QUEEN’S PARK WARD LABOUR ACTION REPORT – December 2021
News from your three Queen’s Park Ward Labour Councillors Paul Dimoldenberg, Patricia McAllister and Hamza Taouzzale and Action Team member Cara Sanquest
WARD NEWS AND ACTION
Kilburn Lane
We have asked the Highways Team to look into the road safety issues on Kilburn Lane. Residents say:
“From a safety point of view this road is a nightmare, as a through road to avoid the traffic lights on Chamberlayne Road, people often speed down this road, it gets much more traffic than other roads in the area and considerably more when there are any works on the Harrow Road or Chamberlayne Road.
The speed of the cars when you have vulnerable people; young/old/disabled living here is unbelievable. Scooters and cars travelling well over the cautionary 20mph speed limit. We have witnessed multiple car accidents in the past couple of months from speeding cars clipping passing cars and parked cars.”
The road is just too narrow to have two lanes of traffic and allow parking, so other than speeding the other issue is the air emissions due to constant standstill traffic, and the inevitable honking of horns at all hours of the day and night.”
Marne Street
We have asked our City Inspectors to take action on this issue raised by residents;
“There has been a huge increase in general rubbish over the last month or so just. I’m not sure if it’s because of the scaffolding and workers, autumnal windy weather and falling leaves but it needs to be brought to attention unfortunately. I’ve been out almost daily with my litter picker but I seem to be battling uphill. Could you please add Marne Street to the list of streets that need “extra” attention?”.
The City Inspectors say;
“Marne Street is already on our radar, however, we will pay it special attention to see if there are any additional services that are required here.”
Portnall Road
We have asked the City Inspectors to take action here, including issuing fines for illegal rubbish dumping. Residents say:
“Has anyone taken a walk down Portnall Road recently. The level of rubbish dumped under trees and on the pavement is terrible. Dumping at Bravington Place continues to be a problem. The council needs to look at how it can inform people how to dispose of their rubbish and cease their anti -social behaviour.”
“The top half of Portnall Road up to Kilburn Lane has been covered in litter all week – there has clearly been no street cleaning for several days. Please could someone sort this?”
Portnall Road is now being swept properly and we have asked the City Inspectors to keep a close eye on the situation.
Dart Street
We have asked the Highways Team to investigate this issue:
“The two speed humps in Dart Street, W.10., are “not fit for purpose”. They do not even provide a safe crossing point for this busy road. Could not a proper crossing replace it to help people to cross and to slow down the speeding traffic? Dart Street is sometimes busy with children, especially as there is a well-visited shop at this point. There is also a Surgery nearby.”
Caird Street/Lancefield Street
We are making enquiries about the continued noise from the building works on the former Jubilee Sports Centre site. Residents say, “There is now the constant loud sounds of heavy vehicles roaring or beeping, engines idling, and very loud pounding or dragging sounds (during normal work hours). Our entire house shakes and judders throughout the day. We are located a few streets away, in Octavia Mews off Bravington Road. I can’t imagine how invasive this is for residents along Caird Street or First Avenue.”
Environmental and other issues
- Chamberlayne Road/Ilbert Street – we have asked the Highways Team if they could repaint the zebra crossing at the end of Ilbert Street. Residents say: “Lots of cars don’t stop in time. I’ve had 4 close calls. Whether they are bad drivers or can’t see in time who knows! But the painting of stripes and beacons is very poor state.”
- Ilbert Street – we have asked the Highways Team to investigate this issue: “I’ve noticed the council resurfacing the bottom part of Sixth Avenue, when will they redo Ilbert Street? There are two big massive pot holes”
- Caird Street – we asked the Highways Team if the tarmac pavement outside the new houses and flats was permanent and they say: “The tarmac is a temporary measure to ensure that the footway was open as soon as possible for the surrounding residents, school and the local Faith centre. There is a 106 agreement to resurface and relay both the carriageway and footway with Westminster standard paving around the project which will take place in late January.”
- Harrow Road – we have asked the Planning Enforcement Team to investigate allegations of unauthorised building works at a property in Harrow Road. At the same address, large amounts of furniture were illegally dumped on the street. We also asked the Highways Team to fix a ‘rattling’ manhole cover outside 461/463 Harrow Road and to repair the shoddy state of the road surface between 457 and 481 Harrow Road.
- Enbrook Street – we have asked our local City Inspectors to investigate reports of illegal rubbish dumping by the black bins in Enbrook Street.
- Ashmore Road – we have received a report about a taxi service being operated from a property in Ashmore Road. The cars/vans are taking parking spaces which are needed for residents and we have asked Octavia Housing Association to investigate this. We have also asked the Street Lighting Team to fix a broken streetlight outside 88 Ashmore Road.
- Kilburn Lane – we have asked the Parking Team to take action against illegal parking along Kilburn Lane.
- Bravington Place/Road – we have asked the Highways Team when the incomplete pavement works will be finished.
- Parry Road – we have asked the Housing Team to fix three broken streetlights attached to houses in Parry Road.
- Beethoven Street – we have asked the Council to look into this issue and take the necessary action to stop this anti-social behaviour; “My neighbour dumps his rubbish in front of his front door virtually on a daily basis, sometimes even without closing the plastic bags properly. He has a wheeled plastic bin 10 meters away from his house and also a designated rubbish area 50 meters away”.
- Fernhead Road – we asked the Parking Team to investigate a moped parked on the pavement on Fernhead Road. The Parking Team say, “Our Parking Marshals can take enforcement action where the moped is parked on the footway. They will closely monitor the situation and issue Penalty Charge Notices when necessary. The matter has also been highlighted to the City Inspectors for further investigation and appropriate action.”
- Ha’Penny Steps – we have asked Nuno, our City Inspector, if the graffiti can be removed from Ha’Penny Steps. Residents say, “Our whole area seems to be plagued with ego graffiti and it is really pulling the area down.”
Housing Issues
- Portnall Road – we are continuing to help residents in Portnall Road who are being subjected to regular ASB from the flat above. We have also asked the Building Control Team to check a house in Portnall Road where the ground floor window column appears to be broken and held up by pieces of wood.
- Bravington Road – we are continuing to support residents in Bravington Road where the leaseholder of the flat above is undertaking extensive renovations. We are also supporting residents in Bravington Road where there are outstanding repairs which have not been completed.
- Empty Properties – we have raised concerns with the Housing Department about the number of vacant Council and Housing Association properties and asked that they are refurbished and re-let as soon as possible.
- Kilravock Street – we have asked the Housing Department to investigate the ownership of a house in Kilravock Street. The property is in a dilapidated state and the front door has been partially boarded up. Neighbours are concerned squatters are targeting the house. We are also helping another resident who has had damp at the rear of their home for 18 months and another resident who needs their house adapted. We have also asked the Housing Department to clear the back garden of an empty house where there is a family of foxes.
- Farnaby House – we are helping a resident of Farnaby House with a number of housing issues.
- Ilbert Street – we asked the Housing Team to offer assistance and advice to the occupant of a tent by the park in Ilbert Street. The tent has now gone.
- Ash House – we urged the Housing Department to fix the heating and hot water which were not working in some flats in Ash House.
- Ashmore Road – we have asked Network Homes to fix a problem with water penetration to a bedroom in a flat in Ashmore Road.
- Galton Street – we have asked the Housing Department to complete repairs to a house in Galton Street.
Food Waste re-cycling – Update
The Council has told us the following:
“We’re currently finalising plans to introduce the new food waste collection service starting from next February. Queens Park ward is currently one of the first four wards we plan to launch the service in. The general plan is to replicate the pilot scheme we are running in Harrow Road ward. For houses and low-rise flats this will involve having a single day per week when we aim to collect food, recycling and general waste.”
We will keep you posted as soon as we get further details.
Kensal Green Gasworks
There is a proposed scheme just over the borough boundary at Kensal Green Gasworks in Kensington & Chelsea (K&C). The proposed scheme is for a residential-led mixed use development between 650 – 750 homes, with some commercial uses at ground level (likely to comprise a cafe and flexible residents’ facilities) provision of limited car parking within a basement, open space, landscaping, and access to the Grand Union Canal. Development to comprise a number of buildings ranging in height from approx. 10-18 storeys with one taller building of maximum 37 storeys.
A number of residents have raised concerns about the impact of this development on the Queen’s Park area. We asked the Westminster Planners for an update and this is what they said:
“We have advised K&C our concerns about the visual impact of such a tall building when viewed from Westminster’s Conservation Areas. Whilst the submitted documents do refer to a number of viewpoints within the Queen’s Park Estate Conservation Area which will be included in any future townscape analysis, we have requested that K&C ask the applicant to submit a zone of theoretical visibility assessment with any future planning application.
In terms of the impact of the proposal on traffic, amenity and townscape, these are matters which we will comment in detail when a planning application is made to K&C and they formally consult WCC. When received we will consult Ward Councillors, the QPCC and other local recognised amenity groups and WCC residents who may be affected by the proposal before making our observations.”
Tackling illegal rubbish dumping
With mounds of illegally dumped rubbish all over Westminster – on street corners, by the big black bins and by trees and lamp posts – we need a new approach to keeping our streets clean. One way must be to get tougher with the dumpers with instant fines for illegal rubbish dumping. Another way must be to install CCTV at the most notorious ‘hotspots’ so that those responsible can be caught.
Another, more positive, approach should be to deter rubbish dumping at the side of trees by following the example of residents in Hormead Road, Ashmore Road and elsewhere. All along Hormead Road the bases of the trees in the street have been turned into little planters. Local residents take care of the plants and all evidence of previous rubbish dumping has stopped. Residents in Mozart Street now want to take care of the tree bases to stop the daily rubbish dumping at the corner of Bravington Road.
Council Tax
We have called for No Rise in Council Tax until at least 2024. As residents face a challenging winter with rising prices and energy bills, they want to know that they aren’t going to have any nasty surprises in the spring in when it comes to Council Tax.
Labour Councillors will vote against any increase in Council Tax until at least 2024 to try to help residents through these difficult times. We think that at the very least Council Tax should be frozen at its current rate, while further efforts are made to protect those on low incomes.
£6 Million Marble Arch Mound
It is costing Westminster Council Tax-payers about £150,000 a month to keep the Marble Arch Mound open to the public. The Council had planned to charge visitors for entry to recoup some of the £6 million it has cost to build the Mound. But, because the Mound failed to live up to the Council’s misguided high expectations, the Council was forced to scrap entry charges.
The costs have trebled from £2 million to £6 million and the Deputy Leader of the Council, who was responsible for the debacle, has resigned. The £6 million could have been put to much better use – for example, on CCTV to catch illegal rubbish dumpers or on more police on the beat or on re-opening the youth clubs that were closed by the Council a few years ago.
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.
Green New Deal for Westminster
We have launched a Green New Deal for Westminster which sets out a clear, ambitious agenda to achieve the change we desperately need. Key measures include:
- Appointing a Cabinet Member with responsibility for climate action. This will be pivotal to driving change from day one of a Labour Council.
- Implementing a Net Zero Test for all decisions to assess the climate impact of decisions made, and a sustainable approach to procurement.
- Seeking to refurbish first rather than demolish, putting real emissions standards on all developments, and retrofitting our existing housing.
- Driving a green recovery and a just transition, with a Local Climate Bond for investments in our neighbourhoods, a focus on green jobs, and training available to all.
- Starting recovery in the streets, with a commitment to 15-minute neighbourhoods, new tree planting, and high streets that attract customers with active travel infrastructure.
In the spirit of working collaboratively with others we are keen to hear from residents, experts, and other stakeholders about how to develop and build on this plan. So please do get in touch with us to share your thoughts.
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 10 days 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
Electric Car charging points
Charging points have been installed in lamp columns across the area and you can register your interest in having a lamp post charger installed near you by completing the form below. You can also register an interest in having stand-alone charging posts installed in your local area.
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/request-vehicle-charging-point
Local Police
The next session of ‘Coffee with a Cop’ is at Queen’s Park Library on 8th December, 14.00 – 15.00pm.
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
What you say
“Thank you for all your great work representing this area. We really appreciate it”
“Thank you as always for the update and all the work you do for local people. In particular, thank you for getting the Ha’penny Bridge access sorted. It’s great that the work has now been completed. Although I’m not sure about that particular shade of blue!”
“The Marble Arch Mound is an abomination so thank you also for your pressure on the council for that – such an appalling waste of money.”
“Thank you for another important update to your work and local goings on in Queen’s Park!”
“I was delighted to see that you’re proposing that the council buys the Lancer pub on Lancefield Street to convert into much needed homes. Can I suggest you add the other vacant pubs across the Borough – for instance the Flora on Harrow Road. I am especially concerned that the ground floor areas should be kept for public use – I think child care and employment opportunities should be prioritised, for instance a community cafe that offers apprenticeships in the catering trades.”
“Thank you all for your prompt response.”
“I really appreciate your help. You are always so helpful”
“Thank you for the ongoing updates, support and community services the Queen’s Park Ward Councillors provide. Responses to my queries in the past have been fantastic, and the newsletter is very much 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
Facebook @QPLabourTeam