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An in-depth inspection is to be carried out on the George Lane Viaduct.

It follows six weeks of maintenance work, which began in April. “The works were completed ahead of schedule. We replaced the expansion joints along the entire length of the bridge. The scheduled inspection will be completed this financial year in line with the council’s routine maintenance programme,” said a Redbridge Council spokesperson.

Separately, Broadmead Road bridge has remained closed to traffic since July 2023 due to structural defects.

Kavita Rana from local solicitors Edwards Duthie Shamash takes a look at the long-awaited lease extension reforms, the implementation of which will be on the new government’s to-do list

The long-awaited reforms to the extension of leases have been officially approved. The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act became law on 24 May 2024. It is important to note the new law requires further implementation before it takes effect and will be in the hands of the new government. The act aims to enhance the benefits for leaseholders.

A key change under the reforms is the length of term for a standard lease extension, which will be significantly increased. The current length of term to extend a lease for a flat is 90 years. Under the reforms, this increases to 990 years for houses and flats. In the long run, this means fewer lease extensions – which attract the payment of hefty premiums – should be required.

The act also seeks to favour leaseholders in respect of any challenges to unreasonable service charges at the First-Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber). It is intended this procedure will be made less expensive and more focused and easier to navigate for homeowners. Currently, leaseholders bear the burden of legal costs in respect of any challenge to service charges, which inevitably makes it a difficult decision as to whether to bring an action where, more often than not, the legal costs outweigh the charges in dispute. However, the reforms remove the presumption that leaseholders will bear the costs of any service charge challenge. The reforms also aim to bring greater transparency in respect of the demand for service charges by introducing a standard form for invoices. 

The reforms will allow leaseholders to acquire their freehold in a more cost-effective manner and with greater ease. Currently, leaseholders need to pay the freeholder’s costs when seeking to acquire a share of the freehold. The reforms will abandon this.

The current law requires leaseholders to own a property for two years before qualifying for a lease extension. Under the reforms, this requirement will no longer be necessary. This means an extension can be obtained upon purchase of the property.  

The reforms also have a significant impact on commercial property owners where there is a mixed-use (residential and commercial) building. The current law only allows for the purchase of a freehold in a mixed-use building provided the commercial units occupy less than 25%. This figure now increases to 50%.

The above is not an exhaustive list of the reforms, and it is important to note that whilst the reforms have become law, the secondary legislation to implement the reforms may not be enforceable until 2025/2026. If in doubt, seek legal advice to achieve the best outcome for your circumstances in light of the reforms.

Edwards Duthie Shamash is located at 149 High Street, Wanstead, E11 2RL. For more information, call 020 8514 9000 or visit edwardsduthieshamash.co.uk

The South Woodford Business Forum will host its third networking and information event on 11 July.

“Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this event is perfect for fostering collaborations. Come and join us for a fantastic opportunity to connect with others, share ideas and expand your network,” said a spokesperson. The free event – which will include presentations aimed at helping local business owners – will take place at Starbucks on George Lane from 5pm to 7pm.

Visit swvg.co.uk/11july

A comedy festival showcasing acts with disabilities or mental health conditions will launch at Wanstead Library this July.

“When I started comedy five years ago, I remember being booked with another performer who was forced to drop out because they couldn’t get their wheelchair into the venue. I found this was a common barrier to a lot of acts with physical disabilities. So, I set myself a mission to change this,” said Fest-Able organiser Mark Nicholas. A series of 16 shows will take place from 3 to 31 July.

Visit swvg.co.uk/fest-able

Two community summer celebrations will take place in South Woodford in July.

The first event will see the return of South Woodford’s Summer Festival on 21 July. “George Lane will be partially closed to traffic to create a safe play zone for kids. All the regular market stalls will be there along with family-friendly activities, crafting, live music, a steel band, food and a pop-up pub,” said a South Woodford Society spokesperson.

The festival will be followed by a family fun day in Elmhurst Gardens on 27 July. “Bring a picnic blanket and enjoy a fun-filled day in the park. There’ll be stalls, face painting, a bouncy castle, refreshments and competitions,” said a representative for the Maybank Community Association. The whole community is invited to both events, which each run from 11am to 4pm.

Churchfields Infants’ and Junior School marked its 150th anniversary with a reunion earlier this month.

“Around 200 guests, including former pupils who attended the school from the 1930s to the present, enjoyed reuniting and browsing our considerable archive of log books, photographs and memorabilia. Former teachers in attendance included Mrs Edwards, Mr Roads, Mrs Tabor and Mrs Law. The event also featured a screening of A Year in the Life of Churchfields School, a film made by John Goldsmith in 1970,” said a spokesperson.

A School Streets scheme that was scheduled to come into force on roads around Oakdale Infants and Junior Schools in June has been postponed.

“To avoid the programme starting in a general election period, during which the council would be limited in some of the actions it can take, we decided to wait and introduce it after the summer,” said a spokesperson. The scheme will now launch on 2 September, covering Oakdale Road and Granville Road as well as parts of Woodville Road and Ashford Road.

Visit swvg.co.uk/str

The Gita Project – a South Woodford-based charity dedicated to sharing the benefits of yoga and meditation – was honoured at the King’s garden party at Buckingham Palace in May.

Annually distributing over 20,000 books to hospitals, prisons, schools, care homes and other organisations, The Gita Project aims to promote mental and physical wellbeing. “This recognition is a testament to the hard work of our volunteers and the profound impact of our work,” said founder Sheila Dave.

Visit thegitaproject.org

Voters will go to the polls on 4 July for the General Election. The UK is divided into 650 constituencies, with Redbridge covered by four of them: Ilford North, Ilford South, Leyton and Wanstead and Chingford and Woodford Green.

The South Woodford Village Gazette presents statements from all 14 candidates standing across the Leyton and Wanstead and Chingford and Woodford Green constituencies, both of which have been expanded following a boundary review in 2023. The revised boundaries mean an additional 3,900 households are now voting for the Leyton and Wanstead MP, and an additional 5,500 households are voting for the Chingford and Woodford Green MP.

Polling stations open at 7am and close at 10pm, and for the first time in a general election, photo ID is required to vote in person.

Parliamentary candidate for Chingford & Woodford Green

On Thursday 4 July, you have the chance to change Britain. Here in Chingford and Woodford Green, there is a straight choice: either five more years of chaos with the Tories or stability with a changed Labour Party. I know that mortgages, bills and the cost of the weekly food shop have skyrocketed. But Labour’s fully-costed plan will deliver economic growth, rebuild our public services – including Whipps Cross – and restore pride in our country. I will get things done. So, on 4 July, vote for change. Vote Labour.

Parliamentary candidate for Chingford & Woodford Green

Thirty years ago, I became the MP for Chingford and Woodford Green. Working together, we’ve delivered on our shared priorities. When Sadiq Khan closed our police station, we delivered a brand-new policing hub in Woodford. After 27 years of campaigning, we’ve secured millions for the complete rebuild of Whipps Cross Hospital. For 10 years, our Labour council has ignored the advice of TfL to fix Broadmead Road bridge; I will fight to get it reopened. Let’s see our plan through by voting for me on 4 July.