Is the Mayor petitioning HS2 only to try and get Crossrail 2?

In the lead up to the Local Election 2014 in London on the 22nd of May, both the Mayor and the London Assembly jointly put in a GLA petition for the HS2 hybrid bill going through the Commons for very different reasons. It didn’t draw attention as it came in under purdah and thus the rules of local government restricting publicity on such submissions. What is for sure is that both the Mayor & the London Assembly made the joint submission for very different reasons.

The Mayor clearly supports the principle of a new High Speed ” rail line with new stations at Old Oak Common and Euston. However  his concerns  are that the proposals do not sufficiently maximise the regeneration and development proposals for these important parts of London and thus he is making this the petition to ensure a better quality outcome for London, in his mind. Whilst for the London Assembly its to address many of the issues again that have been raised by our Transport & Environment Committees. For example we agree that the proposals for the redevelopment of Euston as HS2’s London terminus are insufficient. Under my chairmanship of the Environment Committee, our response to the draft Environment Statement, highlighted the significant impacts on the area including the demolition of homes, loss of businesses and community buildings, and the loss of green space in this densely developed area. Local stakeholders also felt the proposed new station offers little compensation for this damage. The petition has given us another opportunity to reinstate this again. Whilst the Transport Committee concentrated on the missed opportunity to improve the passenger experience at London’s sixth busiest station.

Additional passengers from HS2 in Euston may well exacerbate existing transport congestion in the area, with Euston Underground already overcrowded at peak periods. Figures provided to the Environment Committee suggest that morning peak passengers from Euston will double requiring onward travel by car, taxi and public transport when HS2 is fully operational. Thus its not difficult to conclude that construction of HS2 should not proceed without Crossrail 2 is ready for the opening od the second phase of HS2.

With Old Oak Common we have frequently expressed concerns that the plans for HS2 failed to show how it sufficiently regenerate OOC. Thus we support the specific measures outlined in the petition, including a new London Overground station, that will enhance the transport infrastructure in the area and ensure it is fully integrated with the wider transport network.

The huge HS2 construction impacts means that we need to ensures appropriate mitigation measures are in place to sufficiently minimise impacts during the construction on London’s economy, residents and transport networks. Specific construction impacts that give cause for concern include air pollution. The Environmental Statement before Parliament suggests that air pollution in many locations affected by HS2 is, even without the scheme, projected to remain in breach of national and EU limits, in some cases as late as 2026.

So as you can see there is plenty to play for in the third reading of the hybrid bill for HS2 where we may see a lot more horse trading on these key issues yet.

NatWest Maida Hill Branch will shut on the 25th July 2014

I was sad to hear about the proposed closure of my local Natwest bank along Edgware Rd known as their Maid Hill branch. It is where l set up my first bank account before l left London for a few years for University but I sensed that I was not the only one who felt this way having become a regular user on Saturday mornings and getting to talk to other local users.  So after writing to Ross McEwan, CEO of The Royal Bank Scotland PLC to express my disappointment, I received the following response.

The reality is the face of banking is changing.  We are going on line more, using Apps, telephone banking and ATM machines at our local supermarkets although interestingly, the response also highlights the reliance on post offices to deliver local banking services.  This is why I’ve campaigned in the past to keep open local crown post offices which provide a plethora of services to the local community.  Like pubs and post offices, banks are a vital component in sustaining a vibrant local community.  Natwest point out that the Maida Vale branch is not far off but for me it will still mean a tube ride away to a branch which is much smaller (and generally not as nice!) then the Maida Hill branch.  I may consider taking my local banking somewhere else!

Steps at Royal Oak station will be replaced

Having noticed how dire the steps at Royal Oak station looked, I am pleased to report that in response to my letter to Transport for London , London Underground have confirmed there are plans in the pipeline to replace them.  We do not yet know the timing but it will come as welcome news for commuters although ideally a step free option would be best!  Unfortunately London Underground did not respond to my question about installing a lift at the station.  I will keep pushing!

Tower Hamlets politics reaching new lows

Tower Hamlet’s politics reaching new lows!

Local businesses threaten with CPO’s by CAPCO agents

After attending meetings both in Lillie Road and the House of Commons about the Earls Court Development, l was shocked to hear about the way in which Capco agents are allegedly dealing with small businesses within the sight lines of the proposed developments. I’ve been told that Capco (Capital & Counties Properties PLC) have made verbal threats of issuing Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO) to local businesses.  Capco are a private business which has established a joint venture with TFL to facilitate the development the Earls court “master plan”.

My understanding has always been that the power to issue a CPO is a legal function which only public bodies can exercise and therefore to hear about a private body using such an invasive and draconian power which should be the reserve of elected officials is concerning to say the least.  This is why I’ve asked the Mayor whether the agreement which TFL has with Capco delegates such powers to them? The next Mayor’s Question Time is on the 11^th of June and I should hear back with a  reply shorty after.

If such powers have not been delegated, then TfL need to bring their partners into line as well as apologise to the many businesses affected.  If Capco are doing this with TFL’s blessing, then Capco need to be clear about what their powers are and how they intend to proceed.

We always knew TfL got it wrong with this joint venture agreeing to make themselves the junior partner with a private property developer in a project which will demolish one of the most iconic buildings in London, no doubt to be replaced  with yet more unaffordable housing . This example of Capco’s alleged treatment of local businesses is just another symptom of this unfortunate collaboration.

What has happened to the missing bus-stop?

Murad Qureshi shows support for local candidates in calls for Bromley bus stop re-instatement

mega-basement desires?

It has emerged that the Mayor of London has ignored a unanimous call from the London Assembly to establish planning policies to prevent inappropriate basement development.

The cross-party Assembly passed a motion in March calling on the Mayor to introduce such a policy into his London Plan, but in response, the Mayor has informed the Assembly that he does not consider it necessary to introduce new rules.

Subterranean development is a growing issue in some parts of London, including Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster and Camden boroughs. Increasingly, the super-rich are digging deeper and wider in an effort to cram swimming pools, cinemas, and gyms into often historic buildings, creating so called ‘iceberg’ homes. These developments can cause flooding, sink holes and structural damage to neighbouring buildings, and construction is often severely disruptive to the neighbourhood.

The worst-affected boroughs have policies to limit inappropriate basement development, but without the backing of a strong policy in the London Plan they will may find it difficult to enforce and can see their decisions overturned by inspectors.

Murad Qureshi AM, who proposed March’s motion that received unanimous support, said:

“I find it astonishing that the Mayor is flatly refusing to stop the growing problem of subterranean development in the capital.”

“Despite the Mayor’s claims that supplementary guidance gives individual boroughs the backing they need to prevent inappropriate basement development, it is clear that these rules are just not strong enough.

“The London Plan presented the perfect opportunity for the Mayor to help curb this growing problem, but by rejecting this motion he has ignored the views of every single member of the Assembly.” 

Ends 

Notes

1. Murad Qureshi  AM is a London-wide Labour member of the London Assembly.
2. The London Plan is the spatial planning strategy for London. The draft Further Alterations to the London Plan were published 15 January for consultation concluding on 10 April. The alterations can be found here: http://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/planning/london-plan/draft-further-alterations-to-the-london-plan
3. Most local authorities have planning policy on basement development but four of the boroughs where the problem is most acute – LB Camden, LB Haringey, RB Kensington and Chelsea, and LB Westminster – have or are developing special policies to tackle it.
4. The full text of March’s amended motion read: “This Assembly notes that inappropriate basement development is an increasing problem within London. In the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, for example, planning applications for basements rose from just 13 in 2001, to 182 in 2010, and to 307 in 2012. Some of these renovations are turning already-large homes into massive iceberg houses, and can cause flooding, sink holes and structural damage to neighbouring buildings. Despite the rising concern, the draft Further Alterations to the London Plan (FALP) does not include a specific policy on subterranean development. Although draft Supplementary Planning Guidance and the current policy on sustainable design and  construction require consideration of some issues, London must adopt      stronger policies to help boroughs prevent unnecessary basement  development, such as prohibiting extensions under listed buildings and limiting the size and depth of new and redeveloped basements. This Assembly therefore calls on the Mayor of London to revise the FALP to include a specific policy against inappropriate basement development.”
5. The Mayor’s response to the motion can be read here (Motion 4) “At this stage, I do not consider it necessary to include a specific policy in the London Plan restricting basement development. My emerging Sustainable Design and Construction Supplementary Planning Guidance encourages boroughs to develop local policies, where required, and I have already used this strategic position to actively support the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in developing local policy to protect against inappropriate basement development in light of its local circumstances”

After watching this video of a demonstration by Anjem Choudary and his mob last year in May along the Edgware Rd, I was not surprised that five men have since been found guilty of violent disorder and affray.  What I am sorry about is that no one faced charges of offences for religious hatred in their incitement of sectarian violence, as the banners and language used clearly indicate this intention.

The abuse was directed towards the Shi’ite Muslim community along the Edgware Rd and led to attacks on two members of the public. The victims were beaten to the floor, punched, kicked and hit with placards made of wood. I am no Assad et al supporter but l don’t want to see such sectarian politics of the Middle East brought in this way to the streets of London.

The people and businesses along the Edgware Rd are interested in the business of trade and not hatred.  If anything, many of them came to the shores of the UK to get away from all of that in the Middle East.

The sentencing of the five men has been deferred until their Crown Court appearances.

Commotion outside Regent’s Park mosque after Jummah prayers on Good Friday

Last Friday while relaxing in the neighbourhood, l noticed a helicopter above Regents Park and thought very little of it thinking it must mean someone important was staying at the US ambassador’s home in the park. I later heard on the street that the EDL were there protesting outside the mosque and that the demo comprised not only of the EDL, but also Britain First, another extreme right group as well as Anjem Choudary’s mob all posturing against each other. Three groups of extremists descending onto Regents Park mosque on Good Friday during Jummah prayers is a cocktail for trouble, which is why I was surprised that the Met allowed this to go ahead.

My concern is that right wing extremists are seizing upon every opportunity to abuse and insult Muslims before, during & after their Friday prayers which is terribly disruptive, disrespectful and inflammatory.  This is the second time it has occurred so far this year. How many more times is this going to happen before someone is hurt? We should not lose sight of the fact that Friday prayers are the equivalent to Sunday prayers at a church. Would we allow such abuse of worshippers after Sunday service? No we wouldn’t, and rightly so.

The local council, mosque and the Metropolitan police have over the years dedicated a lot of time and resources in deterring extremist organisations like the Jihadists from demonstrating in front of the Regents Park mosque and it is right and proper that the same level of determination and resources are expended in deterring the extreme right from doing the same right now.