HYDE PARK WARD LABOUR ACTION REPORT – May 2025
News from your Hyde Park Labour Councillors Judith Southern, Md Shamsed Chowdhury and Paul Dimoldenberg and Action Team member Nigel Medforth
Dear Resident,
It has been another very busy month right across the ward.
Local resident Nigel Medforth has joined the Hyde Park Labour Action Team and will be working hard alongside Judith, Shamsed and Paul.
Do get in touch if there’s something in your street that needs action or an issue we can help with. Just email hplabour@gmail.com
We hold a regular advice surgery at St John’s Parish Hall, Hyde Park Crescent, on the first Thursday of the month from 6pm-7pm. The next advice surgery will be on Thursday 8th May, 6pm-7pm (the date has been changed because of holiday arrangements).
Sign-up to receive our regular Action Reports direct to your inbox: https://bit.ly/AR-signup-25
Thanks to the support from over 1,800 local signatures to Rachel Blake MP’s petition, the Post Office has announced that rather than closing, Praed Street Post Office and the other Directly Managed Branches in the Cities of London and Westminster will be franchised. https://www.rachelblake.org.uk/update-on-post-office-campaign
There was a small fire at St Mary’s Hospital on 1st May. The hospital said: “St Mary’s Hospital is currently managing a small, contained fire in a linen room on the ground floor of the Clarence wing building.” The fire was brought under control within an hour.
Colin Francis, Chief Executive of the Victory Services Club in Seymour Street, has been appointed Chairman of Marble Arch BID https://marble-arch.london/news/marble-arch-bid-welcomes-new-chairman-colin-francis-cbe/
NEWS AND ACTION
The Hyde Park Estate area, bounded by Edgware Road, Bayswater Road and Sussex Gardens
Norfolk Crescent
The Council has agreed to our request to install a CCTV camera in Norfolk Crescent. We hope the camera will be installed as soon as possible.
We also asked the Parking Team to replace a vandalised Residents’ Parking sign in Norfolk Crescent. The Team says, “A replacement sign has been requested and we will aim to have this in place as soon as possible.”
Portsea Place
We asked the Highways Team to fix a kerbstone on Portsea Place close to Kendal Street which has moved from the side of the pavement and is now a trip hazard.
Porchester Place
We again asked the Environmental Health Team to investigate continued smoke coming from the chimney of a restaurant in Porchester Place.
Strathern Place
We asked the Road Safety Team to install 20mph roundels in Strathern Place to slow down traffic.
Westbourne Street
We continue to keep a close eye on the rubbish dumping situation on Westbourne Street and the City Inspectors issue fines to all those responsible for dumping.
3 Oxford Square
Following the serving of the Closure Order at 3 Oxford Square, Sitex security doors have been fitted to keep squatters out.
17 Porchester Place
We asked the Police and City Inspectors to investigate reports of anti-social behaviour at 17 Porchester Place.
Albion Street
We again asked the Highways Team to ensure that building contractors do not block the pavement in Albion Street and to fix a number of pavement trip hazards.
Park West Place
The Cycling Team is planning to locate a new bike hangar in Park West Place where residents can park their bikes in a safe and secure place.
Hyde Park Square
We asked the Police and the City Inspectors to investigate the regular anti-social behaviour by some taxi drivers who use Hyde Park Square as a toilet. Residents say, “The west part of Hyde Park Square is used as a urinal by cabs, Uber drivers and others.”
Stanhope Terrace
We asked the Parking Team to fix a faulty EV charger outside 13 Stanhope Terrace.
Connaught Square
During 2023, the average monthly number of street cleansing complaints around Connaught Square was 5.5 per month. During 2024, the monthly average came down to 3.2 complaints per month. The reduction in complaints is attributed to the continued monitoring and partnership working of the City Inspectors, Veolia and the Waste & Recycling teams.
Oxford Street
We asked the Highways Team to replace a missing kerbstone and fill in a pothole in Oxford Street.
Connaught Village Green
Work on creating Connaught Village Green continues to go well. The paving around the trees is complete, and the seating has been installed. Work on Kendal Street is proceeding to plan. See https://connaughtvillagegreen.commonplace.is/ for the phasing plan, scheme drawing, FAQs and contact email.
Kendal Street
Residents in Kendal Street have raised concerns about pedestrian safety at the Kendal Street/Connaught Street junction. This concern was also raised during the consultation, and the scheme improves visibility for pedestrians and narrows the crossing distance at this junction, as well as including a raised table to slow down vehicles.
Following our enquiries, the Highways Team is installing bollards on the pavement outside the car wash on Kendal Street to stop cars parking on the pavement, obstructing pedestrians and forcing them to walk in the road. The Parking Marshals will be keeping a close eye on this location, too.
Water Gardens
We asked the Highways Team to investigate an issue with water ponding outside the Water Gardens entrance in Burwood Place.
Poor Postal Services
We have written again to Royal Mail about the poor postal service on The Hyde Park Estate after another resident told us, “Mail arrives spasmodically every 7-14 days in a bundle. Managing to waylay a postman, I begged him to tell me what the problem is. He said that on his round, he works part-time, the other postman has been sent to another area, and they have no one to replace him. So, no one to deliver the mail daily.”
Another resident, in Park West, writes, “We now receive deliveries once or twice a week at the most. Nearly always on a Saturday and sometimes on a Monday. It makes no difference if the mail is posted first or second class. Whilst the price of stamps, etc increases every year, the service is deteriorating and fast becoming unreliable.”
Marble Arch
The City Inspectors Team are regularly inspecting the Marble Arch Fountains area to deal with the individuals causing crime and ASB and are exploring locations to put up CCTV.
We also asked the Street Sweeping Team to locate two additional refuse bins around the green space at Marble Arch.
Park Lane
We asked TfL to clear the grassed area at the top of Park Lane to be cleared of litter. The area regularly attracts negative comments from residents and visitors. If the Mayor wishes to improve the Oxford Street area, then he should start here and ensure the area is kept clear of rubbish 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
Star Street
The Cycling Team has installed a new bike hangar in Star Street, near the junction with Bouverie Place, providing 6 safe and secure places for residents to park their bikes.
We asked the Highways Team to remove a yellow Thames Water pavement cover on Star Street, which was causing a pedestrian obstacle and to investigate the water ‘ponding’ in the road outside 12 Star Street. The Highways Team say, “There was an old utility reinstatement that was sunken, so we are hoping that a new carriageway patch will resolve the level difference. We will continue to monitor once it has been completed to ensure that there are no ongoing issues.”
Sale Place
We asked the Police and City Inspectors to investigate noisy activities at a basement in Sale Place.
Norfolk Square
We asked the Highways Team to secure an open door of a telecoms box on Norfolk Square, outside Edna House and to fix a noisy manhole cover on Norfolk Place.
Praed Street
We again asked the Parking Team to act against taxi drivers who block the cycle lane on Praed Street outside the Paddington Hilton hotel. The Parking Team say, “Praed Street is already on my agenda for the next meeting with TFL operational & licensing team. We’ll ensure that Marshals are visiting frequently, carrying out appropriate action and applying a zero-tolerance approach.”
Sussex Gardens
The installation of “Tulip Wands” on Sussex Gardens will commence on 12th May to 29th May 2025. The “Tulip Wands” are made from recycled materials in a variety of 10 different colours. These will be installed in the buffer strip of the existing cycleway along the road. The trial aims to enhance cycling safety and appeal, while also upgrading the route to meet current design standards.
During this trial period, the Council will monitor:
* The safety and perception of safety for people cycling
* The durability and quality of the wands
* The ease of maintenance and integration with existing highway operations
* The aesthetic quality and visual impact of the design
Once all the wands have been installed, the Council will begin a public consultation to gather feedback on their use.
Edgware Road
Edgware Road
We asked TfL to fix the leaning traffic light on Edgware Road before it becomes more dangerous and caused damage to pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.
Burwood Place
We asked the Street Lighting Team to fix a faulty streetlight in Burwood Place.
City Inspector update
A City Inspector came across an Amazon parcel by a bus stop on Edgware Road. On checking the address on the parcel, they noted it belonged to a pharmacy nearby and contained merchandise. The City Inspector returned the parcel to the pharmacy and was thanked by the pharmacist.
Trading Standards
The Trading Standards and City Inspectors Teams coordinated an operation recently which resulted in the seizure of over 7,000 illicit cigarettes, over 7,000 illicit vapes and illicit nicotine pouches and 30 counterfeit watches.
Chapel Street, Cabbell Street and Transept Street area
Residents’ Meeting
Rachel Blake MP met Hyde Park Mansions and Oxford & Cambridge Mansions residents with their freeholder and managing agent, Freshwater, to discuss long-standing issues with their service. Rachel has also started a ‘call for evidence’ to help her gather information on problems with short-term lets.
https://rachelblake.org.uk/your-thoughts-on-managing-agents
Transept Street
Two new bike hangars have been installed in Transept Street. Each hangar accommodates 6 bikes, so there is new, safe and secure room for 12 bikes in the new hangars.
Cabbell Street
We asked the Street Lighting Team to improve lighting levels in Cabbell Street. The Team says, “trial holes are being carried out on Cabbell Street to see if there is the depth available for additional columns, some have been successful, but more need to be carried out in the road. Once suitable depths have bene found, additional lighting will be installed.”
We also asked the Parking Team to remove a car which appears to have been abandoned in Cabbell Street.
We asked the Highways Team to install a No Entry sign at the top of Cabbell Street to stop drivers turning left into Chapel Street.
38-47a Chapel Street
Following our enquiries, all the key boxes for Airbnb short term lets have no been removed from both entrances to 38-47a Chapel Street.
Old Marylebone Road
We asked TfL to fix a dangerous leaning street signpost on Old Marylebone Road.
Informal zebra crossings
The Highways Team has given us revised dates for the installation of informal zebra crossings:
- Chapel Street/Transept Street – 14/05/2025 – 20/05/2025
- Chapel Street/Cabbell Street (North) – 21/05/2025 – 23/05/2025
- Chapel Street/Cabbell Street (South) – 27/05/2025 – 29/05/2025
Paddington Basin/Sheldon Square area
Paddington Green canal side
Although just outside the Ward, the Council consultation on proposals for Paddington Green and the Little Venice canal side may be of interest. https://paddingtongreencanalside.commonplace.is/
The exhibition boards are here https://paddingtongreencanalside.commonplace.is/en-GB/proposals/digital-exhibition-boards/step1
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
Sheldon Square
We wrote to First Port following damage to a resident’s windows caused by the poor work undertaken by the window cleaning company.
Aster House
We urged the Police to investigate the theft of parcels from the entrance lobby of Aster House and anti-social behaviour in the basement area.
Bishop’s Bridge
We asked TfL to fix a damaged sign on Bishop’s Bridge. The sign has now been fixed.
North Wharf Road
We are pleased to receive this message from Marylebone Boys School on North Wharf Road
“Many thanks to Westminster City Council for the traffic calming improvements outside the school. They have narrowed the road, raised the road to pavement level, painted double yellow lines and installed a speed limit sign. Five years of campaigning was worth it!”
Eastbourne Terrace
We are making enquiries about the location of disabled parking bays on Eastbourne Terrace to enable disabled travellers to access the Elizabeth Line.
Westway
The Council, TfL and police organised a joint operation on 23rd and 24th April to clear the encampments under the Westway. The Council’s outreach teams will continue their efforts to engage people, many of whom have complex immigration statuses and backgrounds.
We asked TfL to remove graffiti from the Westway walls.
We asked the City Inspectors to remove an abandoned bike frame from under the Westway close to M&S on Edgware Road. The bike frame has now been removed.
TfL now plan to work for two additional weekends (30 May – 2 June, and 6 – 9 June) to replace an additional expansion joint within the current westbound traffic closure. TfL say, “The replacement of this expansion joint is essential. Doing it now, within the existing traffic management, means we can avoid setting up new traffic management at a later date and helps us to reduce the overall disruption caused.”