Here is a picture taken of me querying the building works being undertaken at the Grove farm site - prior to the Planning Regulatory Meeting South decision that resulted in a deferment of the existing application, whilst councillors await a more sensible design. To date nothing has been submitted to the Planning Team, however i will keep looking out for any reports and will advise residents accordingly - as always!
After the very successful meeting with residents of Priestley Gardens, Christie Gardens, Quarles Park Road, Manin Road, Arandora Road and other associated roads around Crucible Park - it was requested that I assist with the formation of a local Neighbourhood Watch Association.
I have been working behind the scenes, to resolve the matter about insecure fencing on a property along Park Lane. This breachable fence is allowing vandals access to the adjacent allotments land in chadwell. It transpires after Mick Perring a local Crime Prevention Officer undertook his report, that there is a Borough Allotments Manger and that he has been trying to find a solution for a period of time -including offering to make secure the residents property. Here is a response received from the Borough Allotments Manager:
In the picture you will see Syed Siyani of One railway with Councillor Balvinder Saund and I, in a meeting I arranged to tackle the previously dilapidated state of Chadwell Heath Station. More details can be viewed on the former Labour Chadwell Blog. Further to the recent increased maintenance of the station that I was particularly focused on implementing - I have further good news! The station will soon have a major redevelopment including an increase to 12 platforms as part of the Crossrail project. This will include CCTV and washrooms plus much more. I will give more details in my next post on the subject after I speak to TFL.
Complaints have been received from residents of Shepherds Close regarding the fact that litter has been collected from a rear alley way to properties on the longest stretch of this road, for over 10 years - yet the General Cleansing Team refuse to send a street cleaning vehicle to this private road. Much of the litter in this alleyway is a product of the waste collection service and it seems odd not to compliment the service with the usual clean up programme? I have asked the General Cleansing Team to look into this matter.
Many residents will have visited our Green Party Stall at Redbridge Green fair Yesterday. I enjoyed meeting with those of you I could however, I could not be present at the stall as long as I wanted. I started my day by riding the mobility scooters from the Exchange Shopping mall , Ilford town centre - to valentines Park. Fortunately, I was joined by my Green compatriot Isla Martin and we raced along the streets and road at 8mph. It was particularly fun when I accidentally (of course) missed the drop down kerbs at corners and went flying onto the road. I was then coerced by the Green Fair organisers into assisting with the movement of vehicles and pedestrians at the entrance way to the fair. Then my Redbridge Carnival Committee associates failed to arrive, leaving me to approach the 140 stalls at the event to invite them to attain a stall at our prospective event on the 5th - 6th September 2009. Lots of talking and walking left me thoroughly exhausted and yet even so, when I joined the Green Party team consisting of Ashley Gunstock, Mark Dawes and Stephen Lambert in the collaborative effort of deconstructing our stall - all I could feel was disappointment. Fortunately my youngest daughter Naomi decided to help and add some glimmer to the process (the elder sister Hannah was enjoying getting her face painted) Please do share any stories from the fair and email me pictures to put on the blog.
Many residents may not be aware of this, however, since
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Isla Martin our new Green Activist is pictured next to some rubbish dumped on the streets. This was found by her, this afternoon, whilst walking along Shepherds Close near the junction of Havering Gardens. Rubbish needs to be put out in Shepherds Close on Fridays and this particular example of dumping is rather disturbing, as it is not in front of any home. The mess has been reported to the Environmental team, however, if you do see any persons undertaking such activity please remember identity details - as enforcement action can be taken.
I posted alarming concerns about the increase of Postman strewn rubber bands in Chadwell/Chadwell Heath in a post back in March. Since then the problem seems to have increased. Today whilst delivering letters along Glendale Avenue (off Grove Road) a resident asked me if I could work on resolving the issue. I informed him that I have approached Royal Mail and they are yet to respond....however, in April the General Cleansing Team had promised to write to them and copy me into he response. I took a picture of the fore of 12 Glendale Avenue and you can see the vast number of the bands littered on the streets. This road is particularly covered in the offending items and I will challenge the General Cleansing to visit the location with me on Tuesday, so that we can all agree on an action plan going forward.
I reported a number of fires to bin areas, within residential estates near Chadwell Heath Foundation School and forgot to mention the applaing burning down of a resident fence, which also engulfed a garden tree. This resident lives in quarles Park Road estate, which backs on to Crucible Park. I was so incensed with the victims story that I asked him to inform the local papers which resulted in an article and a promise for increased patrols from the police in the area. I would add that if any local resident has a description of any miscreant from the school that might be responsible for any crime in your area the school does maintain a rogues gallery picture selection that could help to determine culprits. You will need to get in touch with the school to view the pictures.
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Two robbers stole cash boxes from a Bank Courier at 16:10 on Friday 15th May. They drove of in a blue car after running down Wangey Road. Police are seeking witnesses who might be able to provide any evidence that could lead to the apprehension of the felons. please the Police Direct on 020 8345 4226 or annoymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
Philip Walby of the Antisocial behaviour Team has been working hard resolving some of our Chadwell Issues. Since his work Mick Perring a Met Police Crime Prevention Officer has called two Allotment Holders and has already pencilled in a date to undertake a crime report, which could lead to potential funding for a remedy. Once I receive the report I will challenge the Borough Community safety Team to contribute towards the cost of the scheme and perhaps the Area 5 Committee also.
Redbridge Carnival is looking for women aged between 16 - 30 to be the new queen and two princesses for the carnival and having the duty of being recognisesd as ambassadors for Redbridge. Prizes include a £500 fashion photoshoot and Hair and beauty treatment from Toni and Guy. If your interested click here.
I reported (on the 19th May) a loose kerb stone that was providing a significant trip and fall, safety threat to the fore of 23-25 Norbury Road. I am aware that other residents have also reported this item. I have pursued the Highhways team for a repair and the work was completed this morning (which is rather speedy) and will no doubt bring solace to local residents.
Redbridge Green Fair hold an event in Valentines Park every two years and again this year this will be a Green party Representation. Do come to our stall - I will be there for some of the day. The event is orientated around the promotion of a green lifestyle and will have 3 stages of music, free creative Childrens Area, a Solar Powered Cinema and much more.
Residents of Richmond Estate I humbly request that you all contact RMG by Post, fax, email and telephone on Friday 29th May. I would appreciate if you would list all your complaints for the estate and copy me into your communication. This will be a first step in a protest against the purported diabolical nature of their service that has reduced the quality of life for residents to the lowest in a long time and also bodes question about the health and safety and environmental threat to residents of the estate.They have kept every promise so far unlike the promises I have received from Management Agents RMG!
Residents of Chadwell Heath Lane and Grove Road will no doubt be pleased to hear that my petition (submitted at an Area 5 Meeting in March) and request for a junctions safety scheme for Grove Road's entrance into Chadwell Heath Lane read at last Mondays Area 5 - resulted in the discovery that Section 106 funding could have been allocated for this project from the recent Wimpey Homes "Richmond Estate" development located on Grove Road (just before the junction). Effectively this means if your incumbent Councillors been more diligent and determined, the works could have been completed years ago!
Yes, I know this is the third story about trees today, however, a tree has finally been removed from the fore of a drive at 62 Havering Road. Bizarrely the Highways Team had decided to plant the tree right in the middle of a forecourt drive and it stayed there for several years. Eventually, the first tree died and a stump reminaed for a year which I persuaded the Trees section to remove, asking them to ensure no new tree was planted there. Lo and behold a new tree appeared during this planting season. I have finally managed to request the removal of this tree which has now been planted in Shepherds Close. Furthermore the Highways Team will dig a new hole in the space between 62 - 64 Havering Road that should allow a tree to be re-planted on this section of the road without causing any frustration.
It was with regret that we informed local residents of the brutalised tree in Crucible Park. Ilsa Martin (our new activist) and I discovered the freshly broken tree at our audit session of the park, prior to the recent community meeting we arranged at Chadwell Heath Foundation School. It seems highly likely that a School Child destroyed the tree as we found the broken tree around 14;30 and it had clearly been broken only a few hours before as the snapped section was rather fresh.
At the last Area 5 Committee Meeting Cllr Staight elected by local residents as he lives locally and hence is presumed to be locally astute - made a real boo boo!
Residents of Gresham Drive and Reynolds avenue are no doubt pleased that they have now finally be informed by the council, of the scheduled full road reinstatement works - to be carried out in their respective areas. This is the culmination of a two year battle in which I have petitioned the Highways Team, reported regularly the awful state of these roads and highlighted rapidly reoccurring Potholes and having them filled for you.
I have potentially good news for residents of Roxy Avenue, Flora Gardens and Sherman Gardens. I spoke about the potential for a 50% grant for the pollarding of the 50ft Poplar trees at the rear of gardens at Sherman Gardens and although they have not committed to anything, the council has stated that if there is residential support for the scheme, they would investigate a possible grant.
I received a letter from TFL in response to my recent request for a decision on a review of the potential for a Safe Ground level crossing across the A12 near East Road (post-our recent protest march). TFL have expressed again that safety and financial predictions prevent the installation of the crossing at East Road and that they have already started the machinations for the funding and planning of a crossing at Whalebone Lane where it is more cost and safety efficient to do so. They have provided a prescriptive reasoning for this decision which is attached.
Last night over 60 residents from around Chadwell Heath Foundation School attended the Public meeting arranged to discuss Local Crime, Grime and other local issues. It was attended by the Seven Kings and Chadwell Police, the School Headmaster and the Redbridge ASBO Team - who were there to respond to local queries and concerns.. A lot of issues were raised at the meeting and I will detail these on this post later today.
You will notice that Isla is pictured next to the horrendous potholes on Havering Gardens, we have reported a serious of holes on this road, Birchdale Gardens and Overton Drive. If anyone is aware of any other potholes do inform us so that we can ask the Highways Team to complete remedial works for you.
On Saturday 9th may around midnight a 25 year old man was brutally beaten by a gang on Primrose Avenue before escaping into his BMW. The gang then stopped him at the Percy Road/Goodmayes junction and was liberally beaten again. The man was taken to Queens hospital and is still recovering. The gang wore masks and carried cricket bats, metal poles and batons to carry out the blood curdling violence.
Congratulations to Chadwell Heath Foundation School who have won a 70mm Telescope to Celebrate International Year of Astronomy. They will also be assigned an Amateur Astronomer and it was all due to a profound letter by a Physics Teacher Mr Pather.
Although the image is not clear it shows the waste and debris accumulated along a residents side wall by the commercial company that is operating at the back and side of properties on Cedar Park Gardens and Birchdale Gardens. Some of the regular dumping at this location is arguably trade material but the area is always in a mess and concerns about the attraction of pests have been raised. Moreover as you can see the items and their position are rather inaesthetic. 
At the Area 5 Committee meeting on Monday 11th May Cllr Scott asked for the removal of the potential permit parking bay scheme for Birchdale Gardens from the Area 5 Action Sheet. This was duly removed - destroying 1 years work and a lengthy petition excercise by myself.
On Wednesday 6th May a woman was involved in a Car Crash after a car being chased by the Police crashed into her vvehicle. She had to be cut out of her vehicle and was taken to Queens Hospital. The youth driving the car fled from the Police. More details can be viewd by following this link.
It has been a long battle (over a year) but I have secured a second patching of South Road since my work in Chadwell began. I am aware that one occurred before my arrival via your Liberal Councillors after in excess of a 10 year wait. My record is one that I believe most residents of the road could not envisage before my arrival. Moreover, a study is on-going that will see a prioritisation of un-adopted roads in the Borough. That could possibly see the eventual assimilation of the Road into the Councils adopted road maintenance program.
Gary Staight our elected Councillor for Chadwell once again deferred the installation of a No-ball games sign for Shepherds Close and the removal of the existing sign at the green on Essex Road - at tonights Area 5 Committe Meeting. He is awaiting a decision on the campaign led by Isla, Juliet and I that will see the potential for a local by-law against Antisocial sports. This is a real shame as I believe if the by-law is to be introduced it will occur after a period of longevity and this small scheme could have introduced some solace to local residents of both these areas. Quite why he did not support the removal of the "No Ball Games" sign from Essex Road I do not know - even though there was majority favour for both these schemes?
It is well documented that Crows feed on litter, so it was with no great surprise that I read a recent email from a concerned resident of Christie Gardens faced with a litter problem occurring within the park and on his road.
Isla is keen to get active and noticed the recent stuffing full of your vandalised bin area with black sacks of Rubbish. She ensured that our General Cleansing Team gave it a good clean and is hoping to work with the Management Agents to rapidly reinstate the bin area to its former position. To facilitate this work she will require someone to provide details of the Management Agents. If you are a local resident please contact us so that we can proceed. If you have any details of the culprits of the Arson Attack please call your Chadwell Safer Neighbourhood Police Team on 020 8721 2625 - they will protect your annoymity (keep confidential any identification details)
This was the sight that met me when inspecting Pavement Mews following a recent complaint from a local resident. I have reported the issue to the Streetscene Department and the Borough Safety team. Once I was almost hit by a chair that fell of the extended roof of a commercial property that like this one became a dumping ground. I am also concerned that this will entice and breed a variety of pests.
Introducing your new Chadwell Ward Green Activist. Many of you will know Isla Martin of Shepherds Close who is a Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator for her area and also an executive member of the Chadwell Heath Action Group. The picture was taken whilst we were undertaking an audit of Crucible Park in preparation for the NHW meeting to be held at Chadwell Foundation School on Thursday 14th May 2009 at 18:30. (it transpires that Ilsa is a former pupil of the school and is looking forward to meeting the current long serving Headmaster Mr Wilkinson - who was around when she was a student. Unfortunately during our survey we noticed this vandalised tree and have reported the incident to the Tree Section.
We also noticed the litter in the park and the graffiti on the Seating area which is visible in the second photo. This information has been cascaded to the Streetscene team had we are hopeful that they will send a representative to our inaugural NHW meeting.
These arisings are the residual remains after a resident of Shepherds Close completed a recent bush cutting excercise. Garden waste can now be collected from homes however there is a procedure to follow which has been described in a previous post on this blog. 
Here are pictures from the aftermath of a Car Crash just viewed by myslef at the Grove Road/High Road Junction. This is very close to the area where the Grove Farm is to be built. I took this picture whilst on a gridlocked lane where Police were struggling to make cars move at all. There were two ambulances involved and I hope that the passengers in the two vehicles are ok. This item will remian on my blog as evidence of the diabolical nature of the road and the large amounts of traffic that can cause much danger in their present state.
Hi in the picture you will see me with some of the other volunteers providing information to Redbridge residents about the Fascist nature of the BNP and the fact that they believe Women to be second class citizens. This was part of the "Hope not Hate" Campaign held today Sunday 10th May 2009 - that was also supported by the Redbridge Race Equality Council. Many people learnt the truth about the BNP For the first time and it was a real eye opener for them.
I have a solution that might be of benefit to Chadwell Allotment Holders if they are willing to work with me? At the moment there have been no crimes reported to the police, regarding the recent spate of arson attacks and other crime associated with the vulnerable land. If some of the allotment holders are willing to report the crime via Ilford Police Station and are able to provide me with a CAD reference number I can then instruct Mick Perring to undertake a Crime report. Following this I and can approach the “Community Safety Team” for funding towards sturdier un-breachable fencing for the site. At this juncture Mick Perring cannot proceed as there is no reported crime? Please report any crime you see to the Police for them to effectively prioritise crime out of our area!
I have received news regarding the tree at the rear of Brian Road mentioned in a previous story. It transpires that the tree was not protected and was aged and rather unhealthy. I will continue to monitor planning applications in the region and will keep residents informed of any new proposals for flats at the location.
A long white van -Mercedes Sprinter - has apparently been abandoned within the private land in the triangle to the rear of properties on Third Road, and the Chadwell Heath Lane end of Somerville Road and Brian Road. The registration plate is R707 PNK. A resident has purported that the vehicle has been there for in excess of 6 months and has not been moved. I have asked for a Road Tax search to be conducted by the General Cleansing Team and for a 14 day removal notice to be placed on the vehicle. If this vehicle belongs to you and you wish to retain it -please do advise me.
Don't forget the Millhaven/Crucible/Capstan Closes' Neighbourhood Watch is to be held at 18:30 at Chadwell Heath Foundation School on Thursday 14th May 2009. The headmaster will be attending this also and will answer any school related issues. we shall also have a Police and ASBO Presence and potentially attendance from General Cleansing.
At the Grove 1 Estate meeting today we had only a few attendants, however some very positive outcomes.The General Cleansing Team have agreed to:
This is a very good result for the Grove 1 Estate residents!
