Sheila Stephens has agreed to help with the workload and has been appointed to the Infrastructure Sub-committee.
The Portman Estate Neater Streets Initiative.
Work has continued to take place on the identification of street clutter with the Portman Estate and the Council and the list of identified problems is gradually being reduced This is proved the successful model which we hope to use elsewhere.
W1W Tree Initiative
Some 40 trees were planted in Hallam Street area under this initiative supported both by the Association and by the Westminster Tree Trust . Work is now starting on phase two to include more trees in and around the area. Again this format is being used elsewhere (see below) at The Portman Estate Tree Initiative. Following on the Neater Streets and the success of W1W scheme The Portman Estate have now produced a plan showing their existing and proposed tree planting. Any suggestions for other suitable tree locations would be appreciated.
Street Lighting/Pavement Repair Suggestions
Councillor Danny Chalkley (Cabinet member for Infrastructure) has written to us asking us to give suggestions for future spending plans in relation specifically to street lighting both for improvement of the existing lighting and replacement lighting schemes and for pavement improvements and replacement prioritisation. Given the debate that has previously occurred between this Association and Westminster specifically requesting that we being included in this process it is important that we respond with suggestions reflecting concerns of members in the area. A Member Survey Form is on the website or is you do not have a website access please let me know and I will collate the answers to report them to the Council later in July.
Howard de Walden Neater Street
At my suggestion the de Walden Estate have agreed look at their own area in relation to ways in which the streets can be improved. Sheila and I are having a meeting with the de Walden to work out how and where items can be identified for removal and/or improvement where necessary. Again suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
East Marylebone
Working with Mark Gazaleh (a member who has been instrumental in pushing forward the W1W Trees) we are suggesting that we try and also look at that part of our area (which has sometimes been somewhat neglected) working with himself and perhaps the BBC to ensure that that part of our area is also reviewed. Again suggestions are all additional support would be greatly appreciated.
BBC Project
As Chairman of the Community Liaison Group for the BBC development I am delighted to confirm that the building has now reached its topping out and therefore most of the works hereafter will be external works which will be less intrusive to neighbouring occupiers. Work is on schedule to be completed sometime in 2011 (see attached BBC Newsletter).
Jonathan Glanz - Chairman, Infrastructure Sub-committee
