HYDE PARK WARD LABOUR ACTION REPORT – June 2023
News from your Hyde Park Labour Councillors Judith Southern, Md Shamsed Chowdhury and Paul Dimoldenberg
Dear Resident,
We hope that all is well. It has been another few weeks of activity right across the ward.
We attended the Hyde Park & Paddington Neighbourhood Forum AGM on 18th May at the Victory Services Club and Paul gave the meeting an update on the some of the projects that are happening in the area – Portsea Mews, Connaught Village Green, Star Street/St Michael’s Street housing improvement, Kingdom Street and Praed Street pavement widening.
We also attended a meeting of the Hyde Park Ward Panel on 24th May and discussed various policing matters and other issues of concern.
Also, we attended the Connaught Village retailer breakfast on 26th May organised by the Church Commissioners to hear about plans for the ‘Summer Village Vibes’ marketing campaign to attract more shoppers to the area.
Long promised plans to rebuild St Mary’s Hospital have been delayed again by the Government, according to a recent announcement https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/government-hospitals-2030-st-marys-paddington-charing-cross-hammersmith-steve-barclay-b1083783.html
To mark the first anniversary of the new Council, Paul has written ‘Winning Westminster – How Labour turned Westminster Council Red’ https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C2RG178S. All royalties will be donated to Westminster foodbanks.
We hold a regular advice surgery at St John’s Parish Hall, Hyde Park Crescent, on the first Thursday of the month from 6-7pm. The next advice surgery will be on Thursday 6th July, 6pm-7pm.
Please let us know if we can be of help or assistance on any local issues.
NEWS AND ACTION
The Hyde Park Estate area, bounded by Edgware Road/Bayswater Road and Sussex Gardens
Portsea Mews
We are very pleased that planning permission has been granted for the Church Commissioners’ proposals to refurbish and redevelop Portsea Mews for new offices and new homes. Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg spoke in support of the proposals at the Planning Committee meeting, saying, “this scheme is In line with Fairer Westminster policies to improve our High Streets. Connaught Village relies heavily on expenditure from residents and local office workers to sustain businesses and keep services running. This scheme will add 100 people working in the area and link directly to the local shops in Porchester Place and Connaught Street.”
You can see the proposals here https://portseamews.co.uk/
Devonport
We are continuing to support Devonport residents who object to the Church Commissioners to build two houses in their garden. Residents say, “As it is Spring the trees in our garden have burst into leaf which is always beautiful to see. It has, however, emphasised the horror of the plan to cut down 2 of our biggest and most lovely trees. Currently both trees are full of tweeting, singing birds.”
Connaught Square
Following our enquiries on behalf of residents, a Vehicle Activated Sign (VAS) has been installed in Connaught Square, which will indicate to motorists if they are travelling west along Connaught Street in excess of 20 mph. This should reduce traffic speeds and improve life for pedestrians and cyclists.
Connaught Court, Connaught Street
We are helping Connaught Court residents to tackle sub-letting in their block. Residents say, “We are having a real issue with short-term lets at Connaught Court. We know which individuals are sub-letting their flats. They refuse to stop despite being asked many times. This has become a real blight on our lives as residents. We would really appreciate any help that you could give in tackling this issue.” We have asked the Enforcement Team to investigate and take action. We have also asked the Church Commissioners to contact the head leaseholder.
We have also asked the Church Commissioners if planters can be placed at the front of Connaught Court to discourage passers by dumping rubbish in the area. The Church Commissioners say, “We would be very happy to look at adding some plants around Connaught Court – we are always looking at ways to improve biodiversity on the Estate as well as the public realm.”
Bathurst Street
We have asked the Enforcement Team to investigate a property in Bathurst Street where residents say, “We seem to have an ongoing problem with short term rentals in our building in the basement flat. This is evidenced by illegal rubbish dumping, constantly changing tenants, encroachment in the building common areas and in the past even the fitting of key safes outside to facilitate entry to short term tenants. We’d hoped the problem had died down following letters from the building management company and our solicitors but it seems to be recurring.”
Clarendon Mews
We asked the Lighting Team if they had yet been able to source a suitable lantern fitting to replace the sodium light in the entrance to Clarendon Mews. The Lighting Team say, “I just asked our contractor for an update and the lantern literally arrived at the contractor’s depot today. Contractor advises it is planned to be installed within the next week.” The new lantern has now been installed and residents say, ‘Thank you, it is a huge improvement.”
Cycleway 43 (C43)
Westminster City Council, in partnership with Transport for London, is proposing to deliver a new cycle route, Cycleway 43, connecting Hyde Park with the existing facilities at Gloucester Place. The C43 route is proposed to run via Stanhope Place, Connaught Square, Connaught Street, Porchester Place, Kendal Street and George Street. You can see the proposals and make comments here https://westminstercycleways.co.uk/hyde-park-to-marylebone-cycleway.html
Lancaster Gate station
Following our enquiries about the recent station closures at Lancaster Gate underground station, TfL say, “The closures at Lancaster Gate are being caused by the need to deploy staff to other priority stations (in this instance Notting Hill Gate, Marble Arch and Shepherds Bush). This is critical to ensuring these stations operate safely. Unfortunately, the reason for this is mainly due to staff absences, but it is also being compounded by industrial action. Whilst we do everything possible to keep the station open, there always remains the possibility of short notice closures of stations like Lancaster Gate in situations like this.”
We are not satisfied by this explanation and our Lancaster Gate Ward colleagues have started a petition https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-closure-of-lancaster-gate-tube-station?recruiter=387428428&recruited_by_id=f442e2b0-5deb-11e5-a58d-430260e08055&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=petition_dashboard/
Norfolk Place/Sussex Gardens
We have again asked the Highways Team to request Thames Water to fix the water leak at the junction of Norfolk Place and Sussex Gardens.
We have also asked the Lighting Team to fix a broken streetlight and Belisha beacon outside the Monkey Puzzle pub. The Team says, “the beacon and the lantern have now been put back in light. Further investigations are being carried out as this is tripping often, and the slabs around the Belisha are to be raised for further investigation.”
25 Porchester Place
We have continued to report short-term lettings at 25 Porchester Place to the Council’s Enforcement Team and to urge legal action by the Church Commissioners against those leaseholders who allow their flats to be used as short-term lettings in breach of their lease.
Park West Place
Following our enquiries, a new tree has been planted in Park West Place to replace the one that was vandalised.
We have also asked the Highway Team to install dropped kerbs along Park West Place on the edge of Kendal Street. Older residents currently find it very difficult when pushing a wheelchair.
Also, we have asked if a cycle hangar can be located in Park West Place.
Southwick Street
We have asked the Highways Team to fill potholes along Southwick Street.
Portsea Place
We asked the Highways Team to reposition the one-way direction signage on Portsea Place which is facing toward Connaught Street and giving drivers the wrong indication to drive into No Entry. The sign has now been repositioned.
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.
Please note, you can only use this number to report incidents within the boundary of the Hyde Park Estate as Croma are paid to operate within that area only.
The Star Street area, between Sussex Gardens and Praed Street
Star Street/Bouverie Place
We have asked the City Inspectors to take action to resolve this issue:
“There is an unoccupied shop on the corner of Star Street and Bouverie Place. There is a raised area round the shop which I imagine is part of the area of the shop. An old sofa was dumped there a few weeks ago and this is now filled with other rubbish but as it seems to be on private property it is just left and more and more rubbish gets dumped there. A large concrete section edge of the raised area has now also broken off and is a hazard.”
The City Inspectors say, “Veolia have removed the waste that was being dumped on the sofa. We have also asked if they would remove the sofa (even though it is on private land) as it is attracting further dumping and is an eyesore in the area.”
Bouverie Place
We have asked the Parking Team to take action against the owner of a delivery lorry parked on the pavement on Bouverie Place.
Praed Street
We have asked the Highways Team to remove redundant signs and barriers on the pavement in Praed Street.
Sale Place/Praed Street
There is a protruding piece of kerb at the entrance to Sale Place at the junction with Praed Street. This is a pedestrian hazard and have asked the Highways Team to fix it. The Highways Team say, “I have instructed contractors to make safe edge of kerb with asphalt, this will eliminate the trip hazard. Works order already raised to renew kerb and have asked contractors to programme these works for completion asap.”
Edgware Road area
Citadel of Erbil
We have again asked the City Inspectors to investigate the late night/early morning activities at the Citadel of Erbil.
Edgware Road
We have reported a broken bollard along Edgware Road which has now been fixed by TfL. We have also asked that a redundant sign be removed and graffiti cleared from a phone box.
We have also asked the City Inspectors to contact the shop owners at 187 Edgware following regular parking on the pavement by delivery vans. The City Inspectors say, “We will visit the premises today to instruct the business accordingly”
Edgware Road/Seymour Street
We have asked the Highways Team to clean paint on Seymour Street, near the junction with Edgware Road. The Highways Team say, “I will ask the Cleansing Team to attend to see what they can do. Provided the paint isn’t oil based and dried, it should be relatively easy to remove.”
Edgware Road/Connaught Street
We have asked the City Inspectors to contact property owners in Connaught Street to remove piles of waste at the corner with Edgware Road. The waste has now been removed.
The Chapel Street, Cabbell Street and Transept Street area
Oxford & Cambridge Mansions
We have asked the police to increase patrols in the area after hearing about a violent attack on staff at Oxford & Cambridge Mansions. According to residents, “The police are dealing with the incident. CCCTV evidence would appear to show that the people were let into the building by a resident. Please do not let people into the building that you do not know.”
We have also asked the Council’s Enforcement Team to investigate another flat in Oxford & Cambridge Mansions which is being let out on Airbnb.
We have also reported a dumped Lime bike for removal outside block 12 Oxford & Cambridge Mansions.
Cabbell Street
We have asked the Tree Team to prune a tree on Cabbell Street which is blocking off the light and making that part of the street dark and a potential danger. The Tree Officer says, “I have issued instructions to our contractors to prune this one clear of the streetlight.”
Old Marylebone Road
We asked the City Inspectors to remove graffiti and discarded metal objects from a salt/grit box on the Old Marylebone Road/Cabbell Street junction. The metal objects have now been removed and the box cleaned of the graffiti.
Paddington Basin/Sheldon Square area
5 Kingdom Street
Following the Planning Committee decision to grant planning permission for the logistics hub at 5 Kingdom Street, we have asked for air quality monitors to be installed in Sheldon Square and at the corner of Westbourne Terrace and Bishops Bridge Road so that the impact of additional HGV vehicles can be monitored.
North Wharf Road
We have asked the Parking Team to investigate this issue raised by a resident, “There’s a real problem with parking on North Wharf Road – taxis/chauffeur drivers park for long periods of time without a permit in resident spaces, usually just outside Dahlia House. If there are no spaces available, they sit on double yellow lines, or even just in the middle of the road. This seems to have got worse in recent months. Can something be done about this?”
The Parking Team say, “I have highlighted the concerns to the area Marshals, asking that they pay close attention to the area for the time being.”
Hermitage Street
We have asked the Highways Team to arrange for green construction barriers that have been left on the pavement in Hermitage Street to be removed.
Harbet Road
We have again asked the City Inspectors to remind the Hilton Hotel to sweep Harbet Road (a private road) every day, as it is their responsibility.
Harrow Road
Following our enquiries, the parking area outside Montgomery House now has a sign saying that the parking bays are for residents’ parking, as well as for visitor parking. We hope that this helps the residents of Montgomery House who have contacted us over the past year about this.
Canal boats
In response to our enquiries about smoke from canal boats, the Environmental Health Team say, “The boats moored in Paddington Basin are primarily controlled by the Canal and River Trust and their condition is something that the council cannot control. We are working with the CRT and other stakeholders on solutions to prevent and reduce emissions as much as possible. However, all these mechanisms with the exception of the Statutory nuisance provisions. will take time to implement. “
Residents can ask any questions or raise any concerns regarding boats with CRT, via email at Enquiries.londonsoutheast@canalrivertrust.org.uk.