HYDE PARK WARD LABOUR ACTION REPORT – April 2025
News from your Hyde Park Labour Councillors Judith Southern, Md Shamsed Chowdhury and Paul Dimoldenberg
Dear Resident,
It has been another very busy month right across the ward.
Along with Rachel Blake MP, we have written to the government minister responsible for Post Offices, Gareth Thomas MP, to urge him to support our campaign to keep open Praed Street Post Office. We said:
“Praed Street Post Office provides vital service to the community and we call for your support in keeping this Post Office open. Were current services to close, many of the alternative services would be too far for residents and local businesses to travel. It provides essential face-to-face services, including cash, banking and financial services. This is particularly crucial for older residents and those who don’t use online banking, those who speak English as a second language and those with disabilities who may have difficulties interfacing with online systems.’
You can sign Rachel Blake MP’s petition https://www.rachelblake.org.uk/campaigns
Details of the Council’s budget for next year and confirmation of the second lowest Council tax in the UK, are here https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/issues/financial/2025/03/05/westminster-labours-budget-invests-in-social-care-public-safety-housing-and-cost-of-living-support/
For an update on the Oxford Street situation please see https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/issues/west-end-issues/2025/03/01/westminster-labours-response-to-the-mayor-of-londons-oxford-street-consultation-announcement/
The Council has produced ‘Westminster After Dark’ – a blueprint for managing the city after 6pm. You can give your views at https://www.westminster.gov.uk/westminster-after-dark
Victory in Europe Day (VE80) is on Monday 5th May and has been officially dedicated to community celebrations and street parties marking the occasion. The deadline for applications is Friday 4th April https://www.westminster.gov.uk/ve-day-street-party.
We attended a further meeting for Aster House residents organised by Octavia Housing to discuss energy costs and heating.
We attended Rachel Blake MP’s Coffee Afternoon at St John’s Church on Friday 28th March.
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 advice surgery will be on Thursday 3rd April, 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
3 Oxford Square
A 3-month closure order for 3 Oxford Square was granted by the court recently, following work by Council officers and the Police. The Police and Council say:
“The occupants have vacated, and the property is now securely closed. The closure order has been issued for a period of three months, prohibiting anyone from remaining in or entering the property from the 26th of March 2025 to the 26th of June 2025. Should anyone attempt to do so, they would be liable to arrest. There is an exception for emergency services and the landlord to make necessary repairs to the property. If you witness anyone entering the property in contradiction of the order, please report this as a crime in progress via 999.”
This has been a very worrying time for neighbouring residents, following the persistent anti-social behaviour, and we hope their nightmare is finally over.
Bayswater Road
We asked the Parking Team to investigate lorries parking on the pavement on Bayswater Road, opposite the Albion Gate apartments. The Parking Team say, “Since the 4 March, the Parking Marshals have identified 5 instances where vehicles were illegally parked on the footway. PCNs were issued in each instance and the drivers are being pursued for payment. I have asked that the Marshals continue to monitor the area as frequently as possible.”
Update – We asked the Council to remove an untaxed vehicle parked on the pavement.
Westbourne Street
We asked the City Inspectors to act against those dumping rubbish outside 16 Westbourne Street.
Bathurst Street
We asked the Short-Term Lettings Team to investigate properties in Bathurst Street suspected of being let out to short stay visitors on Airbnb.
We also asked the Highways Team to include the resurfacing of Bathurst Street in the next road maintenance programme.
Albion Mews
We asked the Street Lighting Team to fix a defective wall light at the entrance to Albion Mews.
Albion Street
Following requests from residents, the Highways Team will be installing additional 20mph roundels on Albion Street to urge drivers to slow down.
Albion Gate
At the request of residents, we contacted The Royal Parks about the path leading into Hyde Park from Albion Gate. The Royal Parks say: “We accept the concerns about the condition of the pedestrian pathways into the park from Albion Gate. New markings for the paths had already been requested and will be completed by April. The noticeboard in the middle of the cycle lane is not an ideal solution for either pedestrians or cyclists and will be moved to the side of the path.”
Porchester Place
We asked the Short-Term Letting Team to investigate a house on Porchester Place where there is a key box outside for Airbnb visitors.
We asked the Highways Team to fix a broken traffic sign at the Kendal Street/Porchester Place junction.
The planning application to improve the extract system at 6 Porchester Place has been approved by the Council. The applicants say, “The proposal is for the modification of an existing kitchen extract system comprising modifications to ductwork and the installation of electrostatic precipitation units (ESP’s) and a new fan. The modifications will significantly enhance the performance of the system with the proposed ESP’s are highly efficient and remove up to 98% of grease, smoke and oil particles down to 0.01 microns.”
An upgrade to the extract system is long overdue and there have been many complaints from neighbouring residents about the smoke and smells currently coming from this restaurant. We will be keeping a close eye on this and hope that residents see an improvement soon.
Portsea Place
We asked the City Inspectors and Police to investigate reports of anti-social behaviour in Portsea Place.
Connaught Square/Portsea Place
We asked the Street Sweeping and Refuse Collection Teams to give attention to the area around the junction of Connaught Square and Portsea Place where residents have reported rubbish dumping.
We also asked the City Inspectors to investigate late-night rubbish dumping in the Connaught Square/Street area.
Park West Place
We are pleased to see new trees planted in Park West Place to replace the ones which were vandalised.
Devonport
We are supporting Devonport leaseholders’ ‘Right to Manage’ application who say, “Years of mismanagement under the Church Commissioners’ appointed managing agents have taken a heavy financial and practical toll on residents. Their lack of concern over service charge expenditures has led to unacceptable cost increases.”
We also asked the Planning Team to consider a Tree Preservation Order for the two trees threatened by the Church Commissioners’ proposal to build in the Devonport Garden. The Planning Team say, “The trees at Devonport are already protected by virtue of their location in a conservation area. When the Council receives proposals to undertake tree works, these are considered on their merits and at that point we would consider making a TPO. Planning permission would override a TPO, so making one would not afford the trees any greater protection than the conservation area.”
Connaught Village Green
Work on creating Connaught Village Green continues to go well with granite setts being laid around the trees. See https://connaughtvillagegreen.commonplace.is/ for the phasing plan, scheme drawing, FAQs and contact email.
Hyde Park Crescent
City Inspectors arranged the removal of several nitrous oxide canisters from Hyde Park Crescent, which were taken to a secure Veolia facility on Harrow Road for storage, until they can be safely disposed of by a specialist.
Hyde Park Square
We asked the Police to investigate this issue, “a guy walked along Hyde Park Square and kicked the wing mirror off my car and then proceeded to look at various cars’ rear wheels and break another wing mirror closer to The Victoria pub! I have it all on CCTV.”
Sussex Square
We asked the Street Sweeping Team to ensure that horse droppings are cleared regularly from the Sussex Square/Brook Street area. The Team says, “This section of street is swept once a day, every day of the week, between 6am and 2pm. It will also be re-visited if Veolia receive a report of something to clean up. They rely on people reporting issues through the Report It website outside of the scheduled sweeping times. I am also in contact with the Stables so will follow up with them directly on if they can aim to clean up after themselves.”
Sussex Square postal services
We again contacted Royal Mail about the poor postal service following a further message from a resident, “We receive our post in Sussex Square approximately every 7-10 days in batches. We have spoken with the regular postman who advised that the local sorting office directive is to prioritise packages & parcels, so that the letters etc. are now secondary, even though people pay for a 1st class postage! “
Park Lane
We asked TfL to arrange a clear up of the central green spine on Park Lane, particularly the rubbish and detritus that has accumulated – bottles, cans, plastic bags etc. Also, there are piles of dead leaves.
Marble Arch
We have urged the Highways Team not to allow Lime e-bike parking at Marble Arch during British Summer Time concerts and Winter Wonderland. Marble Arch is a Grade 1 listed building which deserves a proper setting and a sea of e-bikes is not an appropriate setting. A better location for a Lime e-bike parking area is within the park itself where there is plenty of hard standing adjacent to the bike lanes.
Hyde Park Estate newsletter
The Church Commissioners have started a newsletter for the Hyde Park Estate. You can sign up here https://www.churchofengland.org/about/hyde-park-estate/newsletters
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.
The Star Street area, between Sussex Gardens and Praed Street
Star Street
The Council obtained a closure order for a flat in Star Street to tackle serious ASB from the occupants. This follows months of work by Council officers, Police and Notting Hill Genesis to support victims of ASB. The order is in place for 3 months and the property is boarded up now to prevent illegal access.
City Inspectors reported an untaxed and abandoned vehicle to parking services. The vehicle was removed within 48hours and the residents’ parking bay was again available for use.
We asked the Highways Team to relocate traffic diversion signs in Star Street which were blocking the pavement. The signs have now been relocated.
We also asked the Highways Team to investigate residents’ reports of builders disposing of concrete down the drains in Star Street.
Talbot Square
We asked the Environmental Health Team to investigate living conditions in a property in Talbot Square where residents are living amid a building site.
Bouverie Place
City Inspectors continue to monitor and enforce on waste dumped illegally next to the Micro Recycling Centre on Bouverie Place. Several local businesses were found to be illegally dumping waste and have been fined.
We asked the Highways Team to remove redundant diversion signage on the pavement at the corner of Bouverie Place and Star Street.
Sussex Gardens
City Inspectors reported eight mattresses dumped on Sussex Gardens, which were subsequently removed the same day. City Inspectors are working closely with the Paddington BID team to remind all hoteliers of their responsibilities in correct waste disposal. Any hotel found to be fly tipping will be pursued for enforcement action.
Praed Street
We asked the Highways Team to fix a broken cover which has created a trip hazard outside 155A Praed Street.
Norfolk Square
We asked the Highways Team to remove an abandoned bike from the Norfolk Square cycle rack at the edge of London Street.
We also asked the Street Lighting Team to fix a faulty fuse that had caused all the lights in the Square to fail. The streetlights in Norfolk Square are now working again.
Norfolk Place
We asked the Highways Team to resurface Norfolk Place where the roadway is in poor condition, The Team say, “we have Norfolk Place to resurface and have tried on at least one occasion this year only to be scuppered by emergency utility works. Will try to get it reprogrammed asap and in the interim keep monitoring the condition and make safe.”
We also asked the Refuse Team to clear away white paint on Norfolk Place close to the Star Street junction, which has covered the road.
Edgware Road
Edgware Road/Praed Street
We asked TfL to fix a broken electrics cover on a lamppost at the corner of Edgware Road and Praed Street.
Cambridge Court
We asked the Environmental Health Team to investigate a flat in Cambridge Court that has been experiencing persistent leaks and electrical malfunctions for several months, with the landlord showing reluctance to implement repairs.
Chapel Street, Cabbell Street and Transept Street area
Chapel Street
We asked the Parking Team to remove an abandoned car from Chapel Street which has accumulated many parking tickets.
We also asked the Graffiti Team to remove the graffiti from the wall next to 38-47a Chapel Street. The team say, “I have raised with the manager of the graffiti service, and he has scheduled it for removal. Until recently we didn’t have equipment available to remove incidents at height, but we have arranged for sharing of a cherry picker with Brent. I will update you when this job has been completed.”
Following our enquiries about Airbnb key boxes outside 38-47a Chapel Street, the Housing Team has removed all the key boxes. If any more appear they will be removed, too.
Hyde Park Mansions
We are helping a family in Hyde Park Mansions who have received an eviction notice as their landlord was not paying the mortgage so the bank has asked for the property back.
Street sweeping
We asked the Street Sweeping Team to improve the situation along Cabbell Street, Transept Street and Chapel Street.
Cabbell Street
We asked the Street Lighting Team to investigate lighting levels in Cabbell Street and they say, “Cabbell Street is on the programme for 2025/26, due to lighting levels being low here due to the trees and dark buildings.”
Freshwater Properties
We have contacted the new acting area manager for Freshwater Properties to introduce ourselves and to arrange to discuss the issues faced by residents in Cabbell Street, Transept Street, Old Marylebone Road and Chapel Street, as well as those living in Park West.
Informal zebra crossings
The Highways Team has given us revised dates for the installation of informal zebra crossings:
- Chapel Street/Transept Street – 16/04/2025 – 24/04/2025
- Chapel Street/Cabbell Street (North) – 25/04/2025 – 29/04/2025
- Chapel Street/Cabbell Street (South) – 30/04/2025 – 02/05/2025
Paddington Basin/Sheldon Square area
Travis Perkins site
We are very disappointed that the Mayor of London has ‘called in’ the proposal to build a 600+ room student development on the Travis Perkins site at Baltic Wharf after it was refused for the second time by Westminster Council’s Planning Committee in January 2025.
We will continue to fight these unacceptable proposals.
Brunel Building canal lift
Following our enquiries, the lift down to the canal at the Brunel Building is now working and has been given a deep clean. One resident said, “I am incredibly grateful and so thankful for all your hard work and input for successfully having convinced Derwent to resolve this longstanding Brunel Building Accessible Lift disrepair issue.”
Dudley House
We are supporting residents in Dudley House who want to set up a Residents’ Association so that they can speak with one voice in their dealings with the Council and Pinnacle, the building managers.
Dahlia House
The Short Term Lets Team has given us the latest update on Dahlia House:
“A new Building Management has taken over and is more pro-active in wanting to alleviate short term lets and provided some booking links which we are looking into.
Our investigations are ongoing, and we will continue to visit to establish the 90 nights evidence required to take further enforcement action. Whilst there are many medical lets in the building, they were all staying for longer than 90 nights, so no further action could be taken. Medical lets can appear to be the same as short term lets because of family and friends visiting and people arriving with suitcases. Our repeated visits found that when we returned to check if the same occupants were in the flats, they were still there.”
North Wharf Road
We asked the Highways to investigate the late-night working by the contractors fixing the gas main on North Wharf Road. The Team says, “The permit has specific conditions which limit their working hours to reduce the impact on residents and the local area and Cadent’s contractors breached the condition last night. We have issued Cadent with a Fixed Penalty Notice and have escalated this to senior managers in Cadent to liaise with their contractors to ensure this does not happen again.”
Sheldon Square
Alongside Rachel Blake MP, we continue to support residents with their concerns about FirstPort’s management of Sheldon Square. Rachel has organised a meeting with FirstPort where residents’ concerns will be discussed.
Aster House
We again asked Octavia Housing about the high energy bills at Aster House. A resident told us, “The heating engineer visited and assessed the ongoing issues with my heating system. There were multiple concerns, including the heating not staying hot and a leak coming from the apparatus in the closet. I also raised the issue of overcharging, as my meter seemed to be consuming money even when I wasn’t using hot water.”
Eastbourne Terrace
We asked TfL to install a bus shelter on Eastbourne Terrace after receiving this enquiry, “I regularly use the bus stop on Eastbourne Terrace. It is well used by travellers and locals and serves many buses. There is a slight overhang from the roof of Paddington Station, but otherwise no shelter. Just some glass or other material, but any shelter would be so welcome.”
Hermitage Street
City Inspectors placed 48-hour notices of intent to remove on the locks and bikes abandoned on Hermitage Street. The abandoned bikes were removed, freeing up space for cycle users.
Paddington underground station
We asked TfL to remove abandoned bike frames from the bike racks outside Paddington underground station entrance by the canal.
Harrow Road/Harbet Road
We asked the Highways Team to fix a pedestrian trip hazard at the corner of Harrow Road and Harbet Road.
Eastbourne Terrace
We again urged TfL to take seriously residents’ concerns about drivers on the 46 bus route using Cleveland Terrace, Westbourne Terrace and Chilworth Street when coming out of their stand on Eastbourne Terrace. TfL say, “Yes this is a frequent issue. I will try and explore a more permanent solution with the buses team, and in the meantime get a reminder over to the drivers.”
Encampments under the Westway
We continue to urge the Council and TfL to take action to clear the encampments under the Westway and by the roundabout opposite Travis Perkins. The Council say:
“TfL and WCC were granted a possession order for the Westway underpass and adjoining land on 19th March. The next steps involve obtaining the writ to enforce this order, which both legal teams are actively pursuing. Recently, a joint visit was conducted with Council officers, the police, and outreach teams to engage with those remaining at these sites. Several abandoned items and waste were cleared. We are planning more visits.”
Westway
We asked TfL to remove graffiti from the Westway walls.