HYDE PARK WARD LABOUR ACTION REPORT – March 2024
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 very busy month right across the ward.
We held a residents’ ‘surgery’ meeting at The Indigo Hotel, London Street, on 23rd February where we, alongside the Police, Church Commissioners, Planning Enforcement and City Inspectors, answered questions about local issues. Residents from The Quadrangle, West End Quay, St George’s Fields, Chapel Street, Norfolk Crescent and elsewhere attended.
We went on a ‘walkabout’ with City Inspector Franco and picked up issues in Chapel Street (abandoned Lime bikes), Bouverie Place (lamppost knocked over), Norfolk Square (more e-bikes), Bathurst Street (dumped rubbish) and Connaught Street (more rubbish). On our way round we thanked the street sweepers for their hard work.
We met with the Church Commissioners to discuss getting new tenants for the former Le Pain and Abasto units and to attract more ‘everyday’ shops to Connaught Village. We are delighted that the Kendal Street Kitchen has now opened for breakfast, lunch and dinner https://kendalstreetkitchen.com/#home.
We launched a petition calling on the Government to pass a new law that will allow the Council to fine e-bike riders and the e-bike operating companies when e-bikes are parked outside designated e-bike parking bays.
We are pleased that Westminster is in the top 10 of most improved recycling rates nationally and top in this category in London with a 3.7% increase in recycling compared to last year.
Westminster residents will continue to pay one of the lowest Council Tax in the country next year as part of Labour’s ‘Fairer Westminster’ programme
https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/issues/2024/02/12/delivering-a-fairer-westminster/
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 March, 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
Connaught Village Green
Please give your comments on the revised proposals for a new green space at the heart of Connaught Village with biodiverse planting, outdoor seating and new paving in natural stone. The main elements are:
- Improved crossings with a raised table and shorter crossing distances to increase pedestrian safety
- Updating the north – south cycle link via Titchborne Row
- Widening the footway at the southern side of Connaught Street (between the junction of Albion Street and Kendal Street) with a loading bay, two trees and cycle stands
- Additional seating and access to free drinking water
- Additional cycle stands on Connaught Street
- Kendal Street to maintain two-way traffic
For details of the scheme see https://connaughtvillagegreen.commonplace.is/
Please send your comments to tmo.westminster@wsp.com quoting reference 8058/HWB by 13th March 2024.
Hyde Park Place
We asked the Short-Term Lets Team to investigate a property in Hyde Park Place. Residents say, “Out of the 4 rental flats, only 1 is rented on a long-term basis and the other 3 flats are now all rented on a nightly basis since 2021. “
Connaught Street
We asked the Short-Term Lets Team to investigate a property in Connaught Street where the Airbnb guests left a pile of rubbish on the pavement by the post box.
Connaught Street/Porchester Place
Following our reports to the City Inspectors, we were pleased to receive this response:
“On Friday morning at 0150hrs, City Inspectors conducted an investigation of a pile of waste at the junction of Porchester Street and Connaught Street. Enforcement actions taken were:
- Evidence found for eight Residential Section 46 waste warning notices. Notices to be issued.
- Three commercial waste incidents will be pursued via issue of a Notice or a Fixed Penalty.
- A referral to the Neighbourhood Team for Hyde Park Ward sent concerning commercial waste from a premises in Porchester Place.”
Porchester Place
We are delighted to hear that Buchanans Cheesemongers at 5a Porchester Place is expanding next door! They say,
“Our current premises have been adapted many times to fit our growing business over the last 10 years and now we just need more space. Our cellar will more or less double in size to allow for bigger and better cheese maturation facilities which we are busy designing. Our shop will be growing too, with a shiny new cheese counter, a wine room and space for tastings.”
https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/ward-news/hyde-park/2024/02/23/news-from-connaught-village/
Connaught Square
We are delighted to have received this message from a resident, “I am pleased to be able to tell you that we finally got Fibre Broadband installed in Connaught Square, and I understand it is now available to all houses on the east side of the Square.”
Connaught Village
The Evening Standard editor, who is a local resident, has written a very critical article about Connaught Village and the Church Commissioners. What do you think? https://www.standard.co.uk/comment/marylebone-high-street-connaught-village-london-church-b1141529.html
Bayswater Road
We asked for a new rubbish bin to be located on Bayswater Road, at the junction of Stanhope Place, so that dog walkers can use it when leaving the park and walking up through the streets.
Albion Street/St George’s Fields
We were contacted about this issue – “Every day at school pick up and collection parents are parked on double yellow line and across the lowered section of pavement for disabled and elderly pedestrians. Can you organise for a parking enforcement presence?”
The Parking Team say, “We are going to arrange for extra presence at the school morning and afternoon peaks.”
Hyde Park Crescent
Following the successful installation of the pedestrian island and kerb buildouts along Hyde Park Crescent, residents have asked if another island can be installed at the Somers Crescent end.
Hyde Park Square
We asked the Short-Term Lettings Team to investigate a five-bed house in Hyde Park Square which is being advertised on Airbnb.
Kendal Street
At the request of residents, we asked the Highways Team to investigate ways of slowing down speeding cars on Kendal Street. We also asked for a pothole to be filled in and made safe.
We also asked the City Inspectors to stop the car wash on Kendal Street blocking the pavement and forcing pedestrians, including elderly and disabled persons, into the street.
We are pleased to see a new tree has been planted in Kendal Street.
Cambridge Square
We asked the Street Lighting Team to fix a faulty streetlight in Cambridge Square. We also asked the Team to check the lighting levels following concerns raised by residents about anti-social behaviour.
Norfolk Crescent
We asked the Parking Team to remove the paint from a residents’ parking sign and refresh the white lines denoting the parking spaces on Norfolk Crescent.
Clifton Place
We asked the City Inspectors to remove an abandoned bike frame from Clifton Place.
Sussex Square
We told Lime to remove badly parked e-bikes from Sussex Square. We also asked the Street Lighting Team to fix two defective streetlights in the Square which are now working again.
Gloucester Square
We asked the City Inspectors to investigate the dumping of nitrous gas canisters alongside the Gloucester Square railings.
25 Porchester Place
We asked the Church Commissioners why scaffolding is still in place at 25 Porchester Place. This is the response,
“The scaffolding has been purchased and will be sold once no longer needed and re-credited to the service charge – this is a cheaper solution to long term rental of the scaffold. It has been installed as unfortunately leaseholder windows keep breaking – especially during periods of high winds and it is there to protect people entering and leaving the building from any falling glass over the main entrance and exit.”
We also asked the Council’s Short-Lets Enforcement Team to investigate three flats at 25 Porchester Place which residents say are being let out on Airbnb.
Marble Arch
The Marble Arch Podcast has been posted by the London Society. This was sponsored by The Portman Estate and produced by Dave Hill at OnLondon.
For more details see https://publica.co.uk/projects-marble-arch/
Also, a small encampment has been constructed at Marble Arch which the City Inspectors are working with the police to resolve as quickly as possible. The police have warned that the individual can be aggressive and have cautioned making an approach. Please do not approach him and let the City Inspectors and police deal with the issue.
Hyde Park
The Royal Parks has informed us:
“Hyde Park will host a ‘Fan Meeting Point’ on the Parade Ground on 1st June to assist in the delivery of the Champions League Final, taking place at Wembley Stadium that day.
The ‘Fan Meeting Point’ will be team-dedicated areas, where each supporter group can congregate and use as a point from which to move to the Wembley Stadium. The ‘Fan Meeting Point’ will primarily be marketed to Wembley final ticket holders, although will be accessible to non-ticket holders to congregate. The capacity is set at 20,000 and will be open from 11:00 to 23:30. The Hyde Park build will start on May 28 and clear by June 5.
We are working with LS Events, the GLA, Westminster City Council and the Met Police to ensure that this event has minimal impact on the park and stakeholders.”
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.
The Star Street area, between Sussex Gardens and Praed Street
Praed Street
We asked the Highways Team to investigate a water leak outside 31 Praed Street.
Sussex Gardens/Norfolk Place
We asked the Highways Team to replace a damaged signpost and straighten and reuse the two existing signs at the junction of Sussex Gardens and Norfolk Place which appear to have been damaged by a vehicle. The signpost has now been fixed and the signs point in the right direction.
Sussex Gardens
We asked the Short-Term Lettings Team to investigate a property in Sussex Gardens where the constant letting out of flats on Airbnb is causing huge distress to long term residents.
The issue of sex-workers in Sussex Gardens has again been raised by residents. The Police say, “We are actively out and trying to complete welfare visits to try and help them. We work closely with Tamar charity who regularly patrol around Sussex Gardens offering help to these vulnerable members of the public. Unfortunately, sometimes they have a dislike for police and if they refuse to speak with us then we struggle to be able to offer them help. The charity will try to engage with them and if it is found they are being forced into this type of work and exploited they will pass the information to the police so we can investigate.”
Star Street/Norfolk Place
We asked the Highways Team to fix a loose slab in the road at the junction of Star Street and Norfolk Place.
Star Street
We are helping a family in Star Street who need to move to a flat which better suits their needs.
St Michael’s Street
We asked the Highways Team to investigate a ‘dip’ in St Michael’s Street, near the Bouverie Place junction.
Bouverie Place
We asked the Environmental Health Team to investigate a property in Bouverie Place where, according to a resident, “Last month when we had heavy rains the entire roof leaked hundreds of litres of water into the flats and the landlord did nothing.”
The Environmental Health Team say, “I now have a communication channel with the new managing agent. I will be working with the owners to ensure that the property has any category 1 hazards mitigated. Enforcement action will be taken as necessary. The new agents say they have taken steps to ensure all properties have energy performance certificates, gas safe certificates and electrical test certificates are up to date. I will be checking these as I inspect the building.”
Also, following our enquiries, a small electrical items recycling bin has been located in Bouverie Place, alongside the other recycling and waste bins.
Southwick Mews
We asked the police to investigate this issue raised by Southwick Mews residents, “we have recently seen a significant increase in drug dealing, prostitution and anti-social behaviour. We are regularly being woken up in the early hours by prostitutes sitting on the steps in the corner of Southwick Mews and Southwick Street.”
Norfolk Square
We are supporting Paddington Now Community Safety Team’s proposal to install a public access defibrillator in the Norfolk Square area to help save lives. Over 25,000 deaths occur annually from cardiac arrests outside of hospitals. The availability of a defibrillator within the first minute can raise survival rates to as high as 90%.
We told the e-bike operating companies to remove excess bikes parked in Norfolk Square and to fine the riders.
Edgware Road area
Edgware Road
We asked the Highways Team to fix a large pothole on Edgware Road which has now been fixed.
We asked the Parking Team and the Police to removal a dangerously parked vehicle by the bus stop outside the Water Gardens shopping parade. The vehicle was sticking out into the busy road and causing a real danger. The vehicle has now been moved.
‘Do not litter’ signs have been installed all the way up Edgware Road from Marble Arch to Church Street warning that £150 fines will be issued for dropping litter on the street.
Edgware Road Airbnb concerns
We asked the Council’s Short-Term Lets Team to investigate the key boxes outside an Edgware Road property, showing all the tell-tale signs of Airbnb lettings.
Edgware Road listed phone boxes
The Grade II Listed K2 phone boxes outside 64 and 138 Edgware Road are in poor condition with glass windowpanes missing on the doors. We asked BT to replace the missing windowpanes as well as to clean and repaint the phone box.
BT say, “The engineer visited the kiosks and replaced all the missing panes of glass and removed the stickers. We will place these kiosks on our next repaint programme.”
Chapel Street, Cabbell Street and Transept Street area
Hyde Park Mansions
We passed on information to the Police and City Inspectors regarding the use of a property in Hyde Park Mansions as a brothel.
Cabbell Street
We asked the Short-Term Lettings Team to investigate flats in Block D Cabbell Street where the key boxes show that Airbnb lettings are taking place.
Chapel Street
We told Lime to remove bikes parked on the Chapel Street pavement and to fine the riders.
We are pleased to see a new EV fast charger now located on Chapel Street, adding to the existing 2,500 EV chargers across Westminster.
Chapel Street/Old Marylebone Road
The Grade II Listed K2 phone boxes on the corner of Chapel Street and Old Marylebone Road are in poor condition with glass windowpanes missing on the doors. We asked BT to replace the missing windowpanes as well as to clean and repaint the phone box. BT say, “These payphones were visited by our engineer and the missing glass panes replaced. They were also cleaned. Our painting program takes place in the summer and I will place these on the list.”
Paddington Basin/Sheldon Square area
St Mary’s Hospital
According to NHS data, Imperial College Healthcare Trust – which runs St Mary’s, Charing Cross and Hammersmith hospitals – had the largest high-risk repair backlog in England. Eric Munroe, the Trust’s director of estates and infrastructure, said many of the buildings pre-date the NHS, with some nearly 180 years old. He said the trust spends £25m annually on the “highest risk maintenance issues” to keep it safe and operating, but added “the only realistic way” of properly solving the problem “would be a full rebuild of St Mary’s Hospital”. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-68350346
Baltic Wharf
We remain very concerned about the revised proposals from Travis Perkins and Unite Students for the Baltic Wharf site. In particular,
- the impact of the proposed tall buildings on sunlight and daylight of Sheldon Square flats
- the impact of 600 students, given the number of hospitality venues at Paddington Central with residents living directly above
- the traffic arrangements for deliveries off the busy Harrow Road roundabout
- the impact of the proposed tall buildings on Little Venice residents living the other side of the Westway
Paddington Basin
Thousands of litres of cooking oil were dumped into the Canal in what is thought to be a deliberate act by a takeaway kitchen, six miles up the canal in Alperton, Wembley. A major clean-up operation of the canal was launched by the Canal and River Trust, using booms to gather the oil and pump it out, costing tens of thousands of pounds. Most of the oil will be removed from the water and scientists say that the remainder will naturally break down over the next few weeks.
Canalside graffiti
We asked Imperial to remove the long-standing graffiti from the canal side buildings.
Montgomery House, Harrow Road
We met with Peabody Housing Officers to discuss the problems with water penetration, electrical failures and loss of hot water experienced by a number of Montgomery House tenants. We urged Peabody to arrange repairs as a matter of urgency.
5 Harbet Road
We have been informed that contractors have been appointed to carry out façade remediation works starting in early March 2024. Works are expected to take approximately 39 weeks and will begin with scaffold and two scaffold lifts being erected to the south elevation of the building. Works will be from 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday.
Aster House
We told Lime to remove a badly parked e-bike from outside Aster House.
We also urged Octavia to fix the lifts at Aster House after a resident told us, “one of the lifts is out of action, and the other is working only intermittently and badly scraping.”
Hermitage Street/Harrow Road
We asked TfL to fix the traffic lights at the junction of Hermitage Street and Harrow Road.
North Wharf Road/ Harrow Road
We asked the Parking Team to take action to stop Getir bikes from parking on double yellow lines outside their shop at the corner of North Wharf Road and Harrow Road. The Parking Team say, “The Marshals will be attending the location and closely monitor during the course of the week.”
Eastbourne Terrace
Following the Christmas trial relocation of National Express routes to Victoria Coach Station and Stansted and Luton Airports from the Bus Stop on Bishop’s Bridge Road to the Bus Stand on Eastbourne Terrace, TfL and National Express are undertaking a second trial from Friday 1st March to Sunday 17th March. We hope the second trial leads to a decision to make the move permanent.