Thames Meeting: This Tuesday

One thing we didn't write about a couple of weeks ago was the inquisition of Thames Water at the Maida Vale Area Forum, particularly over the flooding earlier this year.

Thames spent over an hour being questioned over their current approach to a number of issues in Westminster North. There was some pretty heavy questioning from local residents and the local flood action group about what they intended to do about flooding. We also spent some time taking them to task about the repeated failures of pipes under Kilburn High Road in the last eighteen months (as well as correcting them on their assertion that the Victorian Mains Replacement works had gone smoothly in Maida Vale - something a little bit at odds with reality ...)

It is fair to say that many in the audience were not terribly convinced by Thames comments on the flooding issue. We raised the issue of both Kilburn Park Road and Shirland Road residents who had been affected by this - Thames position seemed to boil down to the fact that they can't breath without the permission of the water regulator, Ofwat, and they will need to talk at length with them before anything can be done. This was likely to include many months of evidence gathering.

After the meeting we requested from Thames more detailed information about what they can and cannot do without Ofwat's permission. It should make an interesting read and we'll let you know as soon as we receive it.

In the meantime, Thames are also appearing in front of Westminster Council's Built Environment scrutiny committee this Tuesday (1st December). The meeting starts at 7pm - so if you want to go along and watch the grilling, please do. It will be held in City Hall, Victoria Street.

Lee

Kilburn Park Road: Planning Application in ...

We've just heard that Brent Council formally lodged the planning application for Kilburn Park Road on Friday ...

It will take several days to work through the system and then a little while to be deemed a valid application but, on the assumption that it is, Brent will likely send out consultation letters to Kilburn Park Road in the next few weeks.

We'll keep you posted.

Alastair, Jan and Lee

Torridon House: Update

Following discussions with residents over the last few months, CityWest let us know last week that they now have approval from their contracts board to tak forwar the asphalting of the walkways and tenanted balconies.

Over the next few weeks the works orders will be raised, with the intention that works will get going around February of next year.

If you are a resident of Torridon House and wish to discuss this, the next meeting of the steering group is this Tuesday (24th November) at 5.30pm in the Torridon House meeting room.

Alastair

Tollgate Gardens: Reminder

Just a quick message to all residents in Tollgate Gardens - don't forget the meetings held this Tuesday and Wednesday to talk about the ideas that three different architects have had for improving the estate.

The meetings will both be held in the Tollgate Hall - drop in between 10am and 3pm on Tuesday (24th) or 5pm - 7.30pm on Wednesday (24th).

Jan

Kilburn Park Road: Public Meeting

Last Friday evening was the meeting we organised for Brent Council to come along and talk about their proposal for the Kilburn Park Road roundabout with local residents.

There was a fantastic attendance from residents living close to the roundabout - many thanks to everyone who come on a cold, wet and windy Friday night.

At the beginning we gave Brent the opportunity to be able to set out their plans, and they spent 20 minutes or so outlining what they were proposing to do and why. They had also brought along their architects, who was able to go through a (somewhat rosy) view of what the new development would look like - and also provided further information on the wider South Kilburn redevelopment proposals.

It is fair to say that almost every resident who spoke expressed concerns or reservations about the proposals at they currently stand. Many residents were at pains to point out that they supported the improvement of South Kilburn in principle, but seemed unconvinced that this was the best way to begin that. For those residents who weren't able to join us, concerns included:

• Disappointment about the lack of consultation: Brent was tackled about its failure to consult until just a few weeks before it begins to apply for planning permission to make the changes.
• Discussion about the increased number of people living close to Kilburn Park Road: Brent confirmed that 136 flats is the first part of a wider redevelopment. Overall, across a wider area of South Kilburn, Brent intend to build an additional 1,200 more homes than are there today.
• Concern about the impact of traffic if the roundabout was removed: Brent confirmed that the loss of the roundabout will mean that the northern carriageway of Kilburn Park Road is brought nearer to the houses at the top of the road by creating a 2 lane carriageway along the entire length of the road. Residents expressed concern about noise and vibration as a result, and the problem of vehicles having to stop and start whilst waiting for the traffic lights to go green.
• Concern about the quality of the design: A number of local residents expressed concern about the quality of the design of the property – including whether the colour and materials will fit in with the way Kilburn Park Road looks today.
• Problems with the height of the new flats: Although most of Brent’s publicity materials shows a five storey block of flats, Brent were challenged as at top of the road, near Carlton Vale, the flats would be as high as seven storeys. This could have over-shadowing consequences for those residents living in properties in Kilburn Park Road particularly the lower floors.
• Increased traffic coming from the new development: Brent have suggested that around 30 – 40 car movements are expected during rush hour if the flats are built on the roundabout. They were challenged to also admit that, if the entire South Kilburn area is redeveloped, an additional 600 car movements are expected during peak hours in the area.
• Greater problems of parking: Brent are only intending to provide around 50 parking spaces for the new development. This means, if all the new residents of the flats have a car – as they will be allowed to – another 70 – 80 cars will be looking for parking elsewhere. A large proportion may try to park on Kilburn Park Road.
• No guarantee that the building of the new flats would mean the removal of the tower blocks: Brent have indicated that the new 136 flats on the roundabout need to be built first so that new properties can be found for the people living in the nearby tower blocks. What they have not agreed to do, however, is explicitly link the building of the new flats with the removal of the existing tower blocks during the planning process. Whilst there is an intent by Brent to do both, there is, therefore, no absolute guarantee that the tower blocks will come down.
• Ensuring any proposals minimise crime: Brent were invited to comment further on the designs of the new build with regard to ‘designing our crime. Many residents were unconvinced by their responses to these most important issues.

Brent also announced that they intended to submit the planning application to make the changes in the next couple of weeks. At that point, the formal process for determining what will happen will begin.

We'll write again when the application goes in to outline next steps for those who wish to comment on the proposals.

Even though we disagree with them on this issue, our thanks to Brent for coming to Maida Vale at our request and outlining their proposals. Many thanks also to our chair, Melvyn and - most importantly - to all local residents who attended.

Alastair, Jan and Lee

Lanark Road: Water Pressure update

An update on the water pressure issue in Lanark Road which we wrote about last month ....

We're pleased to say that CityWest Homes have made some progress on this issue. On 30th October they replaced the main pipe between Atholl House and Maida Vale, which they hope will improve the supply to residents in that block. Pressure logs have also been installed to check and, if the results prove that supply has improved, works will then be carried out elsewhere in the street.

We'll let you know when we find out.

Alastair

Maida Vale Police Team: Latest Update

The Maida Vale local police team have sent us their latest update:

• Priorities: Police priorities in oura rea remain tackling anti-social behaviour in Elgin Avenue and the Rec, along with a continuing campaign to reduce residential burglary;
• Elgin Parade: groups of youngsters have continued to gather at this area in the evening, with some anti-social behaviour occurring as a result. The mobile police station has been deployed as a visible deterrent and have spent time trying to work with some of these young people to find them alternative thigns to do (including a number who have been introduced to the Army Cadet scheme). Further work continues.
• Paddignton Rec: The Rec remains, on the whole, quiet. The mobile police station has been deployed on a regular basis to both deter any anti-social behaviour and to provide a point of contact for the public. A total of 13 people have been banned in the last 12 months from the Rec for poor behaviour.

As local Councillors, we know that the top priority of many residents around Elgin Avenue, Lanark Road and Hamilton Court is tackling the youth congregation issue. Further work has been undertaken since this update was provided to us and we will continue to press for a resolution. As part of our determination to solve this problem, we have allocated monies from the Maida Vale Community Fund to support two additional uniformed City Guardians in the area until March 2010.

Jan

Dear Karen: Lancaster Gate is two miles that way >>>

As many regular readers will know, we don't often mention our political opponents on this blog, but on this occasion we couldn't resist ...

Short note to Karen Buck MP - thanks for the Maida Vale Labour leaflet through my door the other day.

What I'm struggling a bit with, though, is why you talk about making Lancaster Gate "an even better place to live". I'm sure that's wonderful, but we live in Maida Vale!

Lee

Kilburn Park Road: Meeting with Brent Councillors

Yesterday morning we held a meeting with two senior Brent Councillors to discuss their plans to massively change Kilburn Park Road and build on the current roundabout.

We met close to the roundabout during rush hour to make sure that the Councillors were aware of the high volume of traffic which use it - and particularly the large number of buses (sometimes up to half a dozen a minute) which pass by. We were promised a report from Brent Council officers several weeks ago which apparently proves that the roundabout is not needed given the volume of traffic which uses it (something which we disagree with) - we are yet to receive that report.

We also took them down Kilburn Park Road to show how all local residents will be impacted by the potential changes. In addition, we highlighted many of the comments and concerns that local residents have raised in the last couple of weeks in their correspondence to us.

In addition, we have also raised our real concerns about the failure to involve Kilburn Park Road residents in these discussions at an earlier stage and the very short timeframe they are now giving local residents to comment - which really isn't acceptable.

We are grateful for the Councillors coming to Maida Vale and listening to our concerns. Although we don't expect to change their minds (and we understand that their overall goal is to remove some tower blocks which everyone accepts are pretty bad), it is important to try. We will ensure the views of local residents are paramount in their thinking going forward.

The next step for local residents is to attend the public open meeting at Essendine School on Friday 13th November between 6pm and 8.30pm. This will be you opportunity to question Brent Council officers and to let them know your thoughts on the plans.

Alastair, Jan and Lee

Tollgate Gardens improvement: Meeting

Local residents in Tollgate Gardens should have recently received a letter from CityWest Homes telling them about the next stage of the proposed redevelopment.

Two more meetings are planned over the next few weeks to show residents what might be possible for the future of Tollgate. Three different architects have been asked to study the space available on the Estate and give their views about what could be improved. If you are a local resident and interested in their ideas go and have a look -

• between 10am and 3pm on Tuesday 24th November, or
• between 5pm and 7.30pm on Wednesday 25th November.

Both of the events will take place in the Hall of Tollgate Tower.

At the moment, these are just ideas - and it is for the residents to now give their input. A few weeks ago we brought the Cabinet Member for Housing to Tollgate to answer questions from local residents - and she confirmed that all local residents could have a say in what happens next. Now is the time to do so!

Jan

Kilburn Park Road: Public Meeting

Thanks to all local residents who have got in touch with us over the last 10 days to give their views and thoughts on Brent Council's plans.

We have had a good number of responses and it is clear that you do not support the removal of the roundabout to build 135 flats. You have raised concerns about traffic, parking, bus vibrations, the loss of green space, the loss of trees, the ability for the road to cope with that number of additional flats, the proposed traffic light junction, overlooking and overshadowing, amongst other things. A number of residents who have lived on the road for many years told us about 40 years ago when the road was last a four-way junction - and how they did not want to go back to that.

We have also arranged a public meeting especially for Maida Vale where local residents will have the opportunity to question Brent Council on their plans. This will be held on Friday 13th November between 6pm and 8.30pm in Essendine School on Essendine Road. It will include a presentation on the plans from Brent, before an open session which will allow any resident to ask about anything.

We understand that Brent are intending to make a planning application to build the flats within weeks. Although everyone will have the chance to comment during that planning process, we really feel this is not good form. It indicates that Brent are not terribly interested in changing their plans following feedback from Kilburn Park Road residents - people who will live just feet away from the new flats if this goes ahead.

Given the short time frame, if you are a local resident and have views, it is important that you attend the meeting on Friday 13th November. We look forward to seeing you there.

Alastair, Jan and Lee

PS Local residents will have received a letter in the last few days which advertises the public meeting on the 13th (an image of the letter is above). A number of residents have asked who this is from - it is a letter from Brent Council, although you can hardly see their logo in the top right of the letter. The letter advertises two meetings. As local Councillors, we recommend that you attend the Friday meeting only. The Tuesday meeting will be information about the plans for the wider South Kilburn regeneration project - which stretches from Maida Vale all the way up to Queen's Park. If you have specific concerns about the roundabout proposal, it is the Friday meeting that you want.