Thames: The slow wave goodbye

When Thames Water returned to Elgin Avenue earlier this Spring, as local Councillors we let out a collective groan at the prospect of further inconvenience to local residents and businesses. We also confess to being a trifle irritated - the information provided to us earlier in the year told us they were going back into Elgin Avenue, but not until a few months after when they eventually turned up. Not good form.

So, we're trying a new strategy with Thames. Instead of trying to understand opaque maps and diagrams that are provided (usually late), we have asked them directly what their plans are for every single road in Maida Vale. And we have good news!

The following roads have been completed - Lanark Road, Grantully Road, Morshead Road, Essendine Road, Widley Road, Wymering Road, Delaware Road, Lauderdale Road, Castellain Road, Shirland Road and Elgin Mews South. And the following roads are "not covered within current ... scope" - Andover Place, Carlton Vale, Kilburn Park Road, Oxford Road, Maple Mews and Elgin Mews North.

Which leaves just a few roads. For Elgin Avenue, all works should be completed by the end of July. For Randolph Avenue, further works should be done by mid-July 2008 (although this might also relate to the Little Venice side of the road). For Biddulph Road and Ashworth Road, the streets are complete but work still needs to be done on the connections to Elgin Avenue.

We have a few points to clarify with Thames but - finally - it looks as though Thames will soon leave our local area. It can't come a day too soon!

Lee

More Cycle Racks coming ...

More good news for local cyclists ...

After last year's well-received installation of bike racks in Castellain Road, Shirland Road and Lauderdale Road, we were keen to ask the Council to install more. And we're pleased to announce that after quite a bit of lobbying, Westminster is now proposing to install new bike racks in both Delaware Road and at the entrance to Paddington Rec in Randolph Avenue.

These new racks should be installed in the next few months. We'll let you know when they have.

If you would like some new or additional bike racks in your street in Maida Vale, please do let us know (maidavale@maidavaleconservatives.com).

Lee

REJOICE

According to the latest works schedule, THAMES WATER HAVE ONLY ONE ROAD LEFT TO INCONVENIENCE IN MAIDA VALE!

Soon we will be free!

Lee

Grantully Road: Steps Removed

We've been aware for a number of months of some anti-social behaviour occurring on Grantully Road. Several residents have contacted us to discuss the matter and we've been working closely with the Safer Neighbourhoods Team and our local CivicWatch to try to tackle the issue (which hasn't been an easy problem).

We're pleased that our lobbying of the Council has now seen some disused steps within Paddington Rec, on the Ashworth Road-Grantully Road junction, removed. These steps, which were presumably used several years ago as an entrance, have acted as a quiet and secluded gathering place for youths causing trouble. Hopefully it will help to tackle and reduce the problem.

If we can help on any problem like this, please don't hesitate to get in touch (maidavale@maidavaleconservatives.com).

Lee

Bike Racks in!

They're in!

The bike racks which we have lobbied for over the last few months were installed last week. Shirland Road (pictured above), the Lauderdale Road-Ashworth Road, Lauderdale Road-Biddulph Road, Elgin Avenue-Castellain Road and Castellain Road-Sutherland Avenue junctions all now have additional storage for bicycles.

We're very glad to be able to deliver on the promise we made to cycling residents last year.

The Council is currently seeking ideas for where to put cycle racks in the next round of installation. Please let us know if you would like a particular place to be considered.

Lee

Thames in Ashworth

The Thames skips and fences have appeared in Ashworth Road in the last few days. According to the schedule they are a week early (which, of course, means we'll be watching to make sure they are out a week earlier too!)

The schedule says Thames are due to be in Ashworth for 4 weeks; the parking suspension signs say only 3 (until 24th July).

If you are a resident of Ashworth Road, don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any comments on these works.

Lee

PS Thames also look to be going back into Grantully for a week on 12th July.

Cycle Racks Coming ...

Good news on the cycle rack front - funding for the latest installations has now been secured by the Council and the racks in/around Shirland Road, Lauderdale Road, Ashworth Road, Elgin Avenue, Castellain Road, Biddulph Road and Sutherland Avenue should be installed by the end of next month.

We're really pleased that we were able to get things moving on this issue on behalf of local residents.

Lee

Bike Racks Update

The plans for the new bike stands in Maida Vale (see earlier story here) have now been published by Westminster Council.

In our area, the Council is proposed new installations at the following:

• close to Oak Tree House on Shirland Road
• the junction between Lauderdale Road and Ashworth Road
• the junction between Elgin Avenue and Castellain Road
• the junction between Lauderdale Road and Biddulph Road
• the junction between Castellain Road and Sutherland Avenue

We've been sent all of the plans by the Officers at the Council (one can be seen above). If you'd like to see the rest, please do e-mail us at maidavale@maidavaleconservatives.com. We'll be lodging our comments on the proposals shortly.

Alastair

Graffiti Cleared

In the last couple of weeks, we've noticed that there are a few areas where graffiti has sprung up. We reported all of the problems and the graffiti team have cleared scribbling from:

• a wall opposite the City of Westminster College on Morshead Road, close to the junction with Elgin Avenue
• the telephone box on the junction of Randolph Gardens and Kilburn Park Road
• an electricity box next to the forecourt of Tesco on Lanark Road
• walls at both ends of Elgin Mews North
• the "Ashworth Road" sign on the junction of Ashworth Road and Grantully Road

There are still a few more areas which need attention. We've reported those and we'll let you know when they've been cleared.

If you know of any graffiti in Maida Vale, let us know and we'll get it sorted.

Lee

Bike Rack Consultation

We have been working hard for the last year to increase the number of bike racks in Maida Vale and are pleased to report that we have been successful in being included in the latest phase of stand installations (due to begin in early 2007).

The Transportation Department of the Council is now consulting on suggested locations for the new stands, before the final report goes to the Cabinet Member for approval.

The Council is currently proposing to increase the number of bike racks:

• Castellain Road/Sutherland Avenue junction (3 more)
• Castellain Road/Lauderdale Road junction (to add at least 3 more racks to existing provision)
• Elgin Avenue/Ashworth Road junction (2 more)
• Ashworth Road/Lauderdale Road junction (3 more)
• outside Oak Tree House, Shirland Road
• Biddulph Road/Lauderdale Road junction

If you do have any comments (including suggestions for additional areas) please do let us know (e-mail maidavale@maidavaleconservatives.com).

Lee

Bike rails, anyone?

Over the last few months we have been lobbying hard for a number of bike rails to be installed in both Lauderdale and Castellain Roads. Feasibility studies for both of these locations are currently being completed and, fingers crossed, we hope that the Council will be able to find the funds in the next few months for them to be installed.

Are there any other streets in Maida Vale which would benefit from bike rails? If there are any budding cyclists out there who think a bike rail on their road would be a good idea, please let us know and we'll get the Council to investigate. Funds are limited but if we can help, we certainly will try.

Lee