HYDE PARK WARD LABOUR ACTION REPORT – September 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.
We went on a late-night walkabout in the Edgware Road area with the Marble Arch BID Street Team to experience the on-street situation first hand.
We asked the Council’s Fraud Team to investigate a notorious local landlord’s properties in Park West, Cambridge Court, Porchester Place and St George’s Fields for Housing Benefit and Council Tax abuse.
The Council is paying for 9 additional Police Officers as part its crackdown on crime and anti-social behaviour https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/issues/crime-and-public-protection/2025/08/22/labour-invests-in-nine-extra-police-officers-to-combat-asb-as-part-of-a-new-westminster-council-team/
Many residents are fed up with anti-social supercars on our streets, so we welcome the news that recently the Police seized 72 supercars that were either unroadworthy or being driven illegally. https://news.met.police.uk/news/met-police-seize-super-cars-worth-ps6million-in-anti-social-driving-crackdown-in-central-london-499985
Paul has been elected Lord Mayor of Westminster and will be carrying out his duties across Westminster for the next 12 months. 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 will be working hard alongside Judith, Shamsed and Paul.
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 4th September, 6pm-7pm.
Every week we go door-knocking to ask residents if there are any local issues on which we can help. Please let us know if we can be of help or assistance at hplabour@gmail.com.
We post regular local news on Facebook at https://facebook.com/LabourHydePark
Please let us know how we are doing by completing our residents’ survey https://bit.ly/Residents-survey-25-2
NEWS AND ACTION
The Hyde Park Estate area, bounded by Edgware Road, Bayswater Road and Sussex Gardens
Bathurst Mews
We are supporting residents who are objecting to the proposal to convert the Ross Nye Stables at 7-9 Bathurst Mews to 3 residential units. They say, “For years, the stables have brought people to our area from all over the world, enriching our community and also benefiting local businesses. And through the decades, the horses have become an iconic presence in Hyde Park, much enjoyed by millions of tourists.”
You can make comments on the planning application (ref 25/05001/FULL) here https://idoxpa.westminster.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=SZL9CJRPJ4100
We also asked the Highways Team to investigate the state of the cobbles in Bathurst Mews, following enquiries from residents.
Bathurst Street
We asked the Highways Team to fix a pothole on Bathurst Street which is a danger to pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.
Sussex Gardens
We asked the Planning Enforcement Team to investigate a storeroom in a property in Sussex Gardens which is being used as a bedsit without planning permission.
Park West Place
We asked the Council to install a noise camera in Park West Place after receiving this message from residents, “Every night cars race down Park West Place revving their engines, exceeding the speed limit. They often park in front of the Car Wash on Kendal Street with their engines idling chatting to others in similar vehicles.” We have also asked the Police to seize any foreign vehicles without correct registration documents.
Connaught Place
Residents and businesses say the installation of CCTV in Connaught Place has improved safety and security. This is very good news!
We also asked the Highways Team to resurface the cracked and uneven roadway in Connaught Place so that it is safe for all road users – pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.
Connaught Square
We asked the Police to investigate reports of drug dealing in Connaught Square.
Work has started on the C43 cycle route around Connaught Square involving the widening of the pavements on the north side of the square.
We also asked the City Inspectors to investigate regular rubbish dumping in Connaught Square.
We also asked the Parking Team to visit the Connaught Square area at night and to issue fines to non-residents parking in resident only bays.
Porchester Place
We again asked the Environmental Health Team to stop the discharge of noxious smoke and fumes from the chimney of a restaurant in Porchester Place where a new smoke extract system should have been installed some time ago. It appears that the new extract system will need to be replaced by a more effective system and we are pressing the Council to get the owners to speed this up.
We also asked the Parking Team to issue fines to cars parking on the pavement at the junction with Kendal Street.
Connaught Village Green
We asked for an additional litter bin to be located at Connaught Village Green and for both bins to be emptied multiple times during the day and evening to keep the area clean and tidy.
Connaught Street
We asked the Church Commissioners to fix a faulty burglar alarm in an empty shop in Connaught Street after residents in St George’s Fields told us, “We are being disturbed 24/7 by the noise of an alarm from a building on Connaught Street. We cannot sleep and are getting increasingly upset as the noise has been going on for 2-3 days and nights.” The problem has now been resolved.
We are very disappointed to see several shop closures along Connaught Street and have asked the Church Commissioners to let us know what plans they have for attracting new retailers to Connaught Village. In particular, we are looking forward to a new retailer opening in the former Abasto unit opposite Connaught Village Green.
Clifton Place
We asked the Street Lighting Team to fix a defective streetlight in Clifton Place. An order has been placed with the Council’s contractors to fix the streetlight.
Cambridge Square
We asked the police to investigate the use steps of a property in Cambridge Square by rough sleepers and asked the Rough Sleepers Team to assist those involved.
Burwood Place
Following our enquiries, an uneven paving stone was re-laid in Burwood Place and a trip hazard for pedestrians was removed.
Portsea Place
Portsea Place has been resurfaced as part of the Council’s regular maintenance of local roads and pavements. The Council spends £15 million a year making sure local roads are in good condition so that they are safe for all road users – pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.
Sussex Place
We asked the City Inspectors investigate regular dumping by a lamppost on Sussex Place and take the appropriate action against those responsible.
Kendal Street
The new bollards and regular enforcement by the City Inspectors is keeping the pavement in front of the Car Wash in Kendal Street free of cars. People in wheelchairs, baby buggies and pedestrians now have a clear path along the pavement.
The Water Gardens
The Council has submitted a planning application (25/05875/FULL) to use part of the Lower Ground Floor of the Water Gardens (North) Car Park as a ‘micro logistics hub’. The hub will enable more last-mile deliveries to be completed by e-cargo bikes, helping to reduce van traffic and improve local air quality in the local area.
Bayswater Road/Edgware Road
We asked BT to replace the missing windowpanes and clear the graffiti in the phone boxes on the corner of Bayswater Road and Edgware Road. The phone boxes are listed as Grade 2 and are an important part of our local heritage.
Nutford Place
The Council is running a public engagement programme on ideas to activate Nutford Place from 1st to 29th September. You can view the webpage, exhibition, and survey here:
Park Lane
We continue to urge the Mayor and TfL to ensure that the central grassed area on Park Lane is kept clear and tidy and that all remnants of the recent tents are removed.
Oxford Street
The Mayor has announced that the western section of Oxford Street will be closed to traffic on Sunday 21st September, from 12 noon to 8pm, for one day.
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 Police and Paddington ow BID Street Team to increase patrols in the St Michael’s Street area following reports from residents about car vandalism in the area.
We also asked the Cleansing Team to remove the spilled white paint from the roadway in St Michael’s Street.
Southwick Street and Star Street
We asked the Tree Team to prune trees in Southwick Street and Star Street where the leaves from some trees block the light from residents’ windows.
Sale Place
We have asked the City Inspectors to investigate late night noisy crowds outside a pub in Sale Place. Residents say, “I am not someone who likes to complain for the sake of it, and I understand pubs need to make a living, but what is happening now is getting out of hand and it’s starting to affect my life and my family on a weekly basis.”
Praed Street
The Council is working up a Place Strategy for Praed Street which aims to establish a long-term vision, objectives and identify design opportunities to enhance the street. There will be a Drop-in session with the Place Shaping Team on 11th September: 16:30pm-18:30pm at Paddington Square public space. You read more here https://paddington-bayswaterhighstreets.commonplace.is/en-GB/proposals/v3/praed-street-and-surrounds-place-strategy?step=step1
We told Forest to remove their e-bikes scattered over the pavement outside West End Quay on Praed Street and fine the riders. None of the e-bikes were in the designated e-bike parking bay.
South Wharf Road/Praed Street
We asked the City Inspectors to tell Tesco to remove their delivery cages off the pavement at the corner of South Wharf Road and Praed Street. There is space at the rear for the cages to be stored, rather than allowing them to block the pavement.
New CCTV cameras
To improve safety and security for residents and visitors, new CCTV cameras will be located at
- Praed Street/South Wharf Road
- Norfolk Place/Norfolk Square
- Conduit Place/Spring Street
- Sussex Gardens/London Street
Norfolk Square
We came across Calpe House in Norfolk Square which is “Gibraltar’s Home from Home in London”, where Gibraltarians stay when they come for medical treatment in London. We have asked the Council to encourage other countries to establish facilities like for their citizens who currently stay in flats in Hyde Park Ward which are been used illegally as short term lets.
Part of Norfolk Square has been replanted thanks to a grant from the Council’s Greening Fund. The new planting includes a new Bug and Bee Hotel which helps to encourage biodiversity.
Edgware Road
Edgware Road/Sussex Gardens junction
TfL works at Sussex Gardens and Edgware Road to make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists started on 22nd August and will be completed by 3rd November 2025. The works include:
- Improved and direct crossings to make the junction quicker and safer to cross.
- Footway widening giving more space for people to cross the road.
- Signal improvements to make it easier for cyclists to cross the junction.
- New rain gardens on the western side of Edgware Road.
- Installing improved drainage systems
As part of these works, the planters in Burwood Place will be relocated at the end of September.
Edgware Road – new restaurants and shops
We visited the new Food District unit on Edgware Road and said hello to some of the traders who say that business is good. We have asked the City Inspectors to make regular visits to ensure compliance with the licence conditions regarding opening hours and refuse storage and collection.
Residents have raised concerns about Pepe’s Piri Piri licence extension application and the impact on odours and pollution, as well as late night ASB. We have passed these comments on to the Licensing Officers.
A new dress and accessories shop has opened at 77 Edgware Road in the former bank unit, adding a welcome variety to the street scene. We hope the new business prospers over the coming months and years.
Edgware Road pavements
Residents contacted us about a slippery area of pavement on Edgware Road. We asked the Council for a deep clean of this area and we are urging the restaurants to regularly clean the pavements in front of their premises.
“I recently slipped at Al Balad. The whole pavement between Voug and Al Dar is always very slippery. It also worries me that the Shishas and coals are always sitting on the pavement where everyone is walking.”
We also asked the Highways Team to replace broken paving stones outside 218 Edgware Road which are a pedestrian hazard and could result in a trip and fall, particularly for an elderly person or a child.
Chapel Street, Cabbell Street and Transept Street area
Chapel Street
We asked the City Inspectors to contact the owners of the long-closed former Chapel pub on Chapel Street. The building is in very poor condition and the garden area is being used by rough sleepers. Meanwhile there is graffiti on the wall of Wallace Court. Three years ago, the owners received planning permission to demolish the pub and build a 50 room hotel, but nothing has yet happened. Time for a rethink about the future of these buildings.
Transept Street
We asked the Parking Team to investigate this raised by a resident, “Parking in Transept Street has become impossible and often we have to wait or drive around for up to 30 minutes for a space, because of two issues: 1. Tradesmen and taxi drivers loitering in resident spaces. 2. Young men using ‘blue badges’ to park. Given the numbers of young and healthy-looking disabled parkers in the street it seems that widespread abuse of disabled parking permits may be endemic here.”
We also asked the Highways Team to inspect the condition of the Transept Street roadway to see whether it is in need of resurfacing.
Cabbell Street
We are making enquiries about the ‘weak structure’ fencing in Cabbell Street where it looks like there is vault under the pavement in danger of collapse. We asked the Highways Team to tell us who is responsible for the repairs to the vault.
We asked the Highways Tram to investigate an apparently redundant telecoms box at the top of Cabbell Street and to arrange to have it removed if it is no longer in use.
Old Marylebone Road
We asked the City Inspectors to arrange for the graffiti and fly posting to be cleared from the derelict shopfront on Old Marylebone Road outside Wallace Court. The current situation is unacceptable and the owners should look after their property better and find a new use for this long empty unit.
Paddington Basin/Sheldon Square area
Harbet Road
We asked the Hilton Hotel to ensure that Harbet Road, a private road, is swept regularly and cars do not park on the double yellow lines.
Sheldon Square
We have been liaising with the NHG and Network Housing tenants in Sheldon Square regarding the long-awaited air-conditioning units needed to keep residents cool in the summer heat. Most of the issues have now been resolved but please get in touch if you still have problems.
We have also contacted many residents in the private flats in Sheldon Square and reported faulty air conditioning units for repair to the Managing Agents. If you were not in when we called and have a problem, please let us know.
We also asked British Land to investigate the recent car park break-in and resultant acts of vandalism to cars.
North Wharf Road
We told Lime to remove their e-bikes blocking the pavement by Marylebone Boys School Sixth Form Centre on North Wharf Road. Pedestrians, wheelchairs and buggies can’t get through when the pavement is blocked by thoughtless e-bike riders.
We also asked the City Inspectors to investigate the regular rubbish dumping at the corner of North Wharf Road and to issue fines to those found to be responsible.
Montgomery House
Again, we urged Peabody to fix the problems with water leaks in Montgomery House which continue to plague residents every few months.
Dahlia House, North Wharf Road
We again asked the Council’s Short Lets Team to investigate the many ‘medical lets’ in Aster House. Residents say, “The short lets is still ongoing, and at the same time, the “management” company Savills keeps increasing the charge without any transparent accounts or receipt of how the money is spent.”
Aster House, North Wharf Road
We told Lime to remove two e-bikes dumped outside Aster House on North Wharf Road and to fine the riders.
Harrow Road
Following our enquiries, a new waste bin has been located outside the Hilton Metropole at the corner of Harrow Road and Edgware Road by the new rain gardens, helping to keep the area clean and tidy.
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