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ONA Meets with RBKC Councillors
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Wed - December 5, 2018
7:56
Cllrs Campbell, Evans, Hammond and Marshall
The following is a partial list of topics addressed. ONA members who are interested in learning more, sharing their thoughts or getting involved, please email onslowna@gmail.com.
Policing: Robbery and burglary are on the rise in our area and all over London. It was acknowledged that this is a result of the austerity programme which has led to major cuts in the number of police officers and closure of many police stations. There are fewer ‘bobbies on the beat’ to deter crimes and police do not have the resources to investigate them, let alone catch the perpetrators. Cllr Campbell invited interested residents to attend quarterly meetings with our ward police officers and learn more about crime patterns in our area, to at least raise awareness and suggest preventative measures all residents can take. Update: Cllr Evans subsequently wrote to the ward officers responsible for Courtfield Ward and ONA is now invited to attend their quarterly meetings. ONA members who’d like to attend should email
Braam.J.Nortje@met.police.uk.
Traffic: Cllr Marshall has asked Mr Saddiqi of TFL about traffic problems in our area, e.g. at the junction of Pelham Street and the Old Brompton Road and along Sydney Place. It appears that Council officers are reluctant to acknowledge the severity of these problems. Discussions are ongoing.
Pedestrianisation of Exhibition Road: ONA attends regular meetings with the Council to discuss the future of this important north-south route for road traffic. The Council supports the views of the local residents associations in opposing the full pedestrianisation of the road as this would have a serious impact on traffic in adjacent streets. At this time, it seems unlikely that the road will be fully pedestrianised due to widespread opposition and the expense involved, though the museums may push for temporary pedestrianisation on special occasions. We will continue to make our point!
Licensing of Tables and Chairs: Cllr Marshall noted that the Council is well aware that restaurants often illegally place tables and chairs on already crowded pavements, forcing pedestrians on to the street. There is currently insufficient enforcement by the Council. A proposed ‘key decision’ for Bute Street would allow tables and chairs despite the pavement being less than the legal minimum of 2 meters in width. ONA feels that the decision to give retail outlets license to put out tables and chairs should be done on an individual basis. (Since this meeting, one restaurant on Bute Street has removed its outdoor bench seating.)
Glaring Advertisement Boards Masquerading as Telephone Kiosks: BT has applied to the Council for planning permission to erect a large number of two-metre high digital advertising display boards with public phones attached. Three are proposed on Old Brompton Road in our area and more in the general area. Our councillors agreed that these were blights on the streetscape and in the era of mobile phones serve mainly advertising objectives. Despite the lack of legislative tools to shut them down, our councillors are objecting to them. Since the meeting, resident associations including the ONA have objected to the many boards proposed, with mixed results. Those granted permission at this date are located in areas of existing heavy commercial/retail activity. The more residents object, the better. ONA members wishing to make their voices heard, the consultation period ends 14 January 2019. Send your comments to: planning@rbkc.gov.uk. For more information, go to page 10 paragraph 1.5 of the following document: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/planning-reform-supporting-the-high-street-and-increasing-the-delivery-of-new-homes
Professional Beggars: Cllr Marshall noted that in some areas of London ‘dispersal zones’ have been created. These zones impose higher penalties on beggars who are clearly professionals. At the moment fines are too low and irrecoverable in any event. The police have powers to ‘move on’ these individuals and residents should report persistent begging. Residents can call the Met Police on 101 to report aggressive begging.
Major Local Developments: The South Kensington Underground Station, The Brompton Hospital, the former site of Christie’s South Kensington and the Holiday Inn (see separate news article) all merit monitoring by our councillors and area residents, as these sites all greatly impact on quality of life in our area.
Please do email onslowna@gmail.com with your questions and concerns on these and other neighbourhood matters. We encourage all members to get involved — the more we speak up to preserve the residential and historical character of our area, the better it is for all of us who live here.