The issue of tents under the Westway and St Mary's Terrace began in April of last year. Local Conservative councillors reported these so that outreach workers could engage with those who were living in wholly inappropriate conditions. Many visits took place and there was little to no engagement with the outreach workers by those living in the tents. Over the last 10 months, the number of locations with tents has grown and there are now at least eight separate sites.
The Labour Westminster Cabinet member has been written to eight times and it has been raised at full council on two separate occasions.
Despite this there has been little to no feedback as the council has not treated the issue as a priority despite the bonfires, huge levels of rubbish and detritus and clear drug taking and trading taking place. The Labour Council has apparently been trying to co-ordinate with TfL to seeking joint possession orders. This has delayed the process by many months as TfL have not been prepared or ready to do so.
Enough is enough we are demanding that the Council acts and deals with the tents on its own land and pushes TfL to do the same with those on its land. How much longer do people living, visiting or working not just in Hyde Park and Little Venice wards, but right across our City, have to put up with the mess and the health hazard of these sites?
It is long overdue for Westminster Council to act on behalf of its residents and clear these tent cities.
Sign Our Petition call on Westminster to clear the tent cities at the Westway and throughout the city.
