ST JOHN’S WOOD LABOUR ACTION REPORT – April 2023
News from your Westminster Labour Councillors
Dear Resident
We hope you are well.
Here is our latest Action Report on the issues we have been taking up on behalf of residents in the St John’s Wood area recently.
Please let us know if we can be of any help with issues in your street or block and we will do our very best to help.
NEWS AND ACTION
Airbnb registration proposals
Following Karen Buck MPs successful campaign for all Airbnb short term lets to be registered, the Government has now published its proposals for consultation. You can read the proposals and make comments online by 7th June https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/consultation-on-a-registration-scheme-for-short-term-lets-in-england
St John’s Wood High Street
The St John’s Wood High Street scheme will improve the public space and accessibility along the high street. The scheme takes a pedestrian-centered approach, with a one-way street southbound for vehicles, allowing the widening of pavements on either side. There will be new pedestrian crossing points, trees, benches and traffic calming measures.
The main construction works started on 17th April. Prior to construction, a UK Power Networks connection required a temporary closure from 13th April on Wellington Place at the junction with St John’s High Street for four days.
For the latest news on the St John’s Wood High Street public realm improvements please visit https://sjwhighstreet.co.uk
You can sign up for fortnightly updates at http://eepurl.com/h5R2WL
Harewood Avenue, near to the junction of Harewood Road.
We asked the City Inspectors to remove an abandoned cycle displaying a ‘Man with Van’ sign on Harewood Avenue, near to the junction of Harewood Road. The City Inspectors sat, “the cycle has been ‘red tagged’ for removal and will be removed within the next 24/48 hours. In addition, a referral to planning was also made as display of advertisement requires consent. Our planning enforcement team are looking into this as it is an issue that has been observed previously across the city.”
Harewood Place
We asked TIER to remove four abandoned e-bikes dumped on the pavement on Harewood Place and the riders to be fined.
Blandford Estate
We have asked the Housing Department to investigate this issue raised by residents, “I would like to draw your attention to this and to mention that our estate has been overrun by ASB. The latest break-in to storage lockers was last week. In addition, used needles and empty laughing gas containers were found adjacent to the lockers.”
The Housing Department say, “We have taken the following actions since your enquiry. (1) Arranged for Roaming security to attend patrols on the Blandford Estate for the next 7 evenings. (2) Contacted the Safer Neighbourhood police team, who are aware of the break-ins and there is currently an open investigation regarding the storage lockers. (3) The compliance team have also been contacted to remove the gas cannisters and needles from the premises.”
Marlborough Hill
We have reported an abandoned Lime bike blocking the entrance to a house and obstructing the pavement and asked that the rider be fined.
Hamilton Close
We have asked the Highways Team to repaint the single yellow lines in Hamilton Close which residents say are very faded.
Harewood Avenue
We have reported an abandoned Lime bike obstructing the pavement and asked that the rider be fined.
Prince Albert Road/Avenue Road
Following a site visit with residents to discuss flooding issues at the junction of Prince Albert Road and Avenue, The Highways Team say they “will look to engage WSP to investigate this junction consider what can be done to avoid this in the future. This could involve Suds attenuation and working with Thames Water to upgrade capacity here. WSP are design and engineering consultants with a wealth of experience on these matters.”
London Zoo
London Zoo has released a series of old maps including the park’s original designs in 1826. The collection of maps, which was made available digitally to the public for the first time this week, shows how the popular attraction within the Regent’s Park has evolved during its nearly 200 years welcoming visitors.
https://westminstertimes.co.uk/2023/03/23/london-zoo-releases-collection-of-old-maps/
Dog waste
Dog owners can place bagged dog poo in any rubbish bin on the street. Please do not leave bags of dog poo by trees on the street.