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.
You can read our latest news on www.westminsterlabour.org.uk
Please let us know if we can be of help or assistance on any local issues.
WARD NEWS AND ACTION
Fernhead Road
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.
In addition, following our enquiries with the Highways Department to tackle speeding vehicles along Fernhead Road, two Vehicle Activated Signs will be installed – one on the lamp column outside No144 Fernhead Road and one on the northeast corner of Croxley Road at its junction with Fernhead Road.
John Fearon Walk
Following our enquiries, the Housing Office has installed a number of planters at John Fearon Court. They are still waiting for a supply of bulbs for Naylor House and the planters to come through and will plant these when they have them. We hope that this initiative helps to support community gardening initiatives.
Harrow Road
We have the Council to contact BT to repair two phone boxes on the Harrow Road that have been smashed recently, one of the canal-side, between First and Second Avenue and another on the canal-side, between Bravington Road and Portnall Road.
Ha’Penny Steps bridge
We are continuing to urge the Council to take action to deal with the rubbish and rats around the canal bridge. Residents say:
“The situation is really bad with rats and garbage everywhere. I have been reporting this to the council for at least a year and apart for mouse traps nothing has been done. Given the high number of rats the traps are not a solution as the rats can access via numerous holes on the ground which are easy to close with cement”
The Council say:
“The inspectors have visited the Ha’Penny Steps bridge each morning Mon- Fri to check for rubbish and vermin. We have recently raised the issue of baiting at the steps which was due to be conducted prior to Christmas. We also raised the issue in relation to the structural works to the bridge foundations which now rests with the Highways Division. I have reached out to my colleagues in RB Kensington and Chelsea, inviting them to a round table discussion to look at our mutual interests in keeping the steps kept clear of debris on both sides. However, to date they have not responded.”
Avenue Gardens Estate
We have asked the Housing Office to take action on this issue:
“The rubbish chute needs to be immediately clean and disinfected. It is causing very bad smell in the communal space (staircase) of the whole building. The smell is so bad, that we have to cover our nose when going up or down every single time. This has been a problem since few weeks now.”
Caird Street
Following concerns raised by residents about intrusive lighting at night from the Jubilee redevelopment site on Caird Street, we raised this with the Council who say:
“We have raised this with the developer and build contractor and they have sent apologies that this disturbance impacted residents. The light emitted on to Caird Street was down to human error but Boshers will be getting a timer installed on the blocks as is the case on other areas of the site. He will also speak to his team in the meantime to ensure this doesn’t happen again.”
Kilburn Lane
We have asked the Environmental Health Team to revisit the Chicken shop at 338 Kilburn Lane as neighbours are still experiencing unpleasant smells from the shop.
Fernhead Road
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.
Marban Road/Portnall Road junction
We have asked the Road Safety Team to investigate this issue raised by residents:
“Within the last 6/9 month there has been 4 car crashes on the crossroad junction of Marban Road and Portnall Road. The cause of the issues are two reasons. Cars speeding and driving down Marban Road too quickly and need speed bumps and also no give way signs on Portnall Road junction to stop cars before driving out to the oncoming vehicles. At some point, someone is going to get seriously injured either pedestrians or drivers and their passengers”
Mozart Estate
Hyperoptic is soon to start broadband infrastructure works at Mozart Estate. The works will take 4-6 weeks and residents will be receiving a letter from the company explaining the works and with contact details. The new broadband service will provide much faster broadband speeds.
Postal Services
We are making enquiries with Royal Mail about the poor postal service that some residents are experiencing
“Still no post, 3 weeks now. I know there’s a backlog. But there are important things in the post. I checked their website, no details.”
“We have very little post in nearly 2 weeks. Notwithstanding the great job our local postie does. He is always incredibly professional and obliging.”
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.
Environmental Issues
- Ilbert Street – We have asked the Street Lighting Team to fix a broken street light at the Oliphant Street junction. This is now fixed and residents say, “The light is now on. The workmen spent some time working on it. At last this provides much needed security light in Oliphant Street as well as Ilbert Sreet. Thank you once again”
- Peach Road – We have asked the Street Lighting Team to fix the street light outside 208 Peach Road.
- Oliphant Street – We have asked the Street Lighting Team to fix the street light in Oliphant Street.
- Harrow Road – We have asked the Highways Team to investigate this issue, “The storm drain outside 471 Harrow Road flooded yesterday and breeches the pavement. Since it has subsided the storm drain is completely blocked”. The Highways Team have now told us, “the gully in question has been cleaned and is fully functional once again.”
- Bravington Road – We have asked Nuno, our local Inspector, to investigate this issue: “Bicycle tied to disabled bay stand (D468), causing obstruction to entering and leaving their disabled vehicle.”
- Portnall Road – We have again asked the Council to investigate this long-running issue – “there are still old sofas in the garden of 196 Portnall Road. It’s been about a year now and is really ridiculous at this point. Please can you help clear up our neighbourhood?!”
- Barfett Street/Caird Street – We have asked the Street Lighting Team to fix a defective street light at this junction.
- Barfett Street – We have asked the Tree Officer about this issue – “In June 2019 the tree outside my home in Barfett Street. The Council did say they would replace the tree in Autumn 2019, the tree still has not been replaced, will you be able to let me know when the tree will be replaced.” The Tree Officer says: “We will get a replacement tree planted within the next 2 months.”
Housing Issues
- Bravington Road – We are supporting residents living in a house in Bravington Road in a long-running repairs issue which will hopefully be resolved by mid-February.
- Birch House – We are helping a resident in Birch House who has been experiencing long-standing problems with water penetration into her flat.
- Bruckner Street – We are helping residents whose flat has been flooded as a result of a faulty water pipe.
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
If you can help the foodbank or are in need of emergency support, please see the information here: https://www.npfoodbank.org.uk/
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
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 with the 2021 Census
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is hiring people for a range of temporary roles to make this year’s census a success. On Sunday 21 March 2021, the census survey will take place throughout the UK and prior to that, ONS is looking to employ people to help encourage everyone in England to participate. You can apply at http://www.censusjobs.co.uk/
‘Early Voting’ – Voting by post
Voting by post is an easy and convenient way of voting. Millions of people in the USA voted early by using a postal vote. 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.
‘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 of 9 companies that reward you for donating unwanted things, from H&M to M&Shttps://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
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 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. If you can spare some time and would like to volunteer during lockdown please sign up here
For help or further information, you can phone 0208 960 5644 and leave a message, or text 07511 590 997 or visit https://queensparkcommunitycouncil.gov.uk/covid-19-response/.
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/
What you say
“Thanks for all the valuable support you are providing to the QP community. And especial thanks for keep pushing and working hard with the 3 councils to get the pedestrian crossing in Kilburn Lane/Harrow Road/Ladbroke Grove in place.”
“As always an interesting insight into our local community and all the work you do to support residents – we are so lucky to have you as our ward councillors.
Particular thanks and congratulations on your perseverance on the Kilburn Lane/Harrow Road junction. It is great to have a proper pedestrian crossing there. I use the junction often and it will make it much safer. Or hopefully it will – my one concern at the moment is that the pedestrian crossing period is very short. I stride quickly, but only just made it across, so fear it could be too short for anyone walking more slowly, such as older people, people with mobility difficulties and people with young children.”
“Thanks for all you do, you never let us down”
Please let us know if we can be of any assistance.
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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