into the different material types. The link below summarises what can be put in recycling bags
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/what-can-i-recycle-home#can-recycle
Lots of other materials can be recycled but not through the doorstep collection service. The A-Z list below gives details of what and where items can be recycled or re-used:
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/a-z-recycling
Also, here are details of9 companies that reward you for donating unwanted things, from H&M to M&S https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/worklife/g15049323/brands-reward-throwing-things-away/
Report It
You can report dumped rubbish, graffiti, broken paving stones and street lights and more to the Report It service https://www.westminster.gov.uk/report-it
You can register here https://www.fixmystreet.com/alert for alerts of everything reported in your area (just use your post code and it will offer you options).
Local Police
You can keep an eye on the latest local crime information through the Met Police website:https://www.met.police.uk/a/your-area/met/westminster/queens-park/
Coronavirus (Covid-19) UPDATE
Volunteer to help find the vaccine for COVID-19
You can be part of the fightback against the virus by volunteering to be contacted by researchers to take part in COVID-19 vaccine research. There are a number of vaccines being identified and safety-tested at the moment, but only large-scale studies can give researchers the information needed about how effective they are.
The NIHR is working with the NHS and aims to recruit half a million people onto the registry by October, which will allow people to be put in touch with the vaccine studies in the coming months. Researchers are looking for people from all backgrounds, ages and parts of the UK – including both people with or without existing health conditions – to take part in vaccine studies, to make sure that any vaccines developed will work for everyone.
The service is available to anyone aged 18 or over, living in the UK. There is no obligation to join in any study, if you are contacted. But by taking part, you could help researchers find vaccines to protect us all more quickly – which in turn could help the NHS and save lives. You can sign up here https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/research/coronavirus-vaccine-research/
Health advice
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-list-of-guidance
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Westminster Council’s advice and response website:
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/coronavirus-advice-and-information
Queen’s Park Covid-19 Task Force
Queen’s Park Community Council has set up a Covid-19 Task Force. The Task Force is coordinating help and support for local people. For help or further information, you can phone 0208 960 5644and leave a message, or text 07511 590 997 or visithttps://queensparkcommunitycouncil.gov.uk/covid-19-response/.
Beware the Coronavirus scammers
https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/westminster-news/2020/03/27/beware-the-coronavirus-scammers/
What you say
“Thanks for the support and regular updates”
“We appreciate your help pushing the council/police to deal with the anti-social behaviour in Marne Street”
“I just wanted to say thank you to the entire team for the incredible effort you put it.”
“Thanks for a fast and detailed response, as ever, I am very grateful”
Please let us know if we can be of any assistance.
Keep well, take care and look after yourself and your neighbours.
Regards
Paul Dimoldenberg, Patricia McAllister and Hamza Taouzzale
Your Queen’s Park Ward Labour Councillors – Here to Help
pdimoldenberg@westminster.gov.uk
pmcallister@westminster.gov.uk
Facebook @QPLabourTeam