Is death or major injury key to success!

In the image above you will see Isla by the continually congested corner of Chadwell Heath Lane at the junction with the High Road. Only this time one bollard is missing and you can see the orange safety barriers are protecting wet tar that has infilled the whole remaining after a bollard has been knocked over.

I cannot tell you how many cars have crashed at this location. Nor can I inform you how many of them were fatal or induced serious injury to driver of passengers. What I can tell you, is the location is always packed with cars and that accidents often arise due to passenger impatience a culmination of two boroughs unable to agree a traffic solution and to mutually fund a solution. I have raised this issue at several Area 5 committee meetings - to no avail. Yet again, 4 years after my initial complaint we find that nothing has been done even though evidence would suggest that the area is both dangerous and a local nuisance.

I will raise the issue at the next Area 5 again and would like some local feedback so please do share your thoughts...?

Edgy!

The image shows the corner of Charles Road under repair after our diligent work with the Engineering section. Isla Martin is by the road sign assessing the early works.

We have most excellent news we have been reporting the poor condition of a number of road corners in Chadwell ward. The frequency of my reporting and the photographs provided have resulted in the Highways Team agreeing to repair many of them, whilst two sets could be completed if a quote is found at a reasonable price. The new corners will have the dimpled texture to assist partially and fully blind people and will be flush with the road for better wheelchair and mobility vehicle access. Here is a response received from a lead officer from the engineering services department:

Hi Wilson

Regarding out conversation today, I am still waiting for a quote for shepherd close and fauna close, If I have the money I will do those dropped kerbs.

Chadwell Heath Lane, the work will start next month on the following dropped kerbs at :

Roxy Avenue
Jarrow Road
Hawkridge Close
Reynolds Avenue
Arthur Road
Park Lane
Charles Road

This is the culmination of a lot of work and I hope that local residents are pleased. Please do advise....?

Depravities of the human mind!

I have received reports from local residents that one man from the frequently reported group of homeless drunks often seen around the Green Lane, Gordon Road and Connaught Road area is now purportedly frequently sitting at the bus stop on Green Lane near the betting shop and ogling children coming from the local schools and their mothers. Mothers and children alike are finding the behaviour both offensive and rather frightening. I have reported the insidious activity to the Police and hope for a positive outcome in removing the individual. I will keep you informed of progress.

If anyone else has seen the activity and can identify the man please get in contact as I wish to build a portfolio of evidence for the Police - to empower them to be able to take appropriate action. My details are on the right hand side top of this blog. I have an image from a previous story on the blog that might help with an image of the regular group of drunks. Click here.

The police have responded and the most excellent Sgt Paul Keely of Mayfield Ward Safer Neighbourhood team has spoken to some of the victims and has stated:

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"I have tasked my officer to complete daily patrols in the area of the betting shop and the off licence in Green Lane over the next three weeks."

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Should you wish to contcat him directly please call 020 8721 2028.

Community Crime Fighters - the next step!

Wilson with Chief Inspector Peter Crowcroft of Chesire Constabulary

In September 2008 Jacqui Smith the former Home Secretary devised the "Community Crime Fighters" programme. This was following the report from Louise Casey , the Government Crime and Justice Advisor when commissioned to look at how crime could be better tackled in the country. Louise's advice was "Crime is tackled most effectively when local people work together with Police and other criminal justice agencies"

The Community Crime Fighters began in December 2008 and to date over 2000 people have been trained with proven results. The course provides opportunities in learning:

• What the Policing pledge mean locally.
• The tools and powers local authorities could and should be using to tackle antisocial behaviour and crime.
• The help provided to victims and witnesses of crime and antisocial behaviour.
• Ways to get the best out of local crime fighting agencies.

In a previous post I talked about a series of road shows, that included seminars from leading Police, ASBO and Home Office officials. I was invited by our local Police to attend the event and attained knowledge of how better to work in partnership with other agencies when tackling crime. I was then invited to attend a two day training course in Manchester which finished yesterday. The trainers provided information on the laws that we can use to benefit us when tackling local crime, they provided a more in depth understanding of local crime agencies, their roles and responsibilities and how our council fit into the overall crime prevention picture. The tools they have provided include a list of laws that we can use when tackling specific incidents and we went through a number of interactive awareness exercises. All in all it was an excellent event and very rewarding.

Of course we had fun too and the Home office covered our subsidence and travel expenses. Moreover they are looking to train 3000 people in total on their comprehensive two day course. There are still places left and the next central London -1 day seminar- road show, is scheduled for the 25th November 2009. If you would like to attend contact your local Safer Neighbourhood Team - call 0800 197 2965 or view: http://www.communitycrimefighters.org.uk/ quote ref: ccf02

As you can see the entire group really enjoyed the course and we were really buoyed by the efforts the Home Office, Police and Local Council's are putting into what should become a really worthwhile scheme.

Hope not Hate!

Many of you will have seen the debate in the Ilford Recorder in which I wrote about the persecution that I and my family suffered in the 80's when racism was rather more widespread. This week a Mr Wood from South Park queried my write to suggest that the BNP was a party for hate. Yet here is a copy of an email I received from The Hope not Hate campaigners:

"Hi Wilson,

I just wanted to drop you a quick reminder about our HOPE not Hate events across London tomorrow. Following the conviction of Richard Barnbrook last week, hundreds upon hundreds of people donated money to the HOPE not Hate movement so that we can let the voters know the real truth about the BNP. I'm now writing to ask you to donate your time - so that we can get this message out. There are events across London tomorrow - we need to use this moment to stand up against the lies, fear and hate of the BNP. Please find your local event here.

We need to act - the BNP highest elected official in London, Barnbrook, made up the murder of two teenagers. He was prepared to lie about young people dying - insulting all the parents who have actually lost a child because of knife crime.
And why did he lie? To whip up hate in our communities and to get votes for the BNP.
We have a responsibility to let every Londoner know the depths the BNP are willing to plunge to spread fear and hate. We believe in hope, fairness and justice. And the differences between us and the BNP couldn't be clearer.

I'd like you to donate an hour or so of your time tomorrow.

Find details of your nearest event here.

Together we can distribute thousands of leaflets across the whole of London and make sure that everyone knows the truth."

Do please follow the links by clicking on underlined words and take part in the protest to make Britain a safer, and more integrated nation. The BNP has a woeful impression of what women are for, they are a party of hatred directed towards ethnic minorities, homosexuals and other groups. The hope not hate website is full of highlighted instances describing just some of their distasteful comments and actions.

Richmond Estate - Finally a response!

I have returned from a 2 day training course in Manchester - which also saw me lose the entirety of Tuesday. So please do not be perturbed by the recent deficiency of posts. I am pleased however, to see that RMG are now choosing to respond and include a response received from a lead officer within their organisation, after my recent relay of emails including listed defects (sic):


"Dear Mr Wilson,

Thank you for your email.

As the Block Buildings Insurance has just been paid there is currently insufficient funds to proceed with the works required to attend to the issues listed below.

We are actively pursuing non paying Residents and the Directors are aware of the situation.

Please be assured that we do take all complaints seriously but can only take action where the Management Companies funding will allow us. We have already spent well over £5000 on the removal of bulk refuse this year, which is out of our control, if we do not remove it, no one else will.

To keep the development up to scratch we would need to do bulk refuse removal every week and this is just not viable, we are going to implement into the new budget a monthly removal, we can not do more then that going forward.

I can not at this time issue instructions to contractors as we can not pay them. This is not mismanagement by RMG, this is down to individual leaseholders not being able to currently afford to pay there service charge, and so are going to court over the coming months.

I hope the above is of assistance to you."

I have, of course, requested a copy of the latest set of accounts for the estate and will keep you informed of any findings.

Fields Park yellow line

The dangerous bend on Fields Park Crescent is finally to obtain the yellow line promised. this will be advertised in the papers this month and should be implemented shortly after, subject to their being no obkections.

Here is an email received from a senior Highways officer:

"In relation to your email concerning the above, I can confirm that the formal order is to be advertised in October enabling the restriction to be introduced, providing no objections are received as to this proposal."

I hope this is good news...?