RESIDENTS PROTESTS IGNORED

Residents gathered outside the Town Hall to protest about road closures in the ‘Mini Holland’ scheme

Residents protest ignored!

The recent protest by over 1,200 residents against the road closures in Walthamstow and Leyton showed that the Council’s Mini Holland plans, including closing local roads, does not have the support of all residents despite the Council saying that they had.

Protesters not against the scheme or cyclists, but against road closures
The protesters went out of their way to say that they were not against the scheme or cyclists, but against the road closures. The Council’s plans have succeeded in causing division and anger across the Borough. The closing of roads has forced vehicles onto the already congested main roads like Lea Bridge, Hoe Street, and Leyton High Road and has resulted in a massive slow down of traffic, increased congestion and increased pollution.

Congestion and pollution bad for all
All of this is detrimental to residents, cyclists, pedestrians and bus users. Focus Team member Bob Sullivan, who was in the Town Hall listening to the Mini Holland debate, was appalled by the Labour Council restricting residents from hearing the debate, as they only allowed 12 protesters in, although the chamber can hold over a hundred. He was shocked by the arrogant, illiberal attitude with which Labour Councillors treated residents’ concerns. They were not prepared to review the Mini Holland plans despite residents’ requests and their own Labour MP’s request.

Council continues to ignore residents
They are, in fact, going to ignore residents and continue to put in similar divisive plans across Leyton, Leytonstone and Chingford!

BARKING – GOSPEL OAK LINE ELECTRIFICATION UPDATE

Caroline Pidgeon, Lib Dem Candidate

for the next Mayor of London

The attached Press Release issued by The Barking – Gospel Oak Line User Group gives welcome news that that electrification is going ahead, allbeit not very quickly.

This has long been championed by London Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon, who is now the Liberal Democrat Candidate to be the next Mayor of London.

You can read the Press Release here: Barking-Gospel Oak Line Press Release

WATER LEAK: HOWARD ROAD/jnc HIGH ROAD

Thames Water has advised that, subject to there being no emergencies, work to repair this leak will commence on 16 October.

Residents will recall that it has been repaired fairly recently. Unfortunately it was more badly damaged than was anticipated, so that more extensive work will be necessary.

NEWSFLASH – The leak was repaired on 16 October, and final reinstatement of the location is being arranged.

NEWS UPDATE: 22 October reinstatement completed.

BARKING – GOSPEL OAK LINE: ELECTRIFICATION UPDATE

The attached Press Release issued by The Barking – Gospel Oak Line User Group gives welcome news that that electrification is going ahead, allbeit not very quickly.This has long been championed by London Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon, who is now the Liberal Democrat Candidate to be the next Mayor of London.

You can read the Press Release here: Barking-Gospel Oak Line Press Release

CANN HALL WARD POLICING NEWS

Local Policing News

Police Officers across the Borough recently achieved multiple arrests in Cann Hall for possession of drugs.

The latest crime figures show a big increase in Theft from Motor Vehicles with 14 reported in September, advice from the Safer Neighbourhood Team is make sure if your car has an alarm set it and don’t leave any items in the vehicle and think about leaving the glove box open if its empty.

Liz Phillips Focus Team member said,

it’s encouraging that burglaries are down but as the nights are drawing in think about getting a time switch and leaving a light on when you are out, this is a good deterrent to criminals.

The next Police ward panel is 26th November 7pm at Buxton Secondary phase Terling Close.

Neighbours get together: Sunday 30 August.

Local residents Sara and Jezz Tennant enjoying the party

Scores of residents enjoyed music, plenty of food from around the globe, liquid refreshments and fun games at Huddlestone Rd E7 Neighbourhood Watch Street Party.

The aim of the Party was to celebrate community life, enjoying a space for neighbours, new and old, to meet up and chat and for kids to play and have fun in a car free zone. The Party was worth it – just for that.

The day was a scene of fun-loving activities: face painting, local area quiz, competitions, kids doing artistic drawings with chalk on the road, and the very popular bouncy castle. By the time the Green Watch of the London Fire Brigade from Leytonstone arrived – to allow kids to sit in the front seat wearing the helmets, the Party was swinging!

Local resident Rupert Alexander says,

“Neighbours provided a huge amount of support to enable the Party to be a success; we all pooled resources, utilising our skills and talents and seeking support from Waltham Forest Council.

I would encourage people to plan a Street Party because it nurtures community spirit, and brings everyone together.

It was a wonderful day….bunting was everywhere! We would like the Street Party to be part of our summer calendar!!

Contact: www.walthamforest.gov.uk    re: “The Get Together Street Party initiative Fund/2015-16” for more information if you are interested in running an event in your road, or call Waltham Forest Direct on 0208 496 3000

To set up a Neighbourhood Watch in your street:

Contact: Cann Hall Neighbourhood Policing Team

Email:     CannHall.NPT@met.police.uk

Phone:   0208 721 2036

HARROW ROAD – ABANDONED CAR

Abandoned vehicle in Harrow Road, adjacent to Sauls Green

The Focus Team alerted the Council to the presence of this vehicle that appears to have been abandoned in Harrow Road, near Sauls Green. The front bumper is falling off, the tyres are deflating and there are a number of dents in the offside doors.

If you know any similar dumped cars in your area, please contact the Council, on Waltham Forest Direct, on (020) 8496 3000.

Mayor Congratulates South Leytonstone’s Finest Front Gardens

Cllr Saima Mahmud congratulates the winners of the South Leytonstone Development Association’s gardens competition

On Saturday 5th September, the Mayor of Waltham Forest attended Harrow Green in South Leytonstone to congratulate the winners of a local gardening competition.

The competition was organised by the South Leytonstone Area Development Association (SLADA) and supported by the East London Garden Society. The competition was part of a SLADA initiative to inspire local people to show some pride in their front gardens; improving the community’s environment

Cllr Saima Mahmud, Mayor of Waltham Forest, awarded Cann Hall’s Sue Jewell first prize for her winning front garden, which was full of colourful flowers and English Red Roses.

Cathall-resident Claudette Brown was announced as runner-up for her impressive fauna-filled facade. Cann Hall-resident, Elizabeth Tomlinson, came in third place with her collection of potted plants and flowers on her front lawn.

The winners each received a certificate and cheque to the value of £250, £150 and £100. A bottle of celebration bubbly was also shared. The prizes were kindly donated by the East London Garden Society.

All residents were automatically entered into the competition. The criteria included colour, use of space, variation of planting and best for climate change.

Rupert Alexander, Ros Kane, Geoff Juden (behind Ros), Mark Bonham and The Mayor, Saima Mahmud

The South Leytonstone Front Garden Competition was the brainchild of SLADA Trustee, and Cann Hall resident, Ros Kane, who helped organise the event.

Cllr Saima Mahmud, Mayor of Waltham Forest, said:

“I would like to thank all of the volunteers that work tirelessly to meet the aims of the South Leytonstone Area Development Association. Special thanks to Ros Kane, Mark Bonham, Rupert Alexander; the Organisers of the Front Garden Competition; Geoff Juden from East London Garden Society; and the participating residents of Cann Hall and Cathall Wards.”

Sue Jewell, First Prize Winner, said:

“I was over the moon for my front garden to win first prize! I put a lot of work into it over the last few months, so I’m glad it showed; I can relax now! I think the competition is a great idea and good for the area.”

Co-organiser and SLADA Trustee, Ros Kane, said:

“I am sure South Leytonstone can continue to maintain such an inspiring array of front gardens and hopefully this competition can continue to grow from strength to strength.”

Co-organiser and SLADA Trustee, Rupert Alexander, said:

“The competition was a great success and our local community really did us proud. South Leytonstone certainly has its fair share of green-fingered residents!

CANN HALL FOCUS NEWSLETTER 273

The latest issue of the Cann Hall FOCUS Newsletter is hot off the press and will be delivered across the ward free of charge by our team of volunteers.

The FOCUS Team would like to hear from you if you would like to help deliver FOCUS near your home, and keep local people informed. A round usually takes about 45 minutes, every 6 – 8 weeks.

Please contact Clyde Kitson on (020) 8534 2947 if you would like to help, thank you.

You can see as copy of FOCUS here: Cann Hall 273