Will Bradley Wiggins' former Westminster council flat be commemorated?

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Communities, Local Government

The former council home of Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins could be commemorated with a plaque - once Westminster Council confirms the building lies in the borough.

Westminster’s Labour councillors have already started an on-line petition calling on the council to award Wiggins the Freedom of Westminster. But the local authority says it needs to confirm that Dibdin House in Maida Vale is actually on its patch before any commemorative moves can take place.

Wiggins, who on Sunday became the first British winner in the 99 year history of the Tour de France,  lived at Dibdin House from the age of two to 17 before moving to Manchester to be near the National Cycling Centre in Manchester.

Formerly under the ownership of the Church Commissioners, Dibdin House is currently owned by Grainger and managed by Genesis Homes.

As a teenager, Bradley Wiggins used Hyde Park as his unofficial training centre. “I used to practise in Hyde Park because it was only a mile from home and it was a closed road so my mum didn’t mind me hammering round it,” he said.

Wiggins already has six Olympic medals to go with his historic Tour de France trophy.

Westminster's Labour Group say that Wiggins, whose mother and grandmother still live in Maida Vale is already the borough's most famous and successful sportsman.

Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, Leader of the Labour Group, said: "Bradley Wiggins is the most fantastic sportsman and it all started in Maida Vale. Westminster Council should honour this most dedicated sportsman for his achievement as the first Briton to win the Tour de France, as well as his magnificent Olympic medals.

"Bradley Wiggins is a great role model for young people and the council should award this honour in Olympic Year 2012."