A small blow for sanity

True to form over the last few months, Thames Water have been testing the sanity of local residents in Maida Vale. With Thames digging up most of Elgin Avenue once again, traffic flow and parking have been causing major issues and are likely to continue doing so for another month or so. It is another case of one of those 'grit your teeth' moments, whilst watching and jumping on Thames when they step out of line.

We have been in close contact with Thames over the last few weeks and have convinced them to do two things:

• have Thames begin to work on weekends in Elgin Parade - to get them out of this part of Maida Vale as soon as possible and to make sure local businesses don't suffer for any day longer than is necessary
• get out of Wymering Road - to our mind (and local residents) Wymering Road has already suffered more than enough over the last few years as a result of Thames. So, when Thames decided to take up 10 spaces as 'storage' we decided to the contrary and they moved out again very quickly.

We'll keep watching.

Alastair

TfL: How a tube station upgrade is being held up by a sink for a month

Last week, we held a site meeting with Transport for London to discuss the continuing delays to Maida Vale tube. Although TfL have latterly started to provide us with information on the progress of the upgrade, we were still very concerned whether the mooted 1st July deadline would be met or, as in the case of the 'deadlines' before, simply brushed aside with a few platitudes mouthed afterwards.

Before the meeting, we had also secured agreement from TfL that we could bring along representatives of the local business comunity to raise their own concerns. We were very glad that Mr. Patel from the chemists opposite and Mr. Palmer from Ashley Milton Estate Agents next door were able to attend to represent Elgin Parade traders.

To say the meeting was unsatisfactory was an understatement. Although we could see that the people sent by TfL were trying their best, the whole project appears to have been a complete screw-up. And some of the excuses used - even nearly a year after the upgrade should have been completed - were borderline insulting to local residents and businesses.

During the course of the meeting TfL conceded:

• that the completion of the tube would be held up for a month whilst waiting for the delivery of a sink
• that Metronet was actually only completing around 2 hours work a night on the tube - because of the stupidity of the contract terms imposed by Gordon Brown when the PPP was set up
• that the possibility that work might be speeded up (or that work to non-customer facing parts of the tube might be done during the day) seemed to be a wholly alien concept

When we probed further we also worked out that the timelines for a 1st July completion looked decidedly shaky. It was at this point that the representatives from Metronet disappeared and were later found having a quiet coffee up the road.

Needless to say, TfL representatives were set straight - in no uncertain terms - as to how unacceptable the current situation was. As local Councillors, we absolutely despair at the mess which has affected Maida Vale residents and busineses over the last couple of years - and the only saving grace is that the works will be finished soon. To extend works by a month because of a sink is just incredible. Thankfully, with the change in Mayor and the ending of the Metronet contract, other communities might not have to put up with the madness that Maida Vale has endured.

Lee and Jan

Essendine Residents Association AGM

Last Friday, we were very grateful to be invited to the annual general meeting of the Essendine Road Resident's Association.

As ever, local residents were very engaged with local issues and asked a number of challenging questions. Jan chaired the eeting (very ably!) whilst I gave a short report on Council and Maida Vale issues over the last year. We talked over Thames Water, Paddington Rec, car crime and street cleaning. We also had a follow-up discussion about recycling and we've agreed to go back to the recycling team with a couple of queries to follow up.

At the same time, we got a behind-the-scenes look at the new Children's Centre which recently opened in Essendine. The facilities are super and the headmaster, Mr. Battye, gave us a tour and a talk of the history of the school. Many thanks for his willingness to stay late on a Friday (straight after a very heavy week of Ofsted inspections!)

Thanks to everyone on Essendine Road for, as ever, making us so welcome.

Lee

MyWestminster Forum: This Tuesday

Just a quick reminder to say that the quarterly MyWestminster forum for Maida Vale will be held this Tuesday (20 May) at the Paddington Academy on Marylands Road.

From 7pm we'll be discussing again the £100,000 that is available this year for Maida Vale residents to spend. As local Councillors we'll be spending much of the Summer talking and consulting with residents on how best this money should be spent - but please do come along and let us know your thoughts.

And we'll be on hand (along with council officers) from 6.30pm for an informal chat about anything that is important to you. There'll also be an open forum discussion from 8.15pm onwards.

We hope to see you on Tuesday.

Alastair

Atholl and Braemar: Water problems

A number of local residents have contacted us today to report water supply problems in Atholl and Braemar Houses.

We have been briefed by the local Estate Office that there have been problems over the last 24 hours but that the intermittent water supply should have finished by mid-afternoon today (Thursday). Any resident who is still experiencing problems should call Montserrat Fas in the Estate Office (7 245 2223).

The problem has been caused by a reduction in pressure from technical difficulties associated with the Victorian Mains Replacement Programme in Elgin Parade. Thames have now re-routed the water supply to Atholl and Braemar via Maida Vale/Edgware Road, which has restored the pressure.

We have asked for a full explanation from Thames Water and will be expecting that they provide a full explanation to all residents affected (along with an apology). We'll keep you informed.

Lee

Photo of Braemar House courtesy of CityWest Homes

Dibdin House: Update

Some less good news for Dibdin House residents.

Following resident's requests, we continue to speak at length with Pathmeads/PCHA and continue to put a lot of pressure on them to finish the renovation works as quickly as possible. A few days ago, we promised to update you on the progress of the works. A number of residents continue to provide us with comments on the state of the property and the progress of the works - and a number of you have let us know just how frustrated you are at the very slow speed and the lack of activity on the site.

Pathmeads were pleased to inform us that the major renovation works were now drawing to a close. However, landscaping works (the final stage) are still to begin - and this will take a number of weeks and will continue to cause inconvenience for local residents. They are anticipating completing this work by the end of next month.

We are very disappointed that, once again, the deadline for the renovations work has been missed. We have expressed our disappointment to Pathmeads and fed back the comments from local residents. As local Councillors we have no power to force Pathmeads to complete the work: Dibdin House is not owned by the council and so we are only able to lobby and pressurise - which we will continue to do.

Following pressure from us, Pathmeads have agreed to distribute a letter next week informing all residents about the delay and giving them further details about the final stages of the works. All residents with immediate concerns about the state of works in Dibdin should contact the Resident Liaison Manager for Apex (the contractor). He is Paul Price and he can be contacted on 7625 4505.

Once this is (finally) over, we would like to work with Dibdin House residents very closely to put together a resident's association - so that they feel that they are being listened to properly by Pathmeads.

Jan

MyWestminster Forum: Spring 2008

The newsletter relating to the MyWestminster Forum on 11 March 2008 is now available and can be downloaded from here. In particular it contains information on the new ward budget of £100,000 available for Maida Vale residents to spend by the end of March 2009. We'll be consulting with residents properly on this over the next few months.

Lee

Lee's Surgery This Tuesday

Lee will be holding his surgery this Tuesday (13th May) in the Maida Centre, Lanark Road between 7pm and 8pm.

If you have any issues or problems you think we may be able to help with, please do come along.

Lee

Maida Vale Tube: Hold TfL to account

Over the last few months we have spent a considerable amount of time holding Transport for London to account and highlighting the shortcomings in their approach to Maida Vale tube.

We have managed to secure a limited number of visits behind the scenes at the tube station to visit the works and discuss our concerns. In the first instance, we have asked that places are made available to the local businesses in Elgin Parade who have been hit by the continuing delays. However, there may be a couple of places also available to local residents if they wish to visit. Please do let us know if you wish to join - the visits are likely to take place in the daytime in the next couple of weeks.

In addition, TfL informed us last week to report that the Station Control Point was finished on the 1st May - which apparently is a "major milestone" in the project. They have also confirmed, yet again, that the July deadline is still anticipated to be met.

Lee

Carlton Tavern: License Application

The Carlton Tavern on Carlton Vale applied at the end of last month for an extension to its licence to sell alcohol.

According to the papers it has filed, it wishes to be able to sell alcohol until 2am 6 nights a week (Monday - Saturday) and midnight on Sundays. In addition, a further half an hour drinking up time would be allowed, meaning that the pub would not have to shut its doors until 2.30am most days.

Although as local Councillors we are very keen to support local businesses as much as possible, we can only do so if the concerns and well-being of local residents are taken into account. Sadly, as a result we cannot support this application for an extension to the licence. Although the Carlton Tavern has suggested a number of ways in which it would try to minimise any effects on local residents, we simply feel that it would be inappropriate to allow a late night pub to open in such a quiet, residential street such as Carlton Vale - particularly given its proximity to Keith House, for example.

If you are a resident of Carlton Vale and wish to object, it is improtant that you make your voice heard. You have until 22 May 2008 to file an objection letter with the Council's Licensing Department.

• You should address your letter to: Westminster Licensing Service, 14th Floor, City Hall, 65 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6QP
• You should quote the reference: 08/03721/LIPV Carlton Tavern, Carlton Vale
• We recommend your objection should be based on one of the following: either (i) the potential to increase crime or disorder in your area or (ii) the likely increase in public nuisance as a result. You should stress that the Tavern is in a residential area and that it is very close to residential accommodation. You should give your reasons for the objectins you have made.

As your local Councillors, we will also state our concerns to the Licensing Committee on the application. However the strongest messages comes from you, as local residents.

We will keep you updated on the progress - it is likely that the application will go before the Licensing Committee in June.

Lee

Maida Vale Play Project

Over the last few months, ourselves and local parents have been involved in discussions about the future of the Maida Vale Play Project, based in Paddington Rec.

As local Councillors, we know and understand the depth of feeling associated with the Play Project - and just how much the children who attend enjoy it being situated in the Rec. We have been vociferous both in public and private about the need to find a solution which balances the needs of the Children's Services Department to show value-for-money against the exceptionally important right of parents to send their children to their preferred choice of childcare.

The Cabinet Member for Children's Services has now made a decision on the Play Project. And as a result of intense lobbying by both ourselves and local parents, we have been able to secure a number of compromises and concessions. From July, the Play Project will amalgamate with the fantastic new facilities built at Essendine School - and children will attend the Essendine School centre during the week. However, we are glad to have secured agreement that the Project will be able to use the new facilities in the Pavilion both on Saturdays and during school holidays.

As local councillors, we understand that a number of parents are disappointed with both with the process and the outcome - as we were too. But we are glad to have been able to secure the concessions and we are very glad that the children will still have access to the Rec. We are now looking forward to the new facilities both in the Rec and at Essendine being used and enjoyed by the children.

Alastair

CityWest Improvements to Edinburgh, Falkirk and Glasgow Houses

CityWest Homes have been in touch to inform us that, starting today, they will begin the boiler replacement programme at Edinburgh, Falkirk and Glasgow Houses.

Scaffolding will be erected at each of the towers to undertake the boiler replacement works. CityWest anticipate the works being completed by the end of June.

If there are any issues or problems please do get in touch or contact the contractor (RG Francis) on 01245 459805.

Lee

EdF: Holes filled in

It seems that a friendly kick can sometimes work!

Last week we highlighted the appearance of two holes dug by EdF on Elgin Avenue - both of which had been forgotten and untroubled by workmen for a number of days. Following this, EdF got in touch saying they would sort them out immediately. Whilst they didn't quite get them finished as quickly as they promised, they have now both been sorted out and filled in.

The hole patrol works (sometimes)!

Lee

Maida Vale Backs Boris

Don't forget to vote today! It's time for a change at City Hall.