We spoke and answered questions at a well-attended meeting organised by HyPER on 27th June at St John’s Parish Hall.
Around 50 people attended the meeting, together with the Police and Church Commissioners, and it was a pleasure to meet so many residents at the meeting and to answer the many questions raised.
The main issues raised by residents include:
- Cycling – a blind resident raised the issue cycling on the pavement and docklesss bikes being deposited on the pavement and causing a hazard. In respect of pavement cycling, the police are the only ones with the power to take action and PC Purewal confirmed this. Whenever we see a dumped bike on the pavement we report this to the Council.
- Helicopter noise – we have urged the police to use drones rather than noisy helicopters when they are keeping a watch on demonstrations in the West End. Recently, The Royal Parks confirmed they have no objection to the police using drones over Hyde Park.
- Affordable Housing – this is a top priority for the new Labour Council and we will be insisting on at least 35% genuinely affordable housing in all new developments proposed by developers. Recently, the Planning Committee refused an application that only provided 7% affordable housing.
- Empty properties – there are about 2,500 empty homes in Westminster and we will be doing all we can to persuade owners to bring as many of them back in to use as homes. We hope to appoint an Empty Property Officer to lead Council action on this.
- Bus route cuts – we share residents’ opposition to the proposed bus route cuts announced by the Mayor in response to the Government’s demands for TfL service cuts. We have urged residents to object to the Bus route cuts and to write to the Transport Secretary to request that he provides TfL with the finances to run London’s transport system.
- Traffic – Many residents raised concerns about rat running traffic and traffic speeds along local streets. We support residents’ calls for traffic calming and improved air quality and we are very keen to have discussions with residents about the way forward.
- Proposals for ‘Connaught Green’ – proposals for slowing down traffic along Connaught Street have been worked up by the Church Commissioners and we hope to arrange a consultation meeting to hear residents’ views.
- Broadband – a resident raised the issue of the damage done by GNetwork when installing fibre broadband. It was explained that the broadband companies do not require permission to undertake these works.
- Dog Owners – a resident raised the issue of anti-social dog owners who refuse to pick up their dogs’ mess. We advised that the Council’s Animal Wardens are able to investigate if they have the relevant information.
- Prostitutes – the continued need for the police to be vigilant regarding “prostitution and prophylactics” was mentioned by one resident.
- CCTV – a resident of Norfolk Crescent raised the need for CCTV to deter crime and increase safety and security. The CCTV that used to operate in the area was taken away following a decision by the Council and the police about funding. Since then there has been a lot of ASB around the area.
- Local shops – we have urged the Church Commissioners to introduce more local shops to the area, such as a butcher, baker and deli, in order to serve local residents and increase footfall for existing traders.
Other issues were raised with us following the meeting and subsequently by email which we have since taken up with Council officers.
After the meeting a HyPER member, emailed to raise the issue of fly-tipping. He noted that the Council had become more responsive to the continuous rubbish dumping at the corner of Bathurst and Westbourne Streets and said he hoped this swift corrective action would continue.
Thank you for the opportunity to meet and speak to residents and for your questions and comments.
Councillors Judith Southern, MD Shamsed Chowdhury and Paul Dimoldenberg
Hyde Park Ward