General Election

We’d like to introduce our new representative for Kensington and Bayswater in Parliament, Joe Powell MP. Joe is currently setting up his parliamentary office, however if you’d like to get in touch with him his email is: joe.powell.mp@parliament.uk. We look forward to working with Joe going forward.

We’d again like to reiterate our thanks to Karen Buck for her years of service to our community and wish her well in her new endeavours outside of Parliament.

Notting Hill Carnival

August will of course see the Notting Hill Carnival return. If you’re a resident on the route, you can request a free garden cleaning service via the following link: https://www.westminster.gov.uk/notting-hill-carnival/advice-westminster-residents/garden-clearance-service.

If you would like to get in touch with the team at the council responsible for overseeing the carnival weekend, you can do so by calling 0207 641 2390 or emailing carnival@westminster.gov.uk.

Queensway Cycling Movement Strategy

The consultation on the Cycling Movement Strategy Phase 2 Queensway Scheme began on the 8th July for a 3 week period, ending on 29th July 2024. A website, https://cmsqueensway.commonplace.is/ , has been set up providing information about the proposed scheme and includes an online survey form for you to leave your comments. Alternatively, you can email your comments to cmsphase2@fmconway.co.uk clearly stating ‘Queensway’ in the subject line.

LG Updates

Queensway Post Office

The Post Office on Queensway has closed. It was located in a building earmarked for demolition and the landlord had served notice. The Post Office could have continued to operate until mid-June but chose to leave early rather than pay rent for the additional period.

The council have been supporting the Post Office with finding alternative premises on Queensway. Council Leader, Cllr Adam Hug, and Cabinet Member, Cllr Geoff Barraclough, have written to the Post Office and urged them to confirm its commitment to Queensway and sustaining a Post Office in the local area. We understand the Post Office is now in talks with potential applicants. We won’t rest until this provision is reinstated.

Hallfield Major Works

We continue to support residents impacted by Phase 3 of the Major Works. We have been supporting the Residents’ Association with engaging with landlords who live off the estate. We have also complained regarding the poorly timed Axis resident engagement coffee mornings (Monday during the working day) and are seeking to get this changed.

We are pleased we have gotten the council to confirm that the prices for Phase 4 are ‘locked in’ and will cost no more than Phase 3. Moreover, we have been notified works on Winchester have been expedited to save on contractor prelims. We are working with Council Officers to ensure the independent survey results are released without any further delay.

Hallfield Know Ball Games

The council had previously been trialling the ‘Know Ball Games’ scheme across some of its estates and had undertaken several rounds of consultation with impacted residents. The scheme aims to encourage play on open green spaces to support increased physical activity. The feedback received from Hallfield residents was clear – the scheme was not appropriate for the Hallfield. The Hallfield is proud of its Green Flag accredited green space as a space of tranquillity. We advocated on behalf of residents and in discussions with officers and the Cabinet Member ensured the scheme was paused indefinitely on the Hallfield Estate. We will instead be exploring structured activities and exercise programmes on the existing open space with the Residents’ Association – the playground and basketball / football court.

Praed St Cycle Lanes

We have received several complaints from residents over a prolonged period regarding the unofficial taxi rank which congregated outside the Hilton Hotel on Praed St which has been a blight for local residents and our area quality. We are pleased the council has now finished widening the footway and resurfacing the road. Despite the changes taxis have still be loitering outside the hotel and traffic marshalls have been instructed to patrol the area and issue fines where appropriate.  

Illegal Parking Hallfield

We are aware of a longstanding issue of cars parking illegally across the estate either not in their bays or across double yellow lines and grassed areas, as well as parking without number plates. We have raised this with policing and council officers who are arranging a removal of the vehicles in question when permitted.

Hallfield Tree Consultation

Residents on the Hallfield will have been recently consulted and notified of a schedule of works on the estate’s trees. Unfortunately a tree at the rear of Winchester House will need to be removed.

Westbourne Terrace Trees

Overhanging branches were identified on Westbourne Terrace which obstructed both the pavement and the highway. Once raised, officers attended and issued notices to the owners immediately seeking they cut back the overhang.

Gloucester Terrace Speeding Sign

Speeding has been a persistent problem in the area and we were disappointed to hear the flashing 20mph sign on Gloucester Terrace has been broken for a number of years. We have raised a repair with highways to ensure this is fixed ASAP.

Queensway Light Pollution

We have also been supporting residents with complaints with regards to light pollution on Queensway due to the new Whiteley’s development. Where appropriate and an enforceable statutory nuisance we have been taking action.

National Express Coaches Westbourne Terrace

We’ve had reports from residents of the National Express coaches returning to Westbourne Terrace. To alleviate this TfL and National Express have confirmed the switch of the Bus Stand for the National Express services from Bishop’s Bridge Road to the underused Bus Stand space on Eastbourne Terrace. Please continue to highlight this problem should it occur.

Westbourne Terrace Postbox

The postbox on Westbourne Terrace, before Craven Road, has been closed for many years and residents have asked for it to be either reopened or removed. Councillors have sent a request to Royal Mail for its removal.

Hallfield Playground

Residents at the Hallfield Residents’ Association meeting flagged that glass had been uncovered in the playground. On raising this, the estate officers attended the next day, closed the playground and inspected the area. A follow-up meeting was held with residents to ensure this had been addressed adequately to ensure the safety of the young playground users.

108-132 Westbourne Terrace Lift

Cllr Ormsby identified one of the lifts within 108-132 Westbourne Terrace, a council owned block, was broken. This was reported and fixed within the 2 working days of the report.

Pembroke House Lift

The lift in Pembroke House, Hallfield Estate, was unfortunately shut down following a callout on the 8th June to carry out a necessary repair. We have urged the council to ensure the lift downtime is as short as possible. The lift was declared back in working order on the 26th June.