Linking with local traders

In order to encourage more cooperation between local residents and businesses, the BRA Deputy Chairman and Treasurer, Carl Muller, has forged closer links with both the Motcomb and Elizabeth Street traders' associations. Carl will regularly attend the associations' meetings as the representative of the BRA.

One immediate example of the benefits of this cooperation has been the productive dialogue with Skanska and Grosvenor over the disruption caused by the extensive streetscape and public realm works being undertaken in Elizabeth Street. Residents were complaining of cyclists riding on the pavements and a strong police presence has seen many on-the-spot fines given out to commuting cyclists at this junction. In addition the original scheme which diverted traffic onto Eaton Terrace was changed just as works began, thanks to local resident pressure in link with the BRA.

Sloane Square

Oriel cafe has now closed. Cadogan cited the reasons for the closure as the lease expiring and the cafe being in dire need of updating and refurbishment. Many local people felt this café offered good value for money and was a convenient local meeting place. We hope

the space is usefully occupied again soon and that the Square does not get another Flagship store such as Hugo Boss which is seldom used and does little to replace the WH Smith that locals frequently used prior to its sad closure.

Organisational updates

In order to be more proactive as a residents association, the BRA has set up five subcommittees:

• Planning, chaired by Randa Hanna (planning@belgraviaresidents.org.uk)
• Transport, chaired by Anthony Lake (transport@belgraviaresidents.org.uk)
• Environment, chaired by Denis Jackson (environment@belgraviaresidents.org.uk)
• Membership, chaired by Caroline Haubold (membership@belgraviaresidents.org.uk)
• Communications, chaired by Lucia Halpern (communication@belgraviaresidents.org.uk)

Awards for local businesses

Once again we invite residents to nominate up to four shops and two restaurants in the Belgravia area to receive awards for excellence. The only criteria for nomination is that the businesses must be situated in Belgravia or on our immediate borders. These awards are issued annually. Members of the BRA can make nominations through the Belgravia magazine and via the BRA website. We ask you to send your nominations to us either by the cut-out coupon which is printed alongside or by emailing us directly (awards@belgraviaresidents.org.uk). The results will be published locally and we will invite the winning establishments to our annual garden party in Eaton Square in June to receive a certificate. Many of our local businesses are family-run and have been established for several years so it is gratifying to us to reward them acordingly with this small accolade.

Membership

We always welcome new volunteers and if you would like to join us or give a little of your time for the good of the area, please contact me on 07973 700525 or e-mail any of our sub- committee chairs. If you have NOT already joined us as a member, please complete the application attached. The larger our membership, the more influence we are able to exert on your behalf.

We wish you a happy and peaceful Easter

ELIZABETH STREET - PUBLIC REALM WORKS - NEWSLETTER - WEEK 3 MAY

(from Grosvenor)

We are pleased to attach our ninth weekly update on the progress of the Public Realm works on Elizabeth Street. These newsletters are intended to give you better clarity on progress and the works that are due to take place over the following two weeks. Following feedback, we have sought to make the update less technical, and to replace some of the "contractor’s language' with more easily understood terminology. We have also sought to order works carried out in the stages they arrive in the build process, from: breaking-out and removal; laying of granite kerbs; laying of foundations (concrete or crushed stone "sub-base"); treatment with tarmac, yorkstone or granite setts; to remedial work on non-satisfactory items ("snagging").

You will see below we have included a section highlighting challenges faced on site by the team and any "themes" in terms of communication that they have received. If you wish to make any comments please feel free to contact Skanska on the number below.

Elizabeth Street - Phase 1 and 2, including handover

Currently we have two Phases on Elizabeth Street running concurrently. We would wish to stress that the extent of the works to Phase 1 in this handover period will be short-lived, and we are looking to reduce the scope of the works to solely within Phase 2 as soon as possible. Following this, any works still being carried out in the Phase 1 element of the project will be finishing off pavement and forecourt works and "snagging" (being remedial work).

• The carriageway to Phase 1 works was opened up to Vehicular traffic on Monday 26th April 2010 - pavement works continue. The revised traffic diversion routes have now been agreed by Westminster City Council (WCC). The revised traffic diversions are available on the Grosvenor website.
• Signs advising cyclists to dismount at either end of the works are installed and being monitored by Skanska.
• Parking bays to both sides of Elizabeth Street for Phase 2 works have now been suspended and the parking bays to Phase 3 works (where Skanska materials were stored) are now back in operation

Please note that the breaking out works to remove the existing highway and concrete base is the most disruptive element of the work, creating some noise and dust. Skanska anticipate that this work should be completed along Elizabeth Street within the next two weeks.

• Skanska are continuing to attempt to minimise disruption and the spread of dust through the use of water to dampen down areas prior to excavation and when removing piles of material, as well as the use of cutting sheds where possible.
• The level of dust is being monitored by Skanska in conjunction with the attempts outlined above to keep it at an acceptable level.
• As previously advised, Skanska subscribe to the Considerate Contractor Scheme. This is a national recognised body for improving the image of construction. Skanska scored 34 out of 40 for Elizabeth Street which is a commendable score in an exposed site of this nature and demonstrates their efforts to minimise disruption.

Works carried out during the last week

• "Breaking-out" of existing mastic asphalt at the Natwest forecourt
• Completing yorkstone paving installation on footways
• Installing Phase 2 traffic diversion signs
• Snagging works

• Continued excavation works to the south side of the carriageway to Phase 2 works, between 67-79 Elizabeth Street
• Concreting granite kerb raises to the same area. Installation of the kerbs is an important milestone as these act as setting the level for the rest of the Public Realm works.
• Carrying out further trial holes for lamp columns and gullies. This has involved carrying out inspections to vaults.
• Installing road gullies and drainage works.
• Installing crushed stone sub-base.

Works to be carried out in the next two weeks

• Handover Phase One by week commencing 17 May 2010. Complete footway construction and paving works.
• Commencing waterproofing and tiling to the Natwest unit's forecourt.
• Further forecourt works to be carried out.
• EDF works: connections and disconnections to lamp columns.
• Tree grille construction.

• Continue on the North Side of Phase 2 works: Excavation and installation of crushed stone sub-base.
• Continue with trial holes.
• Install ducting.
• Continue to install kerbs to Phase 2 works.
• Drainage works; including repair of the damaged sewer drain at 79 Elizabeth Street.
• Block up and backfill the vault at 79 Elizabeth Street

• A solution for the lamp columns design continues to be sought, as detailed in the previous newsletter. Further detailed design and survey works are taking place on ground conditions around vaults and basements to see if existing foundations can be re-used.
• There have been a number of challenges during Phase 1, especially services not in the correct locations and levels as noted in the statutory drawings. This has caused a number of areas to be redesigned, with utilities still causing us problems requiring lowering of services.

Skanska are monitoring, recording and investigating all communication with local businesses and residents.

• Rubbish collection was raised as an issue which Skanska dealt with. The new pick up point for tenants located within Phase 2 is on the corner of Gerald Road and Elizabeth Street between 8-10am and 6.30-8.30pm daily.

You should by now have met with Sandra Nicholls of Skanska who is the Public Liaison Officer for this site. If you have any questions regarding these works, please contact the Skanska Utilities Customer Care Centre on 0800 066 5006 between 8am and 5pm. We also have an out-of-hours service which operates between 5pm and 8am every day, including weekends and bank holidays, where you can either press '1' and leave a message which will be responded to on the next working day, or hold on the line to be transferred to an operator who will pass your message directly to the project manager. Skanska aim to respond to all non-urgent queries within one business day.

For more general information regarding the Public Realm Improvements please visit www.grosvenorpublicrealm.co.uk

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