Category: Community Safety

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Strand Resurfacing: Enabling works starting Friday 25th February

Posted on | by northbank

Westminster City Council has commissioned its service provider, FM Conway Limited, to resurface the Strand (between Savoy Street and Charing Cross Station) and Adam Street Carriageways. This work will be undertaken in late March (starting 28th March) and finishing in early April (ends 7th April); formal notification of the resurfacing programme of works will be distributed in mid-March to affected businesses and residents.

The resurfacing will be undertaken in seven (No.7) separate phases, three eastbound (on 28th, 29th and 30th March), three westbound (on 4th, 5th and 6th April) and Adam Street; which will be resurfaced on Sunday 3rd April. When resurfacing the eastbound carriageway, the westbound carriageway will remain open to traffic; and vice versa.

The FM Conway team will be working extended hours to complete sections in one day; with works expected to continue into the late evening. During each phase there will be no vehicle access or egress allowed within area being resurfaced; these are between:

Eastbound Phases –

1.     Duncannon Street to Agar Street on Monday 28th March

2.     Agar Street to Lumley Court on Tuesday 29th March; and,

3.     Lumley Court to Burleigh Street (includes the junction mouth) on Wednesday 30th March

* Thursday 31st March is a reserve day should there be bad weather or should unknown issues arise.

4.     Adam Street will be resurfaced overnight between 18:00pm and 05:00am on Sunday 3rd April.

Westbound Phases –

5.     Savoy Street (includes mouth of junction) to Adam Street on Monday 4th April

6.     Adam Street to just beyond George Court on Tuesday 5th April; and,

7.     George Court to Trafalgar Square on Wednesday 6th April; this includes resurfacing in front of Charing Cross Station where only emergency vehicle access and egress under “blue lights” will be available during the day.

Thursday 7th April is also a reserve day.

During the directional closures of the carriageway TfL Surface Network Buses will be on diversion.

Pedestrian access to businesses will not be affected by the resurfacing; however, there will be closures of pedestrian crossings during each phase and alternative, safe crossing points will be available.

Once the resurfacing is completed, we will then strengthen all drain and utility covers in both carriageways; this will be done during the working day under localised lane closures (not full closure of the carriageway).

Works will be noisy at times for which FM Conway do apologise in advance.

In the meantime, some enabling works started on 25th February. This is to realign kerb stones and small areas of paving that have been damaged by vehicles. Nearby businesses have been notified of these works.

Should you want to find out more about these works and how they may affect you, please do contact Bob Burton, the FM Conway Public Liaison Officer for the Strand Resurfacing Project. Bob can be best contacted by email on robert.burton@fmconway.co.uk

CSSC London GREEN Message – MPS Bulletin – 4 Nov 2020

Posted on | by northbank

Industry Sector Leaders,

As London is set to enter a new phase of national restrictions, the Met is setting out how officers will work with communities across the city to keep people safe.

From Thursday, significant new restrictions are being introduced in England by the Government, in order to control the virus, protect the NHS and save lives.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist, the Met’s lead for Coronavirus, said: “Over the course of this awful epidemic, Londoners have responded brilliantly as regulations were introduced, both during the first wave and more recently when alert levels were established. Coronavirus poses a grave threat to everyone and to our NHS and I am confident we will all do the right thing as the heightened restrictions start on Thursday.

“For the rest of today, we remain in the “High Alert” level restrictions, and I know there will be many people thinking about whether they should head out tonight to support the hospitality sector before it closes. It is hugely important that people who are going out, stick to the current regulations and do not see tonight as an excuse for other gatherings or parties that are illegal, and could ultimately put other people’s lives at risk.

“It is vitally important that we’re all sensible, use common sense and stick to the rules. By working together, we can help prevent the spread of this deadly virus which has already claimed so many lives.

“Tonight, we will have more officers on duty to engage with the public and ensure that we all continue to keep each other safe. We are ready and prepared to take enforcement action against those who are deliberately breaching rules and putting people at risk.”

The Met will continue to use the ‘4 Es’ approach of engaging, explaining the regulations, encouraging people to following them and only enforcing as a last resort. However, immediate enforcement action will be taken in those cases where deliberate, dangerous and flagrant attempts have been made to ignore the regulations.

Likewise, officers will continue to support local authorities who are seeking to take action against those licensed premises and any other business that is putting their customers’ health at risk by reckless and dangerous breaching of the current regulations.

In addition to this, the Met will also be working closely with City of London Police and British Transport Police, to reassure the public following events in Europe which yesterday led to the terrorism threat level changing from ‘Substantial’ to ‘Severe’ as a precautionary measure.

DAC Matt Twist, added: “I know Londoners will be anxious following the truly awful attacks across Europe in recent weeks and our hearts are with all those affected. Last night it was announced that the threat level has been increased to “Severe”, this means an attack is ‘highly likely’.

“I would ask Londoners to not be alarmed by this, but to remain vigilant. If you see or hear something that doesn’t feel right to you, let us know.

“In London tonight, we will have a number of policing resources on duty to look out for you and keep you safe. We will be working closely with BTP and City of London Police to provide a heightened policing presence in key areas, such as high streets but also at transport hubs.

“If you have any concerns or if you see or hear anything suspicious, I would urge you to reach out to us and let us know. Anyone with information is asked to contact police by calling 0800 789 321 or by visiting www.gov.uk/ACT.”

The Northbank – Open and Welcome

Posted on | by northbank

Ambassador Interview

Our wonderful Ambassadors are back on the streets of the Northbank, welcoming visitors to the area whilst adhering to social distancing measures. We caught up with Ambassador Team Leader Mariana to find out about the best places in the Northbank, as well as the changes that have been implemented for our visitors’ safety.

1. Since you’ve returned to the area, what changes have you seen as a result of Covid-19?   

The Northbank team has implemented Covid-19 measures across the entire Strand, Aldwych and Trafalgar Square area, including  the installation of hand sanitizer stations and social distancing signage. We have been ensuring that people returning to the area for work or leisure are following the government guidelines, while also supporting businesses as they reopen.  

We’ve seen businesses supporting one another more than ever before. From helping each other with advice to just sharing their thoughts and experiences, we’ve seen a real unity in the area.  

The Westminster Trade Parking Permits are another useful initiative, helping businesses to trade and welcome their customers back. It’s also been great to see beautifully decorated tables and chairs along the street and people enjoying their meals in the sun, making the area feel positive and lively.      

During the quieter period, our planters on Villiers Street, Agar Street and Wellington Street grew, which has improved our healthy living areas and put a smile on the faces of our regular visitors!  

2. What can visitors get up to in the local area?

The Northbank offers a wide range of activities and sights to see. Starting from Trafalgar Square all the way down to Temple Church, you’ll find a lot of history and hidden gems.

We recently saw the opening of a new playground in Victoria Embankment Gardens, where kids can have fun and parents can enjoy a coffee. Somerset House hosts events, exhibitions and even music festivals – at the moment you can visit The Mushrooms exhibition: The Art, Design and Future of Fungi, curated by Francesca Gavin. The River Terrace has breath-taking views across the Thames and is the  perfect location for a reception party or a glass of champagne with a friend.  

The area usually hosts huge summer events. The West End LIVE show takes place in Trafalgar Sqaure and sees the cast of London’s hottest shows performing in front of thousands of spectators, showcasing the best of the London stage.  We also host the Pride Parade in June, which is the UK’s biggest and most diverse parade celebrating gender diversity and self acceptance. Due to the pandemic, both of these events went online this year – but they’ll be back in Summer 2021, bigger and better than ever before. 

3. Do you have any favourite spots to grab a bite?  

We have plenty of different places with a good selection of food! I would definitely recommend 50 Kalo pizzeria, which serves authentic Naples pizza and is included in Italy’s Michelin Guide.  

Frankie & Benny’s restaurant would be another recommendation for families, with a kids menu and gluten free options, an outside eating space and a spacious dining area inside.   

Head to Honest Burger for their British burger and famous rosemary chips. They also have an outdoor dining space on Southampton Street.

I would definitely recommend Gordon’s Wine Bar: they offer a selection of award-winning wines and great food, including sharing boards, snacks and home-made food which includes 15 different types of cheese! You can enjoy an alfresco experience in their outdoor seating area – the terrace is by Victoria Embankment Gardens, away from the busy street. 

  4. Do you have any advice for people wishing to visit the area?

My only advice would be don’t hesitate to come and visit Northbank! We have plenty of things to do, from a nice river walk on Victoria Embankment where you can visit the Obelix, to reading your book in the gardens, with a river view and green space. You can visit Trafalgar Square, which is coming back to life: more people are coming to see our talented buskers on the North Terrace.

Covent Garden is just around the corner, which is getting busier every day. You can also enjoy some shopping, with massive discounts at Next and Topshop stores. Our range of bars and restaurants have a good offer on food and drinks, welcoming you with a big smile and impressing you with exceptional customer service. Outdoor space and the weather will set the vibe. 

We look forward to welcoming you back to the Northbank!

Emergency Services Support

Posted on | by northbank

We would like to say thank you to Coutts , Proud Embankment,  The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) who have opened their doors within The Northbank area to support all first responders including the Metropolitan police, the Ambulance service and the London Fire Brigade.

Phone charging, beverage dispensary, seating, wifi and bathroom access will be available at set times. 

  • Coutts – Monday – Friday, 07:00 – 19:00 
  • IET- Monday – Friday, 10:15  – 15:45 
  • Proud Embankment – Monday – Friday, 08:00 – 17:00

Working from home

Home Working: Preparing your organisation and staff

Posted on | by northbank

With the outbreak of COVID-19, The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) have put together a cyber security guide to ensure your staff can manage some of the upcoming cyber security challenges. 

The guide highlights how to prepare to work from home and how to spot the signs of phishing emails. 

To find out more click here

More Information

Little Book of Cyber Scams

Little Book of Phone Scams

Little Leaflet of Cyber Advice

Little Book of Big Scams

Update your malware

Westminster City Council: Cultural Strategy Consultation 2020-24

Posted on | by northbank

The council has embarked on a new Cultural Strategy for the next five years to ensure their communities can benefit from Westminster’s world-class cultural and creative activities. With over 2,000 cultural institutions across the borough, the council believes that every single resident should be able to access the valuable local cultural offer.

The Cultural Strategy will form part of the council-wide City for All vision, which sets out the ambition for Westminster to be a ‘city that celebrates its communities’. WCC recognise that when residents take part in cultural activity it transforms:

  • their sense of health and wellbeing, and reduces social isolation
  • their satisfaction with and connectivity to people and place
  • their access to local opportunities, volunteering, skills and employment

Consultation on emerging priorities 

The council is now seeking feedback from all our stakeholders and residents on its emerging priorities for culture, which includes:

  • increased access to culture for all, with a specific focus on reaching residents that encounter physical, social and economic barriers
  • support for health and wellbeing programmes through collaboration with more local cultural partners and deepening relationships with council services (e.g. Families, Public Health, Adult Social Care) and local NHS link workers
  • delivering skills for the future by increasing cultural capital and skills opportunities for young people and improving access to lifelong learning for all
  • ensuring creative placemaking to maintain cultural infrastructure, creative workspaces and resident programmes as integral to planning and regeneration schemes

Read the full draft Cultural Strategy for Westminster Council 2020-24 on WCC’s website.

Let us know your thoughts and suggestions regarding our priorities and how you might partner with WCC by completing an online survey.

All are welcome to attend a Cultural Strategy market stall prior to the council’s next Open Forum event hosted from 3pm on 17 March (location to be confirmed). You will have the opportunity to find out more about their plans for culture in Westminster from council staff.

Next steps

Once WCC has consulted with their residents and stakeholders, the council will use the findings to inform the final strategy and action plan that will show how they intend to deliver their objectives over the next five years. They plan to publish the complete Cultural Strategy 2020-24 in spring 2020.

Have your say on busking: Westminster’s ‘Busking & Street Entertainment Consultation’

Posted on | by northbank

Every day the streets across Westminster are brought to life with performances from musicians, magicians, comedians, artists and dancers, who come from all over the world to perform here. 

At the same time, Westminster receives around 1,800 complaints each year about excessive noise or overcrowding caused by busking. Westminster City Council is proposing a new policy that they hope will allow street entertainment to thrive whilst protecting residents and businesses. This will include a licensing scheme in busking hotspots where they receive the most complaints

To read more about the new busking and street entertainment policy, please head to Westminster’s page dedicated new the draft policy here.

Westminster City Council Street Entertainment update December 2020

WCC Policy: This draft policy is based upon the careful consideration of evidence and engagement with buskers and street entertainers, businesses and residents, however we will also monitor the policy throughout its first year of implementation and conduct a full review after 12 months so that it can be adapted based on results and feedback if required.

  • Street Entertainment has an additional chance for feedback by 31st January ahead of coming into effect in Spring 2020
  • A new pitch at Northumberland Ave near Embankment Place has been included
  • Villiers Street has been removed from the consultation.

Find full Draft Policy/Busking Appendix here

To view stakeholder email from Westmisnter City Council click here

Hidden Network

A hand up, rather than a hand out, to help end rough sleeping in Westminster

Posted on | by northbank

Rough sleeping is undoubtedly one of the worst scourges of our modern society. How can we, as one of the wealthiest countries on the planet, still have people living on the streets? How can we deliver true ‘good growth’ if we cannot support the most vulnerable in society and ensure that vibrancy and prosperity works for all?

Of course, rough sleeping is a deeply complicated and challenging issue, but the answer is not to see it as someone else’s problem. There is no silver bullet and the long term solution will require multiple parties working together to tackle the problem on several fronts. 

The Hidden Network is a new campaign, pioneered by Westminster Council and supported by the six key homeless charities, and now local businesses too. This week the South Westminster Business Improvement Districts (Northbank, Victoria and Victoria Westminster) proudly hosted an event informing businesses about how they can get behind the campaign. At its heart the Hidden Network offers a safer and more positive way for people to donate money to support homeless services.

Instead of giving money to rough sleepers on the streets, people are being encouraged to donate via contactless machines located in offices, theatres, hotels, railway stations and retailers across Westminster. Often giving money directly to people sleeping rough, while well intended, only serves to entrench vulnerable people in the difficult circumstances they find themselves in. The evidence on this is stark.

The Hidden Network campaign clearly demonstrates the role we all have to play in helping to solve this thorny challenge for London. 

Ruth Duston, OBE, OC

Chief Executive

South Westminster Business Improvement Districts

Climate Change Protest – Information for businesses

Posted on | by Ben Cotterill

Current overview (Subject to change or variation): 

  • The Met have been working hard ahead of planned protests by organisations campaigning against climate change, including Extinction Rebellion. 
  • The operation is led by an experienced command team with an appropriate number of officers to police the demonstration. 
  • The Met have the capability to deploy quickly officers trained in public order and specialist officers will be deployed. 
  • Whilst policing protest in central London, the police have a duty to balance the rights of the protestors with the rights of others to go about their lawful business. 
  • The Met have learnt from the last protest held by this group – we will have sufficient number of officers on duty to make arrests and remove any obstructions as necessary. 

MPS advice to stakeholders, organisations, and businesses in Central London 

Your people 

  • In the days leading up to the event, ensure all employees are fully briefed 
  • Your premises should have a strong, visible management presence who should identify themselves to the police in the event of any trespassing or damage 
  • Security officers, where possible, should be highly visible 
  • All staff should remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to security and/or the police 
  • Ensure all members of staff are fully aware of any emergency and evacuation procedures

 Your premises 

  • Minimise the number of entry points to your premises 
  • Ensure the outside areas are clear of debris, dustbins, ladders, tools, or equipment 
  • Check that your emergency equipment, grab bags, first aid supplies, and walkie0talkies are in place, easy to get to, and working properly. It is advisable to test them beforehand 
  • Check and test building security and emergency systems 
  • Ensure CCTV coverage is fully operational and can provide the highest recording resolution possible 
  • If your building has scaffolding erected or is in close proximity to scaffolding, let your security staff know. 
  • Report any suspicious activity to police by dialling 999 in an emergency or call 101 if not an emergency. 

You can read more advice here.