Editor

Residents have launched a petition calling for the urgent reopening of Broadmead Road.

Explaining the reasons, the petition states: “This closure has severely impacted our daily lives, causing immense inconvenience… While we understand initial tests have been conducted and inspections are scheduled, we strongly believe that expediting these processes is crucial for restoring normalcy to our community. We implore the authorities to prioritise this matter with utmost urgency.”

Visit swvg.co.uk/brdpet

Redbridge Council has issued an update on Broadmead Road, which was partially closed to traffic in July due to significant structural defects to the bridge section over the Central Line tracks.

“The council is working closely with TfL to speed up the survey work where possible. To reopen Broadmead Road will require extensive construction work and is expected to take a significant amount of time. At this stage, Redbridge Council is continuing survey work to establish what works are necessary to ensure the bridge is safe.”

The flower sculptures between George Lane and The Shrubberies were installed 20 years ago this autumn.

Now, the artist behind them is keen to hear from those who helped with the project. “I was very taken by how pretty the green strip was on my first site visit back in 2001. The project – completed in 2003 – involved children from Churchfields, Oakdale and Wells Primary School. I would love to hear from those who participated for an article about the project in the next issue,” said Nicola Burrell.

Email n.burrellartist@gmail.com

A small herd of English Longhorn cows returned to Wanstead Park in October to graze over the winter months.

“The cows will have an important job to do grazing the main acid grassland to remove course vegetation and young scrub, as well as reducing the vegetation on the Yellow Meadow Ant hills, which improves the biodiversity of this special area of Epping Forest,” said a spokesperson for the City of London Corporation.

Nominations for the Mayor of Redbridge’s annual community awards are now open.

“Do you know an unsung hero within your family, your street or anywhere within your community? Or a group or organisation that has made a positive and selfless contribution to the lives of Redbridge residents? If yes, please nominate them for an award!” said a spokesperson. Nominations close on 31 December.

Visit swvg.co.uk/ma2024

The South Woodford Neighbourhood Forum has launched an online community portal in connection with its newly drafted design code, which will help influence the future development of the local area.

“Design codes provide a framework for creating healthy, safe, sustainable and distinctive places, with a consistent and high-quality standard of design… This new portal will build on previous engagement and insights from the community,” explained Pearl Arbenser-Simmonds.

The portal uses an interactive map and other engagement tools to find out what matters most to residents and visitors alike, with respondents asked to identify locations that require improvement or would benefit from additional amenities, such as better street lighting, more trees, new playgrounds or increased accessibility.

“Our design code will provide a long-term vision for South Woodford, so tell us what matters most to you!”

The survey is open until 30 November.

Visit swvg.co.uk/haveyoursay 

A new Post Office will open in South Woodford next month.

Opening at 1pm on 29 November, the branch will be located at 115 George Lane, South Woodford, E18 1AE, next door to Tipi Coffee Co.

“This will restore Post Office services to the area after the closure of the store at 139 George Lane. The same products and services will continue to be available,” said a spokesperson.

The opening hours will be: Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm.

A Post Office spokesperson said: “We are keen to restore this branch to the area as soon as possible, so we have decided to go ahead with our plans. But there is the opportunity to give feedback until 3 November 2023. Customers can share their views during the consultation online at postofficeviews.co.uk with the branch code 031002. Submissions can also be made via email to comments@postoffice.co.uk, by post to Freepost YOUR COMMENTS, or by telephone 03452 66 01 15.”

Liz Martins from the Save Our Wanstead Youth Centre campaign group welcomes the council’s new plans for the venue’s future, but explains why their work is far from over

Redbridge Council’s undertaking not to demolish Wanstead Youth Centre for housing and retain it as publicly owned property was welcomed by all last month. However, Save Our Wanstead Youth Centre campaigners requested more information, particularly the full business case and details of how the decision to create an education hub and youth centre complies with the council’s statutory duties to provide youth services. 

We also asked if the consultation is to be meaningful this time round. The council should comply with its legal and moral obligations to consult when proposals are in their formative stage, with a view to reaching agreement. 

At the council meeting, the cabinet shockingly confirmed the centre would close from 15 October with no commitment on when it will reopen. Closing without a firm, or even tentative, start date for building works not only deprives the community of the services and facilities but leaves the site open to vandalism, while the council also loses out on vital income. 

Most of the people who spoke at the meeting, including four young people (Beth, Charis, Lily and Zak), asked the council to keep the centre open while plans are firmed up and a community forum and partnerships are established, as per their standing orders. The intent is “to bring the council closer to the local community.” Regrettably, these pleas fell on deaf ears, contrary to the council leader’s undertakings. 

We believe the closure will be premature, as it will take months, if not over a year, to develop plans, secure funding and complete the works. We have asked to meet with the council leader to discuss options for interim arrangements and counter proposals. 

Other speakers challenged the performance of Vision’s management of the youth centre, particularly from a financial perspective over at least the past five years. Our own calculations show the venue could have been generating three to four times as much income as Vision has achieved. No financial breakdowns were provided in the council’s report to substantiate the alleged income and expenditure levels now being quoted, making it impossible to submit counter proposals. Very importantly, no evidence has been provided to substantiate the council’s statement that the centre is not financially viable. We therefore requested that the council scrutinise Vision’s management.

We hope the leader’s assurances that “we owe it to you to get a centre up and running as soon as possible” prove to be accurate.

Wanstead Youth Centre is located at 144 Elmcroft Avenue, Wanstead, E11 2DB. For more information on the Save Our Wanstead Youth Centre campaign, visit wnstd.com/sowyc or call 07403 649 306

The Leader of Redbridge Council, Councillor Jas Athwal, explains the decision to convert Wanstead Youth Centre into an education and youth hub, and why it must temporarily close in order to do so  

With its bustling High Street, outstanding schools, green spaces and fantastic transport links to central London, Wanstead is one of the best places in London to call home.

Our council has shared plans to invest significantly in Wanstead Youth Centre, using ring-fenced education funding to create a new education and youth hub on the site. Our proposals will secure a better and brighter future for the centre, generations of local children and young people, and local community groups.

As it stands, the centre needs significant structural work to bring it up to an acceptable standard, and as a council, we need to make sure we’re spending taxpayers’ money wisely; that’s why it’s vital we provide a fit-for-purpose facility accessible to the community that operates on a sound financial footing. The proposals for the centre include co-locating education services, a tuition centre, an Early Years Play and Development Centre and providing new youth services. There will be refurbished space for community use and our hope is the centre will become an education and youth hub. There is a widely held misconception that the current youth centre provides council-run services for children and young people. The truth is there haven’t been any youth services commissioned through the centre since 2016. Instead, the centre serves as a venue for hire for local businesses. Following our proposed investment, council services would once again operate out of the centre, alongside a hireable community space. 

Redbridge is one of the lowest-funded boroughs in London, having lost around 63% of our government funding since 2010, which has forced us to make huge savings of £236m. Despite these challenges, we continue delivering vital services and investing in what matters most to our neighbours, which is why we’re proposing to renovate the centre and house additional council services in the space.

Unfortunately, leaving the centre as it is isn’t an option. Last year, a building survey laid bare the considerable structural work required to bring the facility up to modern standards. The centre needs investment, and by co-locating education services in the space, we can access additional ring-fenced education funding and provide new facilities. To move forward with our proposals, the site must temporarily close. Vision RCL are already working with businesses and groups currently hiring space to help them relocate.  

We’ve listened to local people who shared how important the centre is and found a solution which keeps the venue open in the long term while providing additional services. In the future, there will be plenty of opportunities for people to give feedback on the proposals and share ideas on how the new facility can best serve Wanstead.

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

Woodford Green dental practice Improve Your Smile will be hosting a launch event of Rejuveo Aesthetics on 30 September.

“Join us for refreshments and meet GP Dr Shaan Rashid and discuss your areas of concern with him,” said a spokesperson.

Attendees will have the chance to receive a free botox or dermal filler treatment on the day (check with the practice for terms), along with a 25% discount voucher for aesthetics treatments during October.

The practice is located at 162 High Road, Woodford Green, IG8 9EF.

Call 020 8504 2704

A consultation by the City of London Corporation about its new five-year corporate plan is open until 16 October.

“This plan will determine the scale and priority of decisions relating to resource allocation for the foreseeable future. It is important local stakeholders have their voice heard, and I encourage as many people as possible to participate,” said Ben Murphy, Chairman of the Epping Forest and Commons Committee. The Corporation manages Wanstead Park as part of Epping Forest.

Visit wnstd.com/clp

Derek Inkpin from local solicitors Axiom DWFM takes the law seriously, but even he knows sometimes the law can be an ass… especially if you get a bit tipsy in a pub

We are surrounded by laws and regulations every day of our lives, the dos and don’ts which regulate society and all of us in it. However, against the serious background of most rules, the following bizarre laws still exist.

• The Licencing Act 1872 makes it clear you can’t be drunk in a pub, and since 2003, bar staff cannot legally serve drunk people. Time to practice your sober face. 
• The Madhouses Act 1774 restricts property owners to one “lunatic” per residence.
• If you fire a cannon within 300 yards of residential properties, you will commit an offence under the Metropolitan Police Act 1839. (So, measure out 301 yards to avoid an issue).
• If you want to avoid a library fine, confirmation that you have cholera should do the trick under section 25 of the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1985.
• If your alarm goes off at 3am, failing to stop it breaks the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005.
• You can be annoying in public, unless you go to the library, in which case, irritating someone there would be contrary to the Library Offences Acts of 1888 and 2005.
• Unless you don’t mind a £500 fine, don’t carry a plank or ladder on a pathway. That would be against section 54 of the Metropolitan Police Act 1839.
• Knock down ginger (you remember, knocking and scarpering for fun) is illegal and could land you with a £500 fine.
• Whatever you do, don’t beat your dusty rug in the street. Pollution is OK, but giving your neighbour a tickly throat is definitely out.
• Singing obscene lyrics in the street is an offence; just hum the dodgy parts to avoid a fine. Yes, it’s that Metropolitan Police Act 1839 again.
• Everyone knows you cannot open someone else’s mail, but delaying the post contradicts the Postal Services Act 2000, so no chatting to the postie, please.
• Looking guilty holding a salmon suggests you are a poacher and therefore liable for an offence under the Salmon Act 1986.
• A bye-law passed by Daventry District Council in 2015 prescribes that failing to produce an empty poo bag when challenged could result in a £100 fine.

So, now you’ve been told.

Axiom DWFM is located at 9–13 Cambridge Park, Wanstead, E11 2PU. For more information, call 020 8215 1000