HYDE PARK WARD LABOUR ACTION REPORT – September 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 did a walkabout with the Waste and Veolia Teams to identify potential sites for street sweepers bins where they can deposit their green bags safely for collection. We also looked at some of the general street bins to see if we could find better locations for some of the bins which attract regular rubbish dumping.
https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/ward-news/2023/08/05/hyde-park-ward-waste-walkabout/
We also did a late-night walkabout on Edgware Road to identify and report a number of issues, including restaurants extending their tables and chairs beyond the licensed area, hot coals on the pavement, parking on the pavement and rubbish dumping. We also did a walkabout with one of the Council’s Highways Inspectorsto identify areas of pavement in need of repair.
We are continuing to report e-bikes dumped in dangerous locations for removal and for the riders to be fined. The Council will be introducing dedicated parking bays for e-bikes so that, in future, riders will have clear locations where to park safely.
Consultation on the High Street Programme has been extended until 11th September. The survey can be found here https://engage.westminster.gov.uk/en-GB/projects/high-street-survey
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 will be on Thursday 7th September, 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
Southwick Street
We asked the Church Commissioners and the Council’s Short-Term Letting’s Team to take action to stop the rubbish dumping and Airbnb lettings at 3 and 5 Southwick Street.
Stanhope Terrace
We asked the Highways Team to fix a trip hazard on the pavement by a tree pit outside 16 Stanhope Terrace.
Connaught Street
We asked the Tree Team when a replacement tree will be planted outside 48a Connaught Street. The Tree Team says, “The pit was too close to the adjacent lamp column, so a new tree has been planted a few metres further west. I inspected it yesterday and will instruct our Highways Team to reinstate the paving.”
Connaught Square
Following our enquiries, CCTV can now be installed on houses in Connaught Square. A resident tells us, “Planning application 23/04193/FULL was permitted recently, you can see full details on the Westminster Planning website. I have the details of a burglar caught and convicted for stealing from a house in the Square, using CCTV footage. Thank you to the Labour councillors for having supported the change in policy.”
We asked the Police and the Parking Team to take action against the owner of a foreign registered car that parks illegally in Connaught Square. Residents say, “He gets a daily fine which he tears up and throws into the garden on Connaught Square. Tonight, he did this then urinated into our garden.”
The Police say, “European cars do have to be registered with the DVLA if they stay here. We will need to speak to the driver before any action can be taken, just so we can confirm details and intentions. We will see if we can stop him to sort it out.”
Norfolk Crescent
We asked the Parking Team to change the single yellow line to a double yellow line in the crescent part of Norfolk Crescent after being contacted by many residents pleading for us to stop the night-time parking by drivers visiting restaurants on Edgware Road. The car drivers return late at night/early morning with food and drink and continue their activities and noise till the early morning. Some residents get little sleep and/or disturbed nights. In the morning, there is rubbish strewn all around from the food, drink, smoking and other activities.
We also asked the e-scooter operators to ensure that e-scooters are parked within the e-scooter parking bay in Norfolk Crescent. Lime say, “I’ve asked a ranger to head there now and tidy the bay. Going forward, I will look into increased ranger presence at the bay as well as adjusting the geofence to usher users further into the bay.”
Sussex Place
We asked the Waste Team to remove graffiti from a BT box in Stanhope Place – and it was removed the same day!
Westbourne Street
We asked the City Inspectors and Parking Team to stop trade vehicles which have been frequently parked in the protected cycle lane and the pavement in Westbourne Street. Residents say, “We have little safe cycling infrastructure in the borough and allowing vehicles to park in it does little to encourage active travel.” The Parking Team say, “Had a word with Highways colleagues who have licensed this, and they will get on to them now. They should obviously not be parking here so we will get them to move.”
We also asked the City Inspectors to issue fines to those responsible for dumping rubbish on the pavement in Westbourne Street.
Hyde Park Place
We urged the Short Lets Team to take action to stop regular Airbnb lettings at a property in Hyde Park Place.
Hyde Park Square
We are supporting residents who have submitted a planning application to restore the historic features to their flat.
Castleacre, Hyde Park Crescent
Following our enquiries, the Castleacre Freehold Company tell us they have purchased the garden area between Castleacre and St John’s Church. The Company say, “Gardeners are instructed to cut the grass and restore the smart appearance of the garden. Thereafter, Castleacre have further instructed for the planting and garden design to be reviewed by a reputable garden landscape company.” This is very good news and we look forward to seeing the garden planting take shape.
Cambridge Square
We asked the Parking Marshals to patrol Cambridge Square more often after receiving this message from a resident, “In and around Cambridge Square, by the new cycle hangar, each morning (8.15-8.30) there is a queue of workmen idling their cars/vans waiting to get in here. I wonder who is responsible for letting them in, perhaps if they could be let in when they arrive, they wouldn’t sit with their engines idling in a queue.”
Hyde Park Place
We have asked the City Inspectors to investigate this information from a resident:
“One hot spot, which appears intractable, at the far end of St George’s Fields railings, there is daily dumping of bags. I asked the cleaner in the building if she knew the source. She asserted that the property is empty and that the bags/rubbish are from elsewhere. I don’t know if it might be possible for this location to be monitored on a regular basis, though I have a hunch it could be Airbnb-style offenders.”
25 Porchester Place
We continue to urge the Church Commissioners and the Council’s Short Lets Team to take action to stop regular Airbnb lettings at 25 Porchester Place.
Porchester Place
We again asked the Environmental Health Team to take action to stop the heavy smoke coming from a restaurant chimney in Porchester Place.
Kendal Street
We asked the police to take action to remove squatters from an empty property in Kendal Street. Neighbours tell us, “The squatter got eventually removed, the Police Team did a good job with that. About a week later some work started again at the place and they are in there now which is fine. They do leave the light on at the ground floor which is good. Hopefully the place gets refurbished well.”
Gloucester Square
We asked the City Inspectors to take action against two drivers who dumped office furniture in Gloucester Square. The dumping was caught on video.
We also asked the Cycling Team to consider Gloucester Square as a possible location for cycle hangars and cycle parking bays after receiving this message from a resident:
“The resident parking bays along railings of the Gloucester Square Garden (some 200m worth) often sit 80%+ empty, so could be an ideal location for more resident cycle storage, and rental bike bays. The empty parking bays widen the road, turning either side of the square into a racetrack, making it dangerous to cross into the Garden. The empty bays also encourage cars to temporarily pull-in and fly-tip, urinate and/or defecate, before driving off.”
Park Lane
The Countdown bus time display has now been fixed to the correct bus stop shelter W at the top of Park Lane, following our enquiries.
Marble Arch
We asked the City Inspectors to stop people cooking and preparing food at Marble Arch, as well as clothes washing in the water fountains.
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
We have objected to a planning application for the external and internal alteration of one of the listed houses in Star Street which would have a detrimental impact on the heritage of the building and the Conservation Area.
Praed Street/Norfolk Place
We asked the police to investigate reports of children stealing from shops in Praed Street and Norfolk Place.
Spring Street
We are supporting The Bear public house in their efforts to retain their new external signs which the Planning officers want them to remove.
We also asked the Short-Term Lettings Team to investigate a property in Spring Street being used as Airbnb lettings.
We also asked the police to investigate a suspected brothel in Spring Street.
Sussex Gardens
We asked First Mile to tell their commercial hotel customer who leaves their rubbish bags on the pavement in Sussex Gardens to leave them for collection in the internal road. The First Mile MD responded, “Yes, please leave it with me.”
Praed Street
The hotel at 144 Praed Street has applied for planning permission to replace the existing mansard roof with a new mansard roof extension & roof top plant enclosure to provide additional hotel accommodation. The application documents can be viewed online at www.westminster.gov.uk/planning where you can also make comments using reference number 22/08247/FULL.
Edgware Road area
Edgware Road
We asked the Waste Team to pay attention to the waste dumped on the pavement on Edgware Road in front of the shops under the Water Gardens canopy. The Waste Team say, “I have asked the local City Inspector team to increase their monitoring and evidence gathering in this area to deter dumping. I have also instructed the Veolia local cleansing teams to increase their monitoring. We will task a cleansing officer to monitor this and nearby sites and consider the options of removing the litterbin, which seems to be acting as a magnet and attracting bags of waste/dumping.”
We also asked the Police and City Inspectors to take action against a persistent aggressive beggar.
Voug, 45-49 Edgware Road
We continue to support residents’ objections to Temporary Entertainment Licences and other activities at Voug. Residents say, “Residents of Connaught Court, Connaught Street, Connaught Square and Portsea Place are tired of the constant stress Voug is causing them and believe these premises should not be granted a licence for public safety as well as noise and nuisance reasons.”
We also asked the City Inspectors to take action to stop the staff at Voug from swinging hot coals on the pavement and causing a serious danger and hazard to pedestrians on the pavement.
Cambridge Court
We again asked the Council’s Short Lets Team to take action against unauthorised Airbnb lettings at Cambridge Court. We continue to help residents who have been served s21 no fault eviction notices.
The Chapel Street, Cabbell Street and Transept Street area
Chapel Street
We asked the City Inspectors to remove an abandoned bike tied to a bike stand outside M&S and asked the Highways Team to fix a broken pavement cover, both on Chapel Street.
Cabbell, Transept and Chapel Streets
We asked the Street Sweeping and Waste Team to pay extra attention to Cabbell, Transept and Chapel Streets, following requests from residents. Both sides of Chapel Street and Cabbell Street were deep cleaned at the end of July and this happens on a regular basis every quarter. We introduced the quarterly deep cleaning last year. Previously it was just annually. As a trial, additional litter bins have been located on each side of Cabbell Street.
We are pleased that the planters we located at the corner of Transept Street and Chapel Street have reduced the dumping at this location to the occasional small bag.
Old Marylebone Road
We asked the Highways Team to fix a noisy manhole cover in Old Marylebone Road, near the junction with York Street.
Hyde Park Mansions
We again asked the Council’s Short Lets Team to take action against unauthorised Airbnb lettings at Hyde Park Mansions.
Marylebone Road underpass
Following concerns raised by residents about the cleanliness of the Marylebone Road underpass, the Veolia manager tells us, “The underpass is cleaned by our night service but my colleague at Chiltern Street depot is now also monitoring it during the morning service too, so there hopefully shouldn’t be any further issues. If you notice anything then please let me know so that I can pass it on to be addressed.”
Paddington Basin/Sheldon Square area
Travis Perkins site, Baltic Wharf
Unite Students and Travis Perkins are back! They are starting consultation on the future redevelopment of the Baltic Wharf site and say, “Our consultation programme will begin with an Engagement Forum which is being held at Paddington Works, 8 Hermitage Street, W2 1BE on Tuesday 12 September between 6:30pm and 8:30pm. You can also join the event online if this is more convenient for you www.balticwharfpaddington.co.uk/“
As previously, we will be supporting residents if inappropriate development plans are put forward.
Sheldon Square
A Sheldon Square resident told us, “I am being disturbed and woken at 5am by workers dragging tables and chairs out in front of the block at 5am in the morning, in preparation for the day ahead.” We asked British Land to investigate, and they told us, “They don’t need to do this before 7am so they have put a management procedure in place. Hopefully they’ll stick to it, but we’ll ask security to monitor anyway.”
We also contacted First Port about recent s20 notices relating to works required to replace a roof top membrane which has been removed and is causing water penetration in the flats below.
St Mary’s Hospital
The FT reports on the situation at St Mary’s Hospital – “NHS capital investment cuts leave England’s hospitals crumbling. St Mary’s in London is an example of how a long-time lack of spending is being felt across the system”
https://www.ft.com/content/eff98439-44ba-43a3-b9af-3ce796002c24
Paddington Gardens
We asked Human Forest to remove a dumped e-bike from Paddington Gardens.
Harbet Road
We again asked the City Inspectors to remind the Hilton Hotel to sweep their section of this private road on a daily basis.
Marylebone Boys School, North Wharf Road
Congratulations to the A level students at Marylebone Boys School. All students who took Further Mathematics were awarded an A* and 22% of students were awarded an A* or A in Mathematics. This success continued in Physics with 50% of students receiving a grade A*-B. For more details see https://www.maryleboneschool.org/mbs-sixth-form-celebrates-a-level-results-with-special-visit-from-shadow-secretary-of-state-for-education/150698.html
For GCSE results see https://www.maryleboneschool.org/gcse-results-day–august-2023/151024.html