HARROW ROAD WARD LABOUR ACTION REPORT – June 2021
News from your three Harrow Road Councillors Ruth Bush, Guthrie McKie and Tim Roca
Noise from building works
A number of residents have raised the problem of hammering and sawing from works being done by next door or near neighbours. This is particularly difficult at present, with so many people working from home. We have obtained clarification of what is and what is not permitted, as follows:
When the Council grants planning permission we impose our standard hours of building works condition:
Except for piling, excavation and demolition work, you must carry out any building work which can be heard at the boundary of the site only:
- between 08.00 and 18.00 Monday to Friday
- between 08.00 and 13.00 on Saturday; and
- not at all on Sundays, bank holidays and public holidays.
You must carry out piling, excavation and demolition work only:
- between 08.00 and 18.00 Monday to Friday; and
- not at all on Saturdays, Sundays, bank holidays and public holidays.
Unfortunately, it is only if noisy works take place outside of these hours that they are in breach of what is permissible. If this does happen, unless it arises from such things as an emergency, a complaint can be made via https://www.westminster.gov.uk/report-it
Proposed improvements around the Harrow Road
We participated in discussions about the Council’s latest round of proposals to improve some parts of the Harrow Road itself, using money from the Greater London Authority’s Good Growth Fund. Consultation is ongoing and we look forward to concrete action to improve our area.
Petition – Public Conveniences, Maida Hill Marketplace
The Council has closed the public conveniences on the Maida Hill Marketplace, after spending money on repairing them. Residents and visitors alike need these facilities. Please look out for a petition to reverse this decision which we will publish shortly.
Delays to maintenance and repairs
We continue to deal with cases where repairs to people’s homes seem to be endlessly delayed. Some of these are very serious, including a leaking roof, internal water leakage and sewage ingress: these should receive immediate attention rather than unexplained delays which have to be continually chased up.
Use of the streets
We are working with Council officers and the police to put a stop to an illegal motor vehicle repair operation being carried out in one of our residential streets. We are also speaking to the Director of Housing after a number of unresolved complaints regarding Morgan Sindall vehicles clogging up the Edbroke/Goldney area.
Rubbish dumping
This remains a blight throughout Harrow Road Ward and we will continue to press the Council and Veolia for solutions – but also urge all residents not to dump rubbish round trees and lamp posts but to take it to Big Black Bins or keep it inside until your collection days.
Fernhead Road – update
Following our enquiries about the impact of heavy traffic on properties in Fernhead Road, the Highways Team say:
“The area in question has surface cracking which we will put forward for the annual Planned works programme next year from Croxley Road – Shirland Road. In the meantime, there are 3 small areas of carriageway that require attention due to the buses causing a lot of noise when driving along the road. Hopefully, this will mitigate the issue until the planned works can be carried out. We will need both parking bay suspensions and 2-way lights in order to carry out these works but we will push for it to be completed asap.”
Saltram Crescent/Fernhead Road
We are making enquiries with the Planning Department about a new development in Saltram Crescent which affecting residents in Fernhead Road.
Lydford Estate Tenants’ Hall
The local press reports on calls for the Lydford Estate Tenants’ Hall which is being used for coronavirus tests to be handed back to the community so friends who would otherwise be isolated at home can socialise again.
https://www.mylondon.news/news/west-london-news/london-covid-westminster-council-urged-20734352
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/
E-scooters
The police have told us the following:
“Currently in the UK, you can legally buy an e-scooter, but you cannot ride it on a public road, cycle lane or pavement. The only place it can be used is on private land. The reason for this is that e-scooters are treated as motor vehicles by the Department of Transport and are subject to the same legal requirement as other vehicles, such as MOT, licencing, tax and insurance. Because they don’t always have number plates, signalling ability or visible rear lights, they cannot be used legally on the roads.
What happens if I am stopped by the police? The police will advise you on the law and may ask you to take your e-scooter home. They may, however, still penalise you depending on the seriousness of the offence. If caught riding an e-scooter, fines you may receive can include: (a) a Fixed Penalty Notice for no insurance, with a £300 fine and six penalty points, (b) a Fixed Penalty Notice for no driving licence, up to £100 fine and three-six penalty points.
Other offences which may result in penalties include riding on the footpath, using a mobile phone, riding through red lights and drink driving offences.”
Survey of Residents’ Views
We want to know what you think the Council’s priorities should be over the coming years. Please let us know by completing this short survey so we can take action on your priorities. Thank you
https://survey.alchemer.eu/s3/90333853/Westminster-Labour-Survey
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
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
Voting by post
It is much easier, quicker and safer to vote by post.
You can use this form to apply for a postal 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 read the Westminster Extra online
Coronavirus (Covid-19) UPDATE
Dispelling the vaccination myths
Here is the link to a video featuring Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic celebrities dispelling myths about the vaccine and encouraging people to have the vaccination
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2Ald__AhbI
Interactive Map
You can see the latest data for your area here
https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/interactive-map
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/
Local Police
You can read the latest news from the local police here https://www.met.police.uk/a/your-area/met/westminster/harrow-road/
What you say
“Wouldn’t have happened without your help. Many, many thanks.”
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 – Here to Help, All Year Round