by Julia Haythorn | Mar 29, 2020 | Coronovirus
The Covid-19 virus is having a significant impact on the residents and businesses of Fitzrovia. We hope you are all coping in these strange new times we now live in.
Westminster Council provides some useful information here.
Also the New West End Company has information for businesses in the area.
There are also opportunities to volunteer via Westminster Council or to ask for help if you are self-isolating.
The NHS has asked for volunteers and although they have had an overwhelming response, it might be you can offer your help to the NHS.
There is also this local group that is matching volunteers and people in need on a street by street basis: Fitzrovia and Marylebone Covid 19 Mutual Aid
The FitzWest Forum Executive will still be meeting virtually as we continue to work towards creating the Neighbourhood Plan for the FitzWest area.
by Julia Haythorn | Mar 8, 2020 | Consultations
Neighbourhood Plan submitted
We have now submitted the revised Neighbourhood Plan and other documentation to Westminster City Council.
We would welcome any further comments or feedback at info@fitzwest.org
The relevant documents can be accessed here:
Supporting evidence:
Riding House Street -Public Realm Improvements – Consultation
Have your say on the consultation on public realm improvements on Riding House Street between its junctions with Nassau Street and Cleveland Street. FM Conway, service provider to Westminster City Council, has been commissioned to undertake this consultation on behalf of the City Council.
The scheme proposals are set out here in a letter from Westminster Council with a map of the area and summarised below:
- Formalised permanent road closure at east end of Riding House Street.
- Creation of a pedestrian zone with a flush surface throughout paved with two tone concrete paving.
- Benches and planting to improve public amenity and change the nature of Riding House Street from a road to a functional pedestrian space.
- Removal of the existing zebra crossing as it is no longer required. An informal pedestrian route between All Souls School sites is highlighted in the proposed paving pattern.
- Cycle parking facilities.
- Two-way operation to the east of Nassau Street to maintain access to motorcycle parking and for servicing vehicles.
Westminster Council welcome your views on the proposals. Any comments on the proposals should be returned no later than the closing date of 10/03/20 to rhs@fmconway.co.uk.
Redesignation of FitzWest as a Neighbourhood Forum
We are delighted to report that FitzWest was successfully redesignated on 20 February 2020 as a Neighbourhood Forum. Thanks to everyone for for contacting Westminster Council to support us.
by Julia Haythorn | Feb 2, 2020 | Environment
Reporting Fly Tipping and Anti-Social Behaviour
Did you know that Westminster City Council has introduced a new and improved “Report It” service? The mobile friendly tool, powered by FixMyStreet, uses location-based technology or a postcode to show an interactive map of that area with all current reported issues. Residents can then report their own issue, such as dumped rubbish or faulty street lighting. The report is then sent to the relevant Council team to investigate and respond. You can find out more using the following link:
https://report.westminster.gov.uk/
You can continue to report missed refuse or recycling collections, as well as things like anti-social behaviour, here:
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/report-it
Have your say on the plans to close the Soho Square NHS Walk-In Centre
There is a consultation taking place about the future of this popular service. See below to give your views in a survey and there are also public meetings that you can attend.
https://www.centrallondonccg.nhs.uk/news-publications/news/2020/01/have-your-say-the-future-of-soho-walk-in-centre.aspx
Have your say on Air Quality
This is a topic that is often raised by local residents and continues to be an important concern for residents and businesses. Westminster City Council want your opinion on their new Air Quality Action Plan.
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/air-pollution
Have your say on Busking and Street Music
Concerns have been raised by residents and businesses about the location (impeding pedestrians near Oxford Street tube station) and the use of loud amplified music.
There is a consultation running until 24th February 2020. Have your say here:
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/busking
by Julia Haythorn | Jan 5, 2020 | Info
Just a quick reminder of this important request! If you have not had the chance to do so already, could you please give us your support.
Please allow the Forum to continue to work towards developing the Neighbourhood Plan and support the re-designation before the 13 January 2020 deadline – the current designation expires on 05 February 2020.
We would ask you all to support the re-designation and to encourage all local residents and businesses to do so which they can do by sending an email to neighbourhoodplanning@westminster.gov.uk or in writing to:
Neighbourhood Planning, Policy and ProjectWestminster City Council City Hall,
17th Floor 64 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6QP
Here is an extract of the email from the Neighbourhood Planning Team at Westminster Council:
The Fitzrovia West Neighbourhood Forum designation expires on 5 February 2020. The forum has applied to the council to formally renew its designation in accordance with the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 the Localism Act 2011 and the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012.
The Fitzrovia West Neighbourhood Forum is required to demonstrate that their written constitution describes the purpose, membership rules and how officers are elected. The legislation states that Forums should have at least 21 members who either live or work in the in the neighbourhood area. No change to the Fitzrovia West Neighbourhood Area boundary is proposed and remains identical to the boundary that was designated in March 2014.
Copies of the application documents can be viewed on the Council’s website at https://www.westminster.gov.uk/neighbourhood-forums. Hard copies will also be made available for inspection during normal opening hours at the Council’s offices at City Hall 64 Victoria Street, SW1E 6QP.
Representations on this application should be received by no later than 5pm on Monday 13 January 2020. They can be made by email to neighbourhoodplanning@westminster.gov.uk or in writing to:
Neighbourhood Planning, Policy and Projects
Westminster City Council City Hall,
17th Floor 64 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6Q
by Julia Haythorn | Jan 5, 2020 | Environment
Representatives of the FitzWest Forum met with Francis Keegan from Westminster Council before Christmas to discuss the ever problematic issue of refuse collection and dumping in Fitzrovia. He is the person now dealing with refuse collection and streetscape in the FitzWest area. We shared our observations and those of FitzWest Forum members who have been in touch, as to what works and what doesn’t, and to continue to press for improvements.
We made the following points:
- There are some constant street dumping hotspots and we sent a map of ones we have identified. Please let us know if you think we have missed any. Map of dumping hotspots.
- There continue to be issues with Veolia not collecting recycling with this often being left for whole days and entire weekends.
- The Ward Councillors have been very supportive in pressing the refuse agenda and street collection arrangements have as a result improved.
- We continue to encourage both businesses and residents to use the Council’s online service to report missed collections and street dumping. Click below to do this:
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/report-it
- Compared to neighbouring boroughs, Westminster has many more collections with some streets daily and some twice a day. However the transient nature of the community and the lack of rubbish storage areas within some blocks of flats means that there are still problems with on-street dumping.
