John Gregson in Formosa Street: ‘I’m trying to create a space for the community to meet, rather than just a rat-run for vehicles’ [Ben Lynch, LDRS]

A RESIDENT is petitioning the council to ban cars from a street in Little Venice to turn it into a nice place to sit and enjoy a coffee without vehicles using the road as a rat-run.

John Gregson, 71, believes that preventing cars from accessing Formosa Street, a short walk from Warwick Avenue, would not only provide an area for people to gather but also increase footfall for businesses.

The retired management consultant, who has lived in the area for 20 years, said more than 100 people had signed his petition for an alternative vision.

Asked who typically visits the area, Mr Gregson said: “There are two categories of people I would say use these facilities, in particular the restaurants and the pub. One of them is locals, and others are tourists.

“Because Paddington Basin is just up the road, you do get tourists that come down here.

“I was in the pub a week or so ago and a couple of Canadians – they were just sort of wandering around – came across a nice pub and had a pint.”

Rachel Lambert: ‘100 per cent behind the proposal

He added: “What I’m trying to do is to create a space for the community to meet and just hang around in, to make it more of an asset to the community as a whole rather than just a bit of a rat-run for vehicles.”

In his petition Mr Gregson said 85 per cent of businesses are in favour of the proposal.

Two businesses the LDRS visited, Real Drinks wine and beer store and The Red Pepper restaurant, said they would back the scheme. Rachel Lambert, manager at Real Drinks, said she is “100 per cent” behind the proposal.

Describing the road as “a cut-through that doesn’t need to be there,” she said: “With the other bits that are going on and the green bit in Warwick Avenue, it would be perfect to do this at the same time.”

Sara Hassan, a Labour councillor in Little Venice, said: “Formosa Street is a hidden gem in Little Venice.

“When one of my residents approached me about the petition, I thought it was a brilliant idea. While it already has buckets of charm, I’m keen to see how we can protect and enhance it as an area of unique character and heritage.

“The lines of cars and badly parked delivery vehicles really don’t do it justice. However I’m also keen to hear what residents think.”

Mr Gregson’s petition is due to run until September 25.

You can see the petition on Westminster City Council’s website.