Here’s our latest Action Report with news about Little Venice Ward as well as updates on the issues we’ve taken up on behalf of local residents in the past few weeks.
Please get in touch if there’s something in your street that needs action or if there’s an issue we can help with. Email Sara at: shassan@westminster.gov.uk or leave a message on 020 7641 5377
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Report It
You can help to get problems sorted quickly via Report It Use it to report dumped rubbish, overflowing bins, missed waste collections, broken street lights, wonky pavements, potholes, animal welfare concerns, anti-social behaviour, noise nuisance and much more. Click this link for Report It.
Sara, Megan & Shad
NEWS CASEWORK ACTION
Westminster Residents’ Survey
Please take a few minutes to fill in our residents’ survey. Labour gained control of Westminster Council from the Conservatives in May 2022. We’re keen to hear how you think we’re doing, as well as your views about your area and what the Council’s priorities should be for the future. Just click here to fill in the survey – it only takes 5 minutes.
Fighting anti-social behaviour
Labour Westminster Council has completed its consultation on new measures to tackle nuisance vehicles, pedicabs and on-street anti-social behaviour. Fines of up to £1,000 could be handed down to people who flout new regulations to keep the public safe. Click for more details.
Bakerloo breakthrough
After years of Transport for London being starved of funds under the previous Conservative Government, the Chancellor’s Spending Review has unlocked the long-awaited Bakerloo Line upgrade. Thanks to a £2.2bn new capital renewals program, TFL can now get on with buying new trains to replace the rolling stock on the Bakerloo line that is decades past its use-by date.
Flooding – Maida Vale and Little Venice Flood Forum
Councillor Geoff Barraclough and Councillor Sara Hassan attended the inaugural meeting of the Maida Vale and Little Venice Flood Forum. This will be managed by the National Flood Forum, a charity that helps communities hit by flooding. If you’d like to receive details of future meetings, please email James@Floodforum.org.uk
Warwick Avenue Project Progress
Work on the next phase of the design begins this month (August) and runs until March 2026. It will focus on the technical details and further community consultations. You can see more details here but the designs include:
- A new accessible walking route along the central median, 700 square metres of new greenery, sustainable urban drainage and 41 new trees
- Wider footways and safer crossings, including raised tables near Formosa Street, Clifton Gardens and Warrington Gardens
- New public spaces at station exits and by the historic cabmen’s shelter
- Improved lighting, wayfinding and seating
- More electric vehicle charging points and better organisation of cycle parking
- Rationalised waste and recycling facilities to reduce clutter
- Retention of 85 parking spaces, with a small reduction to allow for wider pavements and new planting.
Formosa Street pedestrian study
Councillor Geoff Barraclough, Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development, has approved a grant to fund initial studies and highways design to pedestrianise a 60-meter stretch of Formosa Street between Warrington Crescent and Castellain Road. This will include consulting with residents and traders. The study is in response to a petition from local residents.
Tents under the Westway (Edgware Road tube station/ Hilton Metropole)
Westminster Council have been holding discussions with TfL on the long-term use of the land under the Westway currently being used for rough sleeping. We have urged TFL to seek possession orders, to enclose the land and let Council contractors use it for storage.
Paddington Green and Canalside Improvements
We’re very supportive of Westminster’s plans to improve the canalside at Stonewharf and Rembrandt Gardens, especially the need for a property accessible walking route. The Council has published its Engagement Report which summarises public feedback on the many project ideas proposed.
Dead birds on the canal
We were very sad to see that at least 20 birds were found dead by the canal. The Canal and Rivers Trust confirmed that the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs took some of the birds to be tested for avian flu. It’s suspected that some of the birds died from botulism instead which is apparently quite common.
Cycle Permeability Scheme consultation comes to a close
A consultation on new contraflow routes which include a section of Castellain Road closed on the 30 July. The results have not yet been made available. The new contraflow routes being proposed would connect previously disconnected cycling corridors, allowing cyclists to travel safely against one-way traffic. This delivers more direct cycle routes, promoting cycling and helping realise the Council’s goal of a more sustainable city.
20 new social homes for residents over 60 on Adpar Street
The brand new homes will open this winter. We are proud that the development will be called Turing House – in honour of Alan Turing, recognising his pioneering contributions to computing and codebreaking. Turing was born in nearby Warrington Crescent, Little Venice in 1912. A show flat will be open in the autumn for residents keen to have a look inside.
Councillor Hassan has asked for the untidy area adjacent to the homes be developed as a garden to be used by all residents on the Hall Place Estate. This area could be planted and a seating area included.
Tidying the area outside of Little Venice Sports Centre
We have asked Council officers to improve the area outside Little Venice Sports Centre and Ark King Solomon younger years site by replacing missing wooden panels. They agreed and have contacted the architects/consultants who designed the features of this area.
Councillor Hassan is also working with the Police and neighbourhood teams to clear the derelict site opposite which used to be a youth offenders institution. These buildings are set to be demolished and replaced temporarily with a play area that could be used by the school and the Hall Place Estate residents. The Police have informed us that they were instructed to issue Community Protection Warnings or Community Protection Orders to people illegally camping at the site.
Speeding vehicles on Clifton Gardens
We have raised the issue of speeding vehicles with Council officers. They have promised to undertake the following actions:
- To review and ensure operation of the existing signs. A technician has been requested to attend and ensure the units are operational.
- Additional 20mph Roundels to be installed on the carriageway. These will reinforce the posted speed limit and encourage safer speeds.
- Review possible informal crossing facility on the western arm of Randolf Road and Clifton Gardens. This would mirror the informal crossing on the eastern side which consists of two kerb buildouts and island.
Textile banks at Warwick Avenue
Scope have been requested to carry out extra collections as a result of their bins overflowing. The site is serviced every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday but SCOPE will carry out extra collections when bins are reported as full. Currently, weekend collections are not available. However, once new sensors are installed, they will provide better insight into textile bin usage and help optimise collection schedules.
Christmas Event at Warwick Avenue Tube Station Approval
After the tremendous success of last year’s Little Venice Christmas event, we are pleased that the location and funding for another Christmas event at Warwick Avenue has been approved. Children’s choirs from all three local schools, St Joseph’s School, Ark King Solomon and St Saviours school will be invited to take part. The event will be co-sponsored by Westminster Council, Berkley Homes, Clifton Gardens Nursery and Winkworth estate agents. The event is set for December 1 and will be attended by the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Paul Dimoldenberg.