TfL explores ‘long-term’ solutions to curb Park Lane homeless encampment

By Ben Lynch, Local Democracy Reporter

Transport for London (TfL) has said it is exploring ‘long-term options’ to cut rough sleeping at Park Lane in Central London after complaints about a growing homeless encampment in the area.

The transport authority, which owns the green stretch of land running down the dual carriageway, has previously secured court orders to remove homeless people sleeping in the famous neighbourhood.

This happened as recently as last year, when TfL cleared a collection of around 40 people from the site in October, having been granted a possession order the month before.

The current encampment, which is located opposite the Hilton Hotel towards Hyde Park Corner, includes around 12 tents.

The encampment, which is getting progressively larger, has drawn a frustrated response from some business owners who claim the group makes a mess and pesters customers.

Aziz, who is sleeping rough on the same patch of land though in a separate collection of tents, said the other group began arriving around three months ago, and that a man and two women regularly bring more people to the site.

He added they have necessities including cooking equipment and that he sees them begging in the area towards Green Park.

Calls have been growing for TfL and partners, including Westminster council, to do more to tackle the establishment of the camps on Park Lane and other spots across the borough.

Councillors Paul Fisher and Tim Barnes, both Conservative representatives for the West End ward said in a statement: “As the local councillors for West End, we are calling for these illegal tents to be removed as a priority. But in addition, TfL and Westminster City Council need to provide a lasting solution to illegal camps, otherwise we will be back at square one. This is unacceptable at the centre of our capital.”

The Leader of Westminster’s Conservative group, Cllr Paul Swaddle, said he visited the site on Monday and found the situation had “continued to deteriorate.

He said: “I personally witnessed public urination and ASB at 11am. It is shocking that TfL and Westminster council failed to secure this site in the first action they took. For everyone’s sake I hope it won’t be another six months before they resolve this.”

A spokesperson for TfL said Park Lane is not a safe place for people to sleep rough and that its focus has always been on the safety and welfare of those involved.

“We have worked with partners over the last year to manage the health and safety risks associated with rough sleeping on the central reservation of Park Lane,” they continued.

“This has included enforcement action to regain possession of the site on two occasions, as a last resort. We are exploring other long-term options we can take to reduce rough sleeping at this location. We will continue to work with Westminster City Council and other partners to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved.”

In a comment to The Standard, TfL confirmed it is seeking a new possession order to dismantle the camp, with an appointment due with the Central London County Court today.

A Westminster council spokesperson said: “The council, our charity partners, TfL and London-wide rough sleeping teams all regularly visit the people sleeping rough on Park Lane. Our support services are comprehensive and there is no reason a person should have to sleep rough.”

A spokesperson for St Mungo’s, the homeless charity, said a compassionate response to the rough sleeping crisis across London is needed where people are supported in accessing emergency accommodation, housing in the private rented sector and specialist accommodation.

They said: “More than that, we need a preventative response to stop people from ending up homeless in the first place. St Mungo’s welcomes the Mayor of London’s recent announcement to remove the need to be seen bedded down to access support by 2028, and his investment in Ending Homelessness Hubs.

“Now, we would like to see the Government show the same commitment.”

Pictured top: Homeless camp in Park Lane (Picture: Facundo Arrizabalaga/MyLondon)