Friday 23 April 2021

Councillors help clampdown on anti-social behaviour - corner of Gleneagle Road/Ambleside Avenue

Residents asked local councillors to intervene after a hit and run incident took place on 16th October 2020. Watchful local residents had been reporting a series of near-miss incidents involving pedestrians crossing at this busy corner, which often has private hire car vehicles illegally parked on the double red lines.

We continued to report incidents of illegal parking to TfL (who are responsible for enforcing red routes across London's main road network); Lambeth Public Protection and Enforcement Teams and the local police. We were assured that Penalty Chare Notices (PCNs) were being issued to drivers who continued to ignore the double red lines.

We requested a permanent CCTV camera on the corner which could automatically issue fines hoping that drivers would soon get put off flouting the rules. However, we were told that such a camera at this location would cost £250,000 and that due to the impact Covid had on TfL's budget, that was unaffordable at this time.

We then raised a member enquiry of the Lambeth Public Protection Team to ask what they could do, not only to tackle the issues of illegal parking, but for all of the other anti-social behaviour that local residents had been subjected to for years. We asked for a permanent solution to these ongoing issues.




Here is the reply we received from the Service Improvement Team at Lambeth council:

Illegal parking  

Following your enquiry our Parking Team visited the area and have confirmed they are currently deploying officers to the location daily as requested including the night shift.

They have provided a record of PCNs issued in the area since February 2021(22 PCNs in February and 7 in March.) 

The Signs and lines at the location have been checked they were found to be at an acceptable standard and are enforceable.

It has been advised CCTV enforcement will not be necessary at the junction of Gleneagle Road and Ambleside Road as there are red route lines at the entrance joining to the double yellow lines (DYL) which are enforceable.

Anti-social behaviour/Non-compliance with Covid-Guidelines

The Public Protection Team (PPT) are continuing to tackle the issue by carrying out the following measures

PPT will schedule more visits with covid wardens to ensure covid compliance amongst local businesses.

PPT are currently coordinating regular partnership operations with public protection officers and the police, the first operation is expected to be carried out in May.

PPT advise residents to call 999 immediately to report harassment.

PPT advise residents to call 999 to report large gatherings.

PPT advise residents to complete the Lambeth webform to report  Covid-19 breaches.

Urinating in public spaces

The Highway Enforcement Team have confirmed they will be adding the area to our Hotspot List where frequent visits will be conducted with the view of deterring the street urination as well as to take the relevant enforcement action if anyone is caught urinating on the public highway by issuing fixed penalty notices. 

Littering

Our Waste Management Team have confirmed Gleneagle Road and the surrounding area was placed on their Top Ten Fly Tipping Hotspot list earlier this year, the area has been continually monitored by both the Environment Managers from Veolia and our Environment Enforcement Officers(EEO). Anti-fly tipping signs have been installed as a deterrent. In a recent meeting, it has been noted, the situation in the area has improved. The Team will continue to monitor and take further action against perpetrators where necessary.

Other Measures

We run a playstreetsscheme which allows for a road to be closed for a day or shorter. This is a good opportunity to observe what the impacts of a closure are and demonstrate what the advantages could be of using our streets differently. We encourage interested local people to apply. A street closure and community event can be a good opportunity to discuss potential closures to motor traffic with other residents and see what their views and concerns are.


As your ward councillors, Nicole, Jonathan and I would like to thank the officers and residents for continuing to be vigilant in this area. Together, we can make Streatham safer, fairer, cleaner and greener.


Tuesday 13 April 2021

!!URGENT!! Covid-19: All Lambeth residents should now get tested

Everyone over the age of 11 who lives or works in Lambeth is being asked to take a PCR Covid-19 test after new cases of the variant first identified in South Africa were found in the borough.  

The additional testing being introduced will help quickly identify any further cases and help limit any potential spread. Eight additional testing sites have opened across Lambeth from Monday and people are encouraged to get a test as soon as possible, even if they have no symptoms. 

It is important people take a PCR test as these can identify specific variants. Rapid lateral flow device (LFD) tests are also widely available but can only determine positivity for Covid-19, not specific variants. 

Tests are available across the borough, with details of your nearest test centre on the lambeth.gov.uk/enhancedtesting or by calling 119. There are also walk in appointments in Lambeth and home tests available

You can book online on someone else’s behalf if they can’t do so themselves. People who are unable to book online, and don’t know someone who can book for them, can call 020 7926 5559  from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm for help. 

For people who do test positive, Lambeth has a comprehensive Covid-19 self-isolation support service for those who need it. That includes payments of up to £500 for residents on low incomes. To find out more call 0800 054 1215, 9am to 5pm, seven days a week or visit www.lambeth.gov.uk/self-isolate-help

If you do have Covid-19 symptoms get tested at one of several symptomatic local test sites. You must book an appointment at www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or call 119. 

Residents are also being asked to get vaccinated if invited by the NHS for a jab. All residents must continue following national Covid-19 restrictions, which are currently at Step 2 on the roadmap out of lockdown. 

All viruses mutate over time and new variants emerge regularly. Lambeth is one of several boroughs in which small numbers of the variant have been found since the start of this year. All previously identified cases are now self-isolating and robust contact tracing has taken place to trace their contacts and ask them to self-isolate.  

 

There is currently no evidence to suggest this variant is more serious than others, or that the regulated vaccines would not protect against it.  Anyone who tests positive must self-isolate immediately and pass on details of their contacts to NHS Test and Trace when contacted. Positive tests will then be examined in a laboratory to determine whether any of them are the variant first identified in South Africa.   

The Director of Public Health for Lambeth, Ruth Hutt, said: “It is vital that all Lambeth residents take an asymptomatic PCR test so that we can identify all cases in order to stop the spread of this variant of concern.   

“Alongside taking a PCR test we are asking everyone who lives and work in the borough to continue following the guidance in place to stop the spread of Covid-19. That includes limiting your contacts with other people, washing your hands regularly and thoroughly, keeping your distance and covering your face.

“If you test positive for Covid-19 via a PCR test or rapid lateral flow test it is crucial that you self-isolate so you don’t pass on the virus.” 

Anyone who is over-18 and has no symptoms of Covid-19 can also collect up to seven free rapid response lateral flow devices (LFDs) per household when they take their test. These tests do not help track the variant first identified in South Africa, but are still useful in monitoring the spread of the virus, and stopping further infections. 

Lambeth has previously run enhanced testing in two areas in the borough after single cases of the variant first identified in South Africa were discovered. These pieces of work have been completed, and are not related to the new call for everyone in Lambeth to be tested. 


How to get a test

If you do not have Covid-19 symptoms 

You can get tested at a local testing site that is convenient for you, and you do not need to book.
 
There are two ways to get tested. You can either: 

·         take the test at the site, with help from staff if you need it 

·         pick up home PCR tests for you and any people you live with and bring them back once complete. You don’t need to bring tests back to the same site you picked them up from.

 

Sites where you can get tested, pick up home tests and return completed home tests

Location

Address

Opening times

Brixton

Lambeth Town Hall, 1 Brixton Hill, SW2 1RW

8am to 4.30pm every day 

 

Brockwell Park

near Brockwell Park Café (use gate entrance on Brockwell Park Gardens), SE24 9BJ    

9am to 4.30pm every day 

 

Streatham

Tate Streatham Library, 63 Streatham High Road, SW16 1PN

8am to 4.30pm every day  

Waterloo

St John’s Church, 73 Waterloo Road, SE1 8TY

8am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday

 

Sites where you can get tested or return completed home tests. You cannot pick up home PCR tests

 

Location

Address

Opening times

Brockwell Park

mobile testing unit near Brockwell Park Café, SE24 9BJ

9am to 3pm every day

Clapham Common

Windmill Drive, near playground, SW4 9DE 

9am to 3pm every day 

West Norwood

Waylett Place car park, 4 Waylett Place, SE27 9AE

Open from 12 to 3pm on 13 April and then 9am to 3pm from 14 April onwards

 

If you have Covid-19 symptoms 

The main symptoms of Covid-19 are a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss of, or change to, your sense of smell or taste.  

If you have any of these symptoms, you need to stay at home and book a free NHS test. You can get a test delivered to you if you cannot get to a testing site. 

Monday 12 April 2021

Rates of covid-19 infections in Lambeth

The number of covid-19 cases have dropped significantly in Lambeth to a rate of just 16 per 100,000 people.

Borough

Latest rate per 100,000 of population

Lambeth

16 (down 43%)

Southwark

18 (down 21%)

Bromley

18 (down 21%)

Bexley

45 (down 28%)

Greenwich

26 (down 41%)

Lewisham

16 (down 36%)

Source: Evening Standard, 07-04-21 reporting on data from PHE London.

Further information on the rates of Covid-19 infection in Lambeth is available via the council’s data dashboard, here: https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/covid-19-stats.

Despite lower infection rates and the ease in restrictions, Government advice is to maintain social distancing, wear a mask, wash hands and ensure that inside spaces are well ventilated.


Public Health England have issued a new leaflet with information about the Astra Zeneca vaccine, here:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/976880/PHE_COVID-19_AZ_vaccination_guide.pdf

Step 2 of the 'road map out of lockdown'

 

Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed last week that all the tests had been met to permit the transition to Step 2 of the ‘road-map out of lockdown’, effective from today, Monday 12th April.

The graphic below outlines what is now legal & permissible:


Further information can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-coronavirus-restrictions-what-you-can-and-cannot-do