FN Newsletter 20-10-2024

Mid October 2024 round up of news, features and comment

Oct 20, 2024

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has given away very little information since his announcement last month that he intends to pedestrianise Oxford Street. However, it appears some information has been deliberately leaked from City Hall about the proposed Mayoral Development Area and Khan has answered some questions from London Assembly members.

Westminster Council has halted most work on Oxford Street and its special website has had its contents removed. Meanwhile Mortimer Street remains closed between Great Portland Street and Great Titchfield Street, causing misery for those residents living on the diversion — Langham Street and Foley Street, as well as Clipstone Street and Maple Street which is almost permanently congested with drivers from Monday to Friday. Mortimer Street was due to re-open this month, but it appears that due to problems it could be next year. I am told that “due to the combination of a weak basement on street, difficulties in installing ducting for TfL signals at the junction of Mortimer Street and Great Titchfield Street and additional utility works, completion will now take place in March 2025, with the two way switch for both Wigmore and Mortimer Streets occurring together”. NB, I have asked for clarification about this as I find it hard to believe they will keep the street closed for another five months!

Health: Covid cases continue to rise. New research has found that infants are at a very high risk of infection and becoming ill. Wear a face mask if your are indoors in public spaces and follow NHS advice to avoid catching and spreading the virus. The UK Health Security Agency is also concerned about measles, Mpox, STIs and meningitis.

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

Comment

Is someone at City Hall ‘flying a kite’ about Mayor Khan’s Oxford Street development area?

OnLondon news site, run by journalist Dave Hill, has published an image purporting to show a map of where Sadiq Khan “might set the boundary of his control of Oxford Street and its surroundings in order to deliver his pedestrianisation plan”.

News

Camden Council unveils new Goodge Street domestic rubbish management scheme

Fourteen heavy-duty black plastic bins each the size of a winter grit container have this week been placed on Goodge Street by Camden Council for use by residents in a effort to manage the huge amount of rubbish that is heaped onto the street each day.

Community centre says ‘Fix it, don’t ditch it!’ as it announces volunteer-run ‘RRRRepair’ shop

If your clothing needs patching, cycles need fixing, or household items are in need of repair, then a new monthly workshop run by volunteers at the Fitzrovia Community Centre is inviting you to “Fix it, don’t ditch it!”.

Features

Soho Poly theatre autumn 2024 season

The Soho Poly theatre has a busy calendar of events this autumn, featuring poetry, crafts, music and exhibitions.

Public consultations

Local democracy reports

Soho school faces challenge of falling pupil numbers

Soho’s last remaining school says it needs an additional £200,000 annually for the next five years as it is hit by falling pupil numbers.

Council inquiry reveals ‘crisis’ in special educational needs and disabilities support

Camden Council’s inquiry into support for special educational needs and disabilities (Send) has revealed “growing discontent” and financial pressure with “no easy fix”.

Camden contractors will be held more accountable and lifts to reach ‘a higher level’ says Olszewski

Camden Council has pledged to improve its services for leaseholders in a bid to turn around dire satisfaction rates across the borough.

Camden to redesign carer support services across borough

Camden Council has agreed to merge two support services in a bid to improve care givers’ health and wellbeing.

Silent protesters removed from Camden Town Hall for spelling out ‘genocide’

Campaigners have accused Camden Council of censorship after silent protesters holding signs were ejected from the Town Hall on Monday night.

Cutting ‘appalling’ wait times for autism and ADHD diagnosis will be difficult, Camden Council admits

Camden Council must do more to cut lengthy waits for autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnoses in the borough, senior councillors have said.

Printed newspapers

Our next printed news-sheet will be out in December and available from outside Fitzrovia Community Centre, 2 Foley Street. See the newspaper archive for back issues of Fitzrovia News. We aim to produce a two-page, printed issue at least four times a year. Local weeklies the Camden New Journal and the Westminster Extra are also available outside the Community Centre and they also have an archive where you can view the full printed Camden and Westminster printed editions.