Councillors Bid for Low Emission Zone Funding
This is one of the leading public health challenges the ward faces. Marylebone Road and Oxford Street are two of the most polluted roads in Europe, and we are sandwiched between that. We are working hard to improve what is an unacceptable situation.
Your councillors have been working with the council and other interested parties to bid for money to establish a Low Emission Neighbourhood (LEN) zone in Marylebone. If successful the LEN grant from the GLA will fund a series of innovative projects, enforcement activity and emission based parking charging that will aim to reduce air pollution.
Organised Gangs of Beggars Causing Issues in Ward
Organised crime controlled begging gangs continue to be a problem in the area. Your councillors are actively engaged with the Westminster City Council enforcement officers to deal with the problem. The council, the police and the Border Agency are actively taking action. The unfortunate situation is that once one begging gang is removed another is often sent in to run the begging pitches. These are highly profitable, with large sums of untraceable cash being sent back to the gang bosses in the countries of origin.
There have been regular resident reports of serious antisocial behaviour and heavy drinking by beggers in Paddington St Gardens North. Your councillors have taken action to have this problem dealt with.
Construction Site Enforcement
Your ward councillors have contributed from the ward budget together with three other wards to fund an Enforcement Officer with regard to Basement and other developments in Marylebone. Increased resources have been made available by WCC to raise the level of enforcement with regards to construction projects in the area.
We have planted more trees in Luxborough Street and are working together with the major land owners Howard de Walden and The Portman Estate on more greening projects in Marylebone.
We are awaiting the outcome of the Appeal to the Judicial Review on the Moxon Street Car Park.
Marylebone High Street Highlights
In the High Street/St Vincent Street Dorrington
Estates are planning to refurbish the building above the old Tesco which will include improving the pavement in that vicinity. Howard de Walden are proposing to redevelop 110 Marylebone High Street (when Regent's University vacate) to provide retail, offices and a Nursery in St Vincent's Street.
Devonshire Place Mews
We are working with the Council to look at ways to prevent Devonshire Place Mews being used by an unreasonable traffic level to access Marylebone High Street North.
Paddington Street
We are waiting for a report from officers as to whether it will be safe to reopen Paddington Street again to two way traffic. This may not be possible for safety reasons and could then ultimately delay the completion of the project.
Park Crescent West
Many will see that the west side of Park Crescent is currently under construction, your ward councillors have negotiated between the residents association of 22 Park Crescent and the developer to get a fair deal for these residents.
