Thursday 30 April 2009

CHAG?!

After much debate and a lot of canvassing we have for the first time ever a Residents Action Group for Chadwell. Your first ever Chairman is Michael Pit who you will have read about in last weeks Ilford Recorder...he is one of the allotment holders that complained about recent allotment arson attacks. This is the first step in a concerted effort to make "A Cleaner and Safer Chadwell" the new motto and primary aim of the Group.
From the left of the picture:
  • Michael Pitt (Chairman)
  • Jay Kotharu
  • Michael McCarthy
  • Isla Martin (Chairman Shepherds Close NHW)
  • Pastor James Peters (Chairman Essex Road NHW)
  • Paul Sampson (proposed Chairman Millhaven/Capstan Crucible NHW)
  • Sundip Patel

New Member of your Green Activist Team

I am soon to reveal that a hard working lead figure in the local community is to join up with the Chadwell Activist Team! This will complete the trinity of people who will continue to fight your causes with the diligence thus shown.

We will also have a very young, intelligent, experienced (even though small in age) forward thinking team with fresh ideas and the determination you need to see campaigns come to fruition.

Keep watching this space.........

Lean on me!

The pole in the picture could rival the Leaning Tower of Pisa for sheer audacity and its defiance of the laws of gravity. However, as amusing and artistic as it may seen I would personally prefer for the Council to repair the pole and have hence reported it to streetscene. Can any of you guess where Juliet found this bizarre sight?

ANSWER: OUTSIDE 59 CHADWELL HEATH LANE

Send me a tree surgeon - I have been felled!

This tree has been cut down at the back of the houses at the end of Brian Road. At the same location a recent planning application for the development of flats at this location was refused. Residents are now concerned that the existing garages have been demolished and the semblance of a foundation is forming. The large tree that has been felled and is believed to have been protected. I have informed the Borough Tree Department and will update you.





Garages for residents in the area have been made inaccessible due to recent works in the alleyway - I have asked the Planning Department for some advice on this. After much pushing the owner eventually installed a fence after his initial works left the rear of residential properties exposed and vulnerable.




There is a mass of graffiti in the area that I have now reported to the Streetscene Team.








Wednesday 29 April 2009

Response from Healthcare for London

I wrote a post close to 13:00 today after being invited to the official opening of the Loxford Polyclinic. Within 4 hours the following response was received. Healthcare for London certainly are committed to take on the views of people so please do reply to them:


They initially said:

"Thanks for your post".

They went on to say:

"Healthcare for London does want to hear the views of everyone living, working or visiting London on its plans to improve stroke and major trauma services in the capital. These plans will save 500 lives a year and significantly reduce disability for thousands of others.If you want to find out more and have your say, visit Health Care for London and then go to Consultation on new trauma and stroke services for London. You can download the consultation document from there, it is 4.5Mbits.

I hope now Chadwell residents see how useful my blog really is!

Loxford Community Panel

I was privileged to have been a part of the Loxford Polyclinic Community Panel and was rewarded today with an invitation to the grand opening - Where I met with Lord Darzi Under Secretary of State, Department of Health (the Doctor who thought of the Polyclinic model) and Heather O'Meara the Chief Executive of the NHS Redbridge. I availed myself of the opportunity before me and asked about the potential for a stroke trauma centre at King George Hospital or the Polyclinic and was informed residents can affect the decision by contacting IPSOS MORI who are undertaking a survey for this as well as other Health matters. The alternative is that residents of Redbridge will have to travel to the Royal London, Whipps Cross or Queens Hospital - the proposed locations in the existing options.

Ilford south has by far the highest frequency of Strokes in the local vicinity and so I believe we should be given more of a priority.

Please contact IPSOS MORI on:

Tel: o808 238 5481
Email: hfl@ipsos.com
Address: Freepost RSAE-RCET-AJY
Healthcare for London
Harrow
HA1 2QG


Your vote could count so do make it heard!












It was all fun and games with Heather O'Meara and Conor Burke from the NHS!

Be on time!

At the back of this picture you will see me presenting the benefits of punctuality at Mayfield High School today. I have been drafted to undertake 3 sessions - the last one should be held tomorrow. Students have been receptive and I hope that I have been able to impart theoretical reasons for good time keeping to young people.

If any other school especially those in Chadwell would like me to facilitate something similar...I am always willing to do so! Even though many of you might be thinking "Wilson's one to talk?!"
Residents had asked me to look into the possibility of implementing a Roundabout at the Chadwell Heath Lane/Grove Road Junction.

Although people in the vicinity believe that there have been in excess of 20 accidents every year at the junction. Police reports are deficient of this figure. Please view response from a Senior Highways Officer:

“There have been three slight and on serious personal injury accidents at this junction over the last three years, the 85%ile speed (the speed that 85% of vehicles travel at or below) is 34 mph and traffic flows are at a level we would expect for a local distributor road linking the High Road to the A12. Using the information against the prioritisation matrix the road gets a A4 rating (accident) and I will add the junction to the list of future schemes.

Just so you have an idea of the level of schemes that are before this junction. On the current list we have 31 A rated schemes that are either being worked on or awaiting funding of those 31, 22 are A4's and with current funding levels it is unlikely that the scheme will be worked on in the coming financial year.”

The officer later advised me that at this current time it would probably take 4 – 5 years for any work on this scheme -within the existing Highways budget and priorities. With this in mind, I have started a petition and will be submitting it to the next Area 5 Committee meeting - in an attempt to get an earlier date for installation.

This meeting will be held at 19:15 on the 11th May at Barley Lane Primary School, Huxley Drive. Please come along and show support for this project.

Tuesday 28 April 2009

Chadwell Allotments disaster

I was bemused to read about the Chadwell allotments arson attacks that have occurred recently. I have decided to increase local knowledge about the incidents, as I saw a fire here recently which could have been one of the attacks and just put it down to an allotment holder garden waste fire. Please do report any suspicious activity at the location.

More details can be found by following the following link:

http://www.ilfordrecorder.co.uk/content/redbridge/recorder/news/story.aspx?brand=RECOnline&category=newsIlford&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=newsilford&itemid=WeED28%20Apr%202009%2016%3A24%3A32%3A140

Gulley grate grief!

After my report on the drain cover loose on Grove Road I received a response from the Chief Highways Officer which stated:

"Thank you for this report. I will arrange for the gulley grate to be replaced and for the gulley to be cleansed at the earliest opportunity. We have had a number of these grates go missing in recent months, probably stolen for their scrap value, so reports such as yours are helpful in ensuring that they are replaced."

I have, of course, informed the local police of the highlighted theft of these grates so that any suspicious activity could be immediately recognised.

My thanks to the resident who has placed a warning cone at the location to improve local safety around this obstacle.

I just received a further update 13;30 on 28th April 2009:

"The grate will by now have been replaced and the contractor will advise if the gulley pot requires cleaning. This pot was last cleaned in February and will not be due a further cleansing visit until a similar time next year. We do not normally revisit to undertake "one off" cleansing exercises unless the location is particularly vulnerable to flooding or we are aware of a specific local problem so, unless the contractor confirms the need for an urgent visit, this gulley will be cleaned again next year. By adopting this approach we have been able to achieve our target for 95% of all gullies to receive an annual cleanse and nearly 100% to be cleaned in any 3 year period."

I will inform you of any potential clean up operation.

Monday 27 April 2009

Its too Hard????!!!!

Many residents across the borough have asked me to challenge for a door to door cardboard recycling scheme. In particular a large number of residents form the larger residential estates in Chadwell. I have spoken to the General cleansing team who have responded toady and provide a glimmer of hope.....:

"Ideally we would have cardboard recycling facilities in large estates (as well as for all residents in the borough). The problem we have with this at present is that we do not have the necessary vehicles to collect cardboard. There would also be the problem of finding a processor who will accept the cardboard. As you may know, we are unable to send cardboard to the plant where we send our paper because the quality is not good enough. We are considering setting up a trial cardboard collection, using one vehicle on one day a week when it becomes available. It is certainly possible that we will consider collecting from blocks of flats and we will bear Birch Court in mind if this does come to fruition."

In the meanwhile I have news that Redbridge has already invested in 4 new Cardboard Recycling banks across the borough. All types of card are accepted at the new sites including cereal boxes, egg boxes, cardboard tubes and food packaging boxes. The recycling banks are situated at the following locations:

Sainsburys, Chase Lane, Newbury Park
Tesco, High Road, Goodmayes
Fullwell Cross Car Park, Fullwell Cross, Barkingside
Tesco, Woodford Avenue, (Near Charlie Browns Roundabout)

Obviously the ones highlighted are closest to residents of Chadwell....however from the picture you can see there are more innovative ways to recycle cardboard!

Weird goings on!

Here is a picture of a drain on Grove Road (opposite entrance to Westfield Gardens/on Millhaven Close-Gresham Drive side). It is causing a significant trip or fall hazard and will also be missed by cars when parking or moving away from a parking spot...this could cause serious damage to vehicles. I have reported the item to the streetscene department. Fortunately, Juliet has eyes like a hawk or our own vehicle could have been damaged.


On closer inspection Juliet and I noticed that the drain is completely full of dirt and would not provide effective water flow during rainy periods.






I titled the story weird goings on as in the space of a week I have noticed broken sign post, drainage covers removed, a piece of turf about 2m x 2m with over 400 cigarette stubs on it, a green telecoms box without a cover and other weird Chadwell incidents.....its giving me the heebie jeebies!

New Graffiti issues!

If you look at my previous post about Graffiti Cleansing and Bulky Waste you will notice that a number has been affixed for the allocation of works. I am therefore listing new items which I will cascade across to the General Cleansing team, to include:

Bulky Waste:
  • By the entrance to the alleyway by no.68 Sherman gardens I have seen 4 dumped TVs
  • By the entrance to the alleyway by no.86 Sherman Gardens I have seen large sofas dumped.

The picture shows my daughter and I painting over a green telecoms box by Harvesters (High Road) in September 2008

Sunday 26 April 2009

Its Bin Around!


It was good to see that the bin area that had been damaged by Ashtons (when illegaly istalling advertising boards) has now been repaired. I hope Ashtons were made to pay...Flatcare have proven to be a very speedy and worthy Management Agency.





I will ask them about what is happening at the bin area that is currently missing and has left bins out in the open.







Hazard Warning!

I received an anonymous message on my Blog this morning about a green telecoms box that was in a poor state. when I surveyed the item (see picture attached with story) I was a little disturbed that it is so open to vandalism and theft. I have heard stories of the insides of the boxes being removed due to the high copper content which is very valuable. I have emailed a picture to the Streetscene Team and hope that it will be repaired shortly. I will advise residents of progress.

I could not find any graffiti in the area and was hoping the comment maker could clarify where it is....?

YOUR LOCAL POLICE TEAM

Please view the links below for details of your current Chadwell Safer Neighbourhood Team. It contains a copy of their recent leaflet that also provides some essential crime data and advice.

Pages 4 and 1
Pages 2 and 3

Saturday 25 April 2009

Un-Poplar Trees (excuse the pun)

Just to bring you up to date I investigated the area where the large poplar trees on the edge of Sherman Gradens are located. Two of the trees have been pollarded and 3 trees are within what seems to be the boundaries of resident gardens. This might explain why two trees have had limbs lopped by a consciencious/concerned resident. I will write letters to the other residential properties with the large trees within their private areas. One tree seems to be in the rear court of the BUPA Nursing Home and I will contact them - the last seems to be in no-mans land. I will speak to the council and Taylor Wimpey about this one.

I am in no-way against any tree of any kind, however residents concerns about the huge proportions (over 40ft in height) of these trees and potential for subsidence and excessive secretions due to size are founded on tangible evidence.

Quality of life - Myth or Legend

A resident complained about further issues on the Wimpey 1 Estate and L&Q spoke (after my correspondence with them) to the management agents Winchester property - who finally seem to be listening and have provided the following response (In Bold resident concern - in Italics Winchester response):

The communal bin doors outside our block (29-34 Birch Court) have been broken for over 6 months now.

We are currently underway with rebuilding the bin stores and have been given the go ahead to start work by the insurance company

The street lamp outside our property has not worked for the last three years. On one or two occasions it was working for about a week but then stopped working and has never been fixed since.

The electrician will be on site Saturday 25th April 2009 to inspect with a view to repair/replace

The sensor light that should work when approaching the flat in the evenings has never worked for as long I've lived here.

The electrician will be on site Saturday 25th April 2009 to inspect with a view to repair/replace

The front door needs a special tinted glass and currently has a clear glass. The glass was shattered about 6 months ago and was not replaced for about a month. It was only after my son injured himself and I complained and threatened to sue the management company that the glass was replaced. As mentioned, the wrong type of glass was used and therefore needs to be changed.

The glass on the door pane will tinted with a special film that is on order – it has been allocated to our maintenance person- we will keep you updated accordingly

There was a time that the trades button was working 24 hours a day and so random people were letting themselves in. As this breached our security and after several items going missing the management company rather than fix the trades button to work at the correct times have simply stopped it working altogether. Obviously this is a big inconvenience too for one the residents (mainly us) to let for example the Postman in every day.

This has been allocated to a maintenance worker who will complete this today Friday 24th April 2009 (please note that residents who have access to the communal cupboards have been turning these off themselves to let friends in etc)

The communal hallways are in dire need of some redecorating. The walls are absolutely filthy and frankly an embarrassment when we have guests. Considering the amount I pay for Service Charges etc it is a disgrace.

This will be completed once the ‘Major Works’ have been agreed

The front communal door has a ledge above it that has been damaged since I've moved and every time it rains it looks ready to break.

This has been allocated to maintenance and will be inspected today with a view to repair

The front communal door has a very faulty lock as I and my fellow residents can be stuck outside trying the key for about 5-10 minutes until it turns and opens. This is very frustrating as it has been this way since I moved in. My demand for this would be for the management company to change the lock and supply all the residents with keys - free of charge. I don't think this has been raised before as I feel that the company would charge extortionate prices to each resident. I say this based on my previous experience. When I first moved in, the previous resident didn't leave me a key for the communal door so I contacted the company to get a key cut for me. You can imagine my surprise when I received the key with a bill of £35 to accompany it! For cutting a key!

The lock will be inspected today and repaired/ replaced. If replaced new keys will be issued to all residents free of charge

The communal gardens need proper weeding as although the grass is cut, the weeds are not killed properly.

The gardeners have been on site yesterday & today – there is a lot of ground work to do so hopefully you shall start seeing a vast improvement soon – we have already been receiving calls from residents to say there has been an noticeable improvement. The gardeners are on site every Thursday

The exterior walls around Birch Court have what can only be described as water stains for each block. There is obviously a problem somewhere that needs to be looked and the appropriate piping fitted.

This is currently being investigated by the board of Directors and enforcement action is due to commence in the very near future

The recycling bins around the corner do not have facilities for card board.

This is a Redbridge Borough Council enquiry

The recently fitted rooftop Aeriel does not pick adequate signals for all of my free to view channels - can you advise who I should take this up with?

I have passed this query to Director XXXXXXXXX who deals with all satellite enquiries/complaints

Friday 24 April 2009

Apocalyptic occurrences

I am aware of the bin area arson attacks and the youths who damaged a car by jumping on it - within the Bengeo Gardens Estate over the last few weeks. Crime seems to be increasing at this loaction and I have personally seen the large number of youths using your unprotected bin areas for smoking drugs. I have asked our very able Chadwell SNT and Redbridge ASBO Team to look into a possibloe solution.

I will keep you posted

Strouds Close Struggle!

A residents from Strouds Close called me concerned about the Hospital staff parking to the fore of his drive. He wanted to know why the Civil Parking Enforcement Team believed his road was in Barking and Dagenham initially and then refused to patrol his street even after he confirmed he was a Redbridge resident. I was particularly bemused when a Council receptionist did not even know about the existing Civil enforcement scheme when I called to assist?

here is the answer I got from a responsible council officer:


"I spoke with *******who recollects the conversation he had with you. Firstly, I must advise that he is a new employee, which is why he was not familiar with APCOA. However, following the conversation he had with you he researched this and realised that they were the enforcement contractor.

I have also explained to him what he would need to do should he receive a call in the future regarding a request for the enforcement of dropped kerbs and have ensured that the telephone number is made available.

Telephone numbers - during office hours the telephone number is 0208 708 3636, out of hours the number is 0208 708 5211.

I also spoke with APCOA and the person you spoke with [I think here she confused me with the original caller]. He advised me that he tried to explain why it was not possible to go out straight away to enforce the location. This being because the location was not available on the system allowing for a penalty charge notice to be issued. Therefore, it was either a location that needed adding or it was a location that could not be enforced. This of course needs to be investigated and checks made with the relevant sections of the Council.

I have made the relevant enquiries and can advise that Stroud Close is in fact registered as a private road on the council records. This being the case the council and APCOA are unable to enforce it, we can only enforce locations that are part of the public highway. These are what the records currently show."

I am going to challenge the council to adopt this road due to the significant parking burden introduced to the area following King Georges decision to introduce a Staff parking fee.

I will keep you posted.

Grove 1 Estate update

Residents had asked me to look into matters regarding a Water pump that had been repaired and was now making a loud noise nuisance. they also complained about local green areas being weedy and shorn of any greenery in other areas. I received a response from L&Q on Wednesday 22nd April:

"I have just spoken to Winchesters and they were not aware of the noise emanating from the pump, they have an operative on site currently and will contact their operative and contact 4 and 2 directly with an update....When I was on site with Winchesters last week it was noted that there were some external greenery areas that require attention, Winchesters advised that they are in the process of addressing these areas. We will visit again within the next 4 weeks to review what work has been carried out. I believe it would be more productive for residents to contact Winchesters direct with any concerns that they may have, agree a timescale for the matter to be addressed/provide them with an update. If they do not meet the agreed timescale they can contact the Trust and we will liaise with Winchesters. This way we can monitor any non performance in terms of communicating with our residents and actioning items."


I was also asked to look into why residents were being charged purportedly extortionate rates for Sky dish Communal connections. The response I received was:

"As previously stated the removal of satellite dishes is not carried out by the Trust. Satellite dishes are not permitted under the lease agreement with Winchesters, if residents had asked the Trust if they could install satellite dishes they would have been refused. If residents wish to query costs they should contact Winchesters directly and ask for a break down of the cost that they are requesting ie how they come to the end figure."

I would suggest that residents ask Winchester's to explain how they have arrived at their costs for the Sky Dish connections. I will then help with any further action.

Kinked George Hospital Update 2

Here is a copy of an email sent to the BHR NHS Acute Trust following the letter received from them entered in a previous post (http://chadwellgreen.blogspot.com/2009/04/kinked-george-hospital-update_08.html):

In response to your letter I would like to ask whether the BHR Acute trust would be willing to increase their Car Parking facilities if our Planning department permitted a larger scale parking development?

I would also suggest that within your existing scheme groups of people that were to share vehicles coming in to work should be rewarded with a parking permit as in respect to any Green focus it would be great incentive to reduce traffic to work and parking burden. I would also ask you if it is necessary to charge for such permits?

I would like a response to my query on the potential for free parking for relatives and friends of terminally/chronically ill patients – I can imagine the ignominy felt when a friend/relative dies and people are forced to spend on a parking penalty in addition to funeral costs. Or the anxiety that could be felt by people in such a situation that would culminate in missed payments due to the ensuing frenzy to be with patients.

I would also like some clarification on whom will be allowed parking permits and whether it will be the poorer, lower tier staff that often provide the most care to patients that will be targeted.

Please advise

Here is their response:

"With regards your first point I am afraid we are unable to speculate on the situation. The second point has been discussed with the facilities manager and he has advised that the permits are intended to cover the of administration and managing the car park. I confirm that concessionary parking arrangements relating to different category of patients are in place as you have asked in your third point. With regard your final point I confirm that the parking charges vary depending upon the salary paid to the member of staff."

I hope now the proposed parking scheme has been in place a while that the parking burden on local roads has reduced?

Please advise.....?

Gotcha!

I have received a report back from our Sgt Lowrie of Chadwell Ward Safer Neighbourhoods team.

He has confirmed that yesterday 1753 vehicles were read on the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) equipment of these 56 hits culminated in:

  • 8 vehicles being seized for a variety of offences
  • 3 vehicles were PG9 (i think this means the licence plate was illegal - I will get clarification)
  • several drug searches
  • a vehicle was returned to a hire company.

This is a good result for Chadwell and Goodmayes and is the result of innovative and diligent work by our Chadwell Team.

Thursday 23 April 2009

Falling Foul!

More good news to report - I have encouraged and coerced the General Cleansing Team to undertake an audit of the Dog mess at Fields Park Crescent.

On inspection due to the amount of residual mess they have agreed that it would be productive (I don't mean that in any cynical way), to install Dog litter bins.

I would encourage residents to point any dog walkers in your area to the bins - if you see their pets leaving any mess during their strolls. But please don't "fall foul" of each other..... heh. heh!

Cleanliness is next to godliness!

Residents of Crucible Close and Millhaven Close will be pleased to have seen the overhanging and intrusive vegetation around the estate has now been cut back by the Redbridge General Cleansing Team. This was done as a result of the reports I made around 2 months ago. The vegetation around Crucible Close and Millhaven Close was privately owned, however, I managed to persuade the Cleansing Team that is was causing a significant enough obstruction to the adopted regions of the roads and they decided to clear up the other areas to increase local community quality of life.

I hope that you are all pleased with this result!

Police Clamp Down! (literally)

Our Chadwell Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) have improved leaps and bounds since our New Sargent Mark Lowrie was commissioned. Having worked with him previously in Mayfield Ward, I know how diligently and meticulously he commits himself to finding logical solutions to support local need.

Today many of you will have noticed the major vehicle crime "clamp" down taking place around the corner of Reynolds Avenue. I also took a picture of our stunning PCSO Nova Flintham part of a joint Goodmayes and Chadwell SNT project to reduce crimes associated with vehicles. Their exercise today involved:


  • Existing Road Tax Checks and insurance papers
  • Drivers using Mobile Phones
  • Child Safety Seat improper or failure of usage
  • Speed Checks
  • Licence plate theft/Stolen Vehicles
  • Unregistered vehicles

In my picture you can see one vehicle was being towed away. I will give you a clearer report on findings as Sgt Lowrie has promised to provide one.

Sgt Lowrie has also advised me that he is aware of the problem at 8a Cedar Park and if when on patrols they see anything they will tackle the issue. He has offered to speak to the owners of the property and to advise them of the reported crime and local concern, he will also ask them to address the issue. In addition to this he has also informed the Traffic Police of the issue and although the SNT cannot always be around the area, the traffic unit might have more of a presence around the associated times of incidents. We are lucky to have this proactive Chadwell team and especially Sgt Lowrie - so please when you see them do say hello!

Call the Chadwell SNT on 020 8721 2562 with any of your concerns or email chadwellsnt@met.police.uk


Wednesday 22 April 2009

The party's over here!

I visited 8a Cedar Park last night after receiving a call from a resident concerned by the late night revelling occurring from the unlicensed Business premises providing publican facilities (The premises is actually a factory at which late night workers have large binge drinking sessions after hours). I am quite concerned about this as it is clearly disturbing a large number of residents and is causing much community tension. I took a picture of the lights on at the business premises -unfortunately not very clear due to it being quite dark. However, I believe a number of residents have called to raise their ire at the lack of concern for other people this establishment has continued to have for much too long. The owners also have a penchant for working outside of their normal working hours.

Please keep reporting your concerns to the ASBO Team on 020 8478 4679 as continued pressure should result in a solution.


Dumped Car Dilemma

Recently I met with a resident of Barleyfield Close who confirmed that A vehicle has been abandoned on the close for over 4 years. The Registration plate of the offending vehicle is J76 NBA and the car is in a dilapidated state and is not displaying a valid vehicle Road Tax Disc – local residents also believe that before the rear number plate was removed the two plates had different numbers. I have informed the local Environmental Team and the Police of the situation and will report back on any progress towards a resolution.

Should anyone in Chadwell be aware of any other abandoned vehicles please inform me - I will most assuredly cascade information to relevant parties on your behalf.
Residents of Flora Gardens and Roxy Avenue have raised concerns regarding the large poplar trees associated with Properties from the Grove 1 Estate on Sherman Gardens.

A local residents has stated:

"These trees have caused my house to suffer severe subsidence and I have only recently moved back in after being out for 13 months due to insurance building works, however, this is not the only problem, in the autumn they shed bags and bags loads of leaves, you're forever sweeping up and in the spring/height of the summer they then shred loads of cotton material which gets everywhere, including in your home and of course if you have food out and it becomes difficult to have a BBQ or wet washing out to dry as this stuff just sticks to everything - the worst thing about this stuff it affects my health as I am an asthma sufferer so again forever sneezing, coughing and wheezing and runny eyes. These tall trees block out a lot of light at the rear of the garden, there about 3-4 trees within a close range, they have over the last 2-3 years being trimmed, however, they have soon grown back again and are really a problem"


I have been informed by the Borough Aboriculturalist that there is a preservation order on these particular trees, however this does not prevent the Landlords from coppicing or pollarding the trees provided that they apply for the appropriate order permitting them to do so. It is not clear whether the owners are residents themselves or the Developers Taylor Wimpey. Once I have clarified who is responsible I will write a letter requesting that something be done about the matter and will provide a list of potential contractors that the council use.

I will keep residents informed of progress.

The Sky's the limit!

Residents of the Grove 1 Estate are frequently providing new issues and for this fact alone I am pleased that a residents Association for the Area is to be held at 18:30 on Thursday 7th May at Somerville Hall. It is vital that all residents of this estate attend and work together to resolve the outstanding issues.

I recent alleged concern is the diabolical extraction of longstanding satellite dishes from residences on the Grove 1 Estate. Residents allude to the inappropriate removal of sky dishes without warning (some purported to have been installed no less than 4 years previous?) and the installation of a communal sky dish. Reports from residents state that connection to the communal dish costs £120.00 for those without previous connections and £80.00 to those who previously had private dishes. Allegedly those with previous dishes were also forced to pay £80.00 for the ignominy of having their previous satellite dishes removed? bizarrely enough, an enterprising resident asked for a quote from Sky for connection to the communal point and they have stipulated a cost of £40.00 would suffice for the works - if access was permitted. I do question the need for a charge of £120.00 especially when considering many of the housed residents are on full benefits?

All residents spoken to believe, that posters informing residents of the proposed removal of private dishes, were installed on flat foyer doors a few days before the works were undertaken.

If the allegations are true it would paint a very devious picture of the actions of the management agents. I have asked L&Q to investigate.

Tuesday 21 April 2009

Bang goes the beat of the drum!


After a long period of 3 years the water pump serving flats at 1-6 and 7-12 Birch Court on the Grove 1 Estate has received the long awaited part from Germany. The piece was installed into the pumps and water pressure has increased significantly - I have been told. For some this was a good result! Moreover this was result was the culmination of 2 months of communication exchanges between myself, London & Quadrant, Essex & Suffolk Water and Winchester Properties.

A consequence of this work, however, has been a loud crashing or banging sound from within the pump. This is causing concern to local residents who are finding it hard to sleep and are distressed by the nuisance noise. I feel responsible for this travesty as I was the one to champion change - with this in mind I have reported the problem to London & Quadrant and have asked them to investigate. I will most assuredly advise residents of progress.

Monday 20 April 2009

Oooooops!

The inaugural meeting for the new ward-wide Residents Action Group will actually be held at the Oasis Church, Essex Road from 19:00 on the 30th of April. Not in March as previously stated......Please excuse my earlier error.

If you would like to stand for election please advise.

Hope to see you there.

Sunday 19 April 2009

Graffiti clearance

I have chased up the General Cleansing Team regarding the Bulky waste and graffiti I have recently reported, which is still to be removed. I received a response on Friday that stated:

"Please see below – all your concerns have been logged for attention, either from the Graffiti removal team or the Street Scene Enforcement Team. The numbers next to the item are the enquiry numbers on our database and can be quoted when raising the issue."

If any residents would like to chase up any particular reported items the Team can be called on phone number: 020 8708 5050 (please quote the recorded incident number).


Bulky rubbish locations:
  • Much small litter in front garden of 26 Mayesford Road - enforcement under the Control of Pests Act would be suitable - 6361908
  • 46 Hickman Road - 6361909
  • Stairwell to fore of 1097 High Road -6361910
  • 43 Hall Road an old chair is on front garden - 6361914
  • 19 Manor Road - two doors on front garden - 6361911
  • Next to 3 Hall Road is unclaimed land full of bulky waste and litter. - 6361912
  • 10 and 14 Fields Park Crescent - 6361915
  • 53 Somerville Road - 6361916
  • NK News at 1035 High Road has a bed to side of building - 6361917
  • Old pile of bricks in front garden at 8 Arthur Road - 6361918
  • Bulky waste in nos; 1, 7, 25 Clarrisa Road -6361919
  • Vicarage Cottage (Corner of Edgar Road/Chadwell Heath Lane) Side of house have bulky waste - 6361920
  • Nos; 20, 18, 10, 7 Eva Road have Bulky waste - 6361921
  • 13 Eva Road has a broken piece of wall in front garden - 6361921
  • 5a Chadwell Heath Lane - 6361923
  • 3 Chadwell Heath Lane - 6361923
  • Bed left in Bin area next to 51 - 53 Quarles Park Road - 6361924
  • Bulky Rubbish at 183 Grove Road - 6361925
  • A broken wall and large crate is in front garden of 82 Roxy Avenue - 6361928
  • Bulky Rubbish (2 Sofas) by side of bins opposite crucible park and 25 Capstan Close - 6361931
  • Bulky Rubbish in front garden of 9 railway st (have been told by the police this will be cleared – 14.04.09) - 6361930
  • Bulky Rubbish at 82 Chadwell Heath Lane - 6361933
  • Bulky Rubbish within route to Garages (large rolled up carpet and other items) at Millhaven Close - 6361936
  • Bulky Rubbish next to Wangey Chapel again -6361938
  • 24 Inverclyde Gardens is littered with residential rubbish the house is surrounded by Bulky Rubbish - 6361940
  • Bulky Rubbish at 36 Grove Road - 6361941
  • Bulky Rubbish at 86 Grove Road - 6361941
  • Bulky Rubbish at 5 Edith Road - 6361942
  • Bulky Rubbish at 25 Clarissa Road (you have cleared here before!) -6361944
  • Bulky Rubbish in front garden of no.28 Overton Drive (sofa) - 6361945
  • Bulky Rubbish in from of 60 Overton Drive - 6361945

Graffiti:

  • Graffiti on property at corner of Overton Drive – within the Burns Avenue Estate - 6361947
  • Graffiti on property at 21 Park Lane the corner wall is actually on Hall Road - 6361950
  • Charles Road/Chadwell Heath Lane Corner Green Telecoms box - 6361951
  • 67 Roxy Avenue/Crescent Road graffiti on green telecoms box - 6361953
  • Graffiti showing through over-paint for Garage next to 38 Park Lane and the Green Box at same location require a full paint over as partial painting is unaesthetic. - Felicity 6361955
  • On side wall of 200 Overton Drive[] 63611956 Both Abercorn Alleyways have graffiti again - 6361957
  • Joydon Drive/Gresham Drive Corner Green Box has graffiti - 6361958
  • Lexden Drive/Gresham Drive Corner – Green Box has graffiti - 6361960
  • 47 Joydon Drive Green box has graffiti - 6361961
  • Opposite 47 Gresham Drive Green box has graffiti - 6361961
  • Gresham Drive/Abercon Gardens Road Central reservation bollard has graffiti - 6361962
  • Post Box near Gresham/Abercorn has graffiti - 6361963
  • Rochford Gardens/ Brian Road corner Alleyway littered with graffiti[Felicity Broder] 6361965
  • Drycleaners on the High Road (chadwell ward) - 6361966
  • The Wangey Road corner of building has graffiti (next to Bike Shop) -6361967
  • A Green Telecoms box on Belfairs Avenue/High Road are all affected by graffiti - 6361969

Saturday 18 April 2009

The Next Step!


Step 1: posing before the Chadwell Green marshaling party arrived for our East Road subway protest march -near East Road opening.














Step2: Chanting and protesting on behalf of Residents of Chadwell Heath Barking











Step 3: Chanting and protesting on behalf of residents of Chadwell, Redbridge
Step 4: Completing our demonstration at Somerville Road subway.
THE NEXT STEP?

TFL to introduce safe crossing of course....I will keep you posted!

Friday 17 April 2009

Rats, Mice, Pidgeons and natures balance


I visited Aston Mews, Pavement Mews and the flats to the rear of the High Road accessed via the alleyway from Montpelier Road and Mansted Gardens, accompanied by a Redbridge Health and Safety Officer. I highlighted concerns about the Rubbish on the roof of some commercial property extensions along Pavement Mews and Aston Mews. I was particularly concerned about one property in particular on Pavement Mews from which a chair fell off and just missed me. Another property has a very rickety old external wooden stair case and a previous report from me has resulted in some enforcement action. This concern is compounded due to the number of residents living in the flats to which the stair case leads.

The rubbish on these roofs are attracting pests especially with normal household rubbish including food being left on the roof of some properties in Aston Mews.

A derelict shed within the alleyway parallel to the High Road aforementioned has become a dumping area. Moreover, residents have warned local tenants that a nest of rats is located in that locality by pasting a warning on the door of the shed.
Before humans started to create the unnatural ecosystems we have today nature had a balance - which it still does of sorts. However this balance has changed and is dynamic, we know many previous species are extinct and that natural selection has decimated the British Red Squirrel population. When we have concerns about increases in rats, pidgeons and mice we need only look at our own living habits to discover why things are the way they are now. Perhaps in addition to any council action we need to take responsibility for our own....?

I am awaiting a response back from the Health and Safety Team indicating any action to be taken. I will keep you all informed of progress.

Dubious Activity

I had included a link to the design plans and the aerial photographs for the previously proposed East Thames development project at Grove Farm. Mysteriously this has now disappeared and only the site plan still remains within the Redbridge Council file for the proposed project on the Redbridge i (website). I include the remaining link below:

http://planning.redbridge.gov.uk/aniteim.websearch/Results.aspx

I will investigate and will post an update on Tuesday.

United we stand....

I am in the process of arranging a ward-wide Residents Action Group we intend to hold an inaugural meeting at 19:00 on the 30th of April at the Oasis Church, Essex Road (off High Road). The group will be commissioned to discuss and challenge Redbridge Council decisions affecting Chadwell and to champion positive change for the area. Please feel free to come and attend and learn about wider concerns affecting the whole borough. If you would like to stand for election for any position within the potential new group please make contact. On the back of our recent success with the deferrment of the Grove Farm Project - this could be real tonic for change.

Thursday 16 April 2009

Protest march this weekend!


Don't forget on Saturday 18th april at 12;00 we will be holding a public demonstration and march at along the side bank of the A12. The aim is to trigger TFL into installing CCTV, bring about a closure of the East road subway (which has become a magnet for antisocial behaviour) and for them to introduce a safe overground crossing (not a bridge) at the location of the existing subway. They have agreed to install a safe crossing at the Whale Bone Lane Junction - if there is strong evidence of favour, however this is too far away to serve any real purpose for Redbridge residents of Chadwell. Please come along and support this endeavour.

Yellow Advertiser Green Tick!


You may have read about my firms success in best "Green Practices" within this weeks Redbridge Yellow Advertiser....if not follow the link:

Trip Hazard

Whilst driving to Redbridge College for a meeting today, I noticed a metal post was causing a dangerous trip hazard on the corner of Blacksmith Close and Grove Road. I have reported the dangerous occurrence to the council and they have assured me that the area will be made safe whilst pending rectification works.


This issue particularly important to resolve due to the proximity of the hazard to the Keith Axon Centre (library) which is located between two schools and has a large footfall from younger children.

I hope this is a satisfactory conclusion to this matter? do tell........?

Wednesday 15 April 2009

Reds vs the Blues

Many of you may have refrained from visiting the Planning Regulatory Committee meeting yesterday due to the exciting Liverpool V Chelsea Match. However, I must say that you missed a real humdinger! The Reds (Labour) and the Blues (Conservatives) where responding to each other in usual vitriolic fashion. At one point some argy-bargy about the Ilford South- Iford North divide seemed almost to culminate, in a bout of fisticuffs. The Liberals though hardly like referees were wearing the yellow tops (worn by European refs), however us Greens were much like the fields we play on refreshing, natural and facilitating the game (debate). I am exaggerating things a little and thought a little humour about last nights action might be just the ticket (get it? heh, heh...)



On a serious note... it is quite despairing that a member of the public is limited to just 2 minutes of speaking time in respect to applications. Whilst visiting Councillors not on the committee can wade in with whatever comments they wish to make and the option to debate within the discussion?
Perhaps for the benefit of democracy a review of existing speaking authorities would not be amiss?

Do share your thoughts.....?

Tuesday 14 April 2009

Not in my back Yard! - Positive Nimbyism!

I have just returned from the Planning Regulatory meeting at which the Grove Farm Development was discussed. I have partially Good News...11/12 councillors voted in favour of a deferment of the East Thames planning application. They felt that the project was of a high density and would leach local services of their already depleted worth. Councillors also suggested the traffic management plan was extremely weak. This really is a good result when you consider the turbulent history in Chadwell an area subjected to continuous over-development.

I spoke for a paltry two minutes which was all that members of the public are offered (the usual democratic prohibition), no questions were asked of me and I highlighted issues with Child safety from increased traffic, limited school places, increase of parking burden and associated potential developments such as the Chadwell Centre, and the recent decision by Kinked George to charge hospital staff for parking. I also included comments from a school Governor from Chadwell Primary school concerned about the Right Hand Filter lane and the preservation of a community of stag beetles (a threatened Species), located at Grove Farm.

Our Liberal Councillors also spoke distinctly about the limited number school places and like most democratic board meetings an argument ensued - based on whether such concerns warranted discussion at a planning regulatory meeting. In the end tired of debating the authority of such concerns councillors moved on to other subjects.

Councillors around the table argued over the size, scale, unaesthetic quality, limited school places, Traffic management concerns. An argument also engulfed the meeting based on the inability of East Thames to fulfill Section 106 payments (Contractor payments to the council to subsidise the potential increases in resources and amenities, to balance any shortcomings arising from land development i.e. funding towards school capacity building to cater for new children in the area). I personally am concerned that our council can waiver some of their prescribed charges to developers when the money should be used for community good. Besides even in a recession I find it hard to believe that developers do not gain. I was also very concerned about the manner in which Children Service Managed to calculate that only 25 new children would be introduced to chadwell following such a large development (116 units containing 365 rooms of which 296 rooms are in multiple room units?)? They assume that there are no single mothers in Social housing in 1 bed flats?

View design: http://planning.redbridge.gov.uk/AnitePublicDocs/00002629.pdf

Finally.... the chair our Deputy Mayor suggested that the Planning Application be deferred whilst East Thames reconsidered their development plan to take on board the comments made by councillors.

I believe this is good news as from the outset Chadwell Greens have stated we are not against a housing and commercial development. We have challenged for a reduction in scale and it would seem that our highlighting of the concerns in the media have resulted in a favourable decision. Perhaps even councillors have realised that if they keep permitting over development than our already prohibitive schools capacity will further burden the whole council. Lets hope East Thames come up with a more suitable project - based on community need and desire.

A rolling stone......


Residents will be aware that on Friday 10th April I posted concerns about the Drunkenness and disorderly behaviour of workers at 8a Cedar Park Gardens. Noise nuisance arising from operational activities of this hidden commercial property is also causing huge community friction. Perhaps I should have named this post "Thorn In My Side" as it seems the issue has been ongoing for a long time first being reported on 9/6/2007. There have been 15 subsequent complaints and last being made on the 2/8/08.

Lots of work has been carried out and numerous fruitless attendances by the ASBO Team. However, it led eventually, to the service of a Noise Abatement Notice on 16/8/07. After which there was only one Breach witnessed, so no Legal action took place and the Notice has since expired.

A senior officer stated:

"The owner .............. has been in operation for almost 13yrs at this same location, known as 8A Cedar Park Gardens."

Moreover he has stated

"They have been fully investigated by Planning Enforcement with no findings of wrongdoing.The confusion might be that there was a planning application a few years ago to alter the use of the premises which was refused."

Finally he requested:

"......Obviously from no contact it was obvious to assume that matter was remedied...... We will willingly start looking again at operational failings of this company if that is so! ..... If residents are making fresh allegations that nuisance has restarted/is ongoing, please encourage them to make contact."

The Environmental team have worked hard at trying to resolve this issue. However they like myself rely on resident input. Unless local residents report noise nuisance we are unable to assist. The problem is that like any any aspect of law evidence is key and your ire should be recorded in continuous calls (this will ensure no moss gathers - see title!) to the Environmental nuisance team. They can be contacted by calling:

020 8478 3020 (during the day time - ask for Redbridge ASBO Team)
Out of Hours Service on 0208-478-4679 (5PM-1AM SUNDAY-THURSDAY AND 6PM -2AM FRIDAY AND SATURDAY



Please Call the ASBO team with your concerns they rely on it!


Keep me informed of any reports and I will keep pushing for a new Noise Abatement order ...which seems to have worked during its first application. If we work together we can resolve these long standing issues and I promise to seek a longer term proposal for removal of the concern if any subsequent operational practice after a second Noise Abatement order arises.