Councillors Ruth Bush, Tim Roca and Guthrie McKie
Councillors Ruth Bush, Tim Roca and Guthrie McKie

News from your three Harrow Road Councillors Ruth Bush, Guthrie McKie and Tim Roca

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.

357 Harrow Road

We are supporting residents who are opposing the gaming licensing application for 357 Harrow Road – New Licensing Application 20/08158/LIGN.Residents say, “There are 3 betting shops within 500m: 364 Harrow Rd, 345 Harrow Rd and 381 Harrow Rd. This is a fair concentration; there is no need to add to this”. In our letter of objection, we said:

“We believe that reintroducing a betting shop at this location would once again attract crime and disorder, in the form of (1) Anti-social behaviour brought about by customers and their associates gathering outside, ostensibly to smoke and socialize (2) Dealing in drugs and making prostitution arrangements by criminals and others attracted to those gatherings. 

These activities, as well as some of them being criminal, would, as before, intimidate shoppers and passers-by and block their passage on this stretch of the Harrow Road pavement. They would take up police time, which is already much stretched, and also that of hard-pressed Council officers. At July 2020, criminal and related offences for the Harrow Road Ward were as follows: Anti-Social Behaviour – 75 cases; Violence – 42 cases; Drugs – 15 cases; Public Order – 15 cases 

Most of these took place in the vicinity of the application location. We have all – police, council officers, residents, shopkeepers, the churches and we councillors – been working to improve matters in respect of crime and anti-social behaviour in this area: the reintroduction of a betting shop here would set us back immeasurably.”

Fernhead Road

Following our enquiries about locating a zebra crossing outside St Luke’s School at the top of Fernhead Road, we have received the following update from the Highways Team:

“To support 20mph around the local school, a Vehicle Activated Sign (VAS) was placed as a reminder for drivers and riders to comply with the speed limit. Along with slowing down traffic, it will also gather data to determine traffic conditions and allow us to determine how best to address speed and safety issues at this location in future.

A feasibility study was commissioned to review the potential installation of a zebra crossing outside the school, in response to a similar prior request. The City Council have been in contact with the school directly to provide updates during the study and our Road Safety Officer will be briefing local ward Councillors regarding the proposed safety scheme outside the school later this month.”

We are also continuing to make enquiries about this issue:

“The traffic in Fernhead Road continues to be utterly awful and the pollution is horrific. I cannot have any windows open between 3pm and 7pm and it is definitely affecting my health. On top of the pollution there is the noise, where there are often three buses, engines all running, stationary in front of our house at the same time, and people hooting their horns constantly because they seem to think that will make a difference”

Harrow Road

We have asked the Planning Enforcement team to investigate concerns raised by Emmanuel Church on Harrow Road about the works to the shop next door and new shutters which are encroaching on the front of the church building. As a result, they are having difficulties opening their post box.

Walterton Road/Shirland Road

We have again asked the Council to take strong action those responsible for the continued rubbish dumping by the big black bins at the junction of Walterton Road and Shirland Road. The Council say:

“We are currently taking action against those who have been identified as fly tippers in the area and the proof has been provided. This area was considered to be one of the hotspots in the ward for consideration of the removal of the Bins in the current waste strategy. In addition to this, the City Inspectors check the area twice a day and ensure that Veolia does an inspection in the area for any debris/tipping three times a day.”

“I have requested that this area is schedule for night time monitoring and mobile CCTV monitoring.  This is a high demand request throughout the borough but I will continue to make the request until the new waste strategy is in place.”

Cycle Hangars

We have just got news of the next phase of the cycle hangar scheme. Three more going up in the area in the following locations:

  • Fernhead Road/Carlton Vale
  • Saltram Crescent/Fernhead Road
  • Ashmore Road/Shirland Road

Installation of the hangars will start in November 2020 and take approximately 3 weeks.

Bus Diversions

Because of the road works at the junction of Harrow Road and Kilburn Lane, the 316, 52 and 452 buses are being rerouted to Chippenham Road and Elgin Avenue to access the Harrow Road.  We have pointed out to the Council that there are already 4 bus routes using Chippenham Road to Elgin Avenue to access Harrow Road and it will cause gridlock if an additional 3 routes are added.

In addition to the bus routes, there is also heavy traffic on this stretch of Elgin Avenue because of the Tarmac lorries from Westbourne Park depot. We have asked the Council to review the diversion routes to look at alternative routes.

Maida Hill Market area

We have again asked the Council and the Police to take action about this recurring issue:

“Can you do something about all the people smoking weed and drinking all day and night on the plaza. We also have people urinating outside our door at night. There is no social distance going on there.The police were there talking to the people yesterday but nothing was done about all the people hanging around there.The people are bringing their own tables and chairs there every day.Our staff are getting abused when they leave the office at lunch time and home time. We could not even get out of our office door today at 12 because there were people sitting there.”

Electric scooters

We have raised residents’ concerns about the use of electric scooters with the Council. Residents say:

“Riding electric scooters on the Harrow Road today I have seen a mother with her young child and shopping, three separate men/women, and a man riding both on the road and pavement.  Then on a side street a teenager riding on the road.

There are more and more of these silent electric scooter riders whizzing up and down on main roads among cars, buses and cycles and I’m concerned there is an accident waiting to happen… no lights, no helmet, no road training, under age and so on.”

414 Bus Route

TfL are proposing to change route 414 so that it terminates at Marble Arch instead of Maida Hill. TfL say:

“We are proposing this change as there is significant extra bus capacity between Marble Arch and Maida Hill. Route 6 duplicates the section of route 414 between Marble Arch and Maida Hill. The frequency of routes 414 and 6 is a bus every 7-8 minutes. At the busiest point of the routes, Edgware Road, eight buses per hour are required to meet the current passenger demand. We are providing 15 currently. The number of passengers does not warrant this number of buses. For the number of people traveling through the area only buses every 7-8 minutes are required. Route 6 already runs with buses every 7-8 minutes. All current journeys taken by passengers on route 414 can be completed by changing buses to route 6.”

TfL would like to know what impact the proposed changes may have on your journey. Please complete the online survey below by Friday 20 November 2020.

https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/buses/route-414/consultation/subpage.2017-09-07.2118848556/

You can also email TfL at: consultations@tfl.gov.ukor write to TfL at FREEPOST TFL CONSULTATIONS (Ref: Route 414 changes)

North Paddington Foodbank

If you can help the foodbank or are in need of emergency support please see the information here: https://www.npfoodbank.org.uk/

Blood Donors

The NHS Blood and Transplant service is appealing for donations from people who have recovered from coronavirus to help save lives as London moves from “medium” to “high” alert. Donating blood plasma is a simple procedure and very similar to giving a normal blood donation but the red blood cells are returned to the patient and the process takes a little longer.

The nearest donor centre is at 26 Margaret Street, Fitzrovia. W1. Anyone who has had coronavirus, either a test result or the symptoms, can offer to donate by calling 0300 123 23 23 or visitinghttps://www.nhsbt.nhs.ukto arrange an appointment to donate.

Warm Homes Discount Scheme

You could get £140 off your electricity bill for winter 2020 to 2021 under the Warm Home Discount Scheme. The Warm Home Discount Scheme for winter 2020 to 2021 will open on 12 October 2020. The money is a one-off discount on your electricity bill, between September and March. See here for more details https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme

Jobs and Skills

Microsoft and LinkedIn have produced a free programme to help those looking for a job and learn new skills

www.opportunity.linkedin.com 

Cycle Mechanics

If you’re between 18-24 and looking at building a new skill that is in high demand, Westminster Wheels offers a paid six-month programme in cycle mechanics. By joining the project, you will be able to (1) learn how to refurbish unwanted bikes and provide affordable high-quality bikes for Westminster residentsand (2) get a training and employment experience to help prepare you for a career in the growing cycle industry. https://www.westminster.gov.uk/westminster-wheels-programme

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

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.

Report It

You can report dumped rubbish, broken street lights, graffiti and more using 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). 

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 of 9 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/ 

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

Coronavirus (Covid-19) UPDATE

Test and Trace Support Payments

You may be entitled to a Test and Trace Support Payment of £500 if you are self-isolating because of COVID-19 and you are either employed or self-employed. The payment is to support people on low incomes who are unable to work from home if they are told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace and lose income as a result.Get full details on how to claim a Test and Trace Support Payment

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 Connects COVID-19 phone line– 020 7641 1222

https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/westminster-news/2020/03/26/westminster-connects-covid-19-phone-line-020-7641-1222/

Beware the Coronavirus scammers

https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/westminster-news/2020/03/27/beware-the-coronavirus-scammers/

Edbrooke Road – what you say

“Your efforts are helpful to prevent this being used as a rat-run (I see we recently had a traffic counter on the street, as well as roads parallel) but the answer cannot be changes with Sat Nav alone. Until there is a reconfiguration of one-way streets contained in the block between Sutherlands/ Harrow/ Elgin and Shirland roads the problem will continue.  

Yes, this has been raised before and the WCC response is changes are only made due to incidence of accidents. Not true. The one ways have been tinkered with over the past 30 years (the roads off Marylands/Sutherland; the partial closing of Marylands, the partial one-ways in Marylands and Oakington) – the cumulative effect of which has been a boon to rat-runners and awkward, convoluted access for residents. Can some proper overhaul be agitated for?”

What you say 

“Thanks as always for the ever helpful and informative newsletter.” 

“Thank you for this update and all the positive work that is clearly taking place, in particular I the new 20mph speed limit – a great move. However, again I highlight the speeding of traffic – cars and scouters – especially on Goldney Road and would urge further traffic calming restrictions, as well as an increased length to resident only parking.  I feel this is off some urgency and fear a serious accident especially in light of the increased use of the playground and garden on this street. The outdoor gym is also a great success – thank you.” 

“Thank you so much, once again, for such a comprehensive bulletin and for the thorough and systematic work you conduct.  In appreciation and with best wishes”

Please let us know if we can be of help or assistance on any local issues.

Please keep well, take care and look after yourself and your neighbours.

Regards

 

Councillors Ruth Bush, Guthrie McKie and Tim Roca.

Your Harrow Road Labour Councillors

 

rbush@westminster.gov.uk

Gmckie@westminster.gov.uk

troca@westminster.gov.uk

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