QUEEN’S PARK WARD LABOUR ACTION REPORT – July 2021
News from your three Queen’s Park Ward Labour Councillors Paul Dimoldenberg, Patricia McAllister and Hamza Taouzzale and Cara Sanquest
WARD NEWS AND ACTION
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.”
Parry Road
We have urged the Police to take firm action against the anti-social behaviour at various properties in Parry Road.
Marban/Ashmore Roads
We have asked the Highways Team to consider this suggestion from a resident:
“May I recommend that STOP signs be installed at the junction of Ashmore Road with Marban Road? This would discourage drivers from speeding north along Ashmore Road and then encountering more speeding traffic along Marban Road.”
Ward Budget
We are supporting the following projects from the Ward Budget:
- Paddington Arts with a £2,000 grant for their ‘Summer Holiday Scheme and Youth Dance and Carnival Community Festival’ projects which will take place this summer from 19 July
- Adventure Play Hub with a grant of £392 for their ‘Community Play Provision for Children during School Holidays 2021-22’ project which will take place from 26 July 2021 to 18 February 2022.
- Their Story Films with a grant of £1,850 for ‘Their Story Films 2021’ project which will see them host an outdoor, free film festival on 31 July to screen films by local young people.
Briar Walk
We have asked the Police and the Housing and Anti-Social Behaviour Teams to investigate this issue:
“Unfortunately, the gates to the children’s play park (behind the library) were not locked again last night and there were a lot of youths gathered there until the early hours of the morning. They were all young males (between 12 – 15 of them in total age range 14 – 20 years), as well as taking drugs they were making an awful lot of noise and just being a general nuisance. I noticed residents of Juniper House coming out to frequently check what the disturbance was. The library area is becoming a bit of a hotspot for dealers again. It is common for dealers to meet opposite the library then nip into the car parking spaces in Briar Walk to complete their transactions.”
The ASB Team say:
“This location/ issue is included in the agenda for the Neighbourhood Coordination Meeting and an action plan is being discussed with the partners. I will ask relevant services to patrol the area and ensure that the gate is locked. CCTV option was also explored and will be reviewed in the light of this report.”
Moberly Sports Centre
We have asked the Sports Team to investigate this enquiry from a resident:
“There used to be a RPM class (an online cycling class without a present instructor). They haven’t had it for a long while. I thought it was because COVID restricted it. However, they still don’t have it, but Porchester does. The spin classes are fully booked and oversubscribed within minutes of the slots going live. Could you please find out why it isn’t available, and if there’s any plans for it to return?”
The Sports Team say, “We aim to bring back virtual RPM classes (and indeed add to them) once restrictions lift, under Step 4 of the Government’s roadmap – which is now due on or before 19 July.”
See Councillor Hamza Taouzzale’s latest comments on Everyone Active’s performance
Ha’Penny Steps
We have asked the Council to take action on this long-standing issue:
“One issue I would like to raise is the dumping of food around Half Penny Steps on both sides of the canal. The amount of food waste dumped is now at ridiculous levels and there is often a stench in the air and it is attracting rats and huge numbers of pigeons and seagulls which in turn cause problems with their droppings. I imagine it’s also not helping the water quality either.
I appreciate this may be difficult to police but could some signs or other more punitive preventative measures be looked into to address this problem please.”
Former Tyre and Wheel depot, Harrow Road
We have asked Westminster Community Homes to increase security at the former Tyre and Wheel depot on the corner of Harrow Road and St John’s Terrace after reports of intruders and anti-social behaviour.
Trees – update
Following our enquiries about tree pruning, we have received the following response from the Tree Team:
“The London Planes in Queen’s Park are pruned annually over the winter for 2 main reasons
- To maintain the trees at a size suitable for their surroundings. The majority of residential properties in the area are 2 story houses with very small front gardens situated on narrow footpaths, there simply isn’t the space to allow the trees to become any larger without causing conflict with the properties.
- To limit the risk of tree related subsidence to the properties. Queen’s Park is on heavy clay soil and with trees in close proximity to the properties there is a risk of subsidence if the trees are not managed. Pruning the trees annually limits water uptake and in turn the risk of subsidence. Even with pruning we still receive a small number of subsidence claims but without annual pruning this would increase dramatically leading to the removal of trees. The pruning is a means of limiting this risk and retaining trees.
We aim to prune all the trees on our annual pollarding programme over the winter while they are not in leaf, inevitably there are a small number that we have to prune while in leaf but we really do try to keep this to an absolute minimum.”
Environmental and other issues
- Kilravock Street – we have asked the Street Lighting Team to fix a broken streetlight.
- Orpheus and Miller Houses, Harrow Road – we have asked the Refuse Collection Team to ensure that refuse is collected regularly following residents’ complaints that these flats have been missed on a regular basis.
- Ilbert Street – we asked Nuno, our local Inspector, to check boxes and other rubbish dumped in Ilbert Street. There is an address label on one of the dumped boxes so we hope a fine can be issued.
- Galton Street – A large removal lorry damaged the tree outside 28/30 Galton Street and we have asked the Tree Team to investigate. We have also asked for action to be taken against the builders responsible for dumping rubbish outside a house in Galton Street.
- Marne Street– we have asked the Street Lighting Team to fix a broken streetlight outside 12/14 Marne Street.
- Fifth Avenue – we have asked the Street Lighting Team to fix a broken streetlight outside 119 Fifth Avenue W10.
- Fernhead Road – we have asked the District Surveyor to inspect a property in Fernhead Road where neighbours fear that cracks in part of the front of the building will lead to the plaster, stone and brickwork to collapse.
- Dowland Street – we have asked the Highways Team to investigate reports of sewage escaping from a broken pipe in Dowland Street.
- Kilburn Lane – we have asked the Council to remove the dumped rubbish outside Brooke Court.
- Kilburn Lane/Portnall Road – we have asked the Parking Team to investigate reports of illegal parking at the corner of Kilburn Lane at the junction with Portnall Road
Housing and other Issues
- Harrow Road – we have asked the Housing Department to confirm that the new development being built at 300 Harrow Road is using non-combustible cladding and is compliant with current Building Regulations and Fire Safety requirements.
- Bravington Road – we are assisting residents in Bravington Road who are fighting an eviction notice.
- Dowland Street – we have asked the Housing Department to fix a long-standing leak and connected power cuts in a flat in Dowland Street.
- Fifth Avenue – we have asked the Housing Office to investigate reports of a Council property that has been vacant for over a year while the tenant is overseas.
- Nutbourne Street – we are helping a family in Nutbourne Street with their succession application.
- Birch House – we have asked the Housing Department o investigate reports of anti-social behaviour at Birch house.
- Mutual exchange – A Third Avenue resident asks, “should you ever come across a local resident with a 2-bedroom house needing a 1 bedroom, ground floor flat, I would gladly swap with them.”
Queen’s Park Book Festival
The Queen’s Park Book Festival will return on the weekend of 18th and 19th September 2021. For further details visit https://queensparkbookfestival.co.uk/?mc_cid=a0361e24a7&mc_eid=d675de24cf
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
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
Voting by post
It is much easier, quicker and safer to vote by post. You have two weeks to cast your vote and you can vote at home.
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.
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.”
‘Westminster Extra’
You can read the ‘Westminster Extra’ online
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
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
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
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 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. For help or further information, you can phone 0208 960 5644 and leave a message, or text 07511 590 997 or visithttps://queensparkcommunitycouncil.gov.uk/covid-19-response/.
Beware the Coronavirus scammers
https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/westminster-news/2020/03/27/beware-the-coronavirus-scammers/
What you say
“Thanks for all the great support and help you are providing for the community”
“Excellent update as always, and an impressive amount achieved or underway”
“Many thanks for this and especially the bit on Ashmore Road”
“Thank you for your regular updates via the monthly action report, fantastic to see that you and the team are not only listening but also acting on issues raised.”
“Thank you for the fast response and promising outcome. This gives me hope!”
“I would like to thank you for the valuable work that you do for our community and keeping us up do date with your great newsletter”
“Your efforts are always much appreciated”
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, All Year Round
pdimoldenberg@westminster.gov.uk
pmcallister@westminster.gov.uk
Facebook @QPLabourTeam