HYDE PARK WARD LABOUR ACTION REPORT – Late June 2023
News from your Hyde Park Labour Councillors Judith Southern, Md Shamsed Chowdhury and Paul Dimoldenberg
Dear Resident,
We hope that all is well. It has been another few weeks of activity right across the ward.
We attended a meeting of the HPEA on 6th June to discuss the C43 cycleway proposal and the situation at Lancaster Gate station.
On 13th June we attended the Paddington Life Sciences launch in North Wharf Road to discuss how creating a life sciences cluster embedded in the community, with St Mary’s Hospital at the heart, will bring benefits locally.
We also attend the HPEA meeting on 13th June to hear about progress on the Paddington Square development from Jonathan Ring of Sellar.
On 14th June, we attended a meeting with the Church Commissioners’ solicitors, together with the Portman Estate and Freshwater, to discuss ways in which they and the Council can work together more effectively to tackle the growing abuse by leaseholders who let out their flats on Airbnb, booking.com, etc. We also discussed the Edgware Road estate agents that we believe are involved.
We attended the St George’s Fields’ 50th Anniversary Garden Party on 17th June and discussed local issues with residents.
The Council is consulting residents and business on ideas for improving High Streets on Edgware Road, Praed Street and Queensway. You can give your ideas here https://engage.westminster.gov.uk/en-GB/folders/paddington-bayswater-high-streets
To mark the first anniversary of the new Council, Paul has written ‘Winning Westminster – How Labour turned Westminster Council Red’ https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C2RG178S. All royalties will be donated to Westminster foodbanks.
We hold a regular advice surgery at St John’s Parish Hall, Hyde Park Crescent, on the first Thursday of the month from 6-7pm. The next will be on Thursday 6th July, 6pm-7pm.
Please let us know if we can be of help or assistance on any local issues.
NEWS AND ACTION
The Hyde Park Estate area, bounded by Edgware Road/Bayswater Road and Sussex Gardens
Connaught Square
Residents on the east side of Connaught Square say they have not been contacted by G.Network about high-speed broadband despite the recent broadband installation in the Square. We have asked Council officers to investigate, and they say, “This is very disappointing as I was advised that the work back in October would enable this section of the square to go live. As soon as I get a response, I will pass it on.”
We also asked the Council to issue a Fixed Penalty Notice to a resident of 45 Connaught Square for rubbish dumping on the pavement by the post box.
Connaught Street
We contacted First Mile to ask that they liaise with their customers to stop rubbish dumping on the corner of Connaught Street and Porchester Place.
Portsea Place/Kendal Street
We asked the City Inspectors to take action against those for the regular rubbish dumping at the corner of Portsea Place and Kendal Street.
Park West
We asked the police to investigate reports about anti-social behaviour at Park West from residents who say, “We have a number of issues from drug dealers to prostitution and terrible night-time noise of people playing loud music at all hours.”
Park West Place
We asked the Parking Team to undertake regular evening patrols at Park West Place to stop parking on double yellow lines and causing a disturbance for residents.
We also asked the Highways Team to fill the former tree pit by block 9 to be filled with a new paving slab. A replacement tree was planted elsewhere in Park West Place recently and we have asked that the tree be watered regularly in the hot weather.
Connaught Court
We passed on further information to the Council about the use of flats at Connaught Court for short-term letting for investigation by the Enforcement Team.
25 Porchester Place
We reported flats at 25 Porchester Place suspected of being let out on Airbnb to the Council’s Enforcement Team and to the Church Commissioners.
Clarendon Mews
Following a request from a resident, we asked the Street Sweeping Team to ensure that Clarendon Mews is swept three times a week, as per the published schedule.
Porchester Place
We asked the Environmental Health Team to inspect a restaurant in Porchester Place where there is black smoke coming from the chimney. Residents say, “The sheer volume of smoke, and the amount of times that it hangs over the whole surrounding area, makes me think that the restaurant does not have the legally required level of air filtration. There are many restaurants in our neighbourhood with charcoal grills, and none of them vent anything like this level of smoke; making me think there are some fundamental missing parts/filters in the ducting.”
The Environmental Health Team say, “The owner has informed me that he has brought the cleaning of the extract ventilation forward by a month. I do hope that improves the situation.” The problem, unfortunately, persists so we have asked for further action to be taken.
Norfolk Crescent
We asked the City Inspector to investigate regular fly-tipping outside a property in Norfolk Crescent.
Southwick Place
We continue to support residents in Hyde Park Crescent and Radnor Place who are being severely impacted by hordes of pigeons as a result of one of their neighbours in Southwick Place feeding pigeons excessive amounts of food four times a day. We asked the Environmental Health Team to investigate and take appropriate action.
Brook Street
We asked the City Inspectors and Street Sweeping Team to pay special attention to the EV charger on Brook Street where rubbish is dumped by drivers charging their cars.
Kendal Street
We asked the Parking Team to investigate activities at the Car Wash on Kendal Street after receiving this enquiry from a resident, “There were three large SUVs parked along the pavement in front of the Car Wash. Pedestrians were forced into the road. I saw a green Lamborghini SUV drive up to the car wash and hoot two pedestrians aggressively who were walking along the footpath in front of the car wash.”
The Parking Team say, “This spot used to be on our Special Enforcement list for hourly checks, but this has fallen away over years. But we will get this reinstated.”
Marble Arch
Following a recent violent incident at Marble Arch, we asked the Police to increase their patrols in the area. The police say, “I have asked that our Neighbourhood proactive vehicle patrols the area daily. They will visit there and complete weapon sweeps in the area and utilise our stop and search powers should grounds exist. I have also briefed my Teams from Marylebone and Hyde Park asking them to up patrols there, and I have also spoken to the Sergeant from the West End Team, requesting that they keep an eye on the area also.”
Illegal short-term letting
We asked the Church Commissioners to install notices regarding subletting in Arabic languages so that sublet tenants arriving at their buildings are aware they may be there without consent. We also asked that the notices are secured behind glass so that the property ‘agents’ letting out the flats cannot rip them down. We also asked that the notices be placed in the lifts and lobbies at Connaught Court, 25 Porchester Place, The Water Gardens, Devonport and The Quadrangle.
Westbourne Street
We asked the Parking Team to monitor the use of the loading bay on Westbourne Street outside the Royal Lancaster Hotel after residents alerted us to the very heavy usage. Residents say, “Only rarely was the 20-minute limit respected. Quite a few vans and lorries remained there for hours at a time, some all day. At times, vehicles were even double parked thus blocking traffic on Westbourne Street.”
We also asked the General Manager of the Hotel about this issue, and she replied, “Thank you for highlighting this to us, we will do all we can to improve on this. For each event set up we have an officer or two to monitor all load-ins/outs and manage contractors. We will add additional responsibilities for these officers to monitor all vehicles that park up in this bay and ensuring they do not exceed the 20-minute stay – warning them if necessary. We will do our absolute best to manage this as a team and hopefully things will start improving from this point on.”
We are also continuing to urge the City Inspectors to issue fines to those who dump rubbish on the pavement on Westbourne Street.
Lancaster Gate station
We are relieved to see Lancaster Gate station back open. We have been working with Transport for London and the Mayor’s office to work out a solution, acknowledging the immense pressure TfL is under due to central Government financial cuts. The closures reflected the fact that, when there are shortages of supervisory staff, Lancaster Gate bore the brunt as a station with lower footfall than other local stations. This has been extremely frustrating for those travellers living closest to Lancaster Gate.
We are pleased to report, after a meeting with the Deputy Mayor for Transport, Seb Dance, supported by Karen Buck MP, we have now had confirmation that, in the event of any future staffing shortages, Lancaster Gate will not be treated as the default for temporary closure. In the long-term TfL are confident their review of staffing across the board will alleviate this issue in its entirety. Moreover, we have absolute confirmation that Lancaster Gate is not being considered as a candidate for permanent closure. We’ll continue to keep an eye on this issue.
Hyde Park Estate security
For residents living on the Hyde Park Estate, the Croma mobile security supervisor contact number is 07880 680257. The mobile team provides 2 patrols each evening between the hours of 19.00pm – 07.00am. This is paid for via the service charges at blocks managed by the Church Commissioners, who also pay for the patrol at Portsea Mews and around Connaught Village.
Please note, you can only use this number to report incidents within the boundary of the Hyde Park Estate as Croma are paid to operate within that area only.
The Star Street area, between Sussex Gardens and Praed Street
Praed Street
We asked the City Inspectors to investigate reports of regular pigeon feeding on the window of a flat in Praed Street. Residents say, “All the building and my windows are full of pigeon waste. I have to wash my windows many times a week because of feeding pigeons on the windows.”
The City Inspectors say, “We will contact the resident and will also send an advisory letter to the alleged feeder. I will also ask City Inspectors to check the street environment to check if food is being regularly left in this location.”
We also asked the Highways Team to review the number of contractors’ signs on the pavement along Praed Street. Residents say, “The pavements on Praed Street are very busy at the best of times. But the situation is not helped by numerous road signs all along the street, from Paddington Station all the way to Edgware Road.”
Star Street
We asked Notting Hill Genesis to remove the waste that has been left outside 54, 55, 56 and 62 Star Street by their contractors and which is highly obstructive to wheelchair users and a hazard for pedestrians. The waste has now been removed.
We have also asked the Waste Team and City Inspectors to take speedy action to remove dumped rubbish by the black bins on the corner of Sale Place.
Sale Place
We asked the Highways Team to remove some green barriers which have been left on the pavement and are causing an obstruction for pedestrians.
Spring Street
We raised concerns about the number of First Mile bags of rubbish and recycling which are left on the pavement by local businesses awaiting collection and which attract further dumping. We are also concerned that some businesses leave food waste bags on the pavement which then leaks out on the pavement causing ugly stains.
Sussex Gardens
We asked for the removal of broken tree branches hanging outside the Normandie hotel on Sussex Gardens. The broken branches have now been removed.
St Michael’s Street
We asked the City Inspectors to take action to remove rubbish from the front of a house in St Michael’s Street.
It is great to see the external works to the Notting Hill Genesis houses in St Michael’s Street are now completed – new double-glazed windows front and back, new roofs and all properties repainted. A job well done!
London Street
Network Rail has started the next phase of their project to renew London Street bridge at Paddington station, involving the demolition of most of the bridge. The work will last until October 2023. Network Rail has installed an acoustic barrier to contain the noise within the site. For further information, call the 24-hour National Helpline on 03457 11 41 41 or visit www.networkrail.co.uk/contactus
Edgware Road area
45-49 Edgware Road
We continue to support residents’ concerns about the noisy and inconsiderate building works at 45-49 Edgware Road. There is a current planning application for this property 23/03920/CLOPUD | Use within Use Class E restaurant (ground floor and part basement) and retention of office use (part basement). | 45-49 Edgware Road London W2 2HZ (westminster.gov.uk)
Citadel of Erbil
We asked the City Inspectors and police for an update at the situation at the Citadel of Erbil. Residents say they are regularly woken up at 4 and 5am by the noise of customers leaving/congregating outside.
Edgware Road/Sussex Gardens
We asked the Street Cleansing Team if it would be possible to wash down the area around the tree at the corner of Edgware Road and Sussex Gardens on a regular basis as it is a serious ‘hot spot’ for pigeon feeding and droppings.
Edgware Road
We are pleased that Veolia are experimenting with new deep cleaning techniques on Edgware Road which, so far, have removed deep ingrained staining from the areas which have been treated.
We asked the City Inspectors to remove an abandoned cycle frame outside 226 Edgware Road.
Cambridge Court
We asked the Council’s Enforcement Team to inspect the flats on the recently completed top floor extension to Cambridge Court which are reported to be let as short term lets on Airbnb.
The Chapel Street, Cabbell Street and Transept Street area
Chapel Street
We asked the City Inspectors to remove an abandoned bike frame outside the M&S shop on Chapel Street.
We also asked the Highways Team to fix a lamppost where the electrics guard has fallen off.
Old Marylebone Road
We asked the Highways Team to liaise with TfL to fix the faulty Belisha beacon outside Block 6 Oxford & Cambridge Mansions.
Hyde Park Mansions
We asked the Enforcement Team to investigate further reports of Airbnb short-term letting at flats in Hyde Park Mansions and sent photographs of visitors arriving with suitcases.
Paddington Basin/Sheldon Square area
Dudley House
Following information received from a resident, we asked Pinnacle Housing to investigate another report of a Dudley House flat advertised on Airbnb. Pinnacle say, “After investigation, no bookings took place on this booking listing and the booking option was disabled. The resident has been visited in their home and they have confirmed that the property is removed from the listings.”
Montgomery House
We contacted Peabody on behalf of residents of Montgomery House who have not had hot water for some time.
Harbet Road
We again urged the Hilton Hotel to sweep Harbet Road on a daily basis as this private road is their responsibility.
We are also making enquiries about the use of coach and taxi parking bays for storage/deliveries.
North Wharf Road
We reported a Lime e-bike obstructing the pavement outside Dudley House and asked that it be removed and the rider fined.
Marylebone Boys School
Road safety improvements outside Marylebone Boys’ School, North Wharf Road have been proposed to reduce the possibility of collisions and near misses, following discussions with the school.
- Improved pedestrian crossing area on North Wharf Road and its junction with Hermitage Street and the school’s entrance with the installation of a raised table
- Reduction of overall vehicle speeds
- Reduction of vehicles disregarding traffic signs and road markings
- Installation of a guardrail on the island in Harrow Road
- Upgrading of existing loading and waiting restrictions