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Redbridge Council is keen to remind South Woodford residents with electric vehicles – and those considering the switch – that they have access to a charging hub in Mulberry Way car park.

The hub – installed in July – has 12 dedicated charging bays. “Redbridge is one of the first London boroughs to incorporate a large, fast-charging hub into a council car park… Transport is one of the largest sources of carbon emissions in Redbridge, making it one of our key areas for action in tackling climate change,” said a spokesperson.

Woodford Green Library and Gym has reopened following a £300,000 refurbishment.

The venue was improved during its closure for much of the pandemic and now boasts a new children’s section, new books, digital devices, study area and a meeting space for group activities. The centre – located on Snakes Lane West – also includes a new fitness facility with a range of cardiovascular and weight training equipment, new changing areas and toilets. Both the library and gym are open seven days a week.

Visit swvg.co.uk/wglib

With Woodford Police Station having been decommissioned and sold earlier this year, Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP explains why his successful campaign for a policing hub in the local area was vital

Having listened to residents and police officers alike, it is clear there was a need for a policing hub in Woodford, South Woodford or Woodford Green.

Following the Mayor of London’s wrong-headed decision to close Woodford Police Station, local Safer Neighbourhood Teams for Monkhams, Churchfields and South Woodford lost the police station they used as a base. This means they have to travel to Barkingside Police Station to use its facilities, often on public transport.

This seems to be an extremely poor use of police time and resources. Reducing the travel time for the Safer Neighbourhoods Teams would free up more resource hours to tackle local crime. This extra police time will be necessary to tackle the recent spate of dog thefts and the thefts of cars and catalytic convertors that are issues of real concern to my constituents.

The need to travel long distances also impacts the well-being and job satisfaction of officers, who feel they spend more time travelling to and from their wards than doing their job.

Residents, local officers and business owners have spoken to me about the importance of having designated police who understand the neighbourhood, know the local crime hotspots and build trust within the communities they serve. The whole area will benefit from a visible police base, which will provide reassurance to residents and assist in building relationships with the community.

Myself and local councillors are therefore pleased that, as a result of our continuous campaign, there has now been recognition of the need for a police hub here, with the recent announcement of a soon-to-be-opened venue in Woodford, which will serve the wards of South Woodford, Churchfields, and Monkhams.

We held a public meeting with the Borough Commander, Detective Chief Superintendent Stephen Clayman, where residents discussed the need for a stronger police presence in the area. This was in addition to letters to both the Detective Chief Superintendent and the Commissioner, Dame Cressida Dick, and our petition, which has been signed by almost 2,000 local residents.

I await further details from the Metropolitan Police on where the hub will be based and look forward to an official announcement from Redbridge Council regarding when it will be operational. I will continue to work with the council and the police to ensure the residents of Woodford have the resources that are needed here. The simple yet vital truth is that local people need to know the police officers who work in their neighbourhoods and feel reassured by a visible presence.

For more information on Sir Iain Duncan Smith’s campaign, visit swvg.co.uk/ids

Residents are invited to a Remembrance service at the Snaresbrook Garden of Remembrance on 11 November (arrive by 10.45am).

This will be followed by a gathering at the Woodford War Memorial outside St Mary’s Church on 13 November (arrive by 8.40am).

“This is the first opportunity in two years to come together as a community to commemorate those who have died in the service of their country… Our short ceremony will include a silence and laying of wreaths by civic leaders,” said Revd Dr Elizabeth Lowson.

Applications are open for residents to adopt the tree pits on their streets and plant them with wild flowers.

“The Adopt a Tree Pit scheme is part of our community gardening initiative and gives residents the chance to show trees on their street some love and boost biodiversity,” said a Redbridge Council spokesperson. Last year, more than 1,300 tree pits across the borough were successfully adopted. Applications close on 30 November, with a free packet of wild flower seeds while stocks last.

Visit swvg.co.uk/adoptatreepit

Ten-year-old Riku Fryderyk – a member of the South Woodford Young Writers Club – has published his first book, which tells the story of a young prince who escapes from his castle at night to discover that the midnight hour doesn’t have to be frightening.

“In this story, I want to help children who are afraid of the dark by making them think differently about what might be there that they cannot see,” explained Riku, who wrote the story when he was eight. The Witching Hour is published by Pegasus.

Visit swvg.co.uk/riku

In October, Redbridge and Waltham Forest council leaders joined Iain Duncan Smith MP, Wes Streeting MP and John Cryer MP to launch a cross-party, cross-borough campaign to secure funding for the redevelopment of Whipps Cross Hospital.

“We welcome the government’s commitment made two years ago to build a new hospital at Whipps Cross… The government is deciding which hospitals receive money first, and that needs to be Whipps,” said a spokesperson for the Whipps Won’t Wait campaign.

Visit swvg.co.uk/www

Permission has been granted to build co-living accommodation at 52–58 Chigwell Road.

The development will see the existing buildings – a nursey, car dealership and tyre sales – replaced by 50 residential units, with ancillary gym, communal kitchen, a workspace, café and lounge and reception. The site will also include a replacement nursery. “This was approved despite reservations and with the developers paying Redbridge Council £100k to opt out of providing any affordable housing,” said a South Woodford Society spokesperson.

Councillor Rosa Gomez has provided feedback on the youth engagement event she organised in September.

“The event showed there is a real need to listen to young people. We had a prime example of this in regard to sex education in schools, which appears to be insufficient, particularly given the current concerns over the safety of women and girls… I was also pleasantly surprised by the level of concern youngsters had about the climate crisis and had particular examples of how they can promote litter-free communities.”

Plastic tubs, pots and trays are now accepted in Redbridge Council’s kerbside recycling collections.

In addition, empty aerosol cans and clean aluminium foil and foil trays can also be included in the black recycling boxes, which were previously restricted to plastic bottles, tins, cans and glass. “Always rinse out any food waste as this makes items unrecyclable. Rinse and scrunch up any foil. And please note, black plastic can’t be recycled, so please don’t put it in your box,” said a spokesperson.

Visit swvg.co.uk/recycle

A crowdfunding campaign is hoping to raise £20,000 to create a natural playground in Wanstead Park.

The play area – to be located on former scrubland behind the Temple – has been planned in consultation with local groups and will be constructed from natural materials found in Epping Forest. Volunteers and arborists from the City of London will be building most of the play structures, but funds are needed to purchase specialist equipment. Fundraising begins early next year (minimum pledge £2).

Visit swvg.co.uk/parkplay

Residents are continuing their campaign to overturn the decision to award the former Elmhurst Gardens bowls club site to a private nursery.

“In September, we presented our petition to Redbridge Council. In October, we met with Councillor Kam Rai and walked around the locality, from George Lane to Gordon Road, to give a sense of the large area this park serves, and explained our reasons why the bowling green is ideal for a business which offers something for all the community. The discussions are ongoing,” said Kerry Oliver.