Working for Street Safety – Millbank, the Ponsonbys, Vincent Square
Your Conservative Councillors Danny Chalkley and David Harvey are championing resident concerns about cycle route safety and traffic rat running. “As cyclists ourselves” said Danny Chalkley, “we are sceptical about aspects of the so called “Quietway” plan through Vincent Square Ward. Like many of you we are concerned that 2-way traffic in Douglas St would be dangerous and lead to motor traffic rat running in Vincent Sq, with its many school age children, we would also see more and more cyclists riding the wrong way around the square.
“We support cycling said David Harvey “but TfL’s current plan will ensure that professional drivers of black cabs/Uber/delivery vehicles will see Vincent Square as an embankment to Victoria Street cut through. The result will be an unsafe Noisyway, not a Quietway. Likewise, after the TfL safety audit we asked for and our meetings with TfL we continue to press them to complete their promise to complete the safety works at the crossing outside the White Swan on Vauxhall bridge Rd, before someone is killed or injured at this confusing junction where fast cyclists use the same space as pedestrians.
The Cycle Superhighway continues to lead to rat running in the Ponsonbys, with its many families with children; “we need better signage and an enforcement campaign” said Cllrs Harvey and Chalkley.
Keeping Clean Streets – going out with the Westminster Council CEO
Every month your Conservative Councillors go out with officers, to solve problems in our area – anti social behaviour to broken drains; lamp stands to dumped rubbish.
We took officers to see the impact of rough sleeper anti-social behaviour in the Cathedral area. Dispersal notices were issued against a tent encampment, heavy cleaning was brought in. Action was taken against drug crime. Rough sleepers were persuaded to come in for help. We are very aware of the unfriendly impact troubled rough sleepers have locally. We keep pushing action whenever there is a spike, working with local charities and the police. ASB is illegal but sleeping rough is not and we want to persuade rough sleepers to come inside for help. We identified potential trafficking and young people issues with East European visitors to involve police and social services.
In August we took officers to Ambrosden Avenue, working with residents to secure extra street lights. Across Millbank area we identified street and paving repairs, extra cleaning for Horseferry Rd and linked up with police on anti drug activity. We looked at green issues, with fresh hanging baskets using the ward budget and identifying remedial work to trees and green spaces; for instance seeing that an unsafe tree on John Islip Street was cut down and greenery trimmed and tidied across the area. We keep an eye on local parks, seeing work is done in Millbank and St John’s Gardens – both of which have kept top green flag status.
Our October walk about will be with Charlie Parker Westminster’s CEO, let us know what you would like us to focus on [email protected]
News in Brief – a flavour of the work your councillors do for residents every day
- After June basement floods, we have been pressing for Thames water to take some responsibility and involve their insurers.
- You told us about professional drivers leaving coach and taxi engines running and blocking access; officers are working hard to enforce Westminster’s strong anti-pollution policies and to protect residents’ parking.
- A City West homes drain collapsed, as soon as we heard, the family affected were moved to a hotel during the repairs and deep cleaning
- We are working with long term residents to help keep their family home for the next generation.
- You asked us about secure motor cycle parking in Ashley place, motor bike anchors will be installed.
- We continue to work with Peabody residents to get secure entry to every staircase
- Another social housing provider had an outbreak of bed bugs, Westminster inspectors are enforcing after we got involved.
- You wanted more chairs to sit out on the Cathedral Piazza on nice days, we signed this off with Victoria BID
- We are putting ward budget funds behind chess and badminton projects that residents want to organise for young people
- AND YOUR VIEWS PLEASE The Slug and Lettuce Pub on Artillery Row has applied for a massive increase in its activities and opening hours – this is a residential area– what do you think? Review athttp://idoxpa.westminster.gov.uk/online-applications/licencingApplicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=OC3V5ARP08A00 and let us know[email protected]
Vincent Square Councillor Steve Summers is Lord Mayor of Westminster: 2016 – 17
This means he withdraws from Ward work to focus on being the first citizen of Westminster supporting everyone across our city. Steve's role will see him meeting and supporting the most vulnerable in our city, using his passion to enable sport for all, recognising the city's heroes and being an ambassador to business and the international community. Congratulations Steve.
