FN Newsletter 17-04-2023
An activist's view from over 50 years in Fitzrovia, why a bus stop is closed, night-time safety, and the latest public consultations.
Thanks to everyone who subscribes to this newsletter. Apologies to those of you who may have received an unsolicited email from Substack recommending another newsletter. This was actually sent by Fitzrovia News by mistake. My fault. Please be assured we do not share your email address with anyone and we (should) only contact you about news in Fitzrovia.
Covid still remains a concern with the infection rate at just under two percent of the population of the UK. Please follow NHS advice to avoid catching and spreading the virus. Vaccination information is on Camden’s coronavirus web page and Westminster’s coronavirus web page.
Don’t panic! The government will test its Emergency Alert at 3pm Sunday 23 April. People will receive a message on the home screen of their mobile phone, along with a sound and vibration for up to ten seconds. I usually have a lie down in the afternoon so I’ll be turning my phone off. You can also turn off the alert — which apparently with sound even if your phone is in silent mode — by adjusting the settings on your phone.
In this issue we have a feature on a recent talk by one of Fitzrovia’s oldest living residents; a report about a bus stop closure on Tottenham Court Road; night safety in Westminster; and we have the usual round-up of planning applications in Fitzrovia East and Fitzrovia West, plus another licensing application in Warren Street.
In our last newsletter I reported that Camden Council is claiming that it is taking “tough action” to rid Tottenham Court Road of 19 “poorly managed and underused” phone boxes. Well, lo and behold, Camden seems to be making good on its promise. On Sunday morning it removed several of the kiosks. Let’s hope Camden fill the spaces with trees, not more clutter.
A date for your diary. The Fitzrovia West Neighbourhood Forum is holding its AGM on 18 May. One of the topics to be discussed is how the proposed traffic changes at Oxford Circus will affect Fitzrovia.
If you want to get in touch with us to tell us what you think of our reporting, have a question, or would like to contribute to Fitzrovia News please email us at news@fitzrovianews.com
— Linus Rees, editor
The latest on our website
Understanding Fitzrovia – the story of a takeover
Local resident and activist Max Neufeld regaled an audience last autumn with tales from his 60 years in Fitzrovia, and his descriptions of the recent and many pestilences that have been rained down on the neighbourhood and which are destroying its special character.
Bus passengers left short of a bus stop on Tottenham Court Road
Bus passengers are missing a bus stop on Tottenham Court Road because a gantry installed by a property developer is in danger of striking passing buses and high sided vehicles.
Women explain why an anti-harassment campaign is needed
From being rubbed up against to being catcalled — women across London have explained why a campaign to stop sexual harassment in the capital is desperately needed, writes Adrian Zorzut, Local Democracy Reporter.
Public consultations
Licensing application: ground floor and basement, 57 Warren Street
Must & Lees Ltd has applied to Camden Council for a new premises licence for the ground floor and basement at 57 Warren Street.
Planning applications in Fitzrovia West, April 2023
Westminster Council validated a number of planning applications in Fitzrovia West so far during April 2023.
Planning applications in Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia East, April 2023
Camden Council registered planning applications so far during April 2023 in Bloomsbury ward, which includes Fitzrovia East.
What do you think of Camden's Green Space Maintenance Service?
Camden Green Spaces are reviewing the Grounds Maintenance service and would like to hear your views on what's working well, where they can improve the service and how you would like green spaces to be managed in the future. Find out more.
Printed newspapers
Our latest printed newspaper, Fitzrovia News, is available from outside Fitzrovia Community Centre, 2 Foley Street, along with the weekly Camden New Journal and the Westminster Extra. We’ll produce another print edition in early May and June, then the following edition will be in September and every three months thereafter. See the newspaper archive for back issues.