News from your three Harrow Road Councillors Ruth Bush, Guthrie McKie and Tim Roca
Dear Resident,
Happy New Year!
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.
You can read our latest news on http://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/
Please let us know if we can be of help or assistance on any local issues.
Please feel free to pass this report on to any of your neighbours who may be interested. If you know of anyone else who might like to receive this report, please send them this sign-up link http://bit.ly/signuplabnews
Fernhead Road – zebra crossing proposal
We are supporting long-awaited proposals for a zebra crossing on a ‘raised table’ along with other highway improvements on Fernhead Road outside St Luke’s Primary School.
A recent traffic survey revealed that 60% of vehicle using this section of Fernhead Road were exceeding the 20mph speed limit. 60% of St Luke’s pupils travel to school on foot, by scooter or by bike and the lack of a formal, safe crossing point is a cause for concern. Since these figures were collected, a Nursery has opened on Saltram Crescent, which has increased the footfall in the area.
Fernhead Road – road works
We contacted the Highways Team about this issue:
“What’s happening in regard to the huge hole they’ve dug where Carlton Vale meets Kilburn Lane? On every single occasion that I’ve walked past these works in the past week there has not been a single soul working there. Yet the northbound road closure at the top of Fernhead Road means that all day long, every day, traffic queues form because drivers seem unaware of this closure until they arrive at the cones which close Fernhead adjacent to Saltram Crescent. Then they have to perform a three-point turn whilst the Southbound traffic backs up waiting for them to perform this maneuver. If you could find out why it’s taking them so long to complete these works – and give them a hurry-up in the process”.
The Highways Team say:
“These are emergency Gas works on Kilburn Lane/Carlton Vale. There is a lane closure in place, with a diversion to encourage motorists to use Fernhead Road in order to mitigate any congestion on Kilburn Lane. The remedial works are due for completion on 22 January.”
We urged that this job be completed quickly.
Maida Hill Marketplace
If you’ve been across the Maida Hill Marketplace for essential shopping or exercise, you may have spotted notices on the railings. These are official notices of injunctions are being sought in order to manage the way the Marketplace is used. It is not intended that people should be moved away – just that they shouldn’t drink, deal or use drugs, make a lot of noise or generally behave in an anti-social way. This is so that nearby residents won’t be disturbed and everyone crossing the Marketplace will know that it is a place for them and that they can sit down on a bench for a little rest when Covid-19 restrictions are eased.
Covid-19 vaccines
When you are invited to get a vaccination, we would urge you to accept the invitation. Whatever you may have heard, they are safe, they fit with the requirements of all our main religions and they will help to protect you and therefore everyone else. Councillor McKie and Councillor Bush have both had the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab.
Laptops for schools
Councillor Tim Roca spoke at the Council meeting on 20th January about the need to provide a laptop to every child and teacher who needs one.
Bike hangars
We are unhappy about the design of the new ‘big box’ bicycle hangars which are bulky and unattractive. We have called on the Council to replace the new hangars with the original Cyclehoop hangar which is smaller and much better designed.
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
‘Early Voting’ – Voting by post
‘Early Voting’ – Voting by post is an easy and convenient way of voting. Millions of people in the USA voted early last year. 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
Interactive Map
You can see the latest data for your area here
https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/interactive-map
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/
Rita Begum is Labour’s candidate for West Central in the GLA Elections
You can visit Rita’s website at https://www.ritabegum.com/
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