Victory on Oxford Street District Project
Local councillors, Paul, Jess and Patrick, have achieved a victory for residents less than a month into their term by securing confirmation from the new Labour administration not to continue with Conservative plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street and create piazzas around Oxford Circus. The plans would have seen traffic diverted and the displaced to residential areas north and south of Oxford Street.
Council Leader, Adam Hug stated on BBC London’s Eddie Nestor show: “We’re not talking about pedestrianisation. That’s off the agenda for four years. It’s not coming back anytime soon.”
Cracking Down on Oxford Street Candy Stores and Illicit Trading
Westminster Labour Council has taken action, supported by us, to confiscate over £100,000 worth of counterfeit items from the American Candy Stores on Oxford Street. This is the start of a wider crack down on illicit trading and activities in the West End. This is important to ensure that consumers and residents are protected from the effects of potentially harmful products. Longer term, Paul, Jess and Patrick are really keen to see an end to the proliferation of these tacky stores that ruin our high streets.
Tackling Pedicabs
Your three local councillors continue to support joint operations between Westminster Council and the Police against illegal pedicabs. Ever more effective action is yielding better results (less noise in Soho at night due to pedicabs) and increased fines on rule-breaking, rip-off pedicab drivers. We offer our full support to the officers of Westminster Council and the Police for their painstaking work to limit this blight on the West End.
We have also flagged the issue of “super pedicabs” whose dozen or so booze-fuelled passengers pedal from pub to pub blaring loud music at passers by and residents. Action is being taken and we will update you in our next newsletter.
Opening Soho’s Refurbished Leisure Centre
Cllr Tim Roca (Cabinet Member for Young People, Learning and Leisure) invited West End Councillor Patrick Lilley to join him at iconic Marshal Street Leisure Centre, in the heart of Soho, for the reopening refurbished leisure facilities. These include the complete replacement of the sauna and steam room and the new Fight Klub Soho studio. Residents, local workers and visitors can enjoy classes, swimming, spa and now boxing for fitness.
Housing Repairs
We’re continuing to support long-suffering residents of major social housing providers in Fitzrovia, Soho and Mayfair. Lifts that don’t work, boilers that don’t heat water, and leaks that are not repaired are just some of the problems encountered by NHG, A2Dominion and Peabody Residents.
If you have any issues with your housing, please let us know by emailing us or simply replying to this email.
Noise and Licensing in Soho
Cllr Paul Fisher visited residents in Soho concerned that noise is affecting their quality of life and mental health. He also went on a walkabout in the early hours of a Saturday morning with the Soho Society to observe and note the key areas of disturbance and noise for residents. Excessive noise throughout Soho remains a real environmental and mental health challenge. Paul, Patrick and Jess are keen ensure that all the levers at the Council’s disposal are used – from licensing law, traffic management through to neighbourhood policing – to make sure that noise is addressed in the village.
West End Police Walk and Talk
Jessica did a walk and talk with local officers to discuss issues in West End including Soho, Chinatown, Oxford Street and Fitzrovia. There will be more opportunities for residents to join officers and share their concerns around safety in coming weeks and months. Please get in touch if you are interested. |
|
Waste in Westminster
Your councillors are working with Council leaders and community groups, including Fitzrovia Rubbish Action Committee (FRAC) and Plan For Soho, with their new report “Soho Comes Clean” to make our streets cleaner and rubbish free.
Mayfair’s Curzon – Asset of Community Value (‘ACV’)
West End Labour councillors have been supporting local residents to secure the long-term future of the Mayfair Curzon and all those who cherish this piece of Mayfair’s history. In May and June, the councillors spoke in support of the Mayfair Neighbourhood Forum’s proposal to grant the property ACV status and continue to support the application as it is submitted to the Council for formal approval. This will be an important statement about the importance of the Mayfair Curzon to the local community and protect its future use as a cinema for at least the next five years.
Handyperson Service
Westminster residents aged over 60, or in receipt of disability benefit, can request free help from a handyperson. The service covers minor works to a home such as replacing light bulbs and other small DIY jobs. It does not cover gardening, plumbing or decorating, and it is not an emergency service.
Report It
You can report dumped rubbish, graffiti, broken paving stones and street lights and more to the Report It service.
Refuse and Recycling Collection
Find out how to best dispose of your waste or ask for a second rubbish collection.
|
|
|
