Randolph Avenue Sweep-Up

Last week we highlighted yet more problems being caused by Thames Water in Maida Vale - this time caused by water works on Randolph Avenue preventing the street being cleaned properly.

At one stage two weeks ago the rubbish had really started to pile up. We were alerted by local residents and after a couple of calls and e-mails the street was quickly cleaned. The Council has also re-arranged its collections to make sure that all the street (and particularly the big black bins) can be accessed. Temporarily, the big black bins have been replaced by slightly smaller mobile ones with wheels.

If you have any issue with the cleanliness of any street in Maida Vale, please don't hesitate to get in contact with us.

Jan

Dumping on Randolph Avenue

A number of residents have been in touch to discuss the cleaning problems being caused in Randolph Avenue as a result of the Thames water works. It appears that our cleaning services have been having real problems in collecting and replacing the Big Black Bin at the top of Randolph (near Elgin Avenue) because of the cages that Thames have erected as part of their works.

We have contacted the Head of Street Cleaning at the Council and the immediate dumping issue has been addressed this afternoon. We have also requested that the Street Cleaning Team undertake regular checks to ensure rubbish does not build up once again (having driven down again this evening a washing machine has already appeared).

Please let us know if you have any comments on the cleanliness of your street.

Jan

Westminster College redevelopment plans

Westminster College (CWC) held a briefing this morning to discuss redevelopment proposals for its five teaching centres (including the one on Elgin Avenue) over the next few years.

By far the main focus is on its main campus, a dreary '60s building off Paddington Green which, by all accounts, is starting to fall to bits. As a result, CWC has been forced into a total re-think into what kind of accommodation it needs going forward. This will probably include the re-building of the Paddington Green site. The Elgin Avenue centre is likely to be maintained.

Brought up again the continuing problems with littering (and occasional bad behaviour) around Elgin Avenue and Lauderdale Parade, which the college principal will continue to work with the Council to reduce.

Westminster Council is working very closely with CWC to make sure any redevelopment is in the best interests of the college and the local area. We'll keep you informed.

Lee

Dear MVM (whoever you are) ...

From this ...

Thankyou for the recent submission of your artwork (or graffiti, as we'll call it for short). Not being artists ourselves, we're usually quite in awe of people who can draw. It's just a pity that you seem to prefer scribbling on noticeboards in Paddington Rec and telephone boxes on Randolph Avenue. As much as we love your artwork, please could you stop it.

Otherwise we'll just keep sending round CivicWatch and the graffiti team to clean up after you.

To this ...

Many thanks to Ian Russell and the CivicWatch team for helping to clean up after this rather irritating individual.

Lee

PS If you have spotted any graffiti before we have, please don't hesitate to get in touch and we'll be happy to get it sorted for you.

Maida Vale Autumn Clean

Maida Vale will get an Autumn Clean this Thursday, 21 September, as CivicWatch and Westminster Council spruce up our area in time for Autumn.

Although Westminster cleans every street in Maida Vale at least twice a week, the Autumn Clean is an opportunity to tackle any problems with graffiti, persistent litter or chewing gum which have appeared in the last few weeks and months.

If residents have any suggestions regarding which streets or area need a bit of TLC, please let us know or call CivicWatch on 7641 1085.

Lee