Dowgate Ward update

​Noisy neighbours. The summer sunshine brings crowds of people outside to enjoy the atmosphere and relax after a busy day. Evening and night time noise can cause a disturbance to others and especially to residents and businesses working late.  The City has a Noise Strategy and a keen ear to pick up complaints.  The Public Protection Team can be contacted 24/7 on 020 7606 3030.  This number should be used for noise happening at the time and officers will usually respond swiftly. If the noise is happening and a visit is needed then the officers aim to visit the site within 75 minutes. This is a 24 hour service and so someone will attend at all times. Many complaints about party noise or noisy premises are usually dealt with informally on the spot and resolved immediately. Some complaints might be on-going and so it is important for anyone affected to keep a log or photos and so create an evidential record that can be acted upon. I should warn that formal action about noise can only be taken if a competent officer of the City is present and hears the noise. However informal action can be taken on third party complaints.
Over the last few weeks there have been complaints in Dowgate Ward of which I am aware, about parties on roof terraces as well as late bars.  Most business premises will have licensing restrictions or even planning obligations about the timing of entertainment (music,  lights and noise). This can all be checked and a visit or meeting and reminder have worked the trick to sort these issues out in the last few weeks.

Illuminated River  The River walkway in Dowgate has been crowded with construction work over the last few months in connection with the Illuminated River scheme to light London’s bridges. The scheme conceived by the Illuminated River Foundation and designed by artist Leo Villareal and the architectural practice Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands was unveiled in the City of London on the evening of 17 July.  The whole scheme will light all 15 of London’s bridges with an imaginative and beautiful pallet of colours and patterns. Viewed from the River it is tremendous but the River walk will be enhanced by these views and this will draw many to the City to see these bridges in a new (colourful) light. Already a busy night-time City this public art commission will change our view of the River and the dynamism of London. See the website for more information and go visit. https://illuminatedriver.london/legacy