ST JOHN’S WOOD LABOUR ACTION REPORT – July 2021
News from the St John’s Wood Labour Action Team
WARD NEWS AND ACTION
Flash Flooding
The recent heavy rainfall caused serious flooding leaving many basement flats uninhabitable and causing tens of thousands of pounds of damage. We have heard from residents in Clifton Hill and Carlton Hill. One resident says:
“I believe that those at WCC and at Thames Water should be held accountable. Not only that, but there has been absolutely NO intervention from the Conservative Councillors – not even a circular – which does not compare very favourably with you! I shall be considering carefully who I vote for next time round. I have reported these drains as being choked on more than 4 occasions as have my neighbours over a period of years only to be informed by email by WCC that the problem has been rectified.”
Here is Karen Buck MP’s letter to Thames Water demanding action and compensation for residents https://bit.ly/2W9nidL
https://www.hamhigh.co.uk/news/maida-vale-flash-floods-leave-basement-flats-uninhabitable-8142056
For advice on how residents can get support
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/flash-flooding-westminster
For details of support for businesses impacted by the flash-flooding
https://mailchi.mp/westminster/business-update-146746?e=aee1a1aa77
Clifton Hill
Karen Buck MP has written a letter of objection to the Planning Department about the planning application for a Getir distribution centre in Clifton Hill, inside the St John’s Wood Conservation Area which is a particularly inappropriate location for commercial activity of this kind. She says:
“Residents deserve protection from high levels of noise and nuisance, and there are particular concerns about activity at this level into the late evening/early hours of the morning and through the weekends. It is certainly likely that Westminster will be required to commit significant and scarce resources into noise/nuisance enforcement.”
Abbey Road
We have asked the Council to investigate this issue raised by residents
“Could you please ask the Council why the developers of the Loveday dementia home in Abbey Road keep the lights full on throughout the night?”
https://www.lovedayandco.com/loveday-abbey-road
Abbey Road – speeding cars
We have asked the local police to investigate this issue:
“I just wondered if anything can be done about the high-end cars racing down Abbey Road and outside Rawsha in particular. These cars are excessively noisy and actually wake me up some nights. It is a real problem in the area that is becoming worse.”
Queen’s Grove
We have been helping a resident in Queen’s Grove who needed assistance from the Housing Department with a repair problem.
Lowering Speed Limits
Transport for London (TfL) is asking for views on the next stage of lowering speed limits on the remaining TfL roads in Westminster from March 2022. Speed is a factor in at least 37% of collisions where a person is killed or is seriously injured on London’s streets. TfL say:
“We are planning to use raised tables to slow vehicles, along with signs and road markings to encourage drivers to slow down. We’ve provided more information about our proposals on our website at www.tfl.gov.uk/speed-westminster, where you can give us your views or send them to haveyoursay@tfl.gov.uk
A map of the roads included and what the new speed limits will be can be found in the ‘Documents’ section along with maps showing where we are introducing the new measures in St John’s Wood Road/Finchley Roadand A41 Wellington Road/Park Road.”
Remembering Joe Hegarty
It is with deep sadness that we heard that Joe Hegarty, who was a Westminster Councillor for Church Street ward from 1974-90, has died aged 77. Joe was Leader of the Westminster Labour Group from 1981-87 and was Chair of Westminster Primary Care Trust from 2004-11. He was chair of the Church Street Futures Group from 2012-16. He will be much missed by many St John’s Wood residents who knew him and who he helped.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/jul/04/joe-hegarty-obituary
Helicopter Noise
We have again asked the police to reduce the use of helicopters to observe demonstrations in the West End. We understand the need for surveillance of demonstrations but, we asked the police “why don’t you use drones? This would be considerably cheaper and less invasive.” The police response was as follows:
“There are advantages to using a helicopter rather than a drone, where necessary, as they play an important role in keeping people safe. The Met has invested in drones, and they are being used, but the technology is not sufficiently advanced to replace helicopters their entirety. Investment in drones will remain, but helicopters will continue be an essential tool for policing in London. As always, we endeavour to balance any disruption caused to the public, with the need to ensure safety.”
We will continue to press the police to use drones as the technology improves and hope that the use of helicopters can be reduced.
North Paddington Foodbank
If you can help the foodbank or are in need of emergency support, please see the information here: https://www.npfoodbank.org.uk/
Mega-basements
A new study has found that “London basement extensions as normal as loft conversions”. You can read about it here
E-Scooter hire trial
Transport for London is holding an e-scooter hire trial over the coming months. If you have any comments on the trial, please contact TfL by email at haveyoursay@tfl.gov.uk.
Voting by post
It is much easier, quicker and safer to vote by post.
You can use this form to apply for a postal vote
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/sites/default/files/postal-vote-application-form.pdf
You can email your completed form to electoralservices@westminster.gov.uk or post it to Electoral Services, Westminster City Council, 14th Floor City Hall, 64 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6QP.
‘Westminster Extra’
You can read the ‘Westminster Extra’ online
Refuse collection and Recycling collection times
Recycling bags can be ordered from https://webforms.westminster.gov.uk/order-recycling-bags/
Bags will be delivered within approximately 48 hours of order.
You can check when refuse and recycling is collected from your street here http://transact.westminster.gov.uk/env/streetsearch.aspx
The doorstep recycling service concentrates on the recyclable materials most commonly produced by houses so that these can be easily separated into the different material types. The link below summarises what can be put in recycling bags
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/what-can-i-recycle-home#can-recycle
Lots of other materials can be recycled but not through the doorstep collection service. The A-Z list below gives details of what and where items can be recycled or re-used:
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/a-z-recycling
Report It
You can report dumped rubbish, potholes, uneven pavements and other hazards to the Council’s ‘Report It’ service https://www.westminster.gov.uk/report-it
Coronavirus (Covid-19) UPDATE
Interactive Map
You can see the latest data for your area here
https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/interactive-map
Westminster Connects COVID-19 phone line – 020 7641 1222
Beware the Coronavirus scammers
https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/westminster-news/2020/03/27/beware-the-coronavirus-scammers/
What you say
“Many thanks. Please keep up the great work”
“Thank you as always for your attention to community issues”
“Very helpful information. Thank you.”
Please let us know if we can be of help or assistance on any local issues.
If you know of anyone else who might like to receive this report, please send them this sign-up link https://bit.ly/labour-news
Keep well, take care and look after yourselves and your neighbours.
Regards
Your St John’s Wood Labour Action Team – Here to Help, All Year Round