HYDE PARK WARD LABOUR ACTION REPORT – July 2025
News from your Hyde Park Labour Councillors Judith Southern, Md Shamsed Chowdhury and Paul Dimoldenberg and Action Team member Nigel Medforth
Contact us at: hplabour@gmail.com
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Dear Resident,
It has been another very busy month right across the ward.
We attended the St George’s Fields Garden Party on 14th June and enjoyed meeting and talking to residents.
On 24th June, we visited the exhibition of early designs for the Fleming Centre, the new research hub to be located on the canal, next to St Mary’s Hospital. The Centre is part of the Fleming Initiative to help tackle the increasingly urgent, global threat of antimicrobial resistance. It will bring together researchers, policymakers, clinicians, behavioural scientists, commercial partners and the public to combine their shared networks, expertise and skills.
Paul has been elected Lord Mayor of Westminster and is carrying out his duties across Westminster, including Hyde Park Ward, until May 2026. https://www.westminster.gov.uk/news/new-lord-mayor-westminster-elected-full-council#:~:text=Cllr%20Dimoldenberg%20has%20represented%20Hyde,Ward%20from%201997%20to%202022.
Local resident Nigel Medforth has joined the Hyde Park Labour Action Team and is working hard alongside Judith, Shamsed and Paul. https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/your-ward/hyde-park/
The Police have launched a new way for residents to receive updates on neighbourhood policing. Called ‘Met Engage’, it provides crime prevention advice, information about local events and meetings, updates on ongoing incidents and investigations, and information about successful outcomes and operations. You can sign up here https://metengage.co.uk/Content/Pages/Sign-Up
The Council is undertaking noise monitoring for the Hyde Park Concerts. Please contact the noise line on 0300 061 2222 if you are experiencing any issues.
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 July, 6pm-7pm
NEWS AND ACTION
The Hyde Park Estate area, bounded by Edgware Road, Bayswater Road and Sussex Gardens
Connaught Village Green
There was a big crowd of residents at Connaught Village Green on 4th June to see the Lord Mayor, Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, officially open the new public seating, planted areas and new paving.
Burwood Place
We asked the Streets Team to jet wash the stained area of pavement by the bench on Burwood Place and the job was done very well.
Connaught Street
We asked the Parking Team to investigate the regular misuse of a loading bay on Connaught Street by a coach driver.
25 Porchester Place
Following our enquiries, the Church Commissioners have installed a new front door at 25 Porchester Place which is fully working again and say, “Unfortunately there was a long lead in as new doors had to be manufactured and delivered.”
Clarendon House
We asked the Police to investigate reports from residents of an individual spray painting the CCTV entry phone camera at Clarendon House.
Clarendon Mews
We asked the Streets Team to remove the weeds from Clarendon Mews.
Update – The weeds have been removed and a resident says, “Started clearing the weeds yesterday. Worked in the rain. You noticed them on Sunday. I did not even ask for your help. Shamsed, my councillor takes action immediately. Thank you.”
Norfolk Crescent
Following our request, a CCTV camera has been installed in Norfolk Crescent which we hope will deter criminal and anti-social behaviour and help the police identify those responsible for such activity.
Kendal Street
We asked the Highways Team to fix an uneven pavement on Kendal Street, outside Park West, where a resident tripped and had a bad fall.
Radnor Mews/Sussex Place
We asked the Highways Team to fix a loose kerb stone at the entrance to Radnor Mews.
Sussex Square
We asked the Parking Team to investigate recent instances of coach parking on residents’ parking bays in Sussex Square.
Park West postal deliveries
A resident tells us, “We recently had a conversation with a postman delivering in our building. We asked why has the delivery service for both first and second class become so unreliable and inconsistent. He said since the changes being introduced following the change of ownership, his workload has been tripled and he was no longer able to complete his regular rounds within his scheduled work hours. Consequently, he now only delvers to Park West three days a week regardless of paying first or second-class postage. In addition, under the new ownership, he said overtime has also been scrapped.”
The Water Gardens
We asked the Church Commissioners to take legal action against leaseholders subletting their flats to short term tenants.
We also asked the Church Commissioners to fix a very bad water and sewage leak from one flat into the flats below.
We asked the Environmental Health Team to investigate unpleasant smells coming from the restaurant extraction fans and which are affecting residents living above.
Gloucester Square
We asked the City Inspectors to investigate rubbish dumping outside 1-9 Gloucester Square
Bayswater Road
We asked TfL to fix the Countdown indicator at the bus stop outside Lancaster Gate Station.
Bathurst Street
After being contacted by residents and businesses in Bathurst Street we asked the Trees Officer to inspect the tree at the end of the street where branches are long and getting closer to some windows. The Tree Officer says, “I have inspected the tree and recommended that the two lowest branches on the north side are removed completely and the remainder pruned to increase clearance over the road and from the adjacent properties. The work is planned for September.”
Brook Street
The Brook Street Cycle Movement proposals aim to improve and make permanent the temporary cycles lanes installed as part of the covid pandemic response. The Brook Street cycle lane runs along Brook Street from Stanhope Terrace to the intersection with Bayswater Road.
Brook Street was previously consulted on and removed from the wider Paddington cycleway improvements scheme following public concerns about potential traffic impacts. Traffic modelling has since been undertaken and indicates that some additional queuing is expected on Brook Street during the PM peak, requiring signal timing adjustments to keep the junction operating within capacity. This may result in small changes (less than 10 seconds) to pedestrian crossing wait times.
Council Officers have also been working closely with the local stables to address concerns about horses using this route to access Hyde Park. The proposals have been updated to include a wider cycle lane, creating more space for both horses and cyclists to share safely. Horse warning signs are also proposed to alert cyclists to the presence of horses. Additionally, low-lying separators are proposed instead of standard wands, as they are safer for horses and can be easily stepped over if needed. Ongoing cleaning of horse droppings within the cycle lane is also being reviewed and monitored as part of this scheme.
You can see the proposals here https://www.westminstertransportationservices.co.uk/tmo/tmo_list.php?cid=1&tt=2
Oxford Street
We asked the Highways Team to fix the ‘water ponding’ on Oxford Street outside Primark, opposite TK Maxx.
Park Lane
Following our regular requests, TfL has finally taken action to remove the tent encampment from Park Lane. TfL say, “This action took place without incident and in continued coordination with Westminster Council officers”. We have urged TfL to install appropriate fencing around the site to prevent further encampments starting up in the future.
Marble Arch
The scaffolding around Marble Arch has been removed to reveal the structure in all its glory after many months of cleaning and restoration by English Heritage. The project, made possible by funding generated through advertising on a special ‘shroud’ surrounding the arch during the works, is the first to be carried out since the Arch was last restored in 2004. You can read more at https://marble-arch.london/news/marble-arch-restoration/
Hyde Park Corner
We asked the Streets Team to flush the Hyde Park Corner pedestrian underpass on a regular basis.
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
St Michael’s Street
We asked the Parking Team to investigate a suspected abandoned car in St Michael’s Street.
Star Street
We have urged Notting Hill Genesis to fix a leaking tap in a flat in Star Street which is causing distress to neighbours next door.
Harbet Road
We asked the Highways Team to fix loose kerb and paving stones on Harbet Road outside the entrance to Balmoral House.
Norfolk Place/Sussex Gardens
We asked the Highways Team to fix a pedestrian trip hazard on the pavement at the junction of Norfolk Place and Sussex Gardens,
Sussex Gardens
We are supporting leaseholders in Sussex Gardens who are in dispute with the Church Commissioners and their agents, Savills.
Police officers recently arrested a man suspected of selling drugs from his car in Sussex Gardens. In a subsequent search of his vehicle further class A and Class B drugs were found.
We asked the police to investigate crime incidents reported by Sussex Gardens residents, including a car break-in, alleged sex workers entering the basement area of a property and the forced entry to the basement area of the same building.
South Wharf Road
We again asked the Streets Team to help the rough sleeper outside Tesco and Greggs on South Wharf Road off the street. UPDATE – The rough sleeper has now moved, following Council assistance.
Edgware Road
Aldi
Aldi is coming to 90-100 Edgware Road, in the former Tesco unit, according to The Portman Estate https://portmanestate.co.uk/three-new-brands-to-join-edgware-road/
Edgware Road/Bayswater Road
We asked TfL to repair the road at the junction of Edgware Road and Bayswater Road where there are numerous large cracks which makes it dangerous for all road users.
Edgware Road
We asked TfL to fix a pedestrian trip hazard on the pavement outside 175 Edgware Road.
Chapel Street, Cabbell Street and Transept Street area
Oxford & Cambridge Mansions
We asked the Environmental Health Team to inspect a flat in Oxford & Cambridge Mansions where water leaks from above have severely damaged the walls, ceiling, and wooden window, leading to dampness and mould spores in the flat.
Hyde Park Mansions
We asked the Police to investigate a flat in Hyde Park Mansions following reports from residents about the “persistent disturbances and serious safety issues caused by the occupants of the flat”. The Police say, “We are aware of the issues that the tenants and accomplices are causing. We have been conducting regular patrols and will continue to do so. We will be working with WCC to obtain a full closure order of the address at the earliest opportunity. This will allow us to remove all those inside the venue, secure it, and allow the leaseholder to have the property returned to him.”
We are also helping long-time, regular rent-paying tenants of a flat in Hyde Park Mansions whose landlord will not renew their lease even though they have agreed the rent increase proposed by the landlord.
The former Chapel public house
Following our enquiries, the water leaking from the former Chapel pub has stopped.
Chapel Street/Cabbell Street
Following our enquiries, a CCTV camera has been installed at the junction of Chapel Street/Cabbell Street to improve safety and security for residents and visitors. To ensure that the camera is able to record a wide area, a number of trees have been pruned.
Cabbell Street postal deliveries
We have received multiple reports from residents in Cabbell Street regarding issues with Royal Mail deliveries. Residents say,
“There has been nowhere near as much post as usual the past few weeks and I have been expecting letters that never turned up.”
“Yesterday I found out that a very important letter went missing and was never delivered.”
“I was supposed to receive a new driving license over a month ago and it never arrived. God knows what else has been intercepted/ gone missing.”
We have written to Royal Mail for an explanation and assurance that the postal service will improve as a matter of urgency.
Old Marylebone Road/Homer Row
We asked TfL to remove the grey paint from the two No Entry signs at the junction of Homer Street and Old Marylebone Road which may mislead drivers and cause serious accidents. UPDATE – The signs have now been cleaned and the paint removed.
Paddington Basin/Sheldon Square area
St Mary’s Hospital
According to the Architects Journal, architects Allies and Morrison have been picked to masterplan the St Mary’s Hospital redevelopment. The article says, “The new, taller 800-to-840-bed hospital with integrated research facilities will sit on the east of the 3.5-hectare St Mary’s estate and have a smaller footprint than the existing hospital blocks. This consolidation and modernisation of existing building stock will pave the way for any surplus land to become part of the expansion of the Paddington Life Sciences cluster.”
Paddington Station development
Work is due to start this summer on Paddington’s Over Station Development above the eastern entrance to Paddington Station, on the canal facing the Brunel Building. The development comprises 15 floors of office accommodation and ground floor retail. A new direct staircase and lift will connect the building at towpath level to Bishop’s Bridge Road. The development is expected to be completed in 2028.
Works this summer will see the removal of the canal side steps to Bishop’s Bridge Road and the erection of hoardings. Temporary pedestrian routes will be signed via Paddington Central and Station Bridge. https://lnkd.in/eZQCxW
Eastbourne Terrace
Following enquiries about missing rubbish bins on Eastbourne Terrace, Veolia told us, “the bins were removed as the 3 bins had all been burned and were badly damaged. And at present we have no bins to replace them. I am hoping that the new metal bins will be delivered soon and Eastbourne Terrace will be the first to be installed.”
Sheldon Square
Following discussions with residents, the Council’s Short Term Lets Team will be inspecting flats suspected of being let on Airbnb and other short term let platforms.
Montgomery House
We again urged Peabody to fix the water leaks which have reappeared in a number of flats in Montgomery House.
North Wharf Road
Following our enquiries, we are pleased to see that the eastern part of North Wharf Road has been resurfaced and is now much safer for all road users.
Grand Union Business Improvement District
Businesses across Paddington voted in support of creating the Grand Union Business Improvement District (BID). Following a ballot 79% of businesses voted in favour. https://www.thisispaddington.com/article/grand-union-bid-ballot-result
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.
For further information see https://www.london.gov.uk/programmes-strategies/planning/planning-applications-and-decisions/public-hearings