Councillors Paul Dimoldenberg, Patricia McAllister and Hamza Taouzzale
Councillors Paul Dimoldenberg, Patricia McAllister and Hamza Taouzzale

QUEEN’S PARK WARD LABOUR ACTION REPORT – September 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

Parry Road – update 

Following the recent disturbances in Parry Road, PC Dave Hammond reports:

“We have applied for and obtained a closure order on the address in question which seems to have massively improved the situation. There is also now an injunction in place banning some of the people involved from the estate”

Beethoven Street 

We have asked the Highways Team to investigate this issue:

“My concern relates to the growing hump that is appearing on Beethoven Street at the end towards the centre, where the manhole/drain cover is becoming proud of the surrounding tarmac. I wonder how long it will be before someone loses the bottom of their oil pan going over it?” 

The Highways Team say:

“One of my Inspectors attended and measured up the area that needs to be rectified.  Unfortunately, it is quite a large area and is something that would need a closure to carry out the works, so I have passed this to our contractors to rectify. I am just waiting for a timeframe and hopefully, we can carry out the remedial works sooner rather than later.”

Queen’s Park Court

Initial work on building 23 new homes at Queens Park Court started on 31st August and is anticipated to finish by Tuesday 7th September. The contractors, Osborne are carrying out works in the car park to investigate any below surface objects and utilities. This involves digging around 20 test holes to explore the location of utilities below ground level. Each hole will require digging into concrete and will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. The concrete will then be broken down, which again will be an intermittently noisy process, before the holes are filled in again.

For further details please contact Osborne’s Resident Liaison Officer Curtis

Donovan, at curtis@newmanfrancis.org and 0773 840 8961 (between 8am – 6pm on weekdays). You can email the council via queensparkcourt@westminster.gov.uk.

Birch House 

External building repair work will commence on 13th September at Birch House and is expected to be completed by January 2022. The work includes:

  • Replacement of flat roofs including insulation
  • Asphalt repairs to balconies, where required
  • Cleaning out internal rainwater drainage
  • Installing new drainage to external escape staircases
  • Easing and adjusting windows and external doors
  • Replacing ironmongery and damaged glazing to windows where required
  • Brickwork cleaning, pointing and repairs to copings and parapets.

If you have any questions regarding these works, please contact Babs Lawal on 07841672138 or babs.lawal@axiseurope.com 

Harrow Road – Proposed Road works between Second and Third Avenues

We have asked the Highways Team to take on board these comments from a resident:

“Cars invariably park on the elevated road portion just inside Second Avenue while the owners use the local shops etc making that turn one car wide and therefore dangerous when both exiting and entering Second Avenue, especially with the reduced sightlines from the corner shop display and street furniture  The elevated section was introduced a few years ago for unclear reasons but it appears to have become a tempting parking spot rather than anything else   Can something be done to stop this obstacle while the rest of the road safety issues are being addressed?” 

The Highways Team say:

“The proposals will introduce ‘at any time’ parking restrictions within the mouth of the junction, in addition the footway is also being widened to deter parking and afford pedestrians and drivers alike improved visibility.” 

Ha’Penny Steps Bridge 

The Highways Team has told us that Ha’Penny Steps Bridge will be closed from 20th September to 12th November for urgent safety works. The closure of the bridge will be a major change for people accessing the Kensal Road area.  Local businesses will also be affected. We have urged the Highways Team to carry out the works as quickly as possible so that the disruption and inconvenience can be minimised as much as possible.

Caird Street 

We made urgent enquiries with the Council and the developers of the former Jubilee Sports Centre site on Caird Street following recent Sunday construction work. The contractors have subsequently apologised for working outside the authorised times.

In addition, we have asked the developers if they will clean the windows of houses in Caird Street, Bruckner Street and Cannon House which have taken the brunt of the dust and dirt from the building site opposite over the past year.

Fernhead Road

We have asked the Highways Team for an update on when the long-promised pedestrian crossing will be installed along Fernhead Road, outside St Luke’s Primay School. 

Kilburn Lane 

We have asked the Highways Team to look into the safety record of the section of Kilburn Lane leading to Harrow Road past the new houses at the rear of the Moberly Sports Centre. Residents along this section of Kilburn Lane are concerned about speeding traffic. 

Stansbury Square 

We have asked the Police and A2 Dominion to investigate reports from residents about regularly anti-social behaviour at Stansbury Square and to take the necessary action. The Police say:

“I have asked one of the team to make contact. We are aware of the recent issues in the last few weeks in Stansbury Square which may be some displacement from other areas. I will get some extra patrols in the area over the next few days.”

Moberly Sports Centre

We have asked the Sports Team to investigate this issue:

“The clothes spinners at the pool at Moberly, still aren’t working (only one is working). They are great little machines and make swimming so much more appealing when they are working.” 

The Sports Team told us:

“The spin dryers (along with hairdryers) were temporarily taken out of use (fuses removed to prevent usage), due to COVID restrictions – as these were considered high touch points. Following lifting of the legal restrictions, these were brought back into use. However, two spin dryers require servicing due to the period of inaction. The servicing order has been placed.”

E-Scooters

We have asked the local police to tell us how they will arrange to police the use of e-scooters. A resident told us, When I walked through Queens Park Gardens yesterday, I was dismayed to see youngsters had got one of the new electric scooters, which only arrived in Ilbert Street on Friday, (4 each side of the junction of Ilbert Street and Fifth Avenue) and were riding it along the only path through the gardens.”

The Avenues Youth Project

Councillors Hamza Taouzzale and Rita Begum were with GEM Environmental Building Services Ltd who have donated the exclusive Magic Cake Tin to The Avenues Youth Project.

https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/ward-news/2021/08/07/support-for-the-avenues-youth-project/

Treasure Boxing Club

Councillor Hamza Taouzzale is working with Ashley Theopane to find a place for him to carry out his Treasure Boxing Club which he runs for free for local residents. He works with children aged under 15 which is very popular. He is temporarily running the Club at Queen’s Park Court Community Hall but is looking for a space long term. 

Moberly Leisure Centre – cladding update 

The Council has informed us of the following news:

“We have received confirmation that the GLA has approved the £2.6m Building Safety Fund application for Moberly cladding works.  This means all essential cladding works to the apartments, leisure centre and retail shop are funded and will be undertaken. The contractor through Eco-World are planning a start on site in September” 

Dog Waste

A resident in Sixth Avenue asked is a dog waste bin could be located in the area. We asked the Council and we received this response:

“Westminster City Council do not put up or provide specific dog waste bins, the Street litter bins & Big Black Bins [refuse] can be used for dog waste as long as its bagged. The nearest BBB is on Droop Street junction with Sixth Avenue.

Additional signage has been proposed and hopefully installed in the near future.  The signage will advise dog owners to keep their dogs on a lead.

In addition, dog waste must be bagged and placed in the nearest litter bin and not left in the street. The sign will also advise that failure to clean up after dogs can be result in a fine or prosecution.”

‘Floral’ Litter Bins – what you say 

“With regards the new rubbish bins.  I can’t see the point! They look to be of smaller capacity. Please correct me if I am wrong. But given the issues we had with dumping around bins which seemed bigger(?), this seems counterintuitive.  They are not stopping people from dumping around them.”

“The pink and green rubbish bins are more attractive to look at than the black ones, and with the “mouths” to open rather than the whole lids, it may mean that the recycling gets put inside rather than being spread on the floor outside, and may prevent the foxes getting into the bins. I agree with one person who wrote to you previously that it would be far less of an eye sore if both sets of bins at both ends of the Queens Park Gardens were moved to the middle of Ilbert Street, by the brick wall, as at the moment it makes both entrances to the gardens look very dirty. rubbish all over the pavement and unpleasant to look at all the time.”

Environmental and other Issues 

  • Portnall Road – The tree outside 108 Portnall Road is overgrown and is obstructing the pavement. We have asked the Tree Officers if it can be pruned and an order has been raised with the Council’s contractors.
  • Kilburn Lane – we have asked the Parking and Highways Teams to take action against drivers responsible for dangerous and illegal parking along Kilburn Lane.
  • Sixth Avenue – Residents have pointed out the amount of weeds growing on pavements between paving slabs and at the base of property exterior walls. We asked the City Inspector to investigate who said, “I visited this morning & weeding does need doing, I have spoken to the Street Cleansing Team & they are going to focus on Sixth Avenue tomorrow”.
  • Third Avenue – we have asked the Council to remove paint spilled on the pavement and road outside a house in Third Avenue undergoing renovation.
  • Nutbourne Street – residents in Nutbourne Street have raised concerns about the noise from the ice-cream van which visits the street every day.
  • Kilravock Street – we have asked the Street Lighting Team to fix a defective streetlight in Kilravock Street.
  • Weeding – following our enquiries, the pavements in Dowland Street, Marne Street and Sixth Avenue were weeded.
  • Caird Street – we have asked the Highways Team to remove three metal plates from the roadway which make a loud noise every time cars and lorries go over them, to the huge annoyance of residents.
  • Ilbert Street – regular dumping by the ‘floral bins’ on Ilbert Street continues and has made the area a real ‘eyesore’. We have asked the Council to take strong action against those responsible for dumping and to consider relocating the bins to a new location by the wall backing on to the gardens.
  • Oliphant Street – we have asked the Street Lighting Team to fix the street lights outside 31/33 Oliphant Street.
  • Kilburn Lane – There’s a big problem with rubbish at 250/252 Kilburn Lane. Residents say it is being dumped there daily and is not theirs. They’ve put up signs to deter the dumpers but this hasn’t worked. We have asked the Council to investigate and take the necessary action.
  • Rats – We have asked the Environmental Health team to ask them to arrange for action to be taken urgently to deal with rats seen around Queen’s Park Ward.

Housing Issues 

  • Ash House – we are helping a family in Ash House with their transfer request.
  • Holly House – we are supporting an overcrowded family in Holly House who need a two-bed flat.
  • Juniper House – we are assisting residents in Juniper House with their transfer application.
  • Fifth Avenue – we are helping a family in Fifth Avenue with a housing repair issue. Residents told us, “The windows were done this morning. All thanks to you chasing it up for us”
  • Ash House – we are helping residents in Ash House with a water pressure issue.
  • Oak House – we are making enquiries for a resident in Oak House about a Right to Buy application.
  • Farnaby House – we are helping a Farnaby House resident with the bidding process for a new flat.
  • Queen’s Park Court – we are helping a Queen’s Park Court family with their request to move to another flat.
  • Third Avenue – we are helping a resident in Third Avenue with a mutual exchange application.
  • Birch House – we are assisting an overcrowded family in Birch House with their application for a transfer to a larger flat.
  • Holly House – we have asked the Housing Department to deal urgently with a mice infestation problem in a flat in Holly House.

Marble Arch Mound

The £6 million Marble Arch Mound fiasco continues with this latest article highlighting the Council’s failures

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/aug/28/scrawny-trees-patchy-grass-terrible-view-why-6m-marble-arch-mound-still-falls-flat

Westminster residents’ groups have issued a scathing response to the Council’s £6 million Mound fiasco and the lack of meaningful consultation on major projects.

http://westendextra.com/article/marble-arch-mound-anger-at-top-down-tories

Following the Council’s admission that its Marble Arch Mound project is costing local taxpayers a massive £6million, three times the £2 million cost originally planned, we called for an independent Inquiry into how and why the costs escalated and who was responsible for the gross mismanagement of this project. Sadly, the Council has refused to hold an independent Inquiry and will be conducting an internal ‘inquiry’.

According to the ‘Evening Standard’, “the £2m Marble Arch Mound has been branded London’s worst attraction. The unbelievably depressing picture gallery lets you see why from about 27 different angles – and will save you £4.50.”

https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/westminster-news/2021/07/28/marble-arch-mound-making-westminster-an-international-joke/

E-Scooter hire trial

Transport for London is holding an e-scooter hire trial over the coming months. If you have any comments on the trial, please contact TfL by email at haveyoursay@tfl.gov.uk.

Queen’s Park Book Festival

The Queen’s Park Book Festival will take place 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 are in need of emergency support, please contact your support worker or Westminster CAB for a referral, you will then be contacted by the food bank to arrange a delivery or collection. If you are struggling to access a referral or are concerned for someone you know, please call the food bank directly on 07932 623443.

The Foodbank is on the frontline helping more people than ever before in a very difficult situation. Please donate here

The Food Bank is in need of volunteers of all ages across all roles. From lunch hour delivery drivers to evening packers and daytime support. If you would like to find out more please get in touch at volunteers@npfoodbank.org.uk

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.

‘Westminster Extra’

You can 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

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

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

Beware the Coronavirus scammers

https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/westminster-news/2020/03/27/beware-the-coronavirus-scammers/

What you say

“Thanks so much for all the news. Also, for the timely link about e-scooters! I have just seen they have appeared on the estate, so cross to think they would not extend the Santander bikes into our bit of Westminster, but have done this instead!” 

“As always you are taking the concerns of residents seriously, which is reassuring in these difficult times.” 

“Once again thank you for all your great work in the area”

“As always, you are so helpful and it’s greatly appreciated”

Please let us know if we can be of any assistance.

Please feel free to pass this newsletter on to your neighbours. If you know of anyone else who might like to receive this report, please send them this sign-up link https://bit.ly/labour-news

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

htaouzzale@westminster.gov.uk

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