The Marylebone Low Emission Neighbourhood
You have told us Air Quality is one of the most significant issues of concern in Marylebone. As part of the Low Emission Neighbourhood (LEN) we are the first Council to introduce an additional charge on visitors who are seeking to park a diesel vehicle registered pre 2015, extending to all of the F Zone.
We have achieved a 46% reduction in waste trips in Baker Street, our anti idling campaign is in full swing, 20mph will be enforced around schools, a No Right Turn from Devonshire Street into Devonshire Place Mews is to be implemented, together with more greening and public realm improvements to follow in the High Street and Paddington Street. The LEN was Highly Commended at the New London Architecture Awards recently.
Before the end of term, with your Councillors effectively pedestrianising St Vincent Street with Bollards on Cramer Street, as apart of the LEN we had our first Play Street with St Vincent's School.
Ward Planning Update
Our area continues to see many developments coming before the various Westminster planning committees. Your local councillors have spoken against the development at 19-35 Baker Street due to various concerns, this has now been deferred until developers meet the concerns expressed by the committee.
Residents have also been represented at the proposed development at 79 New Cavendish Street, and many more. Please let us know if you have particular concerns about any proposed developments and we will look into them.
Your local councillors have also commissioned an officer to monitor developments which has proved very valuable, again if you have concerns please get in touch, using the contact details above, and we will look into them.
Refuse and New Recycling Bags
Your Councillors are working closely with our City Inspector to encourage people to only put out their refuse on the appropriate days and times and only to recycle certain items on our new see through recycling bags - otherwise they are classed as contaminated and do not get recycled!
News in Brief
There is a lot going on in Marylebone and these are some of the issues your Councillors are working with on your behalf:
Oxford Street Transformation - Your Councillors are continuing to make sure residents and our concerns are voiced in the Transformation of Oxford Street. We don't want to see more traffic displaced into our residential streets. The initial Consultation has closed and is currently being analysed. There is to be further Consultation on the Transformation of Oxford Street later this year.
Baker Street Two Way- Work has begun at the northern end of Baker Street and you are encouraged to go to bakerstreettwoway.co.uk to find out more. Road users are advised to visit tfl.gov.uk/baker-street-roadworks. Background information is available here.
Street begging - Your councillors are working with Westminster City Council enforcement officers and the police to deal with the organised crime controlled street begging. We would urge residents to report to us any problems they have experienced.
Drug dealers - Westminster City Council, working with the police and residents, secured the arrests of two cannabis dealers operating from a white BMW in the Baker Street area. Threats of violence had been made against residents. The dealers concerned have, unsurprisingly, previous convictions. We hope tough sentences are handed out.
Wigmore Street - Transport for London's signalling team have confirmed that all junctions along Wigmore Street will have pedestrian facilities as part of the complimentary measures for transforming Oxford Street. In the interim, at the Wigmore/Welbeck junction, adjustments have been made to the traffic signals to reduce the green time phase for southbound traffic with the intention of reducing the
south-bound blocking at the junction.
Hinde Street / Thayer Street / Mandeville Place Junction - This is being progressed as a standalone scheme to provide pedestrian push button signalised crossings at all four arms of the junction. A traffic study has been commissioned from our service providers to provide the necessary modelling to submit to TfL’s traffic signal infrastructure team for approval.
Portland Place / Devonshire Street Junction - The southbound right turn from Portland Place into Devonshire Street is banned between 7am – 7pm and allowed outside these hours. The ‘no right turn’ on the signal head is not illuminating during the banned hours and Transport for London is fixing this. When it’s operational, it will provide a crossing phase for school children on the western arm. Longer term, Anthony Sabato is commissioning a traffic modelling study to provide a green man crossing at this arm.
Cavendish Square (north side near Chandos Place) - Transport for London have added pedestrian countdown facilities at this crossing.
Devonshire Place Mews - As you’re already aware, to address the problem of north-bound ‘rat-running’ onto Marylebone Road, the right turn at the end of the mews will be banned. Residents of Devonshire Place Mews, Beaumont Street and Devonshire Place have been pre-consulted via a letter drop. The scheme is planned to be operational in August.
Weymouth / Wesley Street - Your Councillors following resident's requests have had the kerb dropped on Devonshire Street with the junction of Wesley for easier access for wheelchairs and buggies.
Moxon Street Car Park - We understand that this scheme is likely to commence late Spring. However, in the meantime some initial enabling works will take place in Cramer Street and Aybrook Street.
- Cramer Street: 24th to 31st July
- Aybrook Street: 7th – 11th August
Road closure dates for St. Vincent Street and Moxon Street are still to be confirmed but are expected to be:
- St. Vincent Street: from 22 August, for one week
- Moxon Street: from 5 September, for one week
A Community Liaison Group for Moxon Street Car Park has been set up. The next meeting will take place at Aubaine, 7 Moxon Street, Marylebone, London W1U 4EP on Wednesday 2nd August, starting at 6.30pm.
