COVID-19 Update from Westminster City Council Leader Rachael Robathan | City of Westminster Skip to main content
Logo icon
City of Westminster
Conservative Group

Main navigation

  • Our Council
  • Local News
  • Sign Up for Updates
  • Local Issues
  • Our Team
  • Have your say
  • Contact us
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • linkedin
Logo icon
City of Westminster
Conservative Group

COVID-19 Update from Westminster City Council Leader Rachael Robathan

  • Tweet
Friday, 22 May, 2020
  • Local News
Rachael Robathan

We are all aware of the continuing difficult period that is being experienced by everyone across Westminster. I want to assure you that your local councillors will continue to provide whatever support or advice is needed in the coming weeks.

Many of you are contacting us, often with offers of help, for which we are very grateful. If you need our assistance, or have concerns about a vulnerable neighbour or relative, then do get in touch by e-mailing Westminster Connects or by phoning the new dedicated number 020 7641 1222 from 9am to 6pm, seven days a week.

Temporary Movement Strategy

As the lockdown restrictions ease, the Council has been developing plans to support the safe movement of people around the city when some retail premises and primary schools reopen on 1 June. The goal of your Conservative council is to help business recovery, support cycling and walking for people returning to work, and ensure residents’ interests are protected.

The strategy will be implemented in phases. All measures are designed to be temporary and will only use non-permanent barriers and traffic cones so that they can be easily adapted as circumstances change.

We are looking to provide more pedestrian space by coning off part of the current carriageway to create the space needed.  We will also be putting up cones and barriers in the carriageway to increase the space available for safe cycling. Some interventions may be as straightforward as putting markings on the street to ensure social distancing.

If you have ideas that you would like to see in your local area, please let us know and we will try to include them. We are particularly keen to try out easy to implement schemes that are both cost-effective and adaptable.

Supporting Our Local High Streets

Interactive "Shop Local" Map

Interactive Map

Your Conservative Council has created a map of local shops and businesses either physically open or offering delivery, takeaway or e-commerce, here.

The number of businesses is expanding so it is worth having another look to see who else is now open in your local area.

The map is aimed at helping residents to shop local and to support businesses in their area as part of efforts to support the recovery of Westminster’s economy.

You can have your business added by filling in the form here.

Army brings Mobile Coronavirus Testing to Hyde Park

Mobile coronavirus testing came to Westminster last week when the Grenadier Guards set up a mobile coronavirus testing site on North Carriage Drive in Hyde Park.

Council Leader Cllr Rachael Robathan and Armed Forces Champion Cllr Mark Shearer visited the site to thank the soldiers who are delivering 500 tests a day to enable key workers worried about coronavirus symptoms to return to work and support the most vulnerable in the Westminster community. Coronavirus tests are now available for anyone aged over 5 who is presenting symptoms.

You need to book a test (do not go to Hyde Park without an appointment) and that can be done here.

Fibre Broadband being rolled out across Westminster: three times faster than anywhere else in London

In the past, Westminster has struggled with some of the worst connectivity in London and, to remedy this, the Council has been working over the past few years to improve connectivity for people living and working across the City.

Westminster has succeeded in dramatically increasing the number of properties with full fibre availability, and, in a period of four months from September 2019 to January 2020 delivered connectivity to an additional 12,932 properties, three times the rate of any other London borough. 

This exponential growth has allowed Westminster to climb the ranks to become the second-best borough across the whole of London for full fibre availability.

In the current climate, it’s more important than ever that local people and businesses can stay connected and continue to work. Moreover, a significant proportion of distance working, learning and shopping will continue after the pandemic has passed, and therefore this improvement in infrastructure will allow all our residents to stay connected.

Keep in Touch

Your local councillors are there to support everyone in the community and, by working together, we will get through this. Please don’t hesitate to contact us during this period. We will do all that we can to help you and your neighbours.

Cllr Rachael Robathan

Contact me by email

Like our Community Page on Facebook

020 7730 8181

You may also be interested in

Barbara Arzymanow

Barbara Arzymanow

Councillor for Marylebone Ward
Barbara Arzymanow has lived in Westminster for over 35 years and knows how much difference a strong local voice can make. A Ward Councillor since 2014, she has worked with local people and organisations on issues associated with air-quality, public protection, public realm and planning.
Tim Barnes

Tim Barnes

Councillor for West End Ward
Having moved to the area around Fitzrovia while a student at UCL, Tim now lives in Soho. Previously a West End Councillor between 2018 and 2022, he was re-elected to the Council in September 2024. We asked Tim to introduce himself.“My name is Tim Barnes, and I'm 49 years old. I live in Soho.
Melvyn Caplan

Melvyn Caplan

Councillor for Little Venice Ward
Melvyn has lived in the area and has served as a councillor for Little Venice Ward for over 30 years.  He was previously a Sales Director at IBM where he worked for 25 years.  He has a degree in Economics and is a qualified accountant.
Lorraine Dean

Lorraine Dean

Councillor for Little Venice Ward
Lorraine has lived in Little Venice since 1983 and ran a family electronics business on Edgware Road for 17 years. She now works locally at the City of Westminster college as a teaching assistant to young disabled adults.
Tony Devenish

Tony Devenish

Councillor for Knightsbridge & Belgravia Ward
Tony Devenish represents the Knightsbridge & Belgravia ward on Westminster City Council. Between 2016 and 2024, Tony served as a GLA Member to hold the Mayor of London accountable for policing, transport, housing, and our environment.
David Harvey

David Harvey

Councillor for Vincent Square Ward
David Harvey has lived locally for 25 years and been a councillor since 2010. He lives in the ward with his wife Angela. His priority is to continue to create opportunity within our local community.
Elizabeth Hitchcock

Elizabeth Hitchcock

Councillor for Knightsbridge & Belgravia Ward
Elizabeth has lived in London for 34 years and in Westminster for the past 18 years. Elizabeth was first elected in May 2018.Elizabeth works closely with both local people living in Knightsbridge & Belgravia and businesses to improve what is a very special part of London.
Louise Hyams

Louise Hyams

Councillor for St James's Ward
Louise Hyams has had the honour and privilege of representing St. James's Ward since her election to the Council in 1998. She is totally committed to improving the quality of life for all the residents of this diverse ward in the centre of London.
Tim Mitchell

Tim Mitchell

Councillor for St James's Ward
Tim Mitchell has lived and worked in Westminster for over 30 years and is a self-employed computer consultant. He was first elected to Westminster City Council in May 1998 and has represented St.
Robert Rigby

Robert Rigby

Councillor for Regent's Park Ward
Robert Rigby has lived in St John’s Wood for over 30 years with his wife Emiko and has represented Regent’s Park Ward since 2010. He is committed to serving the community ensuring value for money and good services, working tirelessly to retain St John’s Wood and North Marylebone's unique character and appeal. He has also been Lord Mayor of Westminster (May 2024 - May 2025).
Rachael Robathan

Rachael Robathan

Councillor for Knightsbridge & Belgravia Ward
Rachael Robathan has been a ward councillor for Knightsbridge & Belgravia since 2010 and was the Leader of the Council from January 2020 till May 2022.
Ian Rowley

Ian Rowley

Councillor for Marylebone Ward
Ian Rowley has lived in Marylebone for 24 years with his wife. He has been a Councillor since 2007 and has a PhD in economics. In the Conservative administration he chaired the council’s Audit and Performance Committee and sits on a scrutiny committee and various operational boards.
Karen Scarborough

Karen Scarborough

Councillor for Marylebone Ward
Karen has lived in Westminster for over 26 years and has a business and legal background.
Mark Shearer

Mark Shearer

Councillor for St James's Ward
Mark Shearer is a Chartered Surveyor by trade. He also co-founded a social enterprise which enables businesses to connect with and fund charities / community projects. Mark was first elected to Westminster Council in May 2018.
Selina Short

Selina Short

Councillor for Vincent Square Ward
Selina has lived in Vincent Square ward for over 24 years and some of her family moved into the ward during the war.
Paul Swaddle

Paul Swaddle

Councillor for Regent's Park Ward
Paul lives in north Marylebone and runs a software company in central London. He has lived in the St John’s Wood and North Marylebone area since 2015, serving as one of your local councillors since 2018.
Jacqui Wilkinson

Jacqui Wilkinson

Councillor for Pimlico North Ward
Jacqui Wilkinson has lived in Pimlico for 26 years, serving as a local councillor since 2015.
Abbey Road

Abbey Road

Sign up for local community emails, full of interesting news and updates for people living in our part of London. You can opt-out at any time and we won't share your email address with anyone else.Please complete our 30-second survey, to help us understand what matters to local p
Bayswater

Bayswater

Sign up for local community emails, full of interesting news and updates for people living in our part of London.
Lisson Grove mooring

Church Street

Sign up for local community emails, full of interesting news and updates for people living in our part of London.
Churchill Gardens

Pimlico South

Sign up for local community emails, full of interesting news and updates for people living in our part of London.
Maida Hill Tunnel

Harrow Road

Sign up for local community emails, full of interesting news and updates for people living in our part of London.
Hyde Park

Hyde Park

Sign up for local community emails, full of interesting news and updates for people living in our part of London.
Knightsbridge & Belgravia

Knightsbridge & Belgravia

Sign up for local community emails, full of interesting news and updates for people living in our part of London.
Lancaster Gate

Lancaster Gate

Sign up for local community emails, full of interesting news and updates for people living in our part of London.
Little Venice

Little Venice

Sign up for local community emails, full of interesting news and updates for people living in our part of London.
Maida Vale

Maida Vale

Sign up for local community emails, full of interesting news and updates for people living in our part of London.
Marylebone

Marylebone

Sign up for local community emails, full of interesting news and updates for people living in our part of London.
Queen's Park

Queen's Park

Sign up for local community emails, full of interesting news and updates for people living in our part of London.
Regent's Park

Regent's Park

Sign up for local community emails, full of interesting news and updates for people living in our part of London.
St James's

St. James's

Sign up for local community emails, full of interesting news and updates for people living in our part of London.
Vincent Square

Vincent Square

Sign up for local community emails, full of interesting news and updates for people living in our part of London.
Pimlico North

Pimlico North

Sign up for local community emails, full of interesting news and updates for people living in our part of London.
West End

West End

West End Ward covers the iconic areas of Mayfair, Soho, Fitzrovia and East Marylebone. Along Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street and the surrounding areas, it includes some of Britain’s busiest shopping streets and is home to large numbers of theatres, entertainment and cultural venues. 
Royal Oak

Westbourne

Sign up for local community emails, full of interesting news and updates for people living in our part of London.

Show only

  • Articles
  • Local News
  • Newsletters

Donate

With your help we're building a strong voice for local Conservatives.

Any donation will make a difference.

Donate now

Join or Renew

By joining the Conservative Party, you're doing your bit to help change Britain.

Your support is vital to our campaign to build a better future.

accepted-payment-cards

City of Westminster Conservatives

Footer

  • About RSS
  • Accessibility
  • Cookies
  • Privacy
  • Donate to our Campaign Fund
  • Our Council
  • Our Plan for Westminster
Conservatives
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • linkedin
Promoted by James Cockram on behalf of Westminster Conservatives all at 90 Ebury Street, Westminster SW1W 9QD 020 7730 8181
Copyright 2025 City of Westminster Conservatives. All rights reserved.
Powered by Bluetree