Harrow’s new Station Road paving fails within months – costly design and engineering oversights under fire

The decorative block-paved surface installed on a section of Station Road in Harrow Town Centre was visually appealing when first completed, though concerns were raised at the time about its long-term durability. Just months later, those concerns appear justified: the latest photographs show damaged bricks, widening gaps, and clear signs of subsidence across the recentlyContinue reading “Harrow’s new Station Road paving fails within months – costly design and engineering oversights under fire”

Harrow police station closure – local concern or political theatre?

On the face of it, Harrow Council administration’s decision to launch legal proceedings against the Mayor of London over the planned closure of the borough’s last remaining police front desk seems like a bold defence of local interests. Council leader Paul Osborn has called the move “short-sighted” and “unacceptable,” arguing that closing the Pinner andContinue reading “Harrow police station closure – local concern or political theatre?”

Harrow renters win major protections as the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 becomes law

Harrow West MP Gareth Thomas has today declared: “A promise made, a promise delivered” after the landmark Renters’ Rights Act received Royal Assent. The reforms mark a significant shift for renters across Harrow, a borough where around 88,000 households rent privately and where high London rents, bidding wars, and insecure tenancies have long created pressureContinue reading “Harrow renters win major protections as the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 becomes law”

Restoring real respect: local action revives Roxeth Hill war graves

As others turn Remembrance into a stage for nationalistic gestures, Harrow on the Hill Labour councillors have quietly worked with local residents and Christ Church Roxeth to restore a forgotten corner of Harrow’s history. Just in time for Remembrance Sunday, the Roxeth Hill war graves now stand clear and dignified once more – a lastingContinue reading “Restoring real respect: local action revives Roxeth Hill war graves”

Another blow for Harrow: Ombudsman exposes failures in children’s services

Harrow Council’s crisis-hit children’s services have been dealt another blow after the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) found serious fault in the way it handled a family’s complaint about respite care. The ruling, published in July 2025, comes amid continuing fallout from Ofsted’s “inadequate” judgement and a government improvement notice that has placedContinue reading “Another blow for Harrow: Ombudsman exposes failures in children’s services”

Pamela Fitzpatrick slams Labour MP for promoting private health firm

Pamela Fitzpatrick, director of Jeremy Corbyn’s Peace and Justice Project and founder of Harrow’s new grassroots political party Arise, has sharply criticised local MP Gareth Thomas after his public visit to Cygnet Hospital in Harrow this week. Thomas, Labour MP for Harrow West, praised the hospital for “working closely with the NHS and community partnersContinue reading “Pamela Fitzpatrick slams Labour MP for promoting private health firm”

Harrow impact as Planning and Infrastructure Bill 2025 nears finalisation

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill 2025, now at Report Stage in the House of Lords, raises continuing concerns about centralisation, weakened environmental safeguards, and reduced local accountability. These issues are particularly relevant to Harrow, where local planning capacity, green infrastructure, and community participation are central to shaping sustainable development.As the Bill is expected to completeContinue reading “Harrow impact as Planning and Infrastructure Bill 2025 nears finalisation”

From budgets to better streets: the positive impact of joined-up thinking in Harrow

At a time when local authorities across the country are grappling with limited resources, mounting infrastructure backlogs, and increasing demands for transparency and efficiency, the alignment between a cabinet member’s expertise and their area of responsibility has never been more crucial. In Harrow, Councillor David Ashton provides one of the clearest examples of how such alignmentContinue reading “From budgets to better streets: the positive impact of joined-up thinking in Harrow”

Ofsted tightens focus on SEND: providers warned to raise inclusion standards

Ofsted has signalled a tougher stance on inclusion and SEND provision under its renewed inspection framework, warning that schools and education providers will now face closer scrutiny of how they meet the needs of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). In a detailed response to Harrow Monitoring Group’s publication, Rebuilding on Weak FoundationsContinue reading “Ofsted tightens focus on SEND: providers warned to raise inclusion standards”

Harrow children’s services still in recovery

Harrow’s latest HMI monitoring visit paints a picture of a service on the mend – but not yet out of intensive care. Inspectors found that the Leaving Care Service has made “significant progress” since January, with leaders showing honesty, determination, and a renewed focus on caring for their young people. Yet beneath the optimism liesContinue reading “Harrow children’s services still in recovery”