HYDE PARK WARD LABOUR ACTION REPORT – December 2021
News from your Hyde Park Labour Action Team – Judith Southern, Md Shamsed Chowdhury and Paul Dimoldenberg
NEWS AND ACTION
The Hyde Park Estate area, bounded by Edgware Road/Bayswater Road and Sussex Gardens
Bathurst Street
Following enquiries from residents in Bathurst Street, we asked the Highways Team to re-lay the paving stones outside one property where water had been leaking into the vaults below. Residents say: “The guys turned up yesterday, sorted things and left. Looks nicely sealed. We’ll know if that’s helped when it next pours.”
We are also continuing to urge the Council to take strong action against those responsible for the regular illegal rubbish dumping by the tree and railings at the junction with Westbourne Street.
Bayswater Road
We again asked the Council to remove the flyposting from the red phone boxes on the corner of Bayswater Road and Edgware Road. The flyposting has now been removed.
Albion Gate
We have asked the Highways Team to fix a number of ‘rocking’ and dangerous paving stones directly outside the entrance to 1-16 Albion Gate which are real danger to residents and visitors coming and going from the block. The Highways Team say, “The area has now been marked up for repair”.
Connaught Square/Connaught Street
We have asked the Highways Team to investigate this issue:
“I live at the junction of Connaught Square and Connaught Street and I am extremely concerned about the number of vehicles and cyclists going the wrong way down the one way street and hence facing a blind bend just by the Connaught Square NHS Practice. This is extremely dangerous, not only for those going the wrong way, but also the motorists coming round the blind bend to the extent that there will be a very serious accident one of these days. The junction is very clearly marked with a ‘no entry sign’ but people just ignore it”
The Highways Team say:
“The City Council removed an except cycle sign that was in place to advise cyclists that they are permitted to turn right from Stanhope Place onto Seymour Street to stop any confusion for cyclists going through the no entry junction at Connaught Square. We also had this location monitored for CCTV, however the junction was found to be compliant and does not warrant the installation of a camera.”
Unfortunately, the Highways Team is referring to the wrong location so we have provided additional information and asked them to look at this again.
Cambridge Square/Southwick Street
We asked the Council to issue fines to those responsible for a large amount of illegal rubbish dumping by the post box on the corner of Cambridge Square and Southwick Street. The Council told us, “an officer has visited the location and a Fixed Penalty Notice is to be served for residential fly tipping at this location.”
We also asked for a nearby telecoms box to be secured and the graffiti removed.
St John’s Church bells
Last month, some residents raised concerns about the noise from the St John’s Church bells, so we asked for your views. This is what you said:
“I write firmly in support of the bells! The church is still very much at the heart of our Hyde Park Community, as it has been for 140 years. The sound of the bells symbolises that continuity and is a delight. Given the deafening 24/7 traffic noise around central London, an hourly church bell is hardly intrusive.”
“I find them to be a joy and an integral part of the character of the neighbourhood. It cannot have come as a surprise to anyone moving into the area.”
Gloucester Square
We have asked the Highways Team to remove a temporary diversion sign outside 35 Gloucester Square as the broadband works have now been completed.
Portsea Mews
The Church Commissioners have launched a consultation on the future of Portsea Mews, accessed off Porchester Place. They say:
“The Commissioners are proposing to sensitively refurbish, introduce minor extensions to the buildings and create a new entrance from Porchester Place.
These changes form part of the plans for the restoration of the Mews in order to introduce a new office scheme, which will contribute to the economic vitality of the Hyde Park Estate.”
You can see more and give your views at https://portseamews.co.uk
Please let us know what you think of the plans.
Tyburn Convent
Following our contact with the Mother Prioress about the early morning noise from chicken, residents tell us, “there has hardly been any ‘crowing/clucking noise’ around 07.30 and throughout the day so presumably the issue has been ‘nipped in the bud’”
Talbot Square
We have received this update from the University of London about the refurbishment of Lillian Penson Hall, at 15-25 Talbot Square:
“The University of London have revised the plans for the refurbishment of Lillian Penson Hall, reducing the scale of the proposed mansard extension on the eastern and western flanks of Talbot Square”
For more information contact lillianpensonhall@kandaconsulting.co.uk or call 020 3900 3676.
Please let us know what think.
Sussex Gardens
We asked the Council to remove a large mound of dumped rubbish outside Alleyn Court on Sussex Gardens. The City Inspector tells us:
“Due to the building works here, the Big Black Bins that service this private street were relocated. The works were completed recently, however, the bins appear to have been removed (this was not authorised by the Waste Team). The Council is now in the process of replacing these bins and have removed the waste that was in situ and will continue to do so until a new receptable is in place. We anticipate this will be very soon.”
‘Winter Wonderland’
For a rundown of what’s on offer (and how much it costs) at the Hyde Park ‘Winter Wonderland’, see
Supporting local business in Connaught Street
We were delighted to support the Eve Leibe Gallery in Connaught Street on 4th December who were hosting a ‘pop up’ party for HyPER. A very enjoyable event with great mince pies and mulled wine. And great to meet local residents, too.
You can join HyPER here https://hyper.uk/join/
£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.
For the latest news see https://www.mylondon.news/news/west-london-news/marble-arch-mound-costs-spiralled-22358616
The Star Street area, between Sussex Gardens and Praed Street
Southwick Street success as ‘drug dealing’ benches are removed
Some good news! Following our six-month campaign on behalf of residents, the Council has removed the two benches at the corner of Southwick Street and Star Street which have attracted regular anti-social activity at night/early morning for many years.
Much of the anti-social behaviour (ASB) centred around the benches occurs in the early hours of the morning, between 2am and 3am, when there are no police patrols. The ASB either involves drug dealing and prostitution, as well as loud drunken conversations in the early morning.
This is a great success for local residents. The relocation of these benches to somewhere more appropriate, such as Norfolk Square, makes very good sense, both in fighting ASB and improving the lives of Southwick Street residents. Residents say:
“Thank you. Well done for your help”
“Thank you for your dedication in having them removed”
“Thank you so much for all your support”
https://www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-news/london-benches-used-by-pimps-22150459
Star Street
We have continued to urge the Council to install CCTV and issue immediate fines to those responsible for illegal rubbish dumping by the black bins at the corner of Star Street and Sale Place. There needs to be 24-hour surveillance to catch the builders and landlords who are regularly dumping materials from nearby properties.
This location is one of the worst we have seen with rubbish stretching over the pavement and, on occasions, making it impossible to pass. Some residents say the bins should be relocated:
“They attract vermin. Most days I cannot walk down the street with my daughter the pavement is so full of rubbish, so we have to walk in the road. This is dangerous to have to be forced to walk in the road with traffic as the pavement is completely obstructed. It is a complete dumping site for household and building site waste, fly tipping etc.”
However, other residents have raised concerns:
“They were removed as a trial a few years ago and the situation deteriorated to make it significantly worse. Rubbish dumping continued and I had to write to ask for them to be put back. What is needed is better management and enforcement of fines for fly-tipping.”
What do you think?
Bouverie Place
Following our enquiries to the Highways Team about the delay in installing promised double yellow lines on one side of Bouverie Place, residents tell us:
“Great news, the double yellow lines were done on the opposite side of the road yesterday! They have also added the suspension of the bays to my side of the road for the same day for the repairs. Thank you for all your help in this!”
The double yellow lines will prevent parking on both sides of the road and allow emergency vehicles to access St Mary’s Hospital.
Notting Hill Genesis properties
We are continuing to support Notting Hill Genesis (NHG) tenants in Star Street and Saint Michael’s Street with individual issues. In addition, we are pressing NHG to start the long-overdue repair and refurbishment works in the spring. We have had one meeting with NHG to discuss these issues and have arranged another meeting in January to hear a progress report on the long-delayed improvement works.
Praed Mews
We have again asked the Council to remove the illegally constructed bin store in Praed Mews. Residents say, “local prostitutes are using the area behind the bins for their services. There are used condoms all over the floor and I’ve heard things late at night. I spoke to one of the women waiting at the top of the Mews who said that it was a ‘nice quiet place’ with no way of getting caught.” In addition, residents say the area is used for “flytipping, by drug users and by Deliveroo drivers using the space as a toilet.”
Norfolk Place
In response to our request for the streetlight outside 9 Norfolk Place to be repaired, the Street Lighting Team say: “Unfortunately, there is a UK Power Networks fault on this column and we are awaiting for a date for this to be fixed by them.”
We hope UKPN will get a move on with this as effective street lighting is essential to maintain safety in our streets.
Paddington Station
A new Paddington Bear-inspired Café has opened at Paddington Station, providing fresh food, drinks and bespoke products. You can read more here
Edgware Road area
Edgware Road/Sussex Gardens
We have asked the Council’s Environmental Health Team what action can be taken to stop the regular pigeon feeding by the tree at the corner of Edgware Road and Sussex Gardens, bringing with it the consequential environmental problems. It really is an eyesore with the green fencing adding to the blight.
Edgware Road – rubbish dumping
We have asked the Council to issue fines to those responsible for the regular rubbish dumping in the street outside 228 Edgware Road. The Council told us:
“I can confirm that officers visited the location and have taken enforcement action. They also issued Fixed Penalty Notices for additional waste that was dumped in this location yesterday.”
Edgware Road – trip hazard
We spotted a small piece of technical equipment on the pavement on Edgware Road just south of the junction with Chapel Street, close to the traffic lights. This looked like a potential trip hazard for pedestrians so we asked the Highways Team to investigate.
Edgware Road is managed by Transport for London and the Highways Team passed our enquiry on to TfL. Now, a cone has been placed over the trip hazard and we hope the equipment will be relocated to a safer place.
The Chapel Street, Cabbell Street and Transept Street area
Cabbell Street
We asked the Council to give the pavement at the corner of Cabbell Street and Old Marylebone Road a deep clean. This location is a regular dumping ‘hot spot’ and looks very dirty.
We are pleased to say the area has now been cleaned.
38-47a Chapel Street
Following our enquiries about installing bike racks for residents of 38-47a Chapel Street, the Housing Department tells us that, “The installation of bike racks will be completed by the end of January 2021.”
In addition, we also asked if a sign could be installed on Chapel Street informing delivery people that the entrance to the flats is in Transept Street. The Housing Department say, “We will put up a temporary laminated paper sign to direct individuals to the entrance whilst the sign is put up by January 2021.”
https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/ward-news/2021/12/02/success-in-chapel-street/
We have again asked the Street Lighting Team to fix the two broken streetlights outside 38-47a Chapel Street. One streetlight has been fixed but they are awaiting a part for the other streetlight.
Chapel Street
We asked the Council to remove a toilet dumped on Chapel Street outside Hyde Park Mansions, together with bags of builders’ rubbish dumped by the tree on the corner with Cabbell Street. We have asked the Council to investigate if the dumped material comes from flats in the area which are being gutted and refurbished and to take action against those responsible.
Residents tell us that keeping the streets clean is one of their top priorities and we will do all we can to stop the illegal rubbish dumping.
The Paddington Basin/Sheldon Square area
Sheldon Square
Over recent months we have been pressing Notting Hill Genesis, Network Housing, Paddington Central and First Port to come to an agreement on the location of the long-promised air-conditioning units for residents in Sheldon Square. We recently received some good news from Paddington Central who tell us, “we have now reached agreement with First Port on the location on the units”. We will now be pressing all concerned to install the air conditioning units as soon as possible. Residents say, “This is indeed good news and thank you for your help!”
“We have had a further update from NHG who say, “there was a site visit on 19 November 2021 with all stakeholders (Network Homes, First Port, Hoare Lea, NHHO, British Land) to discuss the location of the external condenser units. Verbal permissions were given at this meeting to locate our condensers in the south loading bay. We have instructed Hoare Lea to draw up a design and specification which can be presented to British Land so they can provide the written permissions we have requested.”
Following our call on the management at Paddington Central to install signs urging bar and restaurant patrons to keep their noise down in the evening, new signs recently appeared in Sheldon Square. This a good step forward but residents would like to see signage that is attached to the building walls and is a 24/7 reminder to keep the noise down.
https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/ward-news/2021/11/11/keep-the-noise-down-in-sheldon-square/
Travis Perkins site, Harrow Road
Unite Students and Travis Perkins have submitted revised proposals to the Council. The main changes are very minimal:
- The proposed building is now stepped from 6 – 20 storeys, as opposed to the original proposal, which was 7 – 22 storeys.
- The number of student beds has been reduced from 843 to 768 – just 75 fewer
You can see more at www.balticwharfpaddington.co.uk
Over 120 objections were made to the original proposals. You can object to the revised proposals on-line at https://idoxpa.westminster.gov.uk/onlineapplications/
reference 21/04536/FULL
Or you can send an email to northplanningteam@westminster.gov.uk giving your name and home address and reference 21/04536/FULL.
We will continue to support residents’ objections to the revised proposals and have submitted another objection letter to the Council.
You can also sign our petition bit.ly/baltic-wharf-petition
Hermitage Street – End the cladding scandal
We continue to support residents in Montgomery House and in Munkenbeck and Marshall Buildings.
A recent report has found that “leaseholders in apartments with flammable cladding are still suffering the fallout which is taking a huge toll on their mental health and wellbeing”. The report found “widespread negative impacts on wellbeing, with the threat of financial ruin often driving mental harms and outweighing the risk of a fire for many leaseholders”. The report calls for “swift action to identify and prioritise buildings for repair work, alongside a comprehensive funding package from Government”
Munkenbeck and Marshall Buildings recently tweeted;
“15 years of our precious building reserves decimated in just a matter of months for useless waking watch! Total bill £800,000 for wardens to fall asleep on shifts #EndOurCladdingScandal”
Westbourne Terrace area
Chilworth Street
We are supporting residents’ request that lights should be attached to the new hoardings around the building at 40 Eastbourne Terrace. Residents say:
“As opposed to the area on Eastbourne Terrace, no lights were installed on the Chilworth Street side on the wall around the site. As a result, the area between Eastbourne Terrace and Eastbourne Mews is extremely dark in the evening. This is a security issue and is causing garbage to be left in the area. Unsurprisingly, the wall there was already graffitied last night”
Update – Residents tell us:
“Thank you very much for your support with this. I can confirm that lights have now been installed on the wall along Chilworth Street, which is really great. Thanks again for your help.”
Chilworth Street/Westbourne Terrace
We have asked the City Inspector to investigate this issue and take the necessary action.
“This area greatly suffers from the fact that refuse is too infrequently picked up. A few months ago, a third recycling bin was added (on top on the other two bins for general refuse), presumably to address the issue without increasing the frequency at which the bins were emptied. But it did not change anything, and in fact seems to instead have settled the status of the corner as a dumping area for anyone driving by.”
The City Inspector says:
“This site is emptied twice a day. A number of warning letters have been sent to residents and only this morning a Fixed Penalty Notice for a repeat offender. I have discussed the sweeping concerns with the local depot manager and have been monitoring the sweeping and raising any issues with him.”
Gloucester Mews
We have been contacted by residents of Gloucester Mews. They say, “there has been issues with comings and goings at a house in Gloucester Mews for ages. We have had a summer where we had open drug use in the street here and unpleasant behaviour from characters awaiting access to the house.” We have asked the police to investigate and take the appropriate action taken to deal with this unpleasant and illegal activity.
We have also asked the Council to fix the streetlight between 56-58 Gloucester Mews which residents say has not been working a few months now.
Other Issues
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.
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.
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 Hyde Park Ward Safer Neighbourhood Police Team is PC Adam Oddy, PC Harminder Purewal and PCSO Grant. You can contact them at AWMailbox.SNTCWHydePark@met.police.uk
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/hyde-park/
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
Report It
You can tell the Council about dumped rubbish, broken street lights, graffiti and more by using Report It https://www.westminster.gov.uk/report-it
Voting by post
It is much easier, quicker and safer to vote by post. You have two weeks in which 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.
Warm Homes Discount
You could get £140 off your electricity bill for winter 2021 to 2022 under the Warm Home Discount Scheme https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme
Street Link
If you see anyone sleeping rough, please contact Street Link who are able offer help and assistance. You can contact Street Link 24 hours a day at www.streetlink.org.uk.
‘Westminster Extra’
You can read the ‘Westminster Extra’ online
Coronavirus (Covid-19) UPDATE
Interactive Map
You can see the latest data for your area here
https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/interactive-map
What you say
“I really appreciate your newsletter with all the information from our neighbourhood.”
“Keep up the good work.”
“Keep fighting the good fight!”
“You’ve worked tirelessly to help us over the year and we are very grateful.”
“Thanks heaps for your help.”
Please let us know if we can be of help or assistance on any local issues.
Please feel free to pass this report 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
Please keep safe, stay well and look after yourself and your neighbours.
With very best wishes for Christmas and the New Year
Regards
Judith Southern, Md Shamsed Chowdhury and Paul Dimoldenberg
Your Hyde Park Ward Labour Action Team – Here to Help, All Year Round
You can contact us at hplabour@gmail.com
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