Editor

TfL has created a bus fiasco in Wanstead and South Woodford with its incompetent changes to the W12, W13 and W14 routes, say Save Our Local Bus Services campaigners. Member Donna Mizzi explains

Many elderly and disabled people are put at great risk when they cannot access public transport from near their home. That’s one major reason the Save Our Local Bus Services campaign is demanding urgent and major improvements – before winter hits.

TfL keeps repeating that it will keep services “under review” over the next year. However, since bus changes were imposed in early September, many residents have trouble reaching the local hospital, GPs, supermarkets and stations. Others find themselves stranded while trying to travel back home. Children are having trouble getting to school and commuters are reluctantly having to rely more on their cars again. Distraught and perplexed bus users have become an increasingly common sight.

In some areas, including the huge Nightingale Estate stretching from Wanstead to South Woodford, the hail-and-ride bus was reduced from half-hourly to hourly…without any timetable. Common traffic hold-ups on this route stop it being reliable, while Neighbourhood Watch members are concerned about people of all ages walking down the estate’s long streets in the dark.

The ultra-confusing changes to the W12, W13, W14 and 549 routes have severely hit those with mobility and health issues. The ‘lifeline’ W14 now terminates a quarter of a mile short of Whipps Cross Hospital. Incredibly, the W14 has also been designed to miss the most popular stops, including those near step-free Wanstead Tube station, Wanstead and South Woodford amenities, and Walthamstow.

Even, TfL’s own customer service advisers haven’t been able to understand the muddled bus routes – a number of residents reported after they sought travel advice. TfL kept trying to blame the lack of timetables and mix-ups on the recent cyber attack. But a customer services adviser admitted he couldn’t see the imminent changes on the TfL system, a day before the attack. (Campaigners have a copy of his email.) Meanwhile, buses variously don’t arrive, fail to stop or have wrong destinations on the front.

Local residents are entitled to be angry; their travel needs have been ignored. Last year’s so-called consultation was a farce, accompanied by misleading statements and impossible-to-follow maps. Finally, in October, following growing complaints, Wanstead councillors hastily organised a small public meeting. TfL provided two officers who were not “decision-makers” and lacked sufficient local area knowledge. One W12 user reported that his regular journeys from Wanstead to Whipps Cross were taking about 40 minutes longer because they had been re-routed through highly congested Leytonstone. TfL also ignored warnings to avoid that problem.

The Save Our Local Buses Campaign invites residents to submit their local bus experiences. Visit swvg.co.uk/mybus, where you can also access the petition. 

A new community orchard has been established in Woodford.

The corner patch of grass opposite Ray Lodge Primary School on Snakes Lane East was transformed by more than 40 residents at a planting day in October.

“This site has been an eyesore for years, often used by cars for illegal parking, tearing up the grass. We have now planted apple and pear trees, spring bulbs and wildflowers, making it a beautiful green space where biodiversity can thrive,” said Lydia Fraser-Ward of the Woodford Greeners.

Visit swvg.co.uk/wg

Woodbridge High School student Amber Madeley-Fox has won the Redbridge Young Peoples Award at Redbridge Council’s borough-wide photography competition.

“We’re so proud of Amber’s achievement. Her stunning shot of a sunset over Redbridge Lakes in Woodford Green is incredible,” said a spokesperson for the school. Run by Redbridge Council, the competition encouraged entrants to capture the open spaces, architecture and communities found across the borough.

Visit swvg.co.uk/rpa

Broadmead Road bridge has reopened to motorbikes and bicycles but remains closed to cars and heavy vehicles.

“Engineers are currently analysing in detail the results of the concrete testing to assess the weight that can be taken across different parts of the bridge… We will publish a simplified version of the Principal Inspection report by mid-November, along with the full inspection report,” said a Redbridge Council spokesperson.

The 87-year-old bridge has been closed to traffic since July 2023 due to significant structural defects.

Redbridge Council has approved the development of an Education and Youth Hub on the site of Wanstead Youth Centre, which closed in October 2023.

The £6.5m project will remodel the Elmcroft Avenue venue to include classrooms, a café, playrooms and offices. However, plans to convert the rear gymnasium into a multipurpose space has raised concerns among campaigners, who argue it will mean the loss of the last large indoor sports hall in the west of the borough.

The new hub is expected to open in September 2025.

More than 100 local residents attended a meeting with TfL in October to highlight the problems caused by recent changes to local bus routes.

TfL bus planner Stephen Walker embarked on a ‘W-bus’ tour with Save Our Local Bus Services campaigner Liz Martins ahead of the event. Mr Walker said September’s cyber attack meant timetables were still unavailable for the W14 service.

Regarding calls for improvements, he said: “I’ll have to wait to see the data.” Campaigners have called for him to act immediately.

Oakdale Junior School has been awarded the Primary Science Quality Mark, an initiative led by the University of Hertfordshire that recognises schools’ commitment to excellence in science leadership, teaching and learning.

“We are really proud of the hard work of our Science Lead and of all teachers. This award celebrates the passion and consistency in our science lessons,” said Head of School Carley Smith.

Since its national launch in 2010, more than 5,000 Primary Science Quality Marks have been awarded.

South Woodford Library and Kenneth More Theatre have closed following the discovery of RAAC concrete.

“RAAC (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete) was a lightweight concrete used in construction between the 1950s and 1990s. When it degrades, it must be replaced. We therefore have no choice but to close both buildings and find alternative spaces for the events and activities wherever possible. Sadly, some shows will need to be cancelled where there is no other option. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and disappointment this will cause,” said a spokesperson for Redbridge Council.

The closure means the theatre’s annual pantomime has been cancelled, with a smaller Christmas show to take place at Redbridge Drama Centre in South Woodford instead. “Although the venue accommodates far smaller-scale productions than the one originally scheduled for the theatre, it will still be full of fun, song, and Christmas spirit.”

Engineers have conducted a detailed structural survey to assess the theatre building, and whilst no timescale for the work has been provided, a spokesperson said: “Shows throughout the autumn and winter and into next year will not be able to go ahead.” Refunds for cancelled shows will be processed automatically.

South Woodford Library will be closed for an estimated 12 months, with extensive work required.

“We have worked hard to find alternatives for those who use the library and gym. We have opened a pop-up library, cafe and study area in Redbridge Drama Centre, a few minutes’ walk from South Woodford Library. A fitness studio will be added in December.”

Books can be returned via a drop box at Redbridge Drama Centre or at the libraries in Wanstead and Woodford Green.

“We understand the closure is frustrating, and we apologise for the inconvenience it will cause. The safety of local people will always be our top priority.”

The Wanstead Village Directory and South Woodford Village Gazette have published a new edition of Village Vouchers, a booklet offering savings at shops, salons, cafés, pubs and restaurants across the two areas.

“From free coffee to money off meals, massages and MOTs, there’s something for everyone,” said editor Lee Marquis.

Priced £4 and valid until 31 July 2025, copies can be purchased online and collected from the High Street, with local good causes receiving a donation for each copy sold.

Visit wnstd.com/vouchers

In the fourth of a series of articles to mark Churchfields Infants’ and Junior School’s 150th anniversary, former pupil Susan Douse (class of 1991) offers her thanks to the schools which shaped the person she is today

I attended Churchfields (CFS) from the age of three to 11 (1982 to 1991). Charlie’s Fish Shop, as we lovingly called it, taught me about love, life and friendship. It helped me through some bad times (the death of my grandfather who lived with us) and was there for some great times. It started me on a journey of learning and discovery and encouraged a thirst for knowledge.

Mr Hill, Ms Law, Mrs Papworth, Mrs Hurst, Mrs Hayden and Mrs Hayes are just some of the names of great teachers who taught me at the school. I remember making salt dough fruit with Mrs Papworth and singing about fluffy cauliflowers and green cabbages in the school hall.

I loved doing the annual shows, playing the mirror in Snow White. I was the narrator in another show about a fizzy pop maker who was being pushed out of business by the big companies!

One year, whilst I was in the junior school, I remember there was a bomb scare and we were all evacuated to the field to play. Our minds playing tricks on us and telling us we could see smoke when it was just a figment of our imagination. 

I have two older brothers and a younger sister who also went to Churchfields. Mrs Ware (the dinner lady) was convinced I was one of my brothers at one time (to be fair we did look similar, with just three years between us) and told me off instead of him! He loved it; me, not so much!

The school has completely changed now. It’s very modern and up to date, but when I was in the final two years, our classroom was a portacabin out by the hall. I liked being out there. It was a bit chilly in the winter and a sweatbox in the summer but it was nice to be able to see the greenery outside and hear the rain on the roof. 

The food at lunch was quite nice but I did have to stay away from the fish fingers as they made me ill for some reason. The puddings were the best and I must admit I loved the custard!

I attended Churchfields nursery, infants and junior school and I wouldn’t change that for a moment. The friends I made and still have from there, the memories made and the things I learnt shaped me to be the human being I am today. When I look back on my time there, I am filled with happiness. I remember the excitement and how learning was made fun by the teachers. 

For the memories and everything you taught me, I thank you, Churchfields.

For more information on Churchfields Infants’ School and Churchfields Junior School, visit swvg.co.uk/churchfields

Joshua Abbott is crowdfunding to publish the book Modernism Beyond Metro-land. In the second of a series of extracts, the spotlight is on the Odeon. Photo by Geoff Wilkinson

The 1920s and 1930s saw hundreds of cinemas open around Britain, as the various cinema chains such as Odeon, Gaumont, ABC, Granada and Essoldo, competed for audiences in the growing suburbs. Each company sought to create a unique experience for its customers, producing cinemas with various exotic themes, such as Egyptian, Moorish and Oriental, a style that came to be known as ‘Atmospheric’. Art deco was also arriving in Britain from Europe and the United States, allowing architects to produce spectacular designs with curved frontages, colourful decoration and spacious interiors. 

The Majestic Cinema opened on the High Road in South Woodford on 5 November 1934. The Majestic chain was small compared to the aforementioned companies, with just five cinemas in the South East of England. It was designed by locally born architect Samuel JB Pritlove, who also designed cinemas in Staines, Mitcham and High Wycombe (all now demolished), as well as Holland Park synagogue. The cinema has a fairly straightforward art deco facade with a group of vertical windows with curtain-like faience tiling at the top. The cinema could seat nearly 1,750 patrons in a mixture of stalls and dress circle seats. They were entertained by a Compton theatre organ and the building was also home to a restaurant and ballroom. 

The cinema was officially opened by Winston Churchill, at the time in his “Wilderness Years” and the Member of Parliament for Epping (which included South Woodford at the time). The cinema was only part of the Majestic chain for nine months before it was taken over by Associated British Cinemas. The cinema was upgraded to three screens in 1973 and then taken over by the Cannon chain and had further screens added from 1986. Odeon later took over the cinema and, unlike many cinemas of its era, is still open and showing films, now with seven screens. Until recently, next door was a car showroom with a partially glazed staircase tower. It was home to the Harvey Hudson dealership for many years, followed by Land Rover, which vacated the site several months ago.

For more information on Modernism Beyond Metro-land and to support the crowdfunder, visit swvg.co.uk/mbml