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.
Fernhead Road
We have repeated our request to the Highways Team for a zebra crossing outside St Luke’s School on Fernhead Road. Residents say:
“There used to be a “lollipop lady” who helped children across the street outside of St Luke’s School, the lady has since been removed. I sometimes watch with knots in my stomach as children, who are not met by adults, journey home, waiting for cars and buses to give them the right to cross, as the pavement outside the school becomes busier or a bus has stopped outside the school/church for passengers to alight or enter, and then I see the anxiety in the children trying to judge whether it’s safe to cross.
I’m afraid that crossing is an accident waiting to happen, and it’ll be either one of the children or one of our older residents seriously hurt, Fernhead Road is a high traffic road including buses, singular and double deckers and more recently accommodating bus route 52 and 316, right outside the school, as well as trucks, delivery mopeds and cyclists, and emergency vehicles who often speed down Fernhead Road.”
Shirland Road/Chippenham Road
We have asked the Highways Team to take action on this issue:
“I have just witnessed 2 Morrisroe trucks fly through the lights at the junction of Chippenham and Shirland Road on their way to the building site, where the old post office used to be situated. Obviously, this site will be in operation for some considerable time and this already congested area is going to become worse. The speed at which the 2 trucks took that crossing is unacceptable, especially at 4pm when children are heading home from school. Can something be done about this?”
The Highways Team has written to Higgins Homes asking, “Can the company responsible for the lorries be spoken with about the behaviour of their lorry drivers, and ask the drivers to slow their speeds?”. Residents say, “Many thanks for helping with this and actioning it so quickly.”
Harrow Road Ward Panel and North Paddington Society
We want to revive both the Police Ward Panel and the North Paddington Society.
- The Police Ward Panel is a way for Harrow Road residents (and businesses) to meet the local police, tell them of their concerns and find out what action can be and has been taken.
- The North Paddington Society is one of the official Amenity Societies which the Council must consult over planning applications, but it can be much more than this and become a real focus of community activity. It covers both Harrow Road and Westbourne Wards.
Both the Police Ward Panel and the North Paddington Society are currently dormant, because the people who ran them have either moved or run out of steam. But they have the potential to play a lively and useful part in our community. Would you be willing to find out more? If so, please contact Councillor Ruth Bush direct on rbush@westminster.gov.uk
The Squirrel
Led by Councillor Tim Roca, funds were raised via crowdfunding campaign and a report commissioned as part of our objection to the planning application which would finally see the end of The Squirrel pub. This application will be considered by the Planning Committee on Tuesday, 24th November. Councillor Roca, and two local residents will be speaking against the application.
You will be able to view the meeting by following this link: Supplement details on public web site
Harrow Road betting shop proposal
We have also made a written representation against the application to licence a new betting shop in the former William Hill premises opposite Maida Hill Market.
Violent crime
With our MP, Karen Buck, we are waiting for a definite response from the Council to our request that the causes of the recent increase in violent crime among young people be properly looked into.
Speeding traffic
We also continue to press for a comprehensive response to the speeding problems experienced in various parts of the Ward, notably around Warlock and Edbrooke Roads.
Rubbish dumping
We are awaiting a promised plan from the Council in response to the continuing problem of litter dumping and fly tipping.
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/
You can read a report of a recent North Paddington Foodbank customer survey here https://drive.google.com/file/d/1J6jKmGhJB_0vDiG2jZLdZahLm7jqCSCK/view
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.uk to 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
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 residents and (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
Early Voting – Voting by post
‘Early Voting’ – Voting by post is an easy and convenient way of voting. Millions of people in the USA used a postal vote to ‘vote early;. You can too! You can use this form to apply to vote by post
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
Coronavirus (Covid-19) UPDATE
NHS Responders and Westminster Connects
Residents have raised with us that there is a shortage locally of NHS responders (volunteers) to support residents who are self-isolating with tasks such as picking up prescriptions from chemists. We were also told that Westminster Connects (the Westminster council service that supports residents during lockdown) was also not supporting residents with such tasks as they were thought to be the responsibility of NHS responders. However, after we raised this issue with them, Westminster Connects officers confirmed that their volunteer team would now pick up prescriptions for residents so there should not be any more difficulties in the future.
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.
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
Beware the Coronavirus scammers
https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/westminster-news/2020/03/27/beware-the-coronavirus-scammers/
What you say
“Thank you so much for the work you do and your newsletters, which I very much appreciate.”
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