Stop Press – Tube Noise Affecting the Barbican Estate

At the Port Health & Environmental Services Committee on 3rd March we received a letter from Transport for London (TFL) regarding the noise our residents in Brandon Mews suffer due to the tube trains under their properties. We (Common Councillors, Corporation Officers and, most importantly, residents) have been campaigning vigorously for some time. Following a meeting in January between Corporation officers and TFL there is now a proposal (with a qualified ‘maybe’) that TFL Introduced a temporary speed restriction (TSR) of 18mph in both directions from 11pm to 6am under Brandon Mews. This significant reduction in the speed of the tube trains should reduce the noise and vibration which disturbs the residents so much. This would be a 3 month trial beginning in late summer this year. At some point there will also be some replacement of the ballast under the tracks. Although we are pleased to hear of any improvements we do not believe that this will remove the problem. Our view is that only a relocation of the crossing plates will provide a long term solution.

I urge you all to come to the TFL City of London Stakeholder Transport Forum on Thursday 19th March in Committee Room 2, 2nd Floor, West Wing, Guildhall at 6.15pm to 8pm where this issue will be raised. There will also be discussions about Crossrail and Barbican Station improvements.

Cheaper Electricity???

I am the Chairman of the Background Underfloor Heating Working Party (BUHWP) which is a working party of residents and City of London officers to look at ways of improving the operation of the underfloor heating which is in all flats in the Barbican. We report to the Barbican Residents Consultation Committee (BRCC) made up of Chairs of Barbican House Groups).

In addition the BRCC supported the proposal from the BUHWP that Barbican residents might get more value for money if they were able to negotiate a separate supply contract for electricity. There are many aspects of the Barbican that make it an attractive proposition to suppliers, including, but not limited to, its mainly off-peak energy demand and flexibility to draw its power whenever the supplier offered the best rate. The Barbican Estate Office has been asked to work with the BUHWP to investigate the feasibility and commercial implications of a separate supply contract for the estate when compared to a joint one with the City and to pursue negotiations should these investigations prove positive. This was agreed by the City’s Procurement Sub Committee. We now have a year to get this going as the existing contract has another 12 months to run. Resident members of our working party do some groundbreaking and exciting work, all designed to improve life for our residents. So watch this space!

Rough Sleepers

We all know that there are too many rough sleepers in the City of London and that we need more specialist accommodation so that they don’t spend nights on the streets.

On the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Committee and well supported by our officers we have been looking at ways to improve the services we offer. Following a detailed review we have now received approval for funding for an assessment hub and funding to lease a hostel for a 10 year period. We hope also to receive revenue funding to provide the support service. This is fantastic news and will reduce the number of those rough sleeping in the Square Mile and provide a service of which we can be proud.

Meanwhile ‘Doctors of the World’ mobile clinic has continued to offer health care to those who are homeless. We are trialling it in a variety of locations with the current funding covering one session a week for a 6 month trial. We are very hopeful that this much needed service will continue improving health and building the trust needed to encourage people to come off the streets.

Beech Street changes.

I hope that many of you will attend the consultation and public meetings at which officers will explain the details of the Beech street trial for a zero emission scheme. The advantage of a trial which depends primarily on monitoring by cameras is that it can be tweaked as it progresses. Many residents have complained (rightly so) over many years about the high level of pollution in Beech street and this is a brave attempt to mitigate the problem. Please let officers (or Councillors) know of any concerns you have.

More dates for your diary

Ward Mote – Wednesday 18th March Barber Surgeon Hall 1A Monkwell Square, London EC2Y 5BL

Ward Motes are Ward meetings that take place on an annual basis outside election years to allow constituents to meet their elected representatives. The meetings provide an opportunity for residents and workers to raise concerns and ask questions of their Alderman and Common Councillors. Members will also give updates on work they have been doing over the year and provide details of relevant news. I hope to meet you there on Wednesday 18th March (7pm for 7.30pm start).

City-Wide Residents’ Meeting – Wednesday 20th May at the Guildhall

The next City-wide residents’ meetings will be held on Wednesday 20th May at the Guildhall at two slots – 12.30 – 2.30pm and at 6.30pm – 8.30pm. Refreshments will be available in the first half hour of each meeting. This is your chance to ask questions to elected members, senior officers from the City Corporation and City of London Police. I look forward to seeing you there.

Mary Durcan
Common Councillor
Cripplegate Ward
City of London Corporation
(This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
March 2020