Editor

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.

Parliamentary candidate for Chingford & Woodford Green

I am a local candidate who will put Chingford and Woodford Green first. I was born here, went to school here, and I’m raising my family here. As an independent candidate, I will be free to stand up for the needs of residents. I won’t be tied to the ‘party line’, whether it’s building unaffordable private housing or rebuilding Whipps Cross with fewer beds. Over the last 14 years, the Conservatives have let us down. Labour will be in power, but if it doesn’t act, we need independent voices who can hold the government to account.

Parliamentary candidate for Chingford & Woodford Green

From the collapse in the quality of London’s police force to toxic dumping in our waterways – your representatives lack the vision required to serve their constituents. Chingford and Woodford Green has been let down, by the Tories in Westminster and by the Labour-run councils. I’ve worked as a consultant to local government for 15 years. I’ve seen the local collapse in public services first-hand. This collapse can be reversed, but it requires willingness and focus. I believe that only the Liberal Democrats can offer that.

Parliamentary candidate for Chingford & Woodford Green

If elected MP for Chingford and Woodford Green, it would be my duty to attend to all concerns affecting every resident in the constituency to the best of my ability, as it is they who will have put their trust in me to do so; they are in fact my employers and rightly expect results. This is my promise to the people of Chingford and Woodford Green. Many national issues also need to be addressed to make Britain a safer place, free from outside negative forces influencing our lives. This is the task of all at Reform UK. 

Parliamentary candidate for Chingford & Woodford Green

A long-time activist for peace, equality, environment and justice, my top priority is electoral system reform so every vote counts equally in future elections. I also aim to properly fund the NHS, ensuring free and timely access to healthcare for all; make housing more available, affordable and safe; improve our water quality by ending sewage dumping; raise living standards and reduce inequalities by taxing the very richest; improve access to nature and protect our shared environment.

A hustings for the General Election (Leyton and Wanstead constituency) will take place at Wanstead Library on 24 June.

Attendance on the panel has been confirmed by the following party candidates for the Leyton and Wanstead Constituency:

• Calvin Bailey (Labour)
• Tara Copeland (Lib Dems)
• Gloria Croxall (Conservative)
• Charlotte Lafferty (Green)

“A hustings is a time-honoured way for an electorate to get to know more about candidates by quizzing them and hearing them speak alongside each other at a live event. Notably, not one of the eight candidates for this constituency have stood here before. This hustings should therefore be of interest both to local residents and to anyone intrigued by the fast changing political landscape,” said a spokesperson for the East London Humanists, which is organising the event.

Doors open at 7pm and the event begins at 7.30pm.

The event is free and open to all. Questions can be submitted in writing on the night.

A hustings for the General Election (Chingford and Woodford Green constituency) will take place at the Woodford Memorial Hall on 27 June.

All six candidates for the Chingford and Woodford Green constituency have been invited to the event, which will be chaired by local Christian, Jewish and Muslim faith leaders.

“The management of the Memorial Hall is making the venue available free of charge, but invites a donation of at least £2 from each person attending, to sustain and develop this historic building, which has served the local community for over 100 years. Donations can be made in cash, by contactless reader or when booking tickets online,” said a spokesperson.

The event begins at 7.30pm.

Tickets can be booked here.

An annual volunteering fair will take place at Redbridge Town Hall on 6 June.

More than 40 different organisations will be taking part, promoting a range of volunteering opportunities.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to explore voluntary roles in your local area. If you’re looking for something weekly, monthly or on a casual basis, come along to chat to our friendly team and find out more about the opportunities in Redbridge,” said a spokesperson for Community Action Redbridge.

The event will take place from 11am to 2pm at Redbridge Town Hall, High Road, Ilford, IG1 1DD.

For more information, contact Community Action Redbridge.

A School Streets scheme will come into force around Oakdale Infants and Junior Schools from 3 June.

The School Streets prohibition means that during term time, vehicular traffic (motorcycles, cars, vans and lorries) will be prohibited from entering the following roads at certain times:

• Woodville Road (part)
• Oakdale Road
• Ashford Road (part)
• Granville Road

The times of the prohibition are between: 8.15am and 9.10am and 2.35pm and 3.40pm.

Residents and businesses that are located within, or have their property vehicle access located within the School Street zone can apply for a free vehicle exemption from Redbridge Council.

Penalty charge notices will be issued for any vehicle that unlawfully enters the School Streets zone. The penalty charge is £130. A 50% discount is applied if payment is made within 14 days reducing the charge to £65.

For more information, click here.

Live animals will be on show in Wanstead this June as part of the annual Wanstead Wildlife Weekend.

“We have booked an exciting display from a company with a good reputation for animal welfare. They will be showing live British wildlife, such as rodents, a barn owl, a snake, invasive marsh frogs and even a rescue hedgehog,” said a Wren Wildlife Group spokesperson. Taking place on 22 and 23 June, the weekend of free events will also include bushcraft workshops, a spider hunt and pond dipping.

Visit swvg.co.uk/www24 

Prosecutions against people misusing Blue Badges locally has led to a warning from Redbridge Council that Blue Badge cheats won’t be tolerated in the borough.

The crackdown on blue badge fraud saw 42 prosecutions last year, alongside hundreds of Blue Badge checks to clamp down on the illegal use of the permits.

“For genuine Blue Badge holders, the permit can be a lifeline to the community, providing those with mobility issues with special parking provision to access local amenities. Anyone using a Blue Badge fraudulently is taking away a valuable parking space from those in genuine need of it, making it harder for people with mobility issues to go about their daily business,” said a council spokesperson.

Successful prosecutions brought to court by the council have included a driver given one of the largest fines of last year after being caught by Council Parking Enforcement Officers using a Blue Badge that had been reported lost several months previously. The badge was handed over to the officers at the scene of the crime in Ilford, and the driver ended up with fines totalling £1,038.

Blue badges should only be displayed if the blue badge holder is travelling in the vehicle as a driver or passenger, or if someone is collecting the blue badge holder or dropping them off and needs to park at the place where the blue badge holder is being collected or dropped.

To report suspected blue badge fraud, call 0800 633 5267 or email whistleblow@redbridge.gov.uk

For more information on the blue badge scheme in Redbridge, go to www.redbridge.gov.uk/parking/blue-badge/