Pedicabs to be Licensed!
For a number of years your St. James's councillors have been lobbying for pedicabs to be properly licensed. Cllr Louise Hyams made a key note speech at a recent Council meeting in which she claimed that pedicabs are "unregulated with no set fare or licensing structure and regularly rip people off. They cause traffic congestion, are uninsured and make London look like a third world city not at all in keeping with the world class city that we are".
Residents regularly complain to us about the noise they make, ringing their bells to attract clients and playing loud music late into the night, without any regard for the disturbance they cause.
At last the Government have listened to us and have announced that a licensing scheme will be introduced next year which will give TfL greater powers to stop abuses and pedicab drivers will face heavy fines if they do not comply.
Residential Refuse Collection Times Extended in Catherine Place area
Residents in Catherine Place recently approached the St James's ward councillors because of regular dumping of refuse by some businesses in their area. The Council's City Inspectors leafletted local residents and businesses but the problem continued. As it was difficult to locate the offenders, the councillors arranged for the twice weekly residential collection times to be aligned with the neighbouring streets.
This means that now residents and businesses have collections daily. Councillor Tim Mitchell commented: "Residents and businesses live side by side in our crowded city. It is a shame that some are irresponsible and do not think of their neighbours. We were fortunate that in this case we were able to find an easy solution and align the collection times."
Award Winning Garden on its Way to Victoria
The Urban Connections Sir Simon Milton Foundation garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2016 won a Silver Medal and was shortlisted for a BBC / RHS People's Choice Award.
The Victoria Business Improvement District sponsored the garden and are planning to use Lee Bestall's design two elements of the garden – the seating and the planters – as 'parklets' at two to three sites in the Victoria area. This will give the local community the opportunity to partly experience a Chelsea Flower Show garden, benefit from additional greenspace and seating, and generally enjoy a pleasant and well-designed feature in which to relax.
The first site in St James’s Ward a paved area adjacent to Spenser Street behind Westminster City Hall.
Councillor Louise Hyams says: "Green spaces for local people are a welcome way to promote biodiversity as well as providing a space to enjoy peace and quiet."
