HYDE PARK WARD LABOUR ACTION REPORT – March 2026
News from your Hyde Park Labour Councillors Judith Southern, Md Shamsed Chowdhury and Paul Dimoldenberg and Action Team member Nigel Medforth
Dear Resident,
The last few weeks have been extremely busy.
Following the success of the Christmas Tyburn Fair at the ICS school at 21 Star Street, there is another Fair on 1st March from 10am – 4pm, sponsored by The Royal Exchange Pub on Sale Street. There will be more vintage, a masseur, a deli, a chocolatier, home wear, jewellery and local designers all taking part.
Westminster City Council is to freeze the main Westminster element of Council Tax for 2026/27 to help residents deal with cost-of-living pressures. The adult social care precept that funds care for the elderly and disabled will see a below-inflation rise of just two percent, meaning the Westminster share of the bill that Band D payers receive will increase by just 20p a week and maintain the second lowest Council Tax in the country. https://www.westminster.gov.uk/news/keeping-council-tax-low-while-investing-our-communities
The energy regulator Ofgem has announced a 7% (or £117) reduction of the energy price cap for the period covering 1 April to 30 June 2026. This change amounts to a reduction of around £10 a month for the average household using both electricity and gas. https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/press-release/energy-price-cap-will-fall-7-april
Good news for private renters. The Council’s Selective Licensing Scheme improves our ability to regulate and improve the private rented sector by moving from a system that responded only once problems had escalated – to one that is proactive, focused on early intervention, compliance, and prevention. https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/issues/housing-and-homelessness/2026/02/13/westminster-labour-more-than-doubles-its-support-for-private-renters/
The Metropolitan Police has cut mobile phone theft offences by 10,000 in the past year following its largest ever crackdown on phone thieves. Over the last four weeks, officers made 248 arrests related to phone theft and seized about 770 stolen phones. https://news.met.police.uk/pressreleases/met-cuts-phone-theft-by-10000-offences-following-year-long-crackdown-3432888
The Freedom Pass has been saved after Labour Councils blocked the threat to free travel for over-65s in London.
Pedicab drivers banned from charging “rip-off fares” and blasting music. New rules from Transport for London require drivers and operators to pay for a licence, meet English language requirements, pass a safety test, and hold a driving theory test certificate. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyzdxrjny9o
For details of the new trees and other green initiatives we have introduced locally over the past four years, please see https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/ward-news/hyde-park/2026/02/26/more-trees-and-green-initiatives-in-hyde-park-ward/
We are sad that PC Harminder Purewal has moved on from the Hyde Park Safer Neighbourhood Team after 7 years. In his farewell letter he said, “I am particularly grateful for the open communication we have shared. Your local knowledge, responsiveness, and advocacy for your ward have played a vital role in shaping our policing priorities and ensuring that our efforts were both focused and meaningful. The trust and mutual respect we built made a real difference to the effectiveness of our work.” We wish Harminder every success in his next challenge.
We hold a regular advice surgery at St John’s Parish Hall, Hyde Park Crescent. The next advice surgery will be on Thursday 12th March 2026, 6pm-7pm (please note change of date).
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
NEWS AND ACTION
The Hyde Park Estate area, bounded by Edgware Road, Bayswater Road and Sussex Gardens
Hyde Park Gardens Mews
We asked the Highways Team to arrange for new street signs for Hyde Park Garden Mews following the theft of the existing signs.
Kendal Street
We asked the Tree Team to replace a tree in Kendal Street that has been broken by vandals.
Sussex Square
Residents have asked for the proposed location for the bike hangar in Sussex Square to be reviewed. They also say, “the single yellow line on the north side of the Sussex Square-Bathurst Street junction should be made a double yellow, to deter some of the illegal and/or inconsiderate parking which occurs already from time to time.”
The Water Gardens
We asked the Church Commissioners to investigate reports from residents that there are “cockroaches, rat droppings etc in the residents’ storage areas and in the Concierge/Security staff’s break room areas.”
Brook Street
We asked the Refuse Team to install a sign informing drivers of the fines for dumping rubbish (cans, bottles, food packets etc) by the EV charger in Brook Street.
Gloucester Square
We have received an update from the Planning Team on the long-standing hoarding at 12 Gloucester Square, “Our site inspections have confirmed that there are still no works occurring on the site, so formal enforcement action will be taken to remove the hoarding.”
Portsea Mews
We asked the Church Commissioners for an update on the redevelopment plans for Portsea Mews, after residents told us, “It’s getting increasingly dilapidated, and eyesore and such a waste.” The Church Commissioners say.
“The planning permission at Portsea Mews was quite a complex one and we have been working hard to discharge those conditions as well as currently implementing works that are necessary before it expires in June of this year, including internal strip out works that would not be obvious from the outside. We appreciate that, for residents, it can seem as if nothing is going on, but we are working hard to progress the scheme.”
Oxford Street
The Mayor of London has published his report on the results of the consultation on the proposed pedestrianisation of Oxford Street https://haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/oxford-street-transport-highways
Hyde Park to Marylebone Cycleway (C43)
Information on the Hyde Park to Marylebone Cycleway (C43) is available on the website Community Forum – C43 Cycleway – Commonplace where you can see information on the whole scheme, construction programme, phasing and FAQs. If you have any questions please contact the Public Liaison Officer, Bob Burton at 07760 962103 or email Cycleway43@wsp.com.
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 Mary’s Hospital
St Mary’s Hospital has arranged consultation events where you can have your say on the redevelopment of the hospital
- Tuesday 3rd March, 11am – 3pm – Church Street Market Triangle, Church Street, NW8 8DT
- Wednesday 4th March, 11am – 3pm – St Mary’s Hospital Ground floor, QEQM Building, South Wharf Road, W2 1NY
Former Imperial College Medical School, Praed Street
Plans for the demolition of the existing Medical School buildings and redevelopment of the site to create a Clinical Life Sciences hub have been submitted to the Council. Details of the plans and how to comment are at
https://idoxpa.westminster.gov.uk/online-applications/ (ref 25/08486/FULL)
Star Street
Work on the new Star Street pavements is well underway, replacing the old uneven paving stones with new smooth pavements making it safer for residents and pedestrians walking down the street.
Praed Street taxis
We are continuing to work closely with the police and TfL about the continued disregard of the regulations by some taxi drivers who park in the cycle lane outside Paddington Starion and on Craven Road. More fines are being issued by the Parking Marshals to deter the current unacceptable behaviour, as the report below sets out:
“Since 6th February we have issued 115 fines to taxis illegally ranking along the section of Praed Street between Eastbourne Terrace and London Street. Due to a misunderstanding the team were not taking the same action at the Eastbourne Terrace end of Craven Road. Since 13th February we have issued 28 fines at that location. We have seen some repeat offenders and all information, with vehicle registration details, and (where possible) taxi licence numbers, has been shared with TfL.”
Also, see this recent article from the taxi trade https://www.taxi-point.co.uk/post/immediate-pcns-to-hit-drivers-using-paddington-praed-street-pop-up-rank-as-zero-tolerance-enforcem
To report taxis who flout the regulations please use https://tfl.gov.uk/forms/12368.aspx
Praed Street phone box
We asked BT to remove a burnt-out phone box outside the post office on Praed Street.
Praed Street pavement
We asked the Highways Team to fix the pavement outside Peninsula House on Praed Street where there is a very large pool of water when it rains. The Team says, “The footway does look like it is slightly sunken in the middle, so it is probably level issues with the paving. We will investigate.”
Edgware Road
Edgware Road defibrillator
It is good to see another new defibrillator installed on Edgware Road, just south of the junction with Old Marylebone Road. We hope this new facility helps to save lives.
Edgware Road anti-social behaviour
Following our report to the Police and City Inspectors regarding a Cambridge Court resident responsible for ASB in the shops on Edgware Road, we have received the following update,
“We have worked with our Police colleagues to identify who he is and will now be serving him with a Community Protection Warning. The victims (local businesses on the Edgware Road) have been instrumental in the actions we are taking by providing evidential information.”
Edgware Road rain gardens
Following concerns raised by residents at the lack of planting in the new rain gardens along Edgware Road, we asked TfL for an explanation. TfL say,
“The planting was done out of season due to work timings and availability slots and the plants will grow eventually. Our intention is to review this in the Spring and Summer and if they do not grow as expected we will investigate replanting or adding plants. Also, there is additional snagging and junction resurfacing work to be completed so we are holding off adding any further plants until we (and Thames Water) can rule out having to dig up this area again.”
UPDATE – The resurfacing work is now planned to take place between 9 March and 13 March. The snagging works for the rain gardens is underway and includes the removal of the large broken pot on Burwood Place (which has been removed).
New Holland & Barrett shop on Edgware Road
It is good to see a new Holland & Barrett shop opening soon on Edgware Road in the old Ryman’s shop, on the corner of Harrowby Street. The new shop opens on Tuesday 3rd March and is good news for Edgware Road.
Chapel Street, Cabbell Street and Transept Street area
38-47a Chapel Street
We continue to urge the Council to act against the leaseholder who is letting their flat on Airbnb contrary to the terms of their lease.
Hyde Park Mansions
We asked the Police and the City Inspectors to help the homeless person who is sleeping rough in the entrance to one of the blocks to Hyde Park Mansions find a safer place to sleep.
The Chapel pub
We are making enquiries about the planning situation at The Chapel, where scaffolding is being erected. We are concerned that demolition work is about to start ahead of all the planning regulations being satisfied.
245 Old Marylebone Road
We asked the Planning Enforcement Team to investigate the appearance of a structure in the car park of the new Edgware Road Mosque at 245 Old Marylebone Road which does not have planning permission. We also asked TfL’s Parking Marshals to do regular patrols along Old Marylebone following recent anti-social parking where cars are extending on to the pavement.
Transept Street/Cabbell Street parking
We asked the Parking Team to remove a badly damaged car that has been abandoned in Transept Street. Also, we asked the Parking Marshals to review enforcement activity in the area and carry out additional patrols. We also asked the Parking Team to consider changing the Double Yellow Lines in Chapel Street to residents’ parking.
Old Marylebone Road/Chapel Street
We asked the Rough Sleeping Team to offer help to the person sleeping in a tent by the phone boxes at the corner of Old Marylebone Road and Chapel Street.
Paddington Basin/Sheldon Square area
Fleming Centre
St Mary’s Hospital has submitted a planning application for the Fleming Centre which will include exhibition and education space, healthcare research laboratories and consulting rooms and offices and meeting space.
The Fleming Centre will be in the Bays building and for details of what is proposed see www.imperial.nhs.uk/FlemingConsultation. You can make comments at
https://idoxpa.westminster.gov.uk/online-applications/ (ref 25/08914/FULL)
Aster House
We received the following update from Estate Managers Rendall and Rittner about the hot water and heating situation at Aster House,
“The Building Monitoring System (BMS) Engineers have begun to attend site. The flow of hot water has improved services to the residential blocks, however, the BMS remap will not be completed until 19th February. Upon the BMS being fully reset the team will be able to identify any further defects causing the hot water & heating outages. More consistent updates will be shared with residents moving forward.”
Subsequently, we have heard from some residents that the hot water is still not working properly in some flats.
Paddington Basin
We asked the Environmental Health Team and Canal & River Trust to investigate reports of a dead swan amongst oil and grease waste which has accumulated on the Canal outside Vagabonds Wine Bar in Sheldon Square. The Team says, “CRT have sent operatives to place oleophilic booms and are liaising with their environment team to understand where the pollution has come from – cooking or motor oil etc.”
Betula House
We asked the Street Homeless Team to contact the rough sleepers in a tent at the rear of Betula House on Harrow Road to offer help and assistance. UPDATE – The Team is in contact with the rough sleepers to discuss ways to assist them and the tent has now gone.