Here’s our April Action Report with news about Maida Vale and Little Venice wards along with details of issues we’ve taken up on behalf of residents in the last few months. We hope you find it useful.
Please get in touch if there’s anything in your local area that needs attention or an issue we can help with. Just click the links below to email us.
Sara, Geoff, Iman and Nafsika
LITTLE VENICE
MAIDA VALE
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LITTLE VENICE
New Accessible Playground Proposal For Paddington Green
The idea of a new playground for Little Venice is set to become a reality after our Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development, Councillor Geoff Barraclough, gave the green light to Council Officers to begin a consultation.
Many residents tell me they need more areas for children to play safely and have fun. These areas also need to be accessible and welcoming to all. This was a key campaign issue when I was elected to represent Little Venice so I’m very glad to see this come to fruition. The previous Conservative administration neglected local infrastructure and local needs, especially in the Paddington Green area.
For more information about the proposed playground and to give feedback see:
Have Your Say Today – Survey: Paddington Green – Paddington Green And Little Venice Canalside
Formosa Street Pedestrianisation
I’m delighted that the Council has given the green light to develop a proposal to pedestrianise Formosa Street from Castellain Road to Warrington Crescent. A wider community consultation will then be launched once feasible designs are on the table.
Thanks to local resident John Gregson, who launched a petition in favour of pedestrianising Formosa Street last year. It received 365 signatures and support from 85% of businesses. I presented the petition at Full Council last September.
Safer Streets – Two New Pedestrian Crossings For Little Venice
Westminster Council has approved grants for two new pedestrian crossings requested by Paddington Waterways & Maida Vale Society.
The first one is at the junction of Formosa Street and Warwick Avenue. Works will include the narrowing of the carriageway with kerb build-outs, adding a central refuge for pedestrian safety, and installing a raised table at the crossing to calm traffic and enhance overall safety.
The second new crossing will be by the roundabout by Warrington Crescent and Sutherland Avenue. Here the improvements include narrowing the southbound lane with a curb buildout and installing a raised table for traffic calming. Additionally, there will be dropped curbs so that people in pushchairs and wheelchairs can cross more easily.
Safer Streets – Two New Pedestrian Crossings For Little Venice
Westminster Council has approved grants for two new pedestrian crossings requested by Paddington Waterways & Maida Vale Society.
The first one is at the junction of Formosa Street and Warwick Avenue. Works will include the narrowing of the carriageway with kerb build-outs, adding a central refuge for pedestrian safety, and installing a raised table at the crossing to calm traffic and enhance overall safety.
The second new crossing will be by the roundabout by Warrington Crescent and Sutherland Avenue. Here the improvements include narrowing the southbound lane with a curb buildout and installing a raised table for traffic calming. Additionally, there will be dropped curbs so that people in pushchairs and wheelchairs can cross more easily.
London Mayor Calls In Travis Perkins Student Housing Development
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced that he will “call in” Westminster Council’s decision to reject the 600+ student accommodation block at the Travis Perkins site. Councillors on Westminster’s Planning Committee had blocked the development, agreeing with local residents about the “significant loss of daylight” and “sense of enclosure” to neighbouring blocks. Labour Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg will be speaking at the public hearing to argue against the development. You can read our statement here The battle continues!
Tents Under The Westway
Many residents have been in touch about this issue. I contacted TFL, which is responsible for the land, and had the following response: “We have now issued legal proceedings at the Central London County Court seeking a possession order for the site…. and we have served notice. The site forms a very busy part of the road network that is not a safe place for people to sleep rough. Our focus is on the safety and welfare of everyone involved.”
The Police refused to clear the area without a court order. They are now also looking at displacement issues, amid concerns that tents are appearing in other areas including Stone Wharf Gardens.
Blomfield Road Cycle Scheme Consultation
Last month Westminster Council completed the public consultation on the proposed Blomfield Road Cycle Permeability Scheme which could see a new contraflow cycle lane running between Westbourne Terrace Road and Warwick Avenue. More information about the proposal can be found here:
https://blomfieldcyclepermabilityscheme.commonplace
Unauthorised Structure on Clifton Road/Former Site of Tokyo Pizza
I have called in Westminster’s Planning Enforcement Team after concerns were raised with me about a new structure built over what used to be Tokyo Pizza. The Council responded: “I confirm that the City Council has not received any application for the recent works on the forecourt at 47 Maida Vale. These recent works are, therefore, unauthorised and are the subject of a Planning Enforcement case. Formal warning letters have been issued to interested parties advising that the works require planning permission, which, given the nature of the new structure, is unlikely to be granted. We have, therefore, required removal.”
CCTV in Little Venice
As part of Westminster’s first tranche of 100 new CCTV cameras across the City, I suggested several sites in Little Venice so I’m very pleased that CCTV is now installed at Hall Place, Randolph Avenue, Blomfield Road, Formosa Street and Warwick Avenue
Camera footage has already been used to help gather evidence of aggressive begging at Warwick Avenue and Clifton Road and to assist fly-tipping investigations on Hall Place and around the bins at Warwick Avenue.
Broken Bollard on Clifton Road Reported and Repaired
I reported a broken bollard was struck outside 8 Clifton Road, and a second was damaged outside of Boots pharmacy. I pleased to see the Council has made a swift repair.
Annual Tree Pollarding Across Little Venice Ward
As part of the annual maintenance schedule, the Council’s Arboricultural Team have been pollarding the London Plane trees around our area including Warwick Avenue, Clifton Gardens, Sutherland Avenue, and Warrington Crescent. These are essential works that are needed for public safety but also promote the health and longevity of the tree.
Hall Place – Illegal Parking
Following my representations, Westminster Council has begun a period of special enforcement related to persistent unlawful parking on Hall Place, notably by Cuthbert House. Motorists have been found regularly covering their number plates to avoid penalty charges. Westminster’s Parking Marshals will be accompanied by the Police where necessary.
Controversial Pool Excavation on Randolph Road
A plan to excavate a basement on Randolph Road to provide a swimming pool was rejected by Westminster’s Planning Committee. The plan was strongly opposed by local residents who were concerned over the pooling of water by the communal gardens and flood risk in the area.
MAIDA VALE
Elgin Avenue
We’re very pleased with the new traffic scheme on Elgin Avenue near Maida Vale. Based on ideas from Paddington Waterways Maida Vale Society. The taxi rank moves to the pavement where it’s more accessible and we’ve planted three new trees in the central median.
Cycle Storage
Keen to encourage cycling, we’ve got Westminster Council to install plenty of new cycle hoops, known to transport professionals as “Sheffield stands.” You’ll find the latest ones on Shirland Road and Grantully Road.
New CCTV Cameras
Westminster has introduced 100 new CCTV cameras with 100 more on the way. One of the first is on Grantully Road outside Paddington Rec and caught a high-res image of a man breaking into a car. This will help the police with their ongoing investigation.
123 Shirland Road
Construction should begin soon on the new block of flats at 123 Shirland Road. The scheme was held up by ongoing negotiations between the developer and 123 Dry Cleaners, who want to re-open their operations once the building is finished. We understand that an agreement has been reached, and hopefully, the project can restart soon.
Joe Strummer Plaque
One of the last pieces of the refurbished Maida Hill Market was relaying the Joe Strummer memorial plaque. Lots of his former friends and associates joined us for the celebration organised by Westminster Council.
Kilburn Park Road
Environmental Health Officers from Westminster Council have got builders to remove this rubbish from 151 Kilburn Park Road but there is more work to be done. Westminster has written to the owners demanding they make good the terrible state of this building or face legal enforcement action.
Dibdin House
Residents have raised a number of concerns which we are discussing with Grainger. Grainger has confirmed that they are not currently looking at selling Dibdin House. We have raised concerns about gates that remain open and entry systems that are not working.
Paddington Rec
It’s been good to finally see new gates in the playground which allow parents to move from one playground to the next but stop the little ones from doing the same, if unsupervised. Much better than having to keep the gates locked and for parents to have to go around the playground while their children run up and down the ship.
Maida Vale Councillor, Nafsika Butler-Thalassis opened the new Forest School at the Rec along with Councillor Cara Sanquest, Cabinet Member for Leisure Services.
Athlete Bianca Williams, a local legend, unveiled a new plaque on the Pavilion to celebrate her Olympic and Commonwealth medals. She trained at Paddington Rec.
Keeping Everyone Fit
We’re keen that Westminster’s Community Priorities Fund works for everyone, young and old. The over-60s walking football teams train at North Paddington Youth Club on Lanark Road. The Club also offers over-60s walking cricket and women-only Zumba. These activities are during the day. In the evening, they offer activities for children and young people and have recently had council funding to refurbish their gym and buy a new electric minibus.
Carlton Vale Major Works
Clouncillor Nafsika Butler-Thalassis attended the meeting about Carlton Vale major works. It was good to hear that initial works to rectify the problems with the water pressure were successful and that these would be extended to all the Carlton Vale blocks.
Ernest Harriss House Community Hub
The new Community Hub will be opening in late April. The space was left empty for years but, as an initiative of the new Labour Council, has been refurbished and will be managed by the North Paddington Foodbank. It will host a community kitchen and many other activities.
Active Westminster Awards
It was lovely to see local Maida vale resident Tony Lazare from the London Basketball Association win the Unsung Hero award at the Active Westminster awards for his work with local people.