Reynolds Gresham Drive fix up!

Residents of Gresham Drive and Reynolds Avenue must be wondering when their roads will have a full reinstatement as I had previously told them it would be completed by the end of the current financial year. The bad news is I have been told the repairs will not be done this financial year now. However they will be completed by the end of the first Quarter of next years financial year - as far as I can see it is not a stitch up.

Residents of Brian Road will have the potholes on their road repaired by April the 8th.

Parking Nightmare!

At an Area 5 committee meeting in February a Highways scheme for the increase in Bus No parking zones and an increase in the time allocations for the existing no parking zones for the High Road from Seven Kings to Chadwell was accepted. I was not present at the meeting as I had not been informed of the 1 week postonement - resulting from the first meeting being on the day that the severe snow first fell.

Unfortunately this means the Chadwell Heath High Road no waiting restrictions will now be increasing to 07:00 - 19:00. I now this is disappointing news for Shoppers and Shop owners alike who have been appealing for the availability of more parking.

I am aware that some residents will suffer the consequences of penalties due to ignorance of this change and ask that viewers of this story, inform others of the need to not park during the new prohibited times

Cedar Park Gardens - No right Turn!

Many residents of Birchdale Gardens and Cedar Park Gardens have raised concerns with the diabolical nature of drivers, who persist to use the Crystal Windows Car Park to facilitate an illegal right turn when leaving Cedar Park Gardens.

This activity is both dangerous and unthoughtful and could lead to the death of unwary pedestrians or cause car crashes. At an Area 5 Meeting on Monday 23rd March 2009, Wilson questioned the cabinet Leader for Community Safety ( Vanessa Cole) and our Borough Commander of the Redbridge Police Peter Terry. Both have said that they will investigate the matter and bring an end to the long running fiasco.

Crash Test Dummy!

We have received complaints from a number of resident regarding the safety of the Chadwell Heath Lane and Grove Road Junction. Crashes occur here frequently and many of them cause serious damage to vehicles, the road itself (I have recently had the two corners repaired for you through the Redbridge Highways Maintenance Team) and most importantly people. The trauma of a car crash is known to trigger depression also. To resolve this matter we have consulted with some residents who have all suggested that a roundabout should be installed at the location. With this in mind Wilson will be suggesting this at the next Area 5 Committee Meeting.

You will be kept informed of progress on this blog

Update(comment from a 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."

On further investigation it would seem within the current priority lists we are looking at a potential 2-3 year delay for any works. I will be cahllenging the Area 5 Committee to either part or fully fund the potential installation.

Happy Mothers Day!

Mother's Day was created as a day for each family to honor its Mother celebrated on various days in many places around the world. It complements Fathers Day, the celebration honoring Fathers. However in the UK "Mothering Sunday" know known in the UK as Mother's Day is a tradition dating back to the 16th Century and is unquestionably the oldest of the modern celebrations.

One school of thought claims this day emerged from a custom of mother worship in ancient Greece, which kept a festival to Cybele, a great mother of Greek gods. This festival was held around the Vernal Equinox around Asia Minor and eventually in Rome itself from the Ides of March (15th March) to 18th March.
The ancient Romans also had another holiday, Matronalia, that was dedicated to Juno, though mothers were usually given gifts on this day.
In addition to Mother's Day, Internationl Women's day is celebrated in many countries, most often on March 8.

Whatever the case...we just want to wish all Mothers a Happy Mother's Day!!!

Restorative justice

In a recent Chadwell Liberal Focus we read about the Liberals commitment to reducing knife Crime. The Green Party to believes the introduction of ID cards would be an expensive unproductive and futile scheme. We are the only party to be championing the need for more local Police Stations - which could see the return in operation of our Chadwell Heath Police Station on Wangey Road. The benefits of this would be numerous we should see an increase in locally reported crimes - culminating from convenience of a short trip. Moreover local Safer Neighbourhood teams would be equipped with the ability to exchange intelligence and introduce effective collaborative policing efforts.

Further more we would introduce a wider array of skills sets for Police Officers by recruiting from other employment spheres and would introduce more Police and Community Support Officers.

view more on our website:

http://www.greenparty.org.uk/policies/crime.html

CJ110 Given that crime should be seen as partly caused by social factors, it cannot be adequately addressed solely in terms of criminal justice and policing policy. A Green approach to crime reduction therefore places significant focus on the social causes of crime. As well as social crime prevention, this includes a broader range of social policies which will lessen the social pressures, such as poverty, inequality or addiction to illegal drugs, to commit crime.

CJ111 The lives and liberties of individuals, groups and society as a whole must be protected within a law-based system which strives for justice, including social and economic justice, and fairness. We therefore believe that it is necessary for society to define certain forms of harmful behaviour as crimes, but that the list of crimes should be kept as short as possible.

CJ112 Criminal justice cannot be successfully imposed from above, but needs as far as possible to be a product of a living, democratic community. The basic institutions of Green justice should be community-based and relatively informal in nature. They should provide maximum potential for public participation.

CJ113 The Green approach to dealing with offenders however differs markedly from current practice. We believe retributive sentencing to be ineffective in reducing crime.
CJ114 We will introduce the principle of "restorative justice", which while denouncing the crime, deals constructively with both the victim and the offender. The primary aim will be to restore and, if necessary, improve the position of the victim and the community; the offender will be required to make amends.

CJ115 Restorative justice recognises the need not only to ensure that the amount and nature of reparation be appropriate to the harm suffered, but also that it is within the capacity of the offender to make it. This means that any shortfall will have to be met by the community.

Green Economy

Some of you may have read the blather reported via the recent Liberal Focus - in which they highlighted pensioners and other needy groups having limited success in crises Loan applications, without committing themselves to any proposed solution.

The green party is not frightened to discuss it policies and I confirm some proposals, which could help these groups as listed in the Green Manifesto:

• Good quality local services rather than false 'choice' (people want good local Schools/Hospital rather than the choice of choosing one distant from home)
• Free Prescriptions, eye tests and dentistry
• Mandatory youth services with extra funding
• Scrapping fees in higher education and also 'foundation' status for local education provision.
• Introduction of a Citizen's Pension that would pay pensioners a liveable amount, without means testing and would be linked to the rise in average earnings.

We have been championing the creation of a network of publicly owned community banks - this would prevent the despicable Executive bonus schemes and other perks that have decimated our economy, as the Government would have more control over the industry and could also raise an income. We also believe the UK should stay out of European Single Currency.

Learn more by following these links:

http://www.greenparty.org.uk/policies/services-economy.html

http://www.greenparty.org.uk/policies/work-welfare-pensions.html

Wimpey Homes Grove Road Development Update!

See update from 20th March 2009 at end of page!

Residents of Hevingham Gardens, Glanford Way, Sudbury Court, Norfolk Court and Norwich Crescent will have received Chadwell Green Newsletters today. While I was delivering my Wife Juliet was auditing your area and highlighted the below mentioned areas of concern:

• The Pavement at the corner of Grove Road/Chadwell Heath Lane at the front of your property is crumbling.
• Railings at the Corner of Hevingham Gardens/Grove Road have been hit by a vehicle it would seem and they have collapsed.
• Next to 27 Nacton Court within the underpass to residential waste bins - two beds have been dumped.
• Next to 24 Sudbury Court within the waste bin subway a bed has been dumped.
• Next to 7 Sudbury Court in the underpass doors to Bin areas do not close.
• next to 26 Sudbury court (or maybe 26 Norwich crescent -do not understand numbering scheme) doors broken off Bin Area
• The vegetation at Norwich Crescent Seating Area /Garden is overgrown and weedy
• The doors to the bin Area next to 28 Norfolk court has no doors?
• To the fore of 18 Sudbury Court and to the fore of 24 Sudbury Court shale has been removed from the Flower Beds uncovering utility covers.
• There is a stack of broken wood from a former bed strewn across the grassy area near the old sales suite building (opposite the NHS building accesible from entrance at Chadwell Heath Lane/Grove Road - rather than Hevingham Gardens)
• There is graffiti on the plant bed to the fore of 11 Glanford Way.

I have asked all relevant agencies to investigate these issues and to report back to me. I will keep you posted on any works to be undertaken.

Please share your thoughts and advise of other areas of need.

GOOD NEWS: I have received a response from the Redbridge Aboriculturalists (Gardeners):

"The Council's Highway and Engineering Services have advised that the roads within the estate have not been adopted by the Council, therefore, the estate is not included within the Council's Ground Maintenance Contracts.

However, it is anticipated that the Roads will be adopted, as part of the public Highway, within the next few months and any areas of vegetation that are adopted will then be maintained by the Council. Once the adoption has been completed, we will be able to provide details relating to the area's of Council responsibility and confirm what and when work will be carried out."

GOOD NEWS 2: Wimpey homes have agreed to look at the landscaping issues and are sending an engineer to investigate. They ahve also provided details of the Management Agency in respect to the Bulk waste and the damageed doors.

Dear Residents,

UPDATE "20th March 2009 -Good News for Richmond Estate!
.
Since my last newsletter you will have noticed Redbridge Council have removed much bulky waste and the reported graffiti. Further to that, I visited your estate today the 20th March 200 with Mathew Simmonds of RGM and list the agreed action for your estate.

• 
  The lighting in the car park is to be renewed, gates will be fixed and the electrical supply will be repaired so that the pumps will remove the water. During my inspection I noticed that the slats on the Lighting channels (designed to provide light to the car park) seem to be upside down and hence are having no impact. I have emailed George Wimpey to see if they could turn these the correct way up.
• RGM have confirmed that shale will be returned to the vacant bedding channels near Sudbury and Dunwich Courts.
• RGM will be talking with George Wimpey and clarifying who has responsibility for the landscaping of the Green on Norwich Court. This should result in a rectification programme shortly.
• RGM have agreed to install some bins at the location when complete and I will be requesting 4 dog litter bins for the whole estate via Redbridge Council.
• Bulky waste has returned after the recent clearance from Redbridge Council and there were some items that my wife did not list (it is a shame that a resident did not inform us after my first letters). RGM have agreed to remove these items and will continue to do so, on a fortnightly basis.
• RGM are sourcing a quotation for the introduction of gates to the waste areas, these will be of more solid construction than the doors on the cabins - within the waste areas. The idea being that this might deter bulky waste deliveries as they will have to take place in more visible areas.
• Pavement repairs have been undertaken by the Redbridge Road maintenance team toady, in respect to the corner of Grove Road and Chadwell Heath Lane.
• RGM are awaiting two quotations for insurance repair works to the barriers at the Hevingham Road corner - that have been hit by cars. This work should be completed shortly and the loose rubber pipe will be removed. Once the road is adopted I will ask Highways to introduce bollards on the corner to protect the Barriers
• There are two cars that seem to be abandoned:
  Location Licence Plate
  24 Dunwich Court R223 0FX
  26 Sudbury Court E701 GMX
  If these are yours please inform me as the Management Agency is contacting the DVLA to locate details of the owners – for a potential 7 day warning for removal from site.
• The lamp post leaning on Norwich Green seems to be due to there being no foundation or stabilisation base - I have asked George wimpey to remedy this issue.

Prevention is better than cure!

See update from 20.03.2009 at bottom of page!!

We all know that Prevention is better than cure - however our Conservative Cabinet continue to ignore calls to increase our planned road maintenance budget and have in fact proposed a £500,000 reduction from this years budget. Our vehicles are subjected to increased wear and tear from potholes which also reduces fuel efficiency resulting in a significant environmental and economic concerns. To ensure Chadwell residents get the best level of service with respect to potholes I have been reporting all defects I see. Many of you will have received local updates on this work - my most recent tranche of reports includes:

• On Stanley Road a pothole exists before nos; 46, 64, 74, 84, 90, 96 and more can be seen in this area


• There is a pothole to the entrance of Hevingham Road at the Junction with Grove Road, It is next to the drain there.


• The pavement on the Chadwell Heath Lane/Grove Road corner is crumbling and a bollard has been hit by a car the Kerbstones are also loose


• A pothole is present at the Millhaven Close/Grove Road Junction


• A pothole on Grove Road just before Westfield Gardens junction (opposite a garage).


• To the fore of 2 Glendale Avenue is a loose kerbstone and a pothole exists at the corner of Glendale Avenue/Grove Road.


• Millhaven Close I can confirm the pavements both sides from the entrance via Grove Road are patchy and dangerous. This poor surface continues until no. 37


• Fauna Close is patchy throughout its entirety.


• 30 and 34 Somerville Road have loose kerbstones from Vehicles hitting the high kerb whilst parking on the pavements


• to the fore of 14 Howell close is a pavement slab with a trip hazard of over an inch.

I have recieved this good news response today 20.03.2009:

Satnley Road all potholes filled?
Hevingham Drive is private and not maintained by L.B.R - soon to be adopted!
Chadwell Heath Lane/Grove Road:- 2 jobs issued, now completed.
Millhaven Close/Grove Road:- job issued, 28 day window for completion.
As above.
Glendale Avenue:- job issued, now completed.
Millhaven Close:- only one defect noted. Job issued, now completed.
Fauna Close:- no urgent defects noted.
Somerville Road:- 3 jobs issued, due for completion today.
Howell Close:- no urgent defects noted.

Join up with your local NHW - It does stop Crime!

Burglary is on the increase and to better improve local police intelligence and community engagement I have been helping to initiate a number of Local Neighbourhood Watches. The police are no longer promoting single road Watches and are targeting hot spot areas. To work easier and include all residents in the process I have been helping to establish Super NHW's with larger catchment areas.

One in particular is the South Chadwell Neighbourhood Watch which is located at

Oasis Church
1 Essex Road (off High Road)
Next Meeting Date 28th April at 19:00 - Police will be in attendance!

This group is led by James Peters and the membership is growing regularly

Issues resolved thus far include:

• Obtaining refunds from Barking and Dagenham Council who illegally charged Redbridge residents
• Repairs to a footpath and cutting back vegetation to make their area more salubrious
• obtaining a Disabled Bay to fore of Church
• Reduction on crimes of graffiti (and removal), drug dealing and antisocial behaviour
• Overall crime reduction and increased community confidence.

They would like to increase local participation of the group and encourage visitors from:

• High Road (in part)
• Burns Avenue
• Essex Road
• Railway Street
• Cross Road
• Avenue Road

Let me know if you would like any more details

Road reinstatement

Residents of Reynolds Avenue and Gresham Drive are to recieve a complete reinstatement of their roads afetr a 2 year campaign by Wilson and Juliet Chowdhry. This shoudl take polace sometime in April and will ensure the two roads in worst repair, within the ward, will recieve much needed improvement.

A lead officer from Highways has stated:

"Wilson, my Engineer dealing with these projects is on leave and I understand that he has made arrangements with the contractor to carry out works before the end of the financial year. A date has not been firmly agreed, but I will get him to confirm on his return"

I am chasing up for a confirmed date and will keep residents informed.

It is rare to get full reinstatements for any road and we can confirm no non -priority road in Chadwell has had treatment of this kind during my 3.5 years of dedication to your concerns. This is a real coup de grace.

Not the Wombles of Wimbledon Common - the Chowdhry of Chadwell Heath!

Area 5 Committee has earmarked £6000 for the removal of Bulky Waste from Chadwell, Seven Kings and Goodmayes Ward. It is proven that clean areas have reduced crime due to increased community ownership of the problem, better community morale reducing perception of crime and embarrassment to perpetrators of "grime"

Any bulky waste removed from the frontage of any property will also involve distribution of a severe letter to the resident, informing them of enforcement for any repeat incident.

I am reporting all the bulky items I see and will keep you informed of progress via letters and this blog. However if any residents see any bulky items please report it to me so that I can have this cleared away for you - improving the quality of life for local people.

Thus far my newest wave of Bulky Item and graffiti reporting include:

Bulky rubbish locations:

Much small litter in front garden of 26 Mayesford Road - enforcement under the Control of Pests Act would be suitable.
46 Hickman Road
Stairwell to fore of 1097 High Road
43 Hall Road an old chair is on front garden
19 Mnaor Road - two doors on front garden
Next to 3 Hall Road is unclaimed land full of bulky waste and litter.
10 and 14 Fields Park Crescent
53 Somerville Road
NK News at 1035 High Road has a bed to side of building
Old pile of bricks in front garden at 8 Arthur Road
Bulky waste in nos; 1, 7, 25 Clarrisa Road
Vicargae Cottage (Corner of Edgar Road/Chadwell Heath Lane) Side of house have bulky waste.
Nos; 20, 18, 10, 7 Eva Road have Bulky waste
13 Eva Road has a broken piece of wall in front garden
5a Cahdwell Heath Lane
3 Chadwell Heath Lane
Bed left in Bin area next to 51 - 53 Quarles Park Road
Bulky Rubbish at 183 Grove Road
A broken wall and large crate is in front garden of 82 Roxy Avenue
Bulky Rubbish (2 Sofas) by side of bins opposite crucible park and 25 Capstan Close
Bulky Rubbish in front garden of 9 railway st
Bulky Rubbish at 82 Chadwell Heath Lane
Bulky Rubbish within route to Garages (large rolled up carpet and other items) at Millhaven Close.
Bulky Rubbish next to Wangey Chapel again
24 Inverclyde Gardens is littered with residential rubbish the house is surrounded by Bulky Rubbish
Bulky Rubbish at 36 Grove Road
Bulky Rubbish at 86 Grove Road
Bulky Rubbish at 5 Edith Road
Bulky Rubbish at 25 Clarissa Road (you have cleared here before!)
Bulky Rubbish in front garden of no.28 Overton Drive (sofa)
Bulky Rubbish in from of 60 Overton Drive

Graffiti:

Graffiti on property at 21 Park Lane the corner wall is actually on Hall Road
Charles Road/Chadwell Heath Lane Corner Green Telecoms box
67 Roxy Avenue/Crescent Road graffiti on green telecoms box
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 in inaesthetic.
On side wall of 200 Overton Drive
Both Abercorn Alleyways have graffiti again
Joydon Drive/Gresham Drive Corner Green Box has graffiti
Lexden Drive/Gresham Drive Corner – Green Box has graffiti
47 Joydon Drive Green box has graffiti
Opposite 47 Gresham Drive Green box has graffiti
Gresham Drive/Abercon Gardens Road Central reservation bollard has graffiti
Post Box near Gresham/Abercorn has graffiti
Rochford Gardens/ Brian Road corner Alleyway littered with graffiti
Drycleaners on the High Road (chadwell ward)
The Wangey Road corner of building has graffiti (next to Bike Shop)
A Green Telecoms box on Belfairs avenue/High Road are all affected by graffiti.

This list will continue being updated - do tell me of other locations!

Crime information

The Chadwell Green Party believes that local people should be aware of crime in their areas so that a collaborative and concerted effort to reduce crime can take place. To facilitate a better understanding of Policing priorities we have created a link to the most recent Chadwell Safer Neighbourhood Team Quarterly report.

Please provide your comments about the priorities on this blog or directly to the police on the details in the report:

http://www.met.police.uk/teams/SNTnewsletter/redbridgechadwell.pdf

Chad Well (Myth or Legend?)

Here are some interesting facts about Chadwell Heath:

Etymology:

It is named from Chaudewell, meaning cold spring or stream and was first recorded in 1254. The area had an alternative name, recorded in 1440 as Blackhethe, meaning dark coloured heath. Legend also has it that Saint Chad used this spring or "well" for baptising converts during his missionary works - see the plaque and commemorative post in Billet Road, marking the reputed site of Saint Chad's Well on the Heath.

History:

The heath itself was infamous because of highwayman their presence diminished by the installation of a turnpike near the site of the current Tollgate Pub. A former resident of Japan Road Eva Hart was a survivor of the Titanic disaster; the local Wetherspoons pub is named after her.

Can you tell us any more interesting facts?

The sound of squelching under my shoe!

Residents in various localities have complained about dog mess on the streets. I will be requesting Dog Bins for the following areas with increased signage:

Fields Park Crescent
Sherman/Bengeo/Westfield Gardens

Please tell me if dog foul is causing nasal irritation in your area!

Millhaven Project

I have just finished delivering the new Chadwell Greens Newsletter along Millhaven Close and the associated Closes. What should have taken 30 minutes took an additional 45 minutes as I was busy scribbling down the immense local concern I surveyed. The conditions for people living on Millhaven Close/Capstan Close and Crucible Close are to be quite frank - disgusting! This is definitely the most ignored region of Chadwell and must have a number of disgruntled residents. If the state of services they are receiving here was repeated in leafy Woodford....all hell would break loose as it would be deemed unsatisfactory by all. I believe your incumbent Liberal Councillors are to blame for the demise of your area and have reported the following issues:

• Graffiti on top of Green box by entrance to Crucible Close.
• Bulky waste (2 sofas) by Bins opposite Crucible Park/ 25 Capstan Close
• 9 – 65 Millhaven Close are sharing two bins, there were 4 previously however, the council has removed 2 - several residents have informed me, resulting in visible overspill.
• Rubbish is strewn ubiquitously over the communal grassy areas – this is very unsightly and noticeable.
• The road signs at Capstan Close are littered with graffiti and should be replaced.
• Bulky Rubbish in Car Park near opening by Grove road (rolls of carpet)
• Alleyway between Millhaven Close and Grove Road has graffiti on lamppost and minor items on walls.
• The bin areas are have graffiti and could benefit from doors.
• Vegetation in a number of areas is encroaching paths to flats or street pavement
• The street pavements need a real overhaul - I tripped twice myself!
  
  The list goes on.
  
  I have asked local council teams for a concerted effort to bring your area to a state of normality and will chart progress – no wonder so many disaffected youths roam are streets.

Please tell me your thoughts if you are a resident.

UPDATE:

I have contacted Labyrinth Properties, 5b, High Road, Chadwell Heath, Romford, Essex, RM6 6PU, Tel: 020 85861185, Fax: 020 85861123 and Flatcare Management Ltd 2 Walker Close Crayford Kent DA1 4SR Contact: Tony Simmons Tel 01322 559813. It would seem that Flatcare areas are in the main in good condition - however Labyrinth are still to respond.

UPDATE 2:

See Response from Flat Care recieved on Friday 13th March 2009 - They seem very proactive:

"Our team were there today and we have a list of three things that have been dumped. These will be removed within three working days.

We will look at the bin door you refer to.

Cleaners can sometimes not access litter entwined in bushes for health and safety reasons. This will be done when gardeners can get amongst the bushes

I would reiterate I hope you are contacting those houses with poorly kept garages, litter in gardens and overgrown bushes. We are looking after private flats and the owners satisfaction is our priority.

We do monitor these flats weekly so we will pick up items when needed."

If you are homeowners please do keep your gardens tidy too!

Westfield Crises

I was in the vicinity of Westfield Gardens, Sherman Gardens and Bengeo Gardens to complete a delivery of letters for the Green Party, at around 13:30 today. Whilst there I noticed some disturbing issues which I detail below;

Opposite 38 Sherman Gardens there are some brick constructions – one has bins in the other is currently vacant. Youths (aged between 11- 13) were congregated in the building and rapping as I passed by, they decided to give me some acerbic glances, but that was not to intimidating. After leaving I noticed there was a mass of graffiti inside the construction and offensive images such as a gun.

Behind 20 – 28 Birch Court there is a bin cabin without doors and 4 Asian teenagers (16+) where distributing drugs between themselves. Preparing to smoke some wacky baccy, no doubt.

Lots of youths could be seen running through the alleyway – although this is not overtly a problem. Some Police patrols might curb excessive behavioral issues and bring solace to the local community

I reported the issue to Police, the Redbridge ASBO Team, General Cleansing, Taylor Wimpey, Winchester Property and London Quadrant.

The police responded by sending 3 Police Officer's on bikes (this night) - which I can confirm as one of them lent me a pen to list the non-working lamp posts. Our Chadwell Team are working hard to resolve your local issues - please support them by providing any intelligence your have. Call 020 8721 2562

I am aware of your local antisocial behaviour issues and will be sending a letter to you to help and encourage you to start a new Neighbourhood Watch.

Westfield/Sherman and Bengeo Project

Dear Residents of Westfield Gardens/Sherman Road/Madeline Close and Bengeo Gardens

Whilst delivering the Green Party Letters in your area today my Wife Juliet sketched a localised action sheet. The areas of concern she has collated include:

• 100s of cigarette butts are littered at the entrance to Westfield gardens from Grove Road/Madeline Close side. Doors off hinges for litter bin enclosure at 24 – 38 Westfield Gardens – Graffiti on underpass next to 69 Birch Court
• 79 – 84 Birch Court shale has been kicked onto pavement creating H&S hazard.
• 80 – 120 Westfield gardens is littered with rubbish along streets and communal green areas
• Doors are missing from 16 – 19 Birch court communal bins area – who should be held responsible for these - please advise?

We have asked the Redbridge Streetscene team to investigate and confirm whether it would be possible to install a litter bin with ashtray, at the entrance to Westfield Gardens. A request has been made for an investigation into who has responsibility for the doors to the bin enclosures and for the unhinged doors to be replaced in correct fashion. We have also asked that shale disturbed by youths, that now creates a slip and trip hazard to pavements, should be swept into the appropriate banks. Juliet and I will keep you informed of progress.

Please share your thoughts or advise us of other issues.

UPDATE:

We have received several calls from concerned residents about the issues at this location and I have extended the list of issues to include:

• The Bengeo Street Name Plate is missing Opposite 2 Birch Court
• Street lighting is not working at 90 Sherman Road,
• Street lighting is not working to the fore of 71-78 Birch Court
• Street lighting is not working to the fore of 29-34 Birch Court
• Bins Cabin at 2-6 Birch Court has no doors (it is rumoured they were unscrewed and installed at another cabin?)
• Water pressure for 2-6 Birch Court is feeble and the water pump is leaking water.
• 55 Madeline Close street lighting not working
• Street lighting at entrance to Westfield Gardens not working
• Need dog bins on communal green

Also see Westfield Crises Story!

We have emailed L&Q, Taylor Wimpey and Winchester Property for a response and are awaiting an answer _ we will keep you posted!

UPDATE 2:

See response from Natalie Fulk of Taylor Wimpey:

Dear Wilson,

Thank you for your emails regarding the above mentioned site. I have below made comments against the points you have raised, and hope this will go some way towards solving the problems:-

• The Bengeo Street Name Plate is missing Opposite 2 Birch Court - I am currently arranging for some replacement road signs for other areas to comply with London Borough of Redbridge’s requirements for adoption. This will be added to the list
• In respect to Street Lighting - A night scout of the development is being organised. This will pick up any columns that are not working on adoptable areas only and repairs will be carried out as necessary
• Bins Cabin at 2-6 Birch Court has no doors (it is rumoured they were unscrewed and installed at another cabin?) a managment company issue
• Water pressure for 2-6 Birch Court is feeble and the water pump is leaking water. A management company issue
• 55 Madeline Close street lighting not working see street light comment above
  Street lighting at entrance to Westfield Gardens not working as above
• Need dog bins on communal green - a management company issue
• I have also been shown a broken light fitting outside no.2 Birch Court and told that an agreement is in place for a cyclical programme for painting of communal areas every 5 years. The residents of Birch court have advised that in 9 years not one dash of paint has been applied with respect to this? - A management company issue

In addition to the above points there are 2 street nameplates on the development that will be changed and moved to be sited on the footpath and a further street nameplate that will be in addition to those already there. The lamp columns are due to be fitted with numbers for the benefit of London Borough of Redbridge.

Taylor Wimpey are proving to be committed to resolving your issues - Wincheter Property are still not communicating!

Policing Priorities!

The Met Police have produced a new pamphlet highlighting their new Policing Pledge.

I thought you might want to know more about this: you can read it on the Met site [click!] or download a copy.

You can feed back to the Police on their performance here.

Crazy Paving!

Residents of Ilford South have been plagued by the unreasonable decision by our Cabinet, to not adopt our unadopted roads. This results in untoward road conditions, messy litter strewn areas and overgrown vegetation at these locations. This impacts on the quality of life of residents on these roads and other adjoining areas.

I have some good news however, which is that the Highways Team are preparing a costing for patching works on South Road and Thackery Drive - which they will produce at the next Area 5 Committee on the 23rd of March 2009. This is in response to the numerous complaints and campaigns I have organised to get a resolution here.

Mike Woodward from the Highways team, in a recent email stated:

"I am planning to take a general item report to the next AC5 meeting to cover a number action sheet items outstanding approval. This will include the results of the Essex Gardens and Shepherd Close ball game signs consultation and estimates for further repairs at Thackeray and South Road. I think this answers your earlier email on this subject." It is small solace and could be said to be "Something better than nothing" however I am continuing my campaign to have all unadopted road adopted, which was previously agreed in a Highways and Environmental Scrutiny Panel back in 2006.

After a recent Highways and Environmental Scrutiny Panel it was agreed that a review of all unadopted Roads would take place and a report produced for the priority road at a January 2010 meeting. So the news is not that bad after all!

ASBO Ball Games

Juliet and I have received numerous reports regarding the occurrence of antisocial ball games on Chadwell streets and other streets in Redbridge. This growing social malaise is also rife within other London Boroughs and stems from a general mistrust of parks and parents who wish to monitor their children from close to the home (unfortunately of these, there are some parents that say they just dont have the time to take children to the park), at the cost of subjecting their children to the severe health and safety risks posed by moving traffic _ on my travels to a Neighbourhood Watch meeting after collecting an elderly resident we were frightened by one child who ran in front of my car just before the meeting at which we were to talk on the subject. Parents and Children alike are afraid of the perceived threat of“Drug Dealers” and gangs within local parks, much of this concern is derived from the increase in media covered violent attacks and robberies in parks and town centres. Sports played in the street are causing community friction, parents squabbling with those opposed to such sport has resulted in threats and assaults on local residents. Stresses associated with such behaviour have led to people relocating or becoming reclusive. Youths terrorise residents opposed to their games by pelting homes with eggs or kicking balls at certain residents. Ball s have been slashed, abuses thrown at conflicting groups and untold damage to property and premises has been reported.

Redbridge has recently initiated a Parks Police Team and recruited our previous Borough Commander to lead this service. This team have heightened Police jurisdiction within the parks and in tandem with patrols from Safer Neighbourhood Teams have reduced crime within our local parks. Our major parks now have a team of park keepers, however the resource is failing to increase the perception of safety within parks and every day the number of visitors to parks and open spaces dwindles. People need to be encouraged to use our local parks which will further reduce criminal activity - as we all know visibility and potential witnesses to crime, deters felonious activity.

My Proposed Action Plan:

Redbridge has a limited £50,000 per annum budget for the maintenance of its parks and its dilapidated state attracts attention from criminal types as they are often vacant. More investment into parks is required to get them into a state fit for our society which deserves a better quality of life. Attractions such as Carnivals and fairs will increase the diversity of users our council should either support community organisations - encouraging a wider range and frequency of events or arrange events internally. Our Parks Police service should be expanded to increase the level of coverage especially with respect to high incident locations. If such measures are not implemented, I fear park usage will reach an all time nadir.

More enforcement should be taken with respect to reducing street sports activity to restore community confidence. Communities should be empowered by being able to state where or where not they are willing to accept game playing on streets.

Existing legislation does not permit any real action that could effectively reduce such activity- "No Ball Games" signage is advisory and has no legal basis I am taking a deputation to petition for a by-law against ASBO Ball games - to a Full Council Meeting on the 19th March 2009. This will be held at Ilford Town Hall at 19:15 and I need other residents to indicate support for such a scheme - so please provide comments.

The intention of any such local act would not be the criminalisation of young people , rather an empowerment of local Police, Statutory Agencies such as the ASBO team and would give choice back to residents about what they accept in their area. I would expect like with any law that such enforcers would undertake a commonsense approach to its application and that engagement would be a priority with a possible 3 strikes and your out delivery - that would be for them to decide. If you would like to join the deputation please contact me as you would be most welcome - or just feel free to turn up and join our campaign.

Comments from Alan Drake our Redbridge Community Safety Manager are as follows:

"The Anti Social Behaviour Service has seen an increase in this type of problem. At the moment officers have no powers to deal with the matter and can do no more than request that the children find somewhere else to play. Often this will not be effective.

I have no idea if it's possible to have a bye law preventing such activity and I'm sure there would be legal difficulties in enforcing such a law against young people. However I would support a proposal for such a bye law if it were done in conjunction with the promotion of our parks as a safe place for our children to go. It's important not to criminalise unnecessarily or demonise children for doing nothing more than what children do. If we are to take away areas that they consider to be "safe" places to go we need to replace these with others - namely our parks.

This is precisely why we have parks so that our children can play safely. I am sure Mr Boylin, Head of parks police, will testify to how improved the safety in our parks is since the introduction of the parks police service. We need to convince children and their parents of this."

Rome was not built in one day!

There are ambitious plans to rejuvenate Ilford High Road (the route of an ancient roman road) including areas of Seven Kings and Chadwell Heath. Council Officers have commissioned a company called Meadowcroft Griffin to survey the route and the hope is that fresh life will be brought into an ailing secondary shopping centre.

Wilson has been promoting this are via council led "Business Redbridge Forums" over the last 3 years and is very pleased that finally a glimmer of hope is on the horizon. There have been previous programmes and strategies for the area that have made little difference, so don't count your chickens just yet.

We will keep you informed of progress - in the meanwhile more details can be found by following this link: click!

National Grit Stock Crises

Redbridge residents were made to suffer during February from the lack of effective preparatory work by our Highways team. As a National Grit Stock crises resulted in priority deliveries being made to the National Highways Agency for the safe maintenance of UK Motorways, local councils up and down the country were helpless as demands for salt stock were regularly being rejected.

I made a request for information on where grit resources were being allocated locally and was advised that primary routes, bus routes, specific vulnerable locations and other side roads had predefined; such that no home is more than 500 metres from a treated route, I was also informed that generally they do not treat footways but do attend to areas of high footfall such as town centres and schools etc. Meanwhile motorists and pedestrians alike were putting their lives at risk trying to awaken a sleeping economy suffering from the impact of global recession and the economic standstill that freak weather conditions naturally induce.

Judging by the more rigorous response to the winter snowfall in Barking and Dagenham, I would surmise that the additional equipment and staff resourced by LBBD has proved worthwhile. In Redbridge pavement areas around schools, colleges, supposedly safe crossings, bus stops and other high footfall regions became treacherous, posing a real threat to the safety of vulnerable groups such as children, the aged and disabled communities. At one particular zebra crossing on Green Lane (a main arterial route, and gateway to the east of England) a particularly dangerous icy decline into the road led to a wash of black ice that threatened to cause the sliding of users of the crossing into the path of moving traffic. Moreover, I am flabbergasted at the failure of Redbridges Highway team to grit around Chadwell Primary school on the High Road, which placed children and their parents at risk and is a contravention of the council’s own gritting policy?! At the time of the snow, I regrettably had to advise local residents with any form of physical impediment - preventing confident travel, to seek assistance when traveling or to wait for the ice to thaw.

I raised this concern with the Area 6 and they have asked for a response from the Highways team which I shall inform you of in due course. In the meanwhile I advise that it has been confirmed that the High Footfall area around Chadwell Heath High Road (especially around Chadwell Heath primary School) will not be overlooked in future.

Source: click.

Stealth taxes on local families

In the recent budget proposed for 2009/2010 our conservative cabinet have sunk to an all time low! The list of concerns is huge but those that are more pertinent include:

• Withdrawal of the uniform budget - this will impact on poor families.
• Increases in charges for care services- this will impact on the most vulnerable in our communities.
• Reduction in community safety budget and staff - at a time when crime is increasing this seems bizarre?
• Potential increases in Parking charges and penalty fares - the cabinet have still not resolved the issue of providing change from machines?
• Pay and Display booths in Parks and Libraries - increasing further the cost of driving.
• Reductions in planned highways maintenance - when already we are seeing more and more potholes -see article on blog
• The council have agreed to continue with a £2,000,000 marketing Budget?
• I am concerned that ther is still no propsed investment for an Ilford south Swimming Pool?
• I also would prefer a larger devoluted budget for use by local Area Committees.

Whilst the budget was discussed during an Area 6 Meetings Wilson had proposed that the Redbridge Life Magazine should be scrapped as no-one reads it anyway. These funds could be allocated towards the rejuvenation of our local roads.

Swimming Pool Fiasco!

Many residents of Chadwell will be aware that Wilson Chowdhry was the first person in the Borough to question the profligacy of our Conservative Cabinet - displayed in particular by the purchase of two new jaguars worth in excess of £140,000 and the their ludicrous scheme to introduce a 50m Swimming Pool. Wilson has never opposed having a swimming pool but highlighted the need for a descaling of the size of the proposed centre to reduce costs to a rational level - especially as their was to be no Olympic funding towards the scheme and the Olympic Committee had expressed to our council that nay 50m Pool would not be used for training by foreign or home athletes in the build up to the Olympics! A more parsimonious spend on a 25m pool would save costs and the surplus could be utilised to invest in parks to on Tennis and Cricket nets and other play areas so that we could encourage the development of a wider amount of Olympic and high profile world sports. Wilson appeared on a lunchtime BBC news story about this issue in December 2007- why not view it by following this link?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2007/02/20/southpark_feature.shtml

Our liberal Councillors wrote a story about the £1.3m consultancy bid for a project that does not seem able to proceed and the lost PFI opportunity in their recent . I wrote a similar article back in December 2007? Perhaps now the Chadwell community can recognise the need for change?

Toothless Tigers

I am pleased to inform Residents that Chadwell is becoming a telecoms mast "No Go Area". In our Previous Area 5 Committee Meeting no telephone operator applied for a mast on any Chadwell Road. This is the first time I have ever seen a ward completely missed out - especially at the Area 5 committee. I personally believe this is because of the sterling work of Chadwell residents galvanised as one voice - via the literature I regularly use to communicate such concerns locally. We have won many battles stopping the mast proposed near Redbridge College Inverclyde Gardens and Overton Drive. It seems now the large corporate organisations fear even voicing an interest in Chadwell. This is evidence of the value of people power and I will continue to inform Chadwell people of any future potential diabolical telecom mast threat. Lets hope our Liberal Councillors eventually recognise that we don't want these items in our ward(they argued so belligerently for the additional column on Barley Lane recently - I Wonder what was driving this craving?), as we already have enough to service operator need - as it seems we have finally convinced them to share!

Press report.

Misleading stories - read this to avoid disappointment

You may have read in a recent Liberal Focus (the official newsletter for Chadwell Liberal Party), that Redbridge Council has been trying to recruit Lollipop men for four of our local schools including;

• Chadwell Primary School - High Road
• Barley Lane Primary - Barley lane
• St Bedes Primary - Chadwell Heath Lane
• Grove Primary - Chadwell Heath Lane

And that the application process is open to potential candidates?

This information is incorrect, on several occasions suitable candidates have been selected and lost due to a delay on obtaining enhanced Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) reports.

I am the director of a very successful Security company and have advised the borough Human Resources department, that when recruiting new officers I am able to attain CRB checks within 4- 6 weeks. The Council is having delays in excess of 6 months for some candidates.

The chief officer recruiting Lollipop staff for LBR has agreed to investigate this issue by contacting other London Borough recruitment Departments, to uncover the reasons for this unacceptable delay and source best practice. I have suggested that it could be incomplete or incorrect applications or the use of an inadequate agency to source the reports.

At the moment the recruitment process for these roles is sedentary although applications are being accepted till the 31st of March. This is due to the fact that suitable candidates have been selected. Some of the shortlisted candidates may decline the offer due to delay in receiving the CRB check, resulting in other suitable employment. To furnish you with details of the role I include a web link:

http://www.redbridge.gov.uk/jobs/searchapply/details.asp?job_id=24

Alternatively call Karen Hayes on 020 8708 3632
Please do not feel disappointed if you are rejected as currently candidates have already been selected.

Details of all council vacancies can be obtained from:

http://www.redbridge.gov.uk/jobs/searchapply/index.asp.

Events in Redbridge

There are a number of Redbridge Events occurring this Summer if you want more details follow this link: http://www.redbridge.gov.uk/cms/Leisure__Culture.aspx.

Redbridge Carnival returns on the 5th and 6th of September and will be held in Valentines Park this Year. It as free event and will hold a circus, funfair, large performance stage and free sports activities. There will also be a Sunday procession travelling along the high Road and Clements Road, before entering Valentines Park via Cranbrook Road. For more details visit www.redbridgecarnival.org.uk

Last year in the BD Recorder
And the Wanstead & Woodford Guardian

The Green Ray

To keep locals amused between the biennial Green Fair, the organising committee are running Music events monthly on the second Friday of each month at the Ilford Social club behind the Ilford Swimming pool that was.

Friday 13th March features The Green Ray

supported by Lizzie B and Way T’ Go,

starting 8pm.

This is an attempt to get more live music in Redbridge and showcase local talent. The bands are varied in style and it goes on until about 11.15pm with the bar staying open until 2. It is a great and informal atmosphere and the music is excellent. The evening always starts of with music from local young people and is to a very high standard. There is a very reasonable £4 charge on the door to cover costs.

It is not a fundraising event for the Green Fair but is to do with our love of music, the local community and keeping up the festival atmosphere in the years between the fair! The Midsummer Music Fest has been running now for 4 years.
Hope to see you there.

Next Green Fair is Sunday 24th May by the way.

Ros Southern

In the Celestial Fire!

We received many complaints from residents regarding a planning application for a Celestial Church of Christ Worship Hall, at 1075 High Road. The application was refused twice locally and yet a National Planning Inspectorate based in Bristol, clearly aloof from our community have approved this nonsensical development.

The Celestial Church of Christ is a Neo-Christian sect (who have a codified book in addition to the Bible and hence have not been accepted within the Evangelical Alliance) and it is purported that they have an established history of fires in their premises due to their unusual religious practices. The location of this church within a large mesh of properties adjoining one another will exacerbate this risk and some residents have expressed significant fear for safety. The church will border a number of existing flats causing early morning and late evening disturbance and noise pollution. Moreover, the church has designed a building with a 120 congregational seating allocation, creating a real concern, that the existing parking burden will be magnified.

During a detailed review of the Planning Inspectorate's report Wilson uncovered disappointing news that the Inspectorate was forced to make a decision on this application bereft of important facts - due to the lack of provision of necessary documentation from our Redbridge Planning Team. Information on the local community and transport issues (parking in particular) have resulted in the Inspectorate declaring there is no stipulated requirement for parking or noise abatement. If the Church chooses to cut costs by saving on noise reduction schemes and introducing the 8 parking bays that have suggested (which are accessed via an easily blocked communal alleyway and are woefully deficient in an area with prohibitive parking), in a spirit of inconsideration - there is nothing our local Planning Team will be able to do to address such concerns. We are flabbergasted at the atrocious situation incumbent residents find themselves in and were mortified at a planning regulatory Committee meeting when Councillors including our own Gary Staight who was present - failed to recognise the concerns of residents when presented by Wilson and other Locals. We petitioned for the council to take responsibility for their failure to provide salient information to the inspectorate and for them to undertake a High Court Appeal against the dastardly decision that had been scuppered twice locally.

Our Councillors refused to let us debate the issue informing us we should make a complaint about the Council process - even after the admitted mistake by their Planning Officer. Juliet will be writing a complaint via the Council's registered procedure and will ask for a review of this travesty via the Local Government Ombudsman. We shall keep you informed of the outcome.

If you have any comments we would be pleased to hear them:
Ilford Recorder 18th December 2008.
Bristol Planning Inspectorate report.
Doc1, doc 2, doc3 and doc 4.

Youth engagement - non marital!

Thank you for the comments made by the anonymous writers who have shown that this blog is an effective tool. I am glad one of them has chosen to talk about working with young people and uncovering base needs and desires that leads to this antisocial behaviour. I too have been championing youth engagement and the organisation of projects that provide alternative constructive things to do, for young people.

During my meeting I was astounded by the number of schemes our local schools (Barking and Dagenham and Redbridge Council, the Police, ASBO Teams and Community Safety Partnerships are working on in our area. However, it is still evident that more needs to be done and that funding and resources are limited. This is why I continue the fight for crime prevention and reduction schemes in conjunction with such social work. I should add that the Green Party is a party for Social justice (traditionally but no longer the domain of the Labour Party) and believes in the equality of humankind, we promote a more equal spread of wealth (return of the lower tax bracket to ease the financial conditions of those on lower incomes and support for a higher minimum wage), sustainable energy development - to reduce excessive fuel costs and reliance on atmosphere polluting technology, and the annihilation of child poverty.

Following my cross-borough, all agency meeting I received the following comments from Katherine Gilcreest for youth work with the youths of Chadwell Heath:

"At the meeting last week I agreed to send you the details of CHAT and some information about the work they are doing with the Council and the police to address anti-social behaviour in the area. Please find attached the two last reports about their work, aims and who they are engaging with." See monitoring report 2 and report 3:

"Youth engagement is only one strand of the work being done: the Police, the Council and other Partner Agencies will also be continuing to use enforcement action against young people identified as causing problems in the area and are working to increase the community’s confidence to report problems and work with us to tackle problems. "

If you would like any further information you can contact her on:

Katherine Gilcreest
ASB Manager
Community Safety Team, Adult and Community Services
London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
Roycraft House, 15 Linton Road
Barking, IG11 8HE

Phone: 020 8227 2457
Fax: 020 8227 2603
Minicom: 020 8227 5755
E-Mail: Katherine.gilcreest@lbbd.gov.uk
Website: http://www.barking-dagenham.gov.uk/

Its a bumpy ride!

It might seem like Déjà vu and if I rant on to often about the state of our roads I apologise. However, it seems like I am reporting dangerous defects on Chadwell roads more frequently of late and unfortunately it is almost always the same roads. Redbridge Council has embarked on a insidious practice of utilising reactive maintenance to resolve our local potholes, rather than a more wisely spent budget allocation for increased planned maintenance. This has culminated in a rise in litigation claims and it is now purported by the AA, that existing council litigation spend vis-a-vis injury or damage induced by poor road conditions, could pay for actual planned maintenance for these roads. The incompetence of our existing Tory Cabinet members is the fact that they have devised a budget for next year that further reduces the budget for planned maintenance of our roads (even though damaged roads will increase wear and tear and fuel consumption to their new £180,000 fleet of jaguar limousines?!). I will continue the fight for better roads

I will continue to report any defects in our roads and would appreciate your comments or information on any sightings in your area.

The Wanstead and Woodford Guardian 19th February 2009. click to enlarge.

Subway Attacks part 2

On Thursday 26th February a meeting was held between local community safety teams from Redbridge and Barking & Dagenham and TFL to discuss the issue of antisocial behaviour within the East Road and Somerville Road Subways. The meeting was arranged by Wilson Chowdhry for the Chadwell Heath Green Party and Redbridge Neighbourhood Watch Association – from TFL the following officers were present:

Chris Tudor – TLRN (Transport for London Road Network) Planning Manager, North
Morwenna Cox – Network Development Planner, North
Carl Horsman – Crime and Disorder Partnership Unit
Claire Lacey – Schools Liaison Coordinator
Esther Johnson – Major Projects Consultation Team Manager

During the meeting The local Police form Chadwell Heath Ward (Barking & Dagenham) and Chadwell Ward (Redbridge) stated that no crime had been reported around the two subways since December. Carl Horsman felt that as crime had now dissipated from the area it would be hard to substantiate the costs of £25,000 for each potential CCTV camera Mast.

Wilson Chowdhry stated that many residents he had been in communication with had stated that they had not reported crime due to a fear of repercussions and not believing the effort would be rewarded with any significant action. He also stated his belief that crime had reduced due to the increased police patrols in the area a consequence of the high profile media coverage and the extremely cold weather conditions. Crime around the subways, is known locally, to increase during the summer months. Wilson also indicated his fear that the significant number of priorities for the local police to be covered by a team of 6 officers’ of whom only 2 were PCs and 1 a Sergeant – would inevitably lead to a limitation to effective policing of the area during the summer months – despite the Police belief that the antisocial behaviour could be controlled. Moreover the Safer Neighbourhood teams do not work 24 hours a day or seven days a week but on alternating schedules of 5 days per week – resulting in an inability to cover the danger times regularly. Wilson also made a stark but honest comment that he felt that an opportunity for a long term solution was being overridden by a commercial decision and seasonal facts. He reiterated his concern for the safety and quality of life for Chadwell and Chadwell Heath residents and his hope that it would not take a fatality or serious injury to spark a more concerted approach to a resolution.

In respect to proposed extensions to existing Bus routes TFL stated that they have no plans for any new Bus route extensions and a previous scheme for extending the 499 Bus route met with significant local apprehension. No-one contested this decision.

Chris Tudor advised the group that “to provide a safe crossing you have to have the right traffic environment and on the A12 we have not got it.” (taken from Barking and Dagenham Post) he expressed concerns over the high speed area of 50mph along the section of the A12 at which these Subways cross. He added “We do not want to give people a false sense of security” (B&DP)

Wilson suggested that the 50mph limit could be reduced and a speed camera installed to reduce any safety concerns. However not being an expert on such matters Wilson was forced to acquiesce to his experienced and better judgement. Wilson has however contacted our local highways team to see if they could provide a second opinion.

Chris Tudor confirmed that a crossing would be feasible at the Whalebone Lane junction, a little further along the A12. Wilson agreed to confer with local residents via local public meetings to gauge community enthusiasm for such a scheme. One such consultation with residents of Shepherds Close has resulted in evidence of disappointment that TFL are neither introducing CCTV at Somerville Road or East Road Subways and that the location of the proposed safe ground level crossing is a far distance from the affected area. Moreover, elderly and disabled would find the increased length of journey extremely arduous in poor weather conditions.

Wilson has approached our local police to ask for permission to hold a demonstration at the East Road Subway on the 18th April 2009 from 12:00 – 14:00. A demonstration would include a walk between the two subways to raise the profile of our suffering. We will again challenge TFL to review their decision not to install CCTV cameras and ask for a review of the proposed location for a crossing. Petitions are placed at local shops on East Road Somerville Road and Chadwell Heath Lane and these will be forwarded to TFL our MP’s and the Mayor of London.

It would be appreciated if local residents would write comments with respect to TFL's response on this blog to be used as evidence of community dissatisfaction and a call for help!

The Post: 4th March 2009. Click to enlarge.

Lungs of London

Residents of Tendring Way and Birchdale Gardens had asked for trees to be planted along their road back in January 2008. I brought this request to the attention of an Area Committee 5 meeting and a full and comprehensive consultation was undertaken by our Highways Team.

A proposal was designed with resident input and the logistical nature of the road a priority assessment and plans were approved for suitable tree planting locations. A delay occurred in last years planting season due to a deficiency of funding, however this year the Mayor of London has earmarked a London-wide fund for tree planting which Redbridge has been able to take advantage of. These trees will be planted during March of this year and will no doubt improve the aesthetic quality and ecological balance of the following Roads in Area 5 and 6 in addition to my initial request:

Aberdour Road
Airthrie Road and part 2
Ashgrove Road
Birchdale Gardens
Eccleston Crescent
Kildowan Road
Shepherds Close
Tendring Way

Click on any of the above for maps of the proposed locations, and here for a frequently asked questions pamphlet for any outstanding queries.

Trees are also being planted across the grassy verges along the length of the A12 - we say about time too!

Trees are the lungs of London, they leach our pollutants from the air preserving our atmosphere and reducing ozone depletion, acid rain and climate change. They are a part of creation that should be appreciated if not loved - so get outside and hug a tree!

The green party is committed to being able to provide trees to all streets in the UK.

Now you see it.... now you dont!

Congratulations!

We are one of only four wards in Redbridge to have a reduction in overall crime for 2008. All the other wards barring Clementswood have seen significant increases (see Redbridge Crime Map below - click to enlarge).
If I was to surmise why Chadwell has seen an improvement compared to so few other wards, I would say that it is much due to the removal of graffiti and fly-tipping, which has made our community more confident and responsible towards the ideal of continued improvement. I have been involved in the initiation of several new Neighbourhood Watches covering Shepherds Close, Essex Road, Hawkridge Close, Burns Avenue, High Road Chadwell Heath, Railway Street, Avenue Road, Brian Road, Canon Avenue, Havering Gardens and Somerville Road. Intelligence derived from these meetings has led to significant crime reduction. Of course nothing would be possible without the excellent Chadwell SNT who have been working with the Chadwell community both professionally and diligently. With this in mind if you know of any crime please report it to your local Safer Neighbourhood Team, email or telephone: 020 8721 2562.

To keep you up to date I can confirm that I was made aware of a burglary from Havering Gardens on Saturday 21st February a car was stolen. If anyone saw anything suspicious please inform me.

KNIFE CRIME:

From the Ilford Recorder:

"A MAN was knifed nine times by a total stranger as he waited for a bus.The 29-year-old was slashed across the face, neck and chest as he stood with his girlfriend at a bus stop outside Chadwell Heath railway station, Station Road, Chadwell Heath, at 1.30am on Saturday 17th January. Police say the frenzied attack appeared to come "completely out of the blue", with the attacker approaching his victim from behind. They are now hunting a 25-30-year-old white man, with a shaven head, who was wearing a white shirt and blue jeans. Police are also looking for a passer-by said to have walked past as the attack was unfolding. Investigating officer Det Con Mike Spall said: "Generally speaking, there's always some sort of pre-cursor to an incident of this sort. "We don't know what the motive or reasons are. The victim says he has no idea who they were. "Sadly knife crime is not that unusual in London but something like this is, particularly in Chadwell Heath. "The victim was released from hospital on Tuesday. Anyone with information about attack should call Mr Spall on 020 8345 2710"

Safety Advice:

• Be wary when in the vicinity of Chadwell Heath Station
• Avoid travelling alone at night
• Report any untoward behaviour to the Police
• Call someone you know to let them know where you are
• Stay in well lit areas
• Women may choose to carry a panic alarm with them
• Avoid displaying expensive jewellry or items.