HYDE PARK WARD LABOUR ACTION REPORT – November 2024
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 very busy month right across the ward.
On 9th October we attended the Paddington Life Sciences Symposium in Kingdom Street to learn about the collaboration between health, community and industry to improve health and wellbeing here and further afield https://www.imperial.nhs.uk/about-us/news/paddington-life-sciences-celebrates-one-year-of-progress-through-partnership
We attended the grand opening of the Joe Strummer rain gardens on 16th October, transformed by TfL from a derelict underpass to gardens and sustainable urban drainage at the Edgware Road/Marylebone Flyover junction. https://www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/disused-subway-transformed-into-central-londons-largest-rainwater-collection-system-76430/
We attended the launch of the Community Defibrillator at Norfolk Square Gardens on 17th October organised by Paddington Now BID which we paid for from the Ward Budget.
Marble Arch BID posed ten questions to journalist Dave Hill of On London, for his thoughts on Oxford Street and the surrounding area, following the Mayor’s announcement https://marble-arch.london/news/oxford-street-pedestrianisation/
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 7th November, 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 Village Green
Work on creating Connaught Village Green is well underway. The scheme includes road narrowing and a raised table on Connaught Street, wider pavements, tree planting, new seating and cycle stands. Also, the crossing from the Duke of Kendal will be narrowed to make it easier for pedestrians to cross, with a raised table to slow down traffic entering and leaving Kendal Street.
See https://connaughtvillagegreen.commonplace.is/ for the phasing plan, scheme drawing, FAQs and contact email.
Connaught Street
We are delighted to see the opening of Boxcar at the corner of Connaught Street and Titchborne Row. This new cafe/restaurant will draw more shoppers to the area as well as providing a welcome place to sit, chat and meet the neighbours.
One area of concern is the large pile of rubbish bags left outside in the evening waiting for private waste contractor First Mile to collect. We have asked for this to be managed better.
Connaught Street/Connaught Square and Connaught Place
The Council has installed two of the new CCTV cameras in the Connaught Street/Connaught Square area and in Connaught Place to capture pictures that can be used in evidence against those responsible for crime, anti-social behaviour and rubbish dumping in the area. There is a third CCTV camera in Burwood Place.
Gloucester Square/Sussex Place
We have again urged Veolia to ensure that all rubbish is collected from the side of the road in Gloucester Square/ Sussex Place.
Norfolk Crescent
We asked the City Inspectors to consider locating one of the new CCTV cameras along Norfolk Crescent in view of the regular rubbish dumping, anti-social behaviour and crime in the area.
We also contacted the Waste Team following this enquiry from a resident, “It would be much appreciated if you could arrange to remove the litter bin in Norfolk Crescent, again. It is the one on the corner, just by the post box, and all it does is serve to attract rubbish and dumping – all around it!”. The bin has now been removed.
Strathearn Place
We have asked the Highways Team to consider installing 20mph signs and a speed-activated sign on Strathearn Place to “reduce the number of drivers using this section of the road as a grand prix circuit”, according to one resident.
Brook Street
We told Lime to immediately remove an e-bike from the zebra crossing at Brook Street. Lime told us that, in addition to fining the rider, the rider has been banned from using Lime in the future. The resident who reported this to us said, “Result! Thanks for your prompt action and for updating me”.
Bayswater Road
We reported a loose, noisy Thames Water manhole cover on Bayswater Road and asked that it be fixed and made safe.
Westbourne Street
We asked the Animal Welfare Team to investigate concerns raised about a dog being left unattended at a flat in Westbourne Street.
Oxford Street
Another Oxford Street store had American cereal, crisps and fizzy drinks seized by Westminster City Council’s Environmental Health team. The products, valued at more than £2,800, contained additives, colourings and e-numbers that were either banned in the UK or above the legal limit. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgey82wggw2o
And hundreds of fake Paddington Bear tote bags, T-shirts and other souvenirs worth £9,500 were confiscated in Council raids on nine shops on Oxford Street ahead of the release of the Paddington 3 film.
Park Lane ‘encampment’
Following TfL’s enforcement action, the Council and its contractors have cleared the vacated land and people are no longer sleeping in this dangerous location. The Council will now work with TfL to improve security in future. The safety and welfare of those sleeping rough continues to be a priority for the Council and we will continue to work with outreach services to help people who are sleeping rough get the advice and support they need to move on.
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
205 bus route
We strongly oppose TfL’s proposals to axe bus route 205 between Paddington and Baker Street station as this will mean more difficult journeys for patients attending St Mary’s Hospital, as well as for those living and working in the Praed Street and Paddington Central area. For details how you can give your views see
Star Street
We asked the police to investigate reports of a brothel in Star Street.
38 Star Street
Following our enquiries about the internal/external display of signage and flower baskets at 38 Star Street, the Planning Enforcement Team say, “warning letters have been issued requiring the removal of the illuminated digital sign behind the shopfront and the banners displayed at fascia level and behind the shopfront window. An inspection revealed that the flower baskets had already been removed and the owners have been advised not to reinstate these baskets. If the breaches are not resolved in a timely manner, formal enforcement action may then become necessary.”
Sussex Gardens
We asked the Refuse Collection Team to ensure that waste is collected properly from the bins outside 161 Sussex Gardens. We have also asked the Church Commissioners to confirm whether a secure bin store will be installed here.
London Street
We told Lime to remove two e-bikes obstructing the pavement in London Street and to fine the riders.
London Mews
We asked the City Inspectors to investigate reports of anti-social behaviour in London Mews.
Southwick Street
We asked the City Inspectors to investigate regular rubbish dumping in the street by Airbnb visitors at a property in Southwick Street.
Praed Street
Praed Street is being resurfaced between London Street and South Wharf Road starting on 25th November. The works will take two days and Praed Street will be closed.
We also asked the City Inspectors to investigate shops on Praed Street where goods are being stored on the pavement and obstructing pedestrians.
Paddington Station
London Underground is installing temporary physical barriers at the escalators leading to the Elizabeth line ticket hall at Paddington station. They say, “Since the Elizabeth line’s launch in May 2022, Paddington station has recorded a notably high number of escalator incidents compared to other Elizabeth line stations. This trial aims to enhance customer safety and mitigate these accidents by impeding access to the escalators for customers with heavy luggage, bicycles, or prams and re-directing them to use lifts.”
Edgware Road
Edgware Road
The City Inspectors have been involved in a range of action:
- Commercial Waste – The Team is focusing on Edgware Road and Praed Street to ensure waste compliance is adhered to and cases involving businesses are being prepared for prosecution.
- Business Non-Compliance and associated criminality – Current prosecutions include the unauthorised service of hot food and drink at 3am, fly tipping and illegal street trading.
- Rough sleeping– Rough sleeping is not an offence. The Police have undertaken a site visit to the small number of tents beside Marble Arch Fountains where a vulnerable person was found and moved to a place of safety. At Park Lane, the Council is in discussion with TfL regarding waste clearance of the site following eviction.
- Short Term Lets– The Team is working closely with the Short-Term Lets Team to identify known holiday lets in waste hotspot areas. This will enable bespoke messaging to go to the owners and surrounding properties about the correct presentation and management of waste.
- CCTV– New CCTV cameras have been installed at Burwood Place/Edgware Road junction, Crawford Place/Edgware Road junction, Crawford Place and the Connaught Street/Connaught Square junction.
We also asked TfL to remove an abandoned bike tyre tied to a bike stand outside Feya on Edgware Road and asked the City Inspectors to investigate a café operating as an illegal shisha lounge in violation of health and safety regulations.
And here is a ‘Brief History of Edgware Road’
https://londonist.com/london/history/edgware-road-brief-history
Water Gardens
Criterion Capital say, “We have served notice and vacated GoPuff due to their poor management of the block.”
Chapel Street, Cabbell Street and Transept Street area
Transept Street
We asked the Highways Team to finish repainting the road markings on Transept Street after residents told us, “The road markings have been repainted in Transept Street, but the painters neglected to repaint the double yellow lines on the Chapel Street car park, which have almost worn away. They painted to road lines leading up to them, but not the car park lines.”
Hyde Park Mansions
We asked the Short Term Lets Team to investigate a flat in Hyde Park Mansions being used as an Airbnb letting.
The Chapel pub
We received the following update from the City Inspectors regarding the squatters in The Chapel pub, “There was a failed attempt to take possession of the premises by the managing agent a few weeks ago and I’ve not had any further communication with them since then. I’ve followed up to try a to get an understanding of what’s happening.”
Edgware Road Station
A familiar tale of the two Edgware Road stations https://www.onlondon.co.uk/julie-hamills-london-the-otherworldly-edgware-road-station/
Paddington Basin/Sheldon Square area
Travis Perkins site, 149 Harrow Road, W2 6NA
Over 100 objections have been made to the planning application for the demolition of the existing Travis Perkins building and new buildings up to 20 storeys in height, comprising the reprovision of Travis Perkins builders’ merchant and 605 rooms of student accommodation above.
We have submitted our objections https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/issues/planning/2024/06/21/labour-supports-residents-objections-to-baltic-wharf-overdevelopment/
The application documents can be viewed online at www.westminster.gov.uk/planning where you can also make comments. Please use the reference number 24/03600/FULL as the primary search criteria.
Dahlia House
We continue to work closely with the Short Term Lets Team to tackle the many illegal short-term lets in Dahlia House.
Aster House
We again urged Octavia Housing to resolve the long-standing problems with the Aster House lifts.
Harbet Road
We have again urged the Hilton to sweep Harbet Road regularly and asked the Highways Team to clear the drains.
The Canal
We made enquiries with the Canal & River Trust after receiving this message from a resident, “Once again a huge pile of rubbish has been dumped in a large barge on the canal opposite Sheldon Square residential block and food barges. This presents an environmental health hazard and eyesore to residents and customers eating on the food barges and restaurant terrace as it is a magnet for rats and mice.”
Westway
Work to refurbish expansion joints along the Westway will start in November 2024 and is planned to finish in June 2025. For more information https://tfl.gov.uk/status-updates/major-works-and-events/a40-westway-works?cid=westway