Lee's Surgery This Saturday

Lee will be holding his surgery this Saturday, 3 November, between 10am and 11am in the Pavilion of Paddington Recreation Ground.

Please do come along if you would like to discuss anything.

Lee

Tesco's Licence Application

Earlier today we added our comments to the growing body of letters and e-mails opposing Tesco's application for an alcohol licence at its Express store on the corner of Maida Vale and Sutherland Avenue.

Tesco's lost its first application earlier this year when a licence committee at Westminster Council (chaired by our next door neighbour, Cllr Margaret Doyle) refused to grant the licence. They have now appealed to the courts and the hearing will be held tomorrow.

We are particularly concerned about the potential for an increase in anti-social behaviour and disturbance for local residents in Lanark Road, Lanark Mews, Atholl, Braemar and Dundee Houses and Hamilton Court.

Fingers crossed for Tuesday!

Lee

Randolph Avenue: almost there

Proof (if it was needed!) that there is a problem with double parking on Randolph Avenue - the works to convert the road to echelon parking has been delayed because of ... double parking!

The contractor, West One, have now put a letter around all residents to confirm the works, which will now begin tomorrow (Monday 29th) and should be finished by Tuesday.

To ensure that works can be completed in time this week any vehicles still in suspended bays will be moved elsewhere.

Alastair

Elgin Avenue: Thames Works

The first problem with Thames in Elgin has arisen.

Signs suspending a portion of parking close to the junction with Shirland Road were not removed in good time once work had been completed, meaning that cars were still unable to park. A quick e-mail to the Director of Parking seems to have done the job, with the signs coming down on the same day as the issue was reported (Friday).

We'll keep watching.

Many thanks to the Elgin Avenue residents who got in touch to highlight the problem.

Jan

Maida Vale Library Community Day

Earlier today Jan and I went along to the first community day organised by Vic and the team at Maida Vale library.

The library was as busy as I've ever seen it and there were lots of old books which were being sold off at a £1 (I was very tempted by the autobiography of Chantelle from Big Brother but, somehow, resisted). There was also a great performance from the Exploring Music Group of Westminster Adult Education Service.

Maida Vale library is a hidden gem on the corner of Shirland Road and Sutherland Avenue - check it out if you haven't been before!

Jan and Lee

Randolph Avenue: Echelon Parking Coming!

The results are in from the consultation on the proposal to introduce echelon parking into Randolph Avenue ... and it's good news. 90% of responses supported the changes (with only 5% against) .

So, finally - after over a decade of wrestling with this issue - it is going to happen! The traffic orders have been signed to changing the parking configuration with Randolph Avenue, with work due to be completed in the next couple of weeks.

We made a promise when we stood for election last year that we would bring forward a proposal on how to change parking in Randolph Avenue. We're very glad to be able to deliver on our promise to residents, who have consistently and methodically lobbied for change over a number of years. On top of our promises to resurface Elgin Avenue and Kilburn Park Road, we hope we hope that residents can see the changes being made in Maida Vale that they have asked for.

We'll be monitoring the situation very closely over the next few months and we would very much like to hear your thoughts and comments. Please do get in touch (maidavale@maidavaleconservatives.com).

Jan, Alastair and Lee

Save the Kilburn State!

A number of residents in Tollgate Gardens are involved in the campaign to save Kilburn's most recognisable building, the Kilburn State. The current owners, Mecca Bingo, are selling up and residents all around the area are wanting to ensure that the Grade II listed building isn't allowed to fall into a state of disrepair.

You can sign the petition to Save the Kilburn State by clicking here.

Jan

Thames: Unacceptable Slipping Standards

Last weekend Thames Water completely fell over in Castellain Road, creating a real mess. At one point on Saturday we were almost tempted to get the scissors out ourselves and start snipping at the parking suspension signs, such was the attendant mess caused by Thames failing to get out of the road on the day they were supposed to. Neither did they cover themselves in glory in Wymering Road a few weeks earlier. We hope there isn't a pattern developing here.


We're currently pursuing the matters with both Thames and the Council's Parking department. Last Wednesday we filed a letter with both asking for explanations on 12 separate points:

• Thames overrunning in Castellain Road by nearly a week
• Thames not informed the Council of an overrun (so a gully cleaning suspension for the following day was not cancelled either)
• Thames suspending bays which were actually not needed
• Thames working outside of suspended areas
• Thames temporarily closing streets to traffic without permission
• Thames' consistent failure (despite having said they would) to remove the graffiti they have scrawled all over every road they have been in (naturally justified by that all encompassing and ubiquitous term, 'health and safety')
• a lack of clarity on the signs suspending parking bays
• not enough parking suspension signs covering the area they actually relate to
• why Thames felt the need to suspend Wymering Road 24 hours a day (given that their workers sometimes struggle to appear during working hours, never mind at 2.30am on a random Thursday)
• a slow response time to replacing incorrect signs suspending parking bays
• why the paving stones going down on Castellain Parade are a different colour to the ones already present
• why there is a parking meter out of service on Castellain

We've also suggested to Thames that they might consider a letter of apology to residents in Castellain Road.

Thames moved onto Elgin last week - and their ability to live up to the promises made earlier in the year is critical, given that the road has a lot more traffic. We are watching closely.

We'll let you know when Thames responds*.

Lee

* 106 days last time, so don't hold your breath.

Large, black hole. Owner required.

Would anyone like to claim a large black hole that has appeared on Biddulph Road?

Our first hunch - a two letter phrase beginning with the letter "T" and ending with "Water" - does actually seem to be correct (I know, were were surprised too). No utility companies are claiming it and the builders working close by on Biddulph Mansions aren't either.

The hole appeared several weeks ago and we've been watching it ever since. There doesn't seem to have been any work on it for a number of days which simply isn't acceptable.

Council officers will be keeping a close eye on the works until someone appears to claim them. If you can shed any light on it e-mail us on maidavale@maidavaleconservatives.com

We'll keep you updated.

Lee

Atholl and Braemar Street Surgery

Two Saturdays ago we continued our regular street surgeries by calling on residents in Atholl and Braemar Houses.

We spoke to a good number of residents, almost all of whom were very happy with the Council and the services provided. They also spoke very highly of the support provided by the ABC TMO, run by Sue Hill, who keep Atholl and Braemar in the great condition that they always are.

There were a couple of issues with repairs and maintenance which we've agreed to take away and help with (hello Stadium Housing). It was also really distressing to hear (something sadly that we hear often) of the intense difficulties that some residents find themselves in as a result of the government's inpetitude over tax credits. If you have any issues regarding tax credits or the benefits system, please do get in touch - we would be delighted to help in any way we can.

Lee, Alastair and Jan

PS Forgot camera - so photo is from a few months ago!

Flooding Letter

Thames Water are currently distributing a letter around affected houses in Little Venice/Maida Vale wards:

The text of the letter is as follows:

"Following my letter to you on Friday 12 October, I am writing to update you on the burst water main situation.

We have been working all weekend to repair the water main as quickly as possible. This repair was completed on Saturday evening. We are now focussing on reinstating the road surface on Maida Vale. We are consulting with Transport for London to ensure that this is completed to appropriate specifications. The road surface will need more work to it than originally anticipated, and we aim to have this completed and the road reopened during this coming weekend. We will then inform London Buses and they will reopen all affected bus stops.

We are still in the process of cleaning up the area, with the vast majority of the roads having had the mud washed off.

There is a detailed investigation taking place into the structure of this water main and our engineers are working hard to find a solution to strengthen this part of our network. This investigation will take a number of weeks to complete.

In the meantime, if you have suffered any damage to your property please contact our loss adjusters, Douglas Jackson and Co on 0207 407 5599 or our customer centre on 0845 9200 800."

Lee

Flooding Update

Update from Thames on the recent flooding in Little Venice ward:

Work to repair the leaking main finished this morning and for the remainder of the weekend the main will be cleaned, disinfected, flushed and sampled to eradicate any contamination. The main will probably return to operation early next week, with all houses being supplied via other parts of the network in the meantime.

Water pressure was mostly restored last night and Thames have not reported any calls from residents still with problems - please let us know if you are still having problems.

Inspection of the affected roads is currently underway along with cleaning and clearing. They are unlikely to be re-opened in the next few days.

Lee

Water burst in Maida Vale

Major water leak in Maida Vale and Little Venice this morning, as a Thames main burst on the Edgware Road-St. John's Wood Road junction.

Diversions are in place but some basement flats have been flooded. Water pressure is also down around the area.

At 10.30 we were told that the burst would be isolated and shutdown by 12, followed by an additional 2 hours which would be needed to drain the main and the area.

And it's causing traffic chaos - Edgware Road/Maida Vale is closed between Blomfield Road and Hall Road, along with the entirety of Clifton Gardens and Clifton Road.

We'll let you know if we get any more details.

Lee

So who's off then?

Apparently you are all leaving in droves ...

See here.

Lee

Investing in St. George's and St. Augustine's

As part of the national Building Schools for the Future programme, Westminster City Council will shortly begin a major series of refurbishment to both St. George's and St. Augustine's Schools.

Public consultations will be held on both projects:

• St. George's: Thursday 11 October between 3.30pm and 7pm
• St. Augustine's: Thursday 11 October between 3.30pm and 7pm

Please do go along if you would like to find out more!

Alastair

Castellain Road: Thames Water

Several weeks into the work programme in Castellain Road, Thames Water continues to disappoint and the overall situation remains challenging.

Last Friday we noted that Thames temporarily closed the road to traffic (without permission) - although it was open by the time Council Officers went up to inspect. Additionally, parking enforcement will not now begin until 8.30am, instead of the 8am request which Thames originally made.

If you are a resident of Castellain Road and have any comments about the Thames Water, please do get in touch. Equally if you have been issued with a parking ticket incorrectly, please do let us know and we will be happy to place an appeal on your behalf.

Lee

Jan's Surgery Today

Jan will be holding her surgery today (Saturday 6 October) between 10am and 11am in the Pavilion, Paddington Rec.

If you have any problems or issues we can help you with, please do come along.

Jan

More Thames Troubles

Our favourite water company is in a spot of bother again ...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5194572.stm

Lee