Harrow Road – September 2022

1st September, 2022

As the summer draws to an end, we hope you have been able to enjoy the sunshine when the heat has not been at its most extreme. We hope, too, that you have had a safe and happy Carnival.

Councillors Concia Albert and Ruth Bush recently visited the Yaa Centre and saw the vast array of Ebony Steel Orchestra’s steel pans set out for rehearsal, spoke to master wire bender Carl Gabriel about his skilled work, and observed cutters and stitchers making beautiful costumes.

We have also been celebrating 100 Days of Labour’s new administration of Westminster City Council. As well working on your priorities, we’ve been focused on providing immediate help for the cost of living crisis.

If you know of anyone else who might like to receive this report, please send them this sign-up link: https://bit.ly/WestminsterLocalNews

Find out more about our first 100 days

NEWS, CASEWORK AND ACTION

Need help with a local issue? Simply email us.

After Carnival Council Garden Clean
If you live near the carnival route and are likely to experience carnival-related rubbish entering your front garden, you may be eligible for a free front garden clean to remove rubbish. Make sure you register by 23:59pm on Tuesday 2 September 2022 on Westminster Council’s website.

Identifying Dumping Hot Spots
We Harrow Road Councillors are working with the Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, the Cabinet Member for City Management and Air Quality, to prioritise tackling dumping hotspots in the ward and taking action against repeat offenders.

Illegal Parking on the Harrow Road
We continue to work with the Westminster Parking team to resolve illegal parking on the stretch of Harrow Road between Elgin Avenue and Ashmore Road – and there some signs of progress. We’ll keep you updated.

Saltram Crescent Consultation
Brent Council have developed proposals for the Malvern Road area which will significantly impact Westminster residents living in that part of Saltram Crescent. We know that Westminster planning officers have some concerns and we are in touch with residents and Brent Council to explore what these proposals may mean for our residents.

Brent Council has arranged a consultation on Tuesday, 6th September at the Granville Centre, 140 Carlton Vale, NW6 5HE at 6:30pm-8:30pm specifically for affected Saltram Crescent residents. If you live near the Primary School, please try and get to this. Cllr Ruth Bush plans to be there.

Plans Around Maida Hill Market Place
We continue to engage in discussions with experts about the linked issues of the appearance of the Maida Hill Market Place and the activities which go on there. The intention is to encourage neighbourly activities and discourage antisocial behaviour. We want this to be a space where everyone feels comfortable. We’d love you to be involved in these discussions, so do please contact us if you have good ideas.

Reopening Toilets at Maida Hill Market Place
We were disappointed by the closure of the toilet facilities on the Maida Hill Market Place. We engaged in dialogue and petitioned the previous administration to reopen the toilets. This was not successful. However, working with the new administration and Labour’s Cllr Paul Dimoldenberg, Cabinet Minister for City Management & Air Quality and Westminster City Council Officers, we are pleased to announce the re-opening of the toilet facilities at Maida Hill Market Place in September 2022. This includes scheduled maintenance of the facilities.

Flamboyan Carnival Arts
In recent weeks, we’ve begun discussion with the owners of the Flamboyan building near the Maida Hill Market Place. The building, which was a vibrant base for Carnival arts activities, has fallen into disrepair. Both the building and Flamboyan Carnival Arts are long-standing community assets and we hope it may be possible to build on this history and bring the building back into imaginative community use.

Lydford Estate
There has been some concerning anti-social behaviour on the Lydford Estate recently and all three of us Harrow Road councillors – Tim Roca, Concia Albert and Ruth Bush – were able to visit the estate with one of our Dedicated Ward Police Officers (DWO) to get a clearer picture of where these unacceptable activities were taking place. Earlier in the summer, Cllrs Albert and Bush went with Westminster housing officers to explain to residents some changes in the Housing Solutions Service. These changes should result in routine maintenance being carried out better. We also discussed with officers proposals for greening the estate arising from a previous walkabout with residents. Rubbish dumping is still an issue and we would ask residents to keep their refuse and recycling indoors until collection day.

Oakington and Marylands Roads
We have continued to work on a number of issues in this area in conjunction with Council officers or the police, as appropriate. The case of a car mechanic carrying out works on the street and threatening a resident is still being investigated, as is the case of a resident causing significant disturbance and damage. Signage has been adjusted – do please let us know if it’s now doing the trick. The everlasting issue of rubbish dumping continues and continues to be reported. This is definitely one of the hotspots on Cllr Dimoldenberg’s list for special attention.

Fermoy Road
Residents were suddenly confronted with parking notices after bollards were mysteriously removed. We managed to get the PCNs cancelled. It turns out the Council had not removed the bollards, had not authorised their removal, and had no idea who had removed them. This is being looked into. Fermoy Road is, regrettably, also on Cllr Dimoldenberg’s list of litter dumping hotspots and other antisocial activity has been reported.

Marble House
We’ve been sorry to learn of anti-social behaviour returning to Marble House after a peaceful period. Council officers and the police are paying attention to this again.

Frankfort Arms
We have also been disappointed to receive reports of anti-social behaviour outside the Frankfort Arms, again following quite a long period of good neighbourliness. Our Council City Inspector us looking into this.

Narrow Roads and Cycling
Following a resident’s request, we are working with the Highways team to take a look at Portnall Road to see how cyclists can best ride safely. We are engaging in a feasibility study that balances the needs of drivers and cyclists using the road safely.

GENERAL UPDATES

Ward Surgeries
No appointment necessary

1st and 3rd Mondays of the month, 2pm-4pm, Beethoven Centre, Third Avenue W10 4JL
Every Saturday, 11am-12pm, Stowe Centre, 258 Harrow Road, W2 5ES

Household Support Fund

The Council has some funds to help support singles and families who are struggling. The help comes in the form of Sainsburys vouchers – typically £250 for a couple. Ask your councillor if you think you might qualify.

Ward budget applications

Applications are now open to organisations and clubs to apply for project funding which benefits local residents. If you would like to apply for ward funding for a project but don’t know where to start, please get in touch with us and we’ll be happy to assist you with your application.

Request secure bicycle storage

The new administration is committed to speeding up the roll-out of secure cycle storage in Westminster. Please register your interest here.

Refuse and Recycling Collection

Any rubbish bags presented on the pavement on a day where the refuse collection has been removed (as a result of the new food waste service) will be collected by Veolia.
If you have any queries waste collections you can contact the Recycling Team directly on foodwaste@westminster.gov.uk

Report It

You can report dumped rubbish, graffiti, broken paving stones and street lights and more to the Report It service.

Westminster Council encourages residents to report areas of concern here. Let us know about any street problems in Westminster, such as fly tipping, potholes, abandoned vehicles or graffiti