Editor

The history of the Monkhams Estate will be explored at the Woodford Historical Society’s meeting on 14 November.

“I was interested to come across an article in the Woodford Times of 17 June 1904 about the future of Monkhams. This announced it was to be developed as a high-class building estate and that work on making the roads and laying the sewers had started,” said Georgina Green, whose presentation will take place at All Saints Church from 2.30pm (visitors: £5).

Visit woodfordhistoricalsociety.org

A new defibrillator has been installed outside Ocean Pharmacy in South Woodford.

“This unit at 30 High Road is accessible 24 hours a day. Defibrillators at Waitrose and Sainsbury’s are only available during opening hours, so this is a real benefit to us all. Thanks to Adrienne Lister, our local councillors and council officers, who helped make this happen,” said a South Woodford Society spokesperson.

If a defibrillator is used within the first five minutes of cardiac arrest, the chances of survival increase from 6% to over 70%.

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