TfL says focus is on ‘welfare and safety’ of homeless before court order sees encampment cleared
By Ben Lynch, Local Democracy Reporter
A homeless encampment beneath a busy Central London dual carriageway is to be cleared following a court order.
Transport for London (TfL) and Westminster council have been granted a possession order to remove those living in tents under the A40 Westway and on the Harrow Road roundabout near Paddington railway station.
The transport authority, which jointly owns the land with the council, said the encampment was located in “a busy part of the road network”, adding “our focus is on the safety and welfare of everyone involved”.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) visited the Westway site in June last year and found many of the rough sleepers based there appeared to be asylum seekers.
Residents living near the carriageway later claimed men from the encampment took drugs in plain sight, begged for cash and started fires to cook food.
At the time a Westminster council spokesman said the local authority was “working with TfL to take possession of this site”.
Efforts to clear the encampment took a step forward on Wednesday when the court granted Westminster and TfL a possession order.
Conservative councillor Melvyn Caplan described the length of time it took to apply for the possession order as “scandalous”, adding “there is no excuse as to why it has taken so long”.
He said: “Many residents that live in my ward adjacent to these tents have been suffering from the huge piles of rubbish and detritus that has been there throughout this time.”
A spokesman for TfL said it would be working closely with partner agencies and the council as it continues to monitor the situation.
He said: “No one should be faced with sleeping rough on London’s streets. We will continue to work with outreach partners who can help individuals access the available and appropriate support.”
A Westminster council spokeswoman said the council remains “very concerned” about the welfare of those sleeping under the Westway.
She said: “In the meantime, we will continue to support people sleeping rough at this location to help get them off the street and into safe accommodation.
“The reasons people are living on the street are complex, and those experiencing rough sleeping can present with a range of needs. Westminster council invests £7million in rough sleeper services every year, more than any other council, and our extensive outreach programme means no person should need to sleep on the street.”
Pictured top: A picture of a makeshift homeless encampment at a roundabout near Paddington station on June 10, 2024 (Picture: Facundo Arrizabalaga)