HYDE PARK WARD LABOUR ACTION REPORT – July 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.
Labour’s Rachel Blake won the Cities of London and Westminster constituency with 15,302 votes, securing a majority of 2,708 votes over the Conservatives who were second with 12,594 votes. The Liberal Democrats came third with 4,335 votes. The Green Party came fourth with 2,844 votes. Reform came fifth with 2,752 votes.
On 6th July we visited Buchanan’s Cheesemongers in their extended premises in Porchester Place to congratulate them on their 10 years in Connaught Village serving residents and central London hotels and restaurants.
We are delighted to welcome West and Hill to Connaught Village. They specialise in high quality British and European products for the home and are at 26 Connaught Street https://westandhill.co.uk/. We attended the shop’s Grand Opening on 18th July.
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 1st August, 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
Clarendon Place
We asked the Parking Team to fix the electric car charging points in Clarendon Place, as well as those in Hyde Park Gardens which work some of the time. Residents say the Clarendon Place EV charging points are now working.
Porchester Place
We again asked the Parking Team to remove a car parked on double yellow lines and which has acquired many parking tickets. The car has now been moved.
25 Porchester Place
We asked the Council’s Short-Term Lettings Team to investigate flats in 25 Porchester Place suspected of being let on Airbnb.
Connaught Street/Hyde Park Street
We asked the Parking Team and the Police to locate a noise camera in the Connaught Street/Hyde Park Street area to stop the very noisy and fast cars that regularly speed along the road late at night.
Hyde Park Street
We asked the Highways Team to fix potholes in Hyde Park Street. The potholes have now been filled.
Hyde Park Square
We asked the Parking Marshals to patrol Hyde Park Square where residents report regular parking on double yellow lines.
Hyde Park Crescent
The road along Hyde Park Crescent has been resurfaced as part of the Council’s Planed Maintenance programme.
Gloucester Square
We asked the City Inspectors to investigate regular rubbish dumping in Gloucester Square. The City Inspectors say,
“Regular patrols have been ongoing. Westbourne Property Management have been engaged. They have signage in their communal areas advising tenants of waste collection times. Waste offences were picked up resulting in the issuing of a Section 46 notice against one household. A Don’t Dump sign was also placed on the lamppost at the location.”
Sussex Square
We asked for the foliage covering a street sign in Sussex Square to be cut back so the sign is fully visible.
The Quadrangle
We asked the Council’s Short-Term Lettings Team to investigate security and access to flats in The Quadrangle after a number of recent burglaries and reports of Airbnb visitors gaining access via the car park.
Connaught Square
We told Lime to clear bikes left in Connaught Square and fine the riders. We also told Lime to ensure that riders do not park here as this is not a designated parking area.
Seymour Street/Connaught Square
We asked the Highways Team to fix a pothole at the junction of Seymour Street and Connaught Square. The pothole has now been fixed and made safe.
Norfolk Crescent
We asked the Police to investigate vandalism in Norfolk Crescent and sent a video of a Deliveroo rider destroying a tree. We also asked the Tree Team to remove the vandalised tree and arrange for a replacement tree to be planted.
We also asked the Highways Team to fix the area around a drain in Norfolk Crescent.
We also asked that a CCTV camera be installed to cover Norfolk Crescent and Burwood Place which is an ASB ‘hot spot’.
Kendal Street
We again asked the Parking Marshals to take action against cars blocking the pavement outside the car wash on Kendal Street.
Brook Street
We asked the Highways Team to investigate this issue raised by a resident:
- the cycle lane markings need repainting on Brook Street, between Hyde Park Gardens and Bayswater Road
- the blue sign indicating the cycle lane is angled in such a way as to be only visible to westbound traffic on Stanhope Terrace turning into Brook Street.
British Summer Time concerts in Hyde Park
We asked the Highways Officers to investigate scores of pedicabs parking on Bayswater Road pavements and double yellow lines and causing an obstruction, following the concerts in Hyde Park.
We also asked The Royal Parks and Lime to arrange for Lime bikes to park within the Park on concert nights, rather than in residential streets.
We also asked the Noise Team to follow up complaints from residents about noise levels during the concerts.
In response to concerns raised by residents in Albion Street, The Royal Parks told us, “We placed two extra stewards at the end of Albion Street to advise concert goers of the main exit routes and to limit the flow of people heading into Albion Street. We also updated our video messaging boards to remind concert goers to respect our neighbours by leaving quietly.”
Park Lane
We asked the City Inspectors and TfL to clean the public subway from the London Hilton on Park Lane to Hyde Park. We also asked TfL to draw up a plan to tackle the growth of the ‘encampment’ in the central area of Park Lane.
Marble Arch
We asked the City Inspectors to investigate the appearance of tents in the Marble Arch gardens area. The City Inspectors say, “The outreach team is trying to get them into accommodation. We hope they take offers of accommodation or repatriation given to them.”
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
Spring Street
We supported The Bear’s planning application for new external signs which will complement the high-quality refurbishment of this previously derelict pub in Spring Street. The new signage uses contemporary and consistent colours and typeface which gives the pub a modern and inviting look. We are delighted that the Planning Committee agreed with us and granted planning permission for the signs.
Rainsford Street
We asked the police and City Inspectors to investigate late-night anti-social behaviour in Rainsford Street.
Southwick Street
We asked the Highways Team to investigate water ‘ponding’ in Southwick Street following recent heavy rain. The street has now been resurfaced and we hope that this has been resolved.
Southwick Mews
We again asked the Police and City Inspectors to investigate Southwick Mews where residents say, “We are continuing seeing drug dealing and heavy drug taking in our mews.” The Police say they will increase their patrols around the Mews.
Conduit Place
We asked the City Inspectors to investigate anti-social behaviour in Conduit Place and to ask the contractors working on the former student accommodation in Talbot Square to ensure that the area is kept tidy.
Star Street
We asked the Highways Team to repair an uneven pavement slab in Star Street.
Bouverie Place
We asked for a CCTV camera to be installed at the corner of Bouverie Place, covering Star Street and Southwick Street, another ASB ‘hot spot’.
Sussex Gardens
We asked the Highways Team to repair a damaged street sign in Sussex Gardens. The Team says, “I’ve raised an order to replace a damaged signpost and straighten and realign two signs. There is also a missing internally lit left turn arrow sign that street lighting are already aware of.”
Norfolk Square
We asked the City Inspectors to investigate a hotel in Norfolk Square suspected of leaving bags of rubbish by a tree outside Edna House. We have suggested that the rubbish be left in a bin outside the hotel ready for collection. The City Inspectors say,
“We had discussions with the general manager. There was a waste offence present at the time for presenting waste at the incorrect times, which was met with an apology and removal of the waste. Monitoring will continue to ensure compliance.”
Praed Street/South Wharf Road
Following residents’ concerns that Tesco delivery lorries are parked longer than necessary at Praed Street/South Wharf Road, the Parking Team has an action plan in place here. The Parking Marshals will continue to monitor activity and take action whenever necessary.
Also, the local City Inspector has spoken to Tesco to request that any delivery trollies are removed from the public highway once deliveries are complete.
We also asked the City Inspectors to remove a broken bike tied to the bike stands outside Tesco. Also, we asked the Highways Team to reposition the Give Way sign which is not facing the oncoming traffic on Praed Street.
Finally, we asked the Street Cleaning Team to deep clean the pavements along this stretch outside West End Quay.
Praed Street, outside the Hilton Paddington
We asked the Parking Team to issue fines to taxis queueing outside the Hilton on Praed Street, blocking the new cycle lane. The Parking Marshals have been instructed to adopt a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to any taxis queueing at this location.
Edgware Road
Park West
We are supporting residents’ objections to change of use from office to residential at Park West. None of the proposed 23 flats include any social housing and we believe all the proposed flats will end up as short-term lets, adding to the inconvenience and problems faced by existing residents. The planning reference for further information is 24/03543/P3JPA at https://www.westminster.gov.uk/planning-building-control-and-environmental-regulations/planning-applications
Park West Place
We asked the Tree Team to plant a replacement tree for the one that was vandalised outside Block 9 on Park West Place.
Burwood Place
We asked for the pavement in Burwood Place to be given a deep clean. The area has now been jet washed.
Feya, Edgware Road
We asked TfL to ensure that the number of tables and chairs on the pavement is better controlled. Recently, we counted about 19 tables and 41 chairs with an ice cream stand, way beyond their current pavement license which allows 14 tables and 34 chairs.
Go Puff, Edgware Road
We asked the City Inspectors to investigate Go Puff for allowing their bike delivery riders to block the Edgware Road pavement with their bikes, while they smoke and cause an obstruction, in breach of their licence conditions.
Chapel Street, Cabbell Street and Transept Street area
Oxford & Cambridge Mansions
We asked the Council’s Short-Term Lettings Team to investigate a flat in Block H Oxford & Cambridge Mansions suspected of being let on Airbnb.
Transept Street
We asked the City Inspectors to investigate further rubbish dumping outside 38-47a Chapel Street.
Paddington Basin/Sheldon Square area
Travis Perkins site, 149 Harrow Road, W2 6NA
About 30 objections have been made to the planning application for the demolition of the existing Travis Perkins building and new buildings up to 20 storeys in height, comprising the reprovision of Travis Perkins builders’ merchant and 605 rooms of student accommodation above.
We have submitted our objections https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/issues/planning/2024/06/21/labour-supports-residents-objections-to-baltic-wharf-overdevelopment/
The application documents can be viewed online at www.westminster.gov.uk/planning where you can also make comments. Please use the reference number 24/03600/FULL as the primary search criteria.
Fleming Centre
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) have launched a design competition to appoint an architect to design the new Fleming Centre building at St Mary’s Hospital. You can read more here:
https://www.imperial.nhs.uk/about-us/news/search-begins-for-architect-to-design-new-fleming-centre
Dahlia House
Following our enquiries, the Planning Enforcement Team has confirmed that investigations have started on residents’ concerns that the car park at Dahlia House is being used illegally for commercial parking.
St Marylebone Boys School
We asked Pinnacle Housing to undertake long-standing window and gate repairs to the Marylebone Boys School building.
Hermitage Street
We asked the City Inspectors to remove an abandoned broken bike tied to the bike stands outside 2 Hermitage Street.
Sheldon Square
We asked the Environmental Health Team to investigate damp and mould issues raised by a Network Housing tenant in Sheldon Square.
We also asked British Land to investigate late night noise and anti-social behaviour from one of the Sheldon Square bars.
Bishop’s Bridge
We told Lime to remove the excess e-bikes from the pedestrian island at the Harrow Road end of Bishop’s Bridge.
The Council’s contractors recently completed maintenance works on Bishop’s Bridge and installed a new 21 metre expansion joint to prevent damage caused by expansion and contraction of the surface as the temperature changes, while the maintenance crews carried out a full clean of the bridge parapet walls.
Paddington Square
Local resident and Evening Standard editor Dylan Jones writes about Paddington Square
https://www.standard.co.uk/comment/paddington-cube-london-development-dylan-jones-b1167878.html
A40 flyover
Residents have suggested that the large area under the A40 flyover could be used for e-bike parking. This space is already part-occupied by a Santander rack, and also has off-road space for hire company vans to pick up bikes and scooters.
Westbourne Terrace
We again asked the Highways Team to contact National Express after residents told us that coaches have been using Westbourne Terrace again, rather than Eastbourne Terrace. Residents say, “This appears to be especially the case for those on the A5 service from Stansted, but our experience shows that once a National Express service starts using Westbourne Terrace, it does not take long before others follow suit.”