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.