Actor Robert Powell sends ‘570 photos to council’ over hire bike hell outside his front door
Couple say council ignored them when they asked for bay to be removed
Thursday, 10th July — By Caitlin Maskell
The pile-up of hire bikes near the couple’s home in Highgate
ACTING couple Robert Powell and Babs Lord have told how they have been swamped by hire bikes in a parking bay installed outside their Highgate home.
Describing a four-year battle to try and get Camden Council to intervene, they said they had sent hundreds of photographs of the piled-up bikes on their doorstep and their doctor even sent a letter in explaining the stress it was all causing.
“You’ve got two octogenarians here who are in danger of being killed,” said Mr Powell, forever loved for his legendary performance in the movie Jesus of Nazareth.
“I have sent 570 photographs to Camden and probably a couple of hundred emails about the bike bay. We had 100 bikes outside the front door once, the photos go on and on.
“The entire pavement has been blocked by bikes. Camden say they prioritise safety and safer travel, so do they know that allowing bikes on pavements is not safe for anyone? Last year we called the police about the bikes, they just laughed.”
Mr Powell and Ms Lord
Mr Powell, 81, whose television credits include The Detectives and Holby City, showed the New Journal this week the struggle of moving the heavy green and white Lime bikes.
The spot is particularly popular because of its proximity to Hampstead Heath. “We move 10 or 12 bikes a day,” he said.
“It shouldn’t even come into my life. Why on earth did Camden go ahead with this bay? It’s always been busy and we know that if you live somewhere really beautiful then you have got to share it, and that’s completely right.
“But councils refuse to admit they make mistakes. This bay here is a complete mistake.”
Camden is working to relocate the bay having painted out a new hire bike bay up the lane.
There is no date on when it will be introduced. Mr Powell said he had suggested this alternate spot to the council four years ago when the current bay first appeared.
“I feel insulted – for four years I’ve let them know about how it’s affecting mine and my wife’s life and I’ve been ignored.
“We’re not alone in this. People ask us how we put up with it and we say we just do. Ms Lord said: “I’m terrified of them exploding, they are often leaned against our house and all it takes is a spark. It’s a literal nightmare that continues.
“Our GP even wrote a letter to the council explaining how stressful it has been. I’m terrified one of us is going to have a heart attack out there moving the bikes.”
Hire bikes mount up on the pavement near Hampstead Heath
Mr Powell added: “I’ve even had moments myself feeling wobbly moving the bikes out of the path. They are awfully heavy.”
A Forest spokesperson said: “We are aware that a small number of parking bays can become incredibly busy particularly during periods of good weather and regularly be well over capacity.
“Our Operations team visit the bay several times every day to tidy and clear excess bikes.
“This bay has been marked for an upcoming relocation to help resolve the issues.”
Lime Bikes were unable to offer a comment but indicated that they agreed that this parking bay could be better placed and would recommend that it be moved.
A Camden Council spokesperson said: “We’ve been in touch with Mr Powell and Mrs Lord and assured them that we’re using our powers to relocate this bay.
“As part of our new approach, our team have been busy enforcing the removal of obstructive bikes – without notice – as part of their regular inspections.”
