Signs of corrosion!

What's worse? The state of the sign printing or the fact that one side of the supporting structure is so corroded the sign will soon topple!

Whilst surveying Chadwell on one of my audits, I noticed the highly corroded support structure to the above sign located at the Wangey Road junction with the High Road.   The sign itself has limited worth as much of the writing has deteriorated with the passing of time.  I have reported the dangerous and poor level of sign quality to the Highways Team.  I will advise residents of any outcomes.

Hot Dog

This dog was tied outside a premises on Riches Road near the town centre and was reported at a local Police meeting.  On a visit to the location, I observed that there was no water available to the dog (on the hottest day of the year so far).  I have reported the condition of the dog to the RSPCA.  Please let me know of any other animal abuse.   Sometimes it really is a "dogs life!"

Move along!

Click images to enlarge!

A local resident reported an abandoned vehicle to us which we forwarded to the Streetscene team This vehicle had been on the corner of Grove Road near the junction with Hevingham Road.  A 24 hour notice had been applied and the vehicle has probably now been removed and scrapped.  If you see any other potentially abandoned vehicles in our ward please do inform us.

Graffiti are we winning the war?

Image of Graffiti at 33 - 40 Framlingham Court bin area (Richmond Estate)

Image of graffiti at entrance to 14-15 Suffolk Court (off Hevingham Road)

Graffiti on bin area door within Nacton Court bin area

A year ago I remember every week we used to see graffiti and bulky waste all over the Richmond Estate.  Your Green Party and local residents asked for Dummy CCTV Cameras and CCTV warning signs and eventually the management agents agreed to install some.  They have only installed the warning signs without dummy cameras, but the growing social malaise of graffiti and bulky waste deposits, seems to have significantly reduced. 

I have reported the 3 items above to our local Streetscene team and am confident that all these items will be cleared shortly.

Going round the blend!

Wow what a great view!

Picasso had to start somewhere!

Blend into bland!

Great lines!

Where's me jumper!

No concern is too little or too large for your Green Team. 

Many of you will remember that I had asked the General Cleansing Team to remove graffiti from the wall of a property in Quarles Park estate (on the way to Crucible Park).   After the work had been completed, some residents had complained about the use of white paint over a previously cream wall.   

This matter as you can see in the images, has now been resolved!

Ghastly goings on!

Graffiti and flytipping in the alleyway serving Brian Road, Somerville Road and Invercylde Gardens.

More litter

Doors and other boards increase the level of bulky waste

Ghastly mess

More graffiti adds to the local woe

More flytipping!

Could it get any worse...?

Fly-tippers are making the lives of residents of Brian Road, Somerville Road and Inverclyde Gardens a real nightmare. Regular dumping occurs in the alleyways of these roads and evidence proves much of the dumping is from outside the borough. I have asked the Streetscene Team to investigate and to remove the litter and graffiti. However, if anyone does note anything suspicious please inform us so that we can request an investigation.

Please let me in!

Can you believe the car parks are still closed!

Despite some litter clearance and the pumping out of water from the Car Parks - they are still not open to the public!

-

Many of you will remember that I had written a very stiff planning enforcement enquiry that resulted in a deadline for the reinstatement of the Richmond Estate car parks by May 6th (click here).  This did not transpire and may well have deterred many of you from voting for the Green Party in the recent elections.

We have been as bemused as yourselves and have since the elections continued to campaign for the restoration of the subterranean facilities.

I have been advised that the excess water has now been pumped out of the car parks and that much of the litter and bulky waste has been removed.  However, we find it totally unacceptable that they have not completed the required works. 

All is not bad news and we have received confirmation form a Chief Planning officer that a letter is to be sent out to George Wimpey today, that will demand completion of the works in 14 days.  The officer said:

"My apologies for the delay in replying,but I had to discuss this matter with Mr Romain. I have written to the Management company today and given them 14 days to re-open the parking or we will proceed with a Breach of Condition Notice."

List of graffiti we have reported on our blog!

In the image above you can see the fun Wilson and his daughter had when they painted over the graffiti on telecom boxes in Chadwell.  This box is near the Harvesters.

When Wilson first started his work in Chadwell the main concern that many Chadwell residents had was the level of graffiti in the ward.  Surprisingly, many of you have now forgotton just how bad our ward was.   You have also forgotten how hard Wilson worked to initiate Operation Payback - a Police and National Offender Management Service Community payback scheme - in our ward.  This scheme was the first scheme in Ilford South and Wilson then worked with the Council's cleansing team, who now use this service to save local Counci Taxpayers £m's!  Since then Wilson and his wife have reported thousands of graffiti concerns, found during their regular audits.  Just follow the links below for some items reported on our blog. 

The cheeky part of it is, that the Liberal Democrats have been taking credit for our work and a local Conservative accused Wilson of lying when he told them that he and his wife had singularly, removed the disgusting malaise from our ward....?!

http://chadwellgreen.blogspot.com/2010/05/avenue-road-clean-up.html

http://chadwellgreen.blogspot.com/2010/05/sign-of-time.html

http://chadwellgreen.blogspot.com/2010/05/cleaner-and-greener-chadwell.html

http://chadwellgreen.blogspot.com/2010/05/address-mess.html

http://chadwellgreen.blogspot.com/2010/04/major-grafitti.html

http://chadwellgreen.blogspot.com/2010/03/rajeshri-seeking-local-views.html

http://chadwellgreen.blogspot.com/2010/02/graffiti-alert-for-aston-mews.html

http://chadwellgreen.blogspot.com/2010/01/more-grafitti.html

http://chadwellgreen.blogspot.com/2010/01/wall-next-to-number-54-canon-avenue.html

http://chadwellgreen.blogspot.com/2010/01/response-to-comments-on-graffiti-and.html

http://chadwellgreen.blogspot.com/2010/01/litter-and-graffiti-growing-concerns-on.html

http://chadwellgreen.blogspot.com/2010/01/aston-mews-high-road-purge.html

http://chadwellgreen.blogspot.com/2010/01/secret-weapon.html

http://chadwellgreen.blogspot.com/2010/01/rebel-without-cause.html

http://chadwellgreen.blogspot.com/2010/01/new-year-graffiti-purge.html

http://chadwellgreen.blogspot.com/2010/01/tarnished-images.html
http://chadwellgreen.blogspot.com/2009/11/cruciblecapstanmillhaven-nhw.html

http://chadwellgreen.blogspot.com/2009/11/wheres-my-door-thackery-drive-thugs.html

http://chadwellgreen.blogspot.com/2009/11/prickly-primrose.html

http://chadwellgreen.blogspot.com/2009/11/terrible-state-of-affairs.html

http://chadwellgreen.blogspot.com/2009/11/armageddon.html

http://chadwellgreen.blogspot.com/2009/11/more-graffiti.html

http://chadwellgreen.blogspot.com/2009/10/graffiti-attack.html

http://chadwellgreen.blogspot.com/2009/10/langham-drivelexden-graffiti-and-bulky.html

Avenue Road clean up!

This graffiti was found on the corner house wall of Avenue Road opposite the flats at 26 - 31 Avenue Road

We have reported it to the relevant council team.

Response to Junction Joy letter!

Banging like the clappers!

Double yellow lines here please!

In response to our recent letters regarding road safety measures to be implemented on Grove Road, we were asked by a local individual to seek an extension to the double yellow line provision to Chadwell Heath Lane at both sides of the junction.  It would seem inconsiderate parking has increased and is particularly bad around the opening and closing times of the local Grove Primary School.  I have referred the matter to the Highways department and shall keep you informed. 

The same resident has complained about the noise made by the cooler to the local telecoms mast.  I have asked for the local environmental team to investigate the noise levels of the machinery.

Wilson to the rescue!

Whilst our canvassing today Wilson noticed this bin was on fire. On closer inspection, Wilson noticed paper had been set alight and shoved into this Chadwell Heath Lane bin.

Whilst over onlookers and residents carried out about their business, oblivious to the fact that the noxious fumes were unhealthy to humans and the ecosphere, Wilson decided to put the fire out.  He rushed into the local convenience store and the storekeeper kindly filled a bucket of water.  Wilson duly poured this over the fore putting it out, salvaging the very bin he had worked hard to attain for the area.  Whilst also preserving our atmosphere from more pollution.

Wilson ensured the fire was completely stemmed before leaving.  The fire seemed intentional and is close in proximity to Chadwell Allotments, that was subjected to 7 arson attacks last year.  Someone must have seen who created this fire as the pictures were taken around 17:00 in broad daylight.  Many cars and people were travelling at the time. 

If you did see anything suspicious please inform us or your Chadwell Safer Neighbourhood Team.

Sign of the time!

Graffiti on Chadwell Heath Lane/Grove Road Junction bus stop

Graffiti on wall along path to Harvesters iron bridge

Graffiti on fencing near Harvesters iron bridge.

I have reported all these items to the General Cleansing Team and expect a clearance operation shortly.

School Children mugged as broken bottle was thrust at their necks!

The Harvester's iron bridge is intimidating enough without attacks on young people.

A local mother rang my office this afternoon and complained that her young son has been mugged twice in two years. on the iron bridge next to the Harvesters in Chadwell Ward. 

Only yesterday afternoon at 15:00 her son was with 2 colleagues, when they were threatened on the bridge by four assailants.  The aggressors were described as 2 black and 2 Asian  youths between 17 and 20 years old. It has been alleged that broken bottles were pressed to the necks of the victims in a despicable act of malice. The muggers obtained an undisclosed sum of money and 2 mobile phones.

I have asked the local Police to patrol the area more vigorously in an attempt to eradicate the crime.   I would advise parents to warn their children of the potential threat and for them to turn around and find an alternative route, if they view any suspicious behaviour on the bridge.  Moreover, I would advise that children using the bridge avoid carrying expensive items were possible, whilst traversing the bridge.  Thus far all the reported bridge crime has involved children and young people.

Our Chadwell Safer Neighbourhoods Team said:

"Hi Wilson, The below info will be passed to the Goodmayes team as its my understanding this robbery happened on the other side of the iron bridge being there ward. We will up our patrols on our part.

If there are any witnesses to the crime please inform Chadwell SNT by calling 020 8721 2562. 

Our Chadwell Safer Neighbourhood Team and I have informed the Goodmayes SNT of the potential threat at the location.  I am sure a joined up approach to resolving the issue will ensue.   Sgt Lowrie of Chadwell SNt said:

"......Chadwell is doing a lot of work around such crimes on the ward. One male was arrested after a violent struggle with my PCSO's and Paul . He was charged with three robberies and Paul again helped officers detain two more this week in Chadwell Heath Lane. They were also dealt with successfully."  In fact it was Dean whom the victims stopped, so it shows we were close by...."

Leading our Chadwell Police Team, the dynamic Sgt Lowrie is ensuring we have the most organised and committed team in Ilford South.  I am sure the problems associated with this crossing will disappear.  However we must be vigilant as a community and should continue to ensure, we report all crimes to the Police.

Once on the bridge there is no way out!

The only party with a common sense solution to Telecom Masts!

Many of you will be aware of my October 2008 protest against an additional telecom mast in Chadwell at Redbridge College.  During my campaign Councillor Scott talked of an additional mast at the location being an innocuous event, despite the many young people that could be affected by radio frequencies....?  See article above.

Cllr Staight felt that mobile phone owners should not have permission to express views on telecoms masts and even declared the site for the mast as far away from any school...?  He obviously forget about Redbridge College, Newbridge School  and Grove Primary school all of which would be well within the 400m radius that necessitates consultation with Head Teachers and Principals.  All of whom were opposed.  See article above.

Council officers agreed with my concerns about the mast installations and declined the automatic right for the installation, placing an onus on Vodaphone to submit a planning application for the proposed installation.  This was never submitted as they could see that your Green Activists had galvanised our community against their diabolical scheme.  Most schemes pass through as residents are not aware of them and hence do not set up any opposition.   Wilson explained the potential health threats and the fact that operators are encouraged to share masts in the article above.  However, Cllr staight still felt it necessary to write again (see letter below)

Cllr Staight accused Redbridge College of opposing the local mast because of declined applications for masts at Redbrideg College twice.  His information is somewhat skewered and I should clarify that suggesting a telecoms mast on the telecoms roll-out plan does not require any preemptive consultation.  The council would have required the telecom operator to seek permission from the college as part of the proposal and installation would obviously not have been able to proceed without their permission.  However the college declined the offer both times.  Moreover, I am aware that the Principal of the college had written to Cllr Staight after this letter to clarify details.  This letter was written after Wilson had already succeeded in convincing the planning team that this proposal would not be suitable for the area.  By now Wilson was getting tired of the constant puerile attempts to justify installation of a telecoms mast, so he wrote the following letter:

After this last letter and losing in his campaign to see a telecoms mast installed at the location.  Cllr Staight finally stopped writing in to the Ilford Recorder.   Wilson faced similar opposition when he challenged the need for a second telecoms mast at the Grove Road/Chadwell Heath Lane Junction.  We created history when for the first time in Redbridge telephone operators agreed to share a mast rather than co-locating two separate masts at Grove Road.

Bungling Labour!

Grumpy Smurf!

The national election resulted in a high turnout at this years polling stations.  Over 60% of the electorate turned up at Chadwell and somehow a very quiet, inactive Labour Party came into power in Chadwell Ward.  I think they were as surprised as anyone and having been a former candidate for them, I am aware that one of their candidates Andy Walker has never been interested in the role .  It will be interesting to see how he deals with the number of local requests for assistance from the Chadwell Community.  Moreover the other young candidate has never been heard of before, I forget her name...? 

The Labour Party must have drawn their candidates out of a hat without any real selection process, as one of their candidates Mark Gittens, is employed by the council as a school teacher.  This conflict of interest makes him ineligible to be a candidate and a by-election will be called shortly!  

 Mr Gittens is threatening to challenge the council on his ineligibility, despite the rather sheepish apology from new Labour leader Bob Littlewood, featured in this weeks Ilford Recorder.  Sour grapes is an image that comes to mind.

Labour failed to win control of Redbridge Council despite recording their best results for a long while. Redbridge Council now has a LibCon coalition that mirrors the national government.  The only difference between the National picture and our local political framework, is that we do not yet have our first ever Green elected member.  The people of Chadwell have an opportunity to change this statistic and could yet vote in the hardest working candidate in Redbridge/Chadwell our own Wilson Chowdhry.

Our existing electoral mechanism is very biased and favours the two largest parties.  The first past the post  system induces negative voting - individuals vote against the party they least favour (tactical voting).  This inappropriate way of voting had squeezed the votes of smaller parties, such as the Green Party. In the face of such obstacles, Wilson still managed to secure a strong 4th place in the national elections, gaining 2.6% of the overall Ilford south vote.  This was the best result for a first time Green Party candidate this year and placed him easily within the top 25 Green Candidates nationally.  

Many voters felt that Labour was their only option despite the Green offer of:

•  no public service cuts
• £170 per week pension
• additional £20 per week child benefit
• electoral reform
• stronger funding for young people

Moreover the Green Party manifesto also pledged better investment in;

•  schools
• further education
• industry (inducing employment)
• hospitals and policing

A strong financial costing was drawn up that included:

•  better efficiency savings
• scrapping trident (saving billions!)
• withdrawal from the costly illegal and immoral wars with Afghanistan and Iraq
• a wealth tax on the very rich
• reform of Council Tax dependent on rentable value
• Robin Hood Tax on bankers bonuses. 

An independent poll showed our manifesto pledges were universally the most favoured by the majority of voters.  What a shame more voters were not strong enough in their conviction to vote for the only party that espouses social justice. 

Here is a challenge, do monitor the political manoeuvrings of our Leader and newly elected MP Caroline Lucas.  We believe that her convictions and those of our party will stand the test of time.   Many others have already meandered from their original pledges!

Wilson also scored a tremendous 897 votes in Chadwell that is a phenomenal result when you consider the number of voters basing local voting practice on the national agenda.  Such a result indicates that in the forthcoming local election where turnout is expected to be much lower - Wilson could potentially win a record breaking first Green seat in Redbridge Council.  Few could argue that he deserves it....!

You made your bed - now lie in it!

Residents of Langham Drive will no doubt recognise this image of a mattress on your road.  I saw it on your road the day of the recent elections and reported it to our General Cleansing team.  So if you though it was the wombles that removed it - you would be wrong!

If you see an perpetrators of a crime such as fly tipping or bulky waste depositing on public highway, please either report it to your Chadwell activists or the General Cleansing Team on 020 8554 3070.

Cleaner and Greener Chadwell!

I reported several incidents of Grafitti to our Streetscene Team yesterday read more by clicking (here).

I received this response today:

"Hi Wilson, Thank you for your email and report. I have passed the information onto the graffiti team for their attention. Hopefully the graffiti will be removed within the next few days. Regards Russell"

Your Chadwell Green activists continue to improve local quality of life.

Sorry more delay - much due to our previous councillors!

Re: Grove Road calming measures - better safety at the Chadwell Heath Lane junction!

Follow this (link) for a diagram of the proposed road safety improvements to Grove Road. This includes safety measures to be introduced to the Chadwell Heath Lane junction. The works are the responsibility of George Wimpey Construction and were to be an obligation as part of the agreed planning application for the former Chadwell Heath Hospital site.

The design was approved by our Highways team in 2003, however, bungling Highways officers and your previous Liberal Councillors allowed the works to slip off the radar!

Fortunately, residents residing along Chadwell Heath Lane contacted us after frequent motor vehicle accidents at the aforementioned junction. Immediately Wilson, Juliet and Isla fashioned and collected over 100 signatures for a petition and submitted it to the Highways Team, as a consequence the proposed works resurfaced.

We have continued to challenge for the works to proceed and recently informed you of a delay in Wimpey selecting a contractor. However, since then further delays have ensued. It transpires that the telecom mast installation near the junction occurred after the attached design was approved. Underground cabling from this mast must be relocated before road works can proceed. This is the very same mast that your former Liberal councillors permitted. Moreover, the same Councillors were also going to allow a second mast on the other side of the junction, for a different telephone company. This would have further aggravated the scheduling of works. We were responsible for the rejection of the second proposed mast (many of you signed our petition), Council officers instead convinced the mast operators to share the mast.  It would seem Chadwell residents have once again benefited from the endeavours of your local Green Party.

Your former Liberal Councillors seemd to be staunch proponents for the need of more Telecom masts.  When Wilson opposed a mast at Redbridge College Cllr Staight sent a flurry of letters explaining the virtues of telecom masts.  He seemed oblivious to the fact that operators could share masts.  Wilson stopped a debate that was ongoing for several weeks with the letter below:

Click to enlarge

Whilst your newly elected Labour Councillors are still to undertake any work to improve the quality of life for local people, we have continued our ongoing efforts. We shall continue pressing our Highways team to ensure George Wimpey expedite the proposed road safety works. I asked a senior highways officer to describe the new scheme:

“As I described to you, the scheme provides for 3 refuges in Grove Road - 2 South of Hevingham Drive and an upgraded one at the junction at Chadwell Heath Lane. There will also be a refuge as you enter into Hevingham Drive.


A central red surfaced and hatched 'ghost island' will run along the centre of Grove Road. There will be kerb build outs in Chadwell Heath Lane to improve visibility and carriageway widening/footway reduction at the end of Grove Road on the Hevingham Road side.”

Solar Panels

For those of you who don't know Wilson operates a very successful security business called A.A. Security Ltd in Redbridge. He has always held a strong approach to ethical business, no more evident than in his purchase of Photo-voltaics (solar panels) at his business premises in Redbridge. Wilson has calculated the amount of electricity they produce which is to-date in excess of 75% of his annual general consumption. The installation was funded by one of the last "Energy Saving Trust" (a government quango), grants for such installations. This scheme has been terminated and Wilson is unique within the security sector for such an installation and stands alone as a Redbridge Business - a beacon for other local businesses to follow we hope. Wilson has said the following about the Installation:

"Not only do they provide over 75% of our annual electricity consumption but they also provide a buffer against any National Grid failure. We have linked them up to a 9 Hour Unlimited Power Supply battery that stores electricity - this means that as part of a contingency plan we can continue 24 hour operations even during the longest delays in a restoration of power. Moreover, our energy costs as you can imagine have drastically reduced meaning that within 4 years we will have a full return on our investment and will be able to comprehensively enjoy the perks of better cash flow - a result of moderate energy self sufficiency at a time when utility companies are hiking up their supply rates daily!"

Wilson is now campaigning for an increase in funded opportunities for cleaner alternative energy -believing that such small schemes on homes and businesses would significantly reduce our reliance on energy providers who use combustion to produce energy. Moreover, private scheme like this would enhance a sustainable economy in which decreasing demand for utility services would act as a vehicle for cheaper UK fuel costs.

It's Party Time!

Cans and bottles seem ominous!

Seems to have been quite a few people at this party!

Oi the bin is just steps away?!!

Summer, summer, summertime - its the summertime. Those previous words are the beginning of a Will Smith song. Whilst you are enjoying yourselves over the summer please try and take into consideration the feelings of others.

Whislt delivering campaign letters on Overton Drive I came across a number of Beer bottles and cans strewn along the grassy area around the Overton Flats near Heath Station.

I reported it to the Police - they investigated and found that no complaints had been made and that no drug usage could be found. It would seem that some local residents probably had a little summer fun and forget to clean up after themselves. I had asked that the mess be cleared away and believe our Streetscene Team have done so, especially due to the dangers that empty bottles can induce.

It is a shame that people can forget themselves as there is nothing wrong in enjoying yourselves, as long as you keep it peaceable and clear up after yourselves. Moreover, the site is served by easily accessible bin areas.

If you do find that a social gathering is causing a nuisance or disturbance, you can call the Antisocial Behaviour Team on 020 8478 4679 or 0300 123 12 12 for a non emergency Police unit.