Editor

Drain sensors have been installed in flood-prone parts of the borough to create a smart drainage system that monitors gully drains for blockages.

Nearly 100 sensors have been put in place across Redbridge, with 46 in the Wanstead and Woodford area, including five near Woodford Road.

“Providing real-time data and alerts to identify potential problem drains, the sensors enable us to react quickly to blockages or rising water levels, helping to reduce the risk of flooding,” said a Redbridge Council spokesperson.

Residents opposed to the Snaresbrook Station car park development have renewed calls for planning permission to be denied, citing a report that claims the proposed flats fail to meet critical fire safety requirements.

The independent report by Apex Strategies concludes that emergency access is below London Fire Brigade minimum standards.

“We’re in favour of affordable housing, but this proposal creates unthinkable safety risks for potential residents and neighbours,” said Mike Calvert of the Real Snaresbrook campaign.

Redbridge Libraries will launch the Fabula Reading Challenge this July, open to all two- to 12-year-olds in the borough.

“Read whatever you enjoy. We’ve got thousands of books and comics for kids to discover at your local library or from home in our virtual library. Participants will get a certificate and be entered into a prize draw,” said a spokesperson. Designed to encourage reading over the holidays, the challenge will run until September, with a number of creative workshops planned.

Visit swvg.co.uk/fab23

Councillor Jyotsna Islam has been elected as the new Mayor of Redbridge for the 2023–2024 municipal year.

“I moved to Redbridge in the eighties, lived here ever since, married, and raised my family in our borough… By trade, I am a registered social worker. To have been nominated to become the mayor of the borough is a huge privilege and immensely humbling,” said Councillor Islam, who has selected the London Air Ambulance and Woodford Bridge-based ELHAP as the chosen charities for her term in office. 

The Leader of Redbridge Council, Councillor Jas Athwal, responds to residents’ concerns over the future of Wanstead Youth Centre and addresses the council’s budgeting for leisure facilities in the borough 

Redbridge is our home; it’s where many of us chose to live, raise our families and put down roots. I’ve lived in Redbridge for over 50 years now with my family, and as Leader of Redbridge Council, my motivation has always been to make our borough better for people to enjoy now and for generations to come. That’s why, despite punishing government cuts, a decade of austerity and the rising cost of living, our council is still investing in Redbridge. Over the coming years, we are investing £14m in brand-new community facilities for local people.

I understand there is concern about Wanstead Youth Centre, and I want to stress that no final decision has been taken; we are exploring all options to keep providing the best services while setting a balanced budget in the face of over 60% government budget cuts.

Wanstead Youth Centre, unfortunately, in its current condition is no longer suitable for long-term use due to the extensive repairs needed to make it fit for purpose. Since January, our council has undertaken an online consultation, arranged meetings with hirers and answered questions at various council committees. In addition, our councillors attended a public meeting organised at the centre and met with users. In order to allow further time to explore options for the future use of the building, the council has now scheduled the full report on Wanstead Youth Centre to come forward for decision at the Cabinet meeting in September. Business as usual will continue until that decision is taken.

As a council, it is essential we ensure taxpayers’ money provides value-for-money services and benefits to the wider community. We are one of the lowest-funded boroughs in London and have been forced to make huge savings of £236m because of government cuts over the past decade. Despite this, we always rise to the challenge of keeping vital services running and investing in what matters most to our neighbours. 

Like all councils suffering from government cuts, we must be innovative, making the best use of existing facilities and spending public money wisely. Take South Woodford Library and Woodford Green Library, where we have delivered new gyms. By using existing space, we have saved money and created services that pay for themselves, right in the heart of local communities. We are investing in leisure facilities across the borough, but we have to ensure these don’t drain council resources. A great example is Valentines Park lido, which we are rebuilding 30 years after the old lido was shut. The new lido will be built sustainably and cover its own costs.

As a council, we are committed to investing in services that matter most to the people who live across our borough, but we do need to spend our limited funding wisely.

To contact Councillor Jas Athwal, email jas.athwal@redbridge.gov.uk

The anonymous yarn bomber who has been creating woollen toppers for a postbox on Hermon Hill has spoken out after their latest creation was stolen.

“Toppers are regularly taken, but many are returned as the pranksters find they have little use for them! I was inspired to start doing this last December, having seen them in a village in Wales. Each topper takes over 80 hours to make. I have been overwhelmed by the support of local people and will be commencing work on my next topper shortly,” said the mystery knitter.

Redbridge Council is proposing to trial a traffic reduction scheme on Granville Road and Albert Road in South Woodford.

A ‘no entry except for access’ restriction will prevent motorists from using the streets as a rat run from Ashford Road to Chigwell Road. If progressed, the restrictions will be in force from 7am to 7pm on weekdays. Cameras will be able to identify if a vehicle has driven through without stopping, and if it has, a penalty notice will be issued.

A consultation is open until 16 July.

Visit swvg.co.uk/noentry

South Woodford’s neighbourhood police team is keen to highlight the ongoing ‘Cuppa with a Copper’ sessions which take place in Starbucks on George Lane.

“The Cuppa with a Copper events are about inviting residents to discuss local issues with neighbourhood police officers and a chance to get to know local police personnel,” said a police spokesperson.

Sessions will take place on 5 July and 9 August, from 3pm to 3.45pm.

TfL is proposing to make changes to the W12, W13, W14 and 549 bus routes between the Walthamstow, Wanstead and Woodford areas.

“This is in response to feedback from our customers to improve connectivity to Whipps Cross Hospital and local destinations… We would restructure routes W12, W13 and W14 and withdraw route 549. Other bus routes in the area would remain unchanged,” said a spokesperson. A consultation on the plans is open until 30 July.

Visit wnstd.com/buses or call 020 3054 6037 

An open day at the new community garden in Ray Park took place last weekend.

“We’ve been toiling away since January to create a new space for perennial plants, annual flowers and medicinal herbs alongside a small kitchen garden. The project is ongoing, but we wanted to thank those people who have helped make it happen and show everyone what has been accomplished so far,” said a spokesperson for the Woodford Greeners.

A free mosaic stepping stones workshop will be held in the garden on 22 July.

Visit swvg.co.uk/wg

Psychologist Niamh Moriarty invites you to experience the positive physical and mental health impacts of South Woodford’s community gardening initiatives. Photo by Geoff Wilkinson

How many of us have felt uplifted at the sight of that first daffodil or snowdrop peeking through after a long, dark, dreary winter? Perhaps it signifies hope, that life and beauty can thrive despite harshness? Or how about the roses that bloom heralding the arrival of summer?

For some, these blooms awaken something almost innate; an internal drive to start planting, nurturing, watching and awaiting the eventual reward of a healthy leaf or a beautiful bloom. It turns out though, that gardening may be nurturing us in return!

Of course, digging and weeding are beneficial in terms of exercise; it’s easy to meet the guidelines of 20 minutes of daily activity when there is grass to mow, shrubs to trim and watering to be done! But are you aware research proves gardening has a positive impact on our mental health also? Researchers from Essex University use the term ‘green exercise’. Recent studies have demonstrated that green exercise benefits mental wellness with reductions in stress and depression alongside increases in mood and self-esteem. It appears even small doses of a few minutes can have an immediate impact, while regular gardening has been found to reduce stress and increase life satisfaction, including feelings of mastery and accomplishment. In fact, horticultural therapy is now offered within many NHS trusts.

When it comes to community gardening, there are benefits for the gardeners and the non-gardeners alike. The Royal Horticultural Society says community gardening leads to an increased sense of ownership of local spaces, a healthier environment, lower crime rates and reduced antisocial behaviour, and a boost to the local economy. Gardening in a group encourages people to develop relationships, reduces isolation and provides social opportunities to the large numbers of people now working from home. 

So many of us enjoy looking at the plants and flowers around us in South Woodford throughout the seasons. But did you ever wonder how these flower beds came about? We are an area rich with community gardening initiatives.

South Woodford Gardeners
These trailblazing gardeners commenced their work in 2014. Having transformed the flower beds along George Lane, they moved onto the six flower beds on the A406 bridge opposite Waitrose. Expanding further, they adopted the bed outside Regency Court, and this past year, they have taken over the pavement railing flower boxes around the area.

The gardeners meet one weekday morning a week. Join the South Woodford Gardeners Facebook group here. 

Footpath No. 60 Community Garden
A new community garden along the length of public footpath number 60, linking Woodford High Road to the Laings Estate. The flower beds along this popular shortcut next to Priory Close had become barren stretches, making this alleyway appear unsafe and uninviting. Spurred on by increased use during lockdown walks, this new community group started clearing and planting. The group is keen to promote the use of drought-resistant, native plants that will support wildlife.

Meeting for an hour most weekend mornings this new group welcomes new volunteers, as well as family involvement in creating bug hotels, painted stones, bunting and other creative ideas. Email: footpathno60garden@gmail.com 

South Woodford Society
The South Woodford Society has adopted three grow zones: Eastwood Green (at the corner of Eastwood Green and George Lane roundabout), the Community Orchard (on the corner of Primrose Road and Mulberry Way) and Bell Green (outside South Woodford station). 

The South Woodford Society have been running twilight weeding sessions during the longer summer evenings. Email e18society@gmail.com 

Get involved in community gardening

• Donate your time: one hour a week makes a huge difference.
• Share spare plants from your garden.
• If you live near a community garden, take a walk in the evening to water it, or empty your water bottle as you pass by. You can also offer to refill watering cans during gardening sessions. 
• Funding: most of these community gardening projects have been supported by crowdfunding, funding from the council or other initiatives. If your skill set lies in this area rather than as a gardener, do get in touch.