MAIDA VALE & LITTLE VENICE LABOUR ACTION REPORT – January 2022
News from Maida Vale Councillors Geoff Barraclough, Rita Begum and Nafsika Butler-Thalassis and Iman Less
And the Little Venice Labour Action Team – Sara Hassan, Murad Qureshi and Rosie Wrighting
WARD NEWS AND ACTION
MAIDA VALE
Geoff, Nafsika, Rita and Iman have been working hard over the last month on the following issues:
Lower Kilburn High Road
The much delayed improvements to Lower Kilburn High Road are finally going to begin at the end of January. These include additional traffic islands, an improved crossing on Kilburn Park Road and relocating the bus-stop outside Milad Supermarket a few metres further south to reduce congestion outside the shop.
Elgin Parade
Working with the City Inspectors, we have had the commercial waste bin on the corner of Lanark Road removed. This should never have been located there in the first place and was just creating a magnet for fly tipping. Also on Elgin Parade, we are very pleased that the homeless gentleman who has been sleeping in the doorway of the antique shop has accepted an offer of help from outreach workers.
Andover Place
Local residents will shortly be consulted on a scheme to improve road safety outside the Naima School. This will involve extra plants and street furniture as well as making Andover Place a one-way street.
Thurso House
Westminster Housing has put in a planning application for four family homes for social rent to be built on the car park of Thurso House on Randolph Gardens. Here’s a link the Planning Portal if you would like to make any comments. https://idoxpa.westminster.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=R1MGTJRP0H400
Carlton Dene
We continue to press Westminster Council to take better care of the derelict Carlton Dene care home on the junction of Carlton Vale and Kilburn Park Road. This has become overgrown and covered with graffiti.
12 July floods
Thames Water has begun its independent inquiry in the flood of 12 July. Karen Buck MP will be organising a public meeting with the Chair of the inquiry. Meanwhile, a number of residents have been in touch worried about possible surface water flooding on Shirland Road from blocked gullies.
Westminster Highways told us:
“Shirland Road has been identified as being vulnerable to potential heavy ponding, following the flash flooding. Consequently, if there is a Yellow weather warning of potential adverse weather conditions, heavy rain etc we will ensure that these gullies are checked as soon as possible with the areas also swept for leaves by Veolia to help mitigate any blockages.
Unfortunately, when there is heavy rain the gullies take some time to filter away the water due to the sheer volume that it has to take in. So at times, it may appear that the gully is blocked or not draining away. I fully understand and empathise with all the resident’s concerns given the recent events, so we are carrying out these additional inspections to ensure that we have taken the appropriate measures to mitigate any ponding issues.”
Paddington Green – Berkeley Homes development
We have written to the Mayor asking him to refuse Berkeley Homes plans for a 30 storey tower on the site of the former Paddington Green Police Station. https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/westminster-news/2021/12/18/refuse-the-berkeley-homes-scheme-for-paddington-green/
Lauderdale Mansions West
We are very pleased that the Planning Inspector agreed with residents and refused the freeholder’s plans to put an additional storey of badly designed flats on top of this historic building. Both Councillor Barraclough and Councillor Butler-Thalassis spoke at the planning inquiry in support of the residents.
Tollgate Gardens
We continue to support residents worried about ASB on the estate. Council officers are working with residents and the managing agent to design out ASB on the estate and to review how to prevent access for vehicles and non-residents.
Lauderdale Road Petition
We are very disappointed with the response of Westminster Council to our petition to consult with residents about speeding on Lauderdale Road. Westminster Council continues to maintain that because average speeds don’t exceed the 20 mph limit it is of no concern that hundreds of cars drive at speeds of 30 mph while the highest speed recorded was 55mph. Their logic seems to be these speeds are somehow made safer by the fact there are also drivers who drive at 10 or 15 mph. We will continue to push the Council on its refusal to consult with residents about traffic calming measures. The Council has agreed to at least place four 20mph roundels to remind drivers of the speed limit.
Paddington Recreation Ground
Everyone Active is looking to replace the monkey bars near the bandstand with a “smart activator screen” which will show video exercise classes. You can comment on the planning application here: https://idoxpa.westminster.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=R2Q8FORPMLS00
LITTLE VENICE
Sara, Murad and Rosie have been very busy over the last month:
- Petitioning the Mayor against the threat to Bakerloo line
- Writing to the London Fire Service about what really happened during the flooding of 12th of July
- Getting Telephone kiosks repaired
- Also getting Post Boxes repaired and unblocked!
- Petitioning the Council about road signage along St Mary’s Terrace
- Petitioning the Canal & River Trust about lighting along the Canal
- Objecting to planning applications for the Travis Perkins site and the Old Paddington Green Police Station site
Sutherland Avenue/Castellain Road junction
Another resident has raised concerns about the location of the bike hangars at the junction of Sutherland Avenue and Castellain Road.
“The siting of hangers here is madness when you take into consideration traffic & pedestrian visibility, for both are totally obscured. If you are driving up Sutherland Road (towards the roundabout) and want to turn right into Castellain Road, you cannot see the cars coming down Sutherland Road unless you creep forwards. By the time you have some visibility your car is now actually positioned in the middle of Sutherland Avenue and in the path of fast cars.
Conversely, drivers coming down Sutherland Avenue can’t see cars attempting to cross this junction until these crossing vehicles are suddenly on the road in front of them. Throw into the mix the zebra crossing and therefore pedestrians who can’t clearly be seen by vehicles travelling down Sutherland Road either and you have a fatal incident just waiting to happen.”
Following our enquiries, the Highways Team told us:
“I can confirm that the cycle hanger has been reviewed, and it will be rotated to improve visibility for oncoming traffic. This will be completed by the end of the month.”
Castellain Road
We have asked the Street Lighting Team to investigate this issue raised with us by a resident:
“The section of Castellain Road leading from Sutherland Avenue to the Formosa Street shops (even numbered side) is very dark and poorly lit at night. This has been the case for a while. Surely something must be done, for the safety of those walking home at night?”
The Street Lighting Team say:
“These columns are not due to be looked at until 2024, but we can bring this forward to next year’s age expired programme to try and realign them away from trees.
Unfortunately, there are a number of trees on this section of highways and this will cause street lights to be less effective. I have also asked the tree team if the trees could be trimmed back to improve the lighting levels.”
Warrington Crescent
Residents in Warrington Crescent say the Amelia Restaurant coffee stand outside 2 Warrington Crescent plays loud music at night. Residents have no problems with the music during the day but the playing of music late at night is very disruptive. We have asked the Council if the licence allows music at night and what can be done to stop the music at night. The Licencing Team say:
“A licence is held for the premises which includes musical entertainment. However, the outside area should be vacated by 22:00 and condition 17 on the licence states: No noise shall emanate from the premises nor vibration be transmitted through the structure of the premises which gives rise to nuisance. I have spoken to the manager who has confirmed that the volume will be reduced and turned off at 20:00.”
BT phone boxes
In Little Venice, we have a number of derelict red telephone boxes that desperately need repairing – on the corner of Formosa Street, Warrington Gardens and Bristol Gardens, on Shirland Road, on the corner on Sutherland Avenue and elsewhere.
We know that with the growth of mobile phone use, the use of public phone boxes has declined considerably. This has been happening for time and it appears British Telecommunications (BT) do not know what to do with them. We want to keep the neighbourhood in good shape and not let the kiosks become centres of rubbish and graffiti. And even a growing health and safety risk in the area. So, we have urged BT to let these red telephone kiosks have a lick of paint, at least.
BT say:
“I have raised cleaning jobs for all three kiosks. The Warrington Gardens kiosk is down for removal by the end of March 2022 the other two we can ask the regional field officer to consider adding them to the repainting schedule for next year.
“I can confirm that the 3 boxes have now been added to our painting programme. I cannot give you a specific date for the work, however, painting normally takes place between April and September.”
Warrington Gardens
We have asked for a permanent street sign to replace the temporary on by the phone box on Warrington Gardens. The Council say, “this is on the current order for replacement and should be changed in around 6 weeks.”
Harrow Road/Edgware Road
We have asked Transport for London when the abandoned and derelict pedestrian underpass at the junction of Harrow Road and Edgware Road will be filled in so that the current eyesore is removed.
Other Issues
Council Tax
We have called for No Rise in Council Tax until at least 2024. As residents face a challenging winter with rising prices and energy bills, they want to know that they aren’t going to have any nasty surprises in the spring in when it comes to Council Tax.
Labour Councillors will vote against any increase in Council Tax until at least 2024 to try to help residents through these difficult times. We think that at the very least Council Tax should be frozen at its current rate, while further efforts are made to protect those on low incomes.
Green New Deal for Westminster
We have launched a Green New Deal for Westminster which sets out a clear, ambitious agenda to achieve the change we desperately need. Key measures include:
- Appointing a Cabinet Member with responsibility for climate action. This will be pivotal to driving change from day one of a Labour Council.
- Implementing a Net Zero Test for all decisions to assess the climate impact of decisions made, and a sustainable approach to procurement.
- Seeking to refurbish first rather than demolish, putting real emissions standards on all developments, and retrofitting our existing housing.
- Driving a green recovery and a just transition, with a Local Climate Bond for investments in our neighbourhoods, a focus on green jobs, and training available to all.
- Starting recovery in the streets, with a commitment to 15-minute neighbourhoods, new tree planting, and high streets that attract customers with active travel infrastructure.
In the spirit of working collaboratively with others we are keen to hear from residents, experts, and other stakeholders about how to develop and build on this plan. So please do get in touch with us to share your thoughts.
Green New Deal for Westminster – what you say
“Could it be specified that buildings and building permits also consider and integrate water absorption? Potentially also look at grey/black water separation and greywater reuse as being a requirement for building within Westminster. I live on Shirland Road, which was severely affected by the floods last July. Part of the problem is that our sewers and our surface water are combined and then it’s exacerbated by everyone building over their gardens to make conservatories and offices. Most new construction isn’t considering water run-off or water recycling. If we start it in the planning now, by 2050 we should have much more of a “sponge city” where we are more able to adapt to what climate change might throw at us.”
“Glad you’re calling out property developers on their carbon emissions, like with the new M&S building.”
£6 Million Marble Arch Mound
The Marble Arch Mound is finally coming down! The Council has told us
“The Marble Arch Mound will close to the public on 9th January. The process of decommissioning the Mound will begin on 10th January, with the removal of the art installation and onsite operator facilities. Deconstruction of the Mound will then begin 18 January 2022 and our contractors FM Conway will erect site perimeter barrier. It is anticipated that the decommissioning work will be completed around May 2022.”
The Marble Arch Mound cost £6 million – three times the original budget – and entry up the Mound has been free since it opened as the Council had to scrap the plan to charge visitors because of the very poor reaction to the promised ‘spectacular views’ that never materialised.
UPDATE – The Council Officer responsible for the £6 million Marble Arch Mound fiasco was Westminster Council’s highest paid employee at £220,000 a year. You can read more here
Advice Surgeries
The Maida Vale councillor surgeries have started again after an enforced break due to Covid. You can come and meet us at the Café in Paddington Rec:
- First Saturday of the month at 10am
- Third Sunday of the month at 11am
No appointment needed
Paddington Waterways and Maida Vale Society
If you’re interested in the local area, please join PWMV. It publishes a regular newsletter and it’s free to join. https://w9w2.co.uk
Street Link
If you see anyone sleeping rough, please contact Street Link who are able offer help and assistance. You can contact Street Link 24 hours a day at www.streetlink.org.uk.
Voting by post
It is much easier, quicker and safer to vote by post. With a postal vote you have two weeks to cast your vote and can vote at home.
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 https://edition.pagesuite.com/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?pubname=&pubid=09649383-4dbb-4a3d-b164-9d26398578f3
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 10 days 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, broken streetlights, graffiti and more using the Report It service https://www.westminster.gov.uk/report-it
Electric Car charging points
Charging points have been installed in lamp columns across the area and you can register your interest in having a lamp post charger installed near you by completing the form below. You can also register an interest in having stand-alone charging posts installed in your local area.
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/request-vehicle-charging-point
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 Council’s advice and response website:
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/coronavirus-advice-and-information
What you say
“Thanks again for your informative bulletin.”
“Great update as always. In particular, very pleased to see that a new cycle hangar will be installed on Lanark Road near the entrance to Elgin Mews North. Could do with more of these in Westminster.”
“Agree on Shirland/Kilburn Park Road junction – it’s terrible!”
Please let us know if we can be of help or assistance on any local issues.
If you do not wish to continue to receive this newsletter you can unsubscribe below.
Keep well, take care and look after yourselves and your neighbours.
Regards
Councillors Geoff Barraclough, Rita Begum and Nafsika Butler-Thalassis and Iman Less
Your Maida Vale Labour Councillors
Tweet @MaidaValeLabour
https://www.facebook.com/MVLabour/
gbarraclough@westminster.gov.uk
nbutler-thalassis@westminster.gov.uk
You can read our news here
https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/your-ward/maida-vale/
Sara Hassan, Murad Qureshi and Rosie Wrighting
Your Little Venice Labour Action Team
Facebook @labourforlittlevenice
Tweet @labourforlv
You can read our news here https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/your-ward/little-venice/
You can read Murad Qureshi’s blog here https://muradqureshi.com
