[{"document_url": "https://cathallliberaldemocrats.mycouncillor.org.uk/category/environment/", "unformatted_src": "https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7311/8726300870_d0198f4601.jpg", "src": "https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7311/8726300870_d0198f4601.jpg", "formatted_filename": "d f", "rendered_width": 252, "rendered_height": 378}, null, {"document_url": "https://cathallliberaldemocrats.mycouncillor.org.uk/category/environment/", "unformatted_src": "https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7316/15812857864_314b563da4_c.jpg", "src": "https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7316/15812857864_314b563da4_c.jpg", "formatted_filename": "b da c", "rendered_width": 800, "rendered_height": 600}, null, {"document_url": "https://cathallliberaldemocrats.mycouncillor.org.uk/category/environment/", "unformatted_src": "https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8442/7856194824_28eeff88a8_n.jpg", "src": "https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8442/7856194824_28eeff88a8_n.jpg", "formatted_filename": "eeff a n", "rendered_width": 136, "rendered_height": 217}, null, null, {"document_url": "https://cathallliberaldemocrats.mycouncillor.org.uk/category/environment/", "unformatted_src": "https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/763/22153869164_3edf9feccc_c.jpg", "src": "https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/763/22153869164_3edf9feccc_c.jpg", "formatted_filename": "edf feccc c", "rendered_width": 800, "rendered_height": 450}, null, {"document_url": "https://cathallliberaldemocrats.mycouncillor.org.uk/category/environment/", "unformatted_src": "https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5584/15082447297_4fa32d3210_n.jpg", "src": "https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5584/15082447297_4fa32d3210_n.jpg", "formatted_filename": "fa d n", "rendered_width": 308, "rendered_height": 320}, null, {"document_url": "https://cathallliberaldemocrats.mycouncillor.org.uk/category/environment/", "unformatted_src": "https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6169/6178241772_8284841969_b.jpg", "src": "https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6169/6178241772_8284841969_b.jpg", "rendered_width": 1024, "rendered_height": 768}, null, {"document_url": "https://cathallliberaldemocrats.mycouncillor.org.uk/category/environment/", "unformatted_src": "https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7316/15812857864_314b563da4_b.jpg", "src": "https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7316/15812857864_314b563da4_b.jpg", "formatted_filename": "b da b", "rendered_width": 1024, "rendered_height": 768}, null, {"document_url": "https://cathallliberaldemocrats.mycouncillor.org.uk/category/environment/", "unformatted_src": "https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3894/15268913435_17ff8dcb88_b.jpg", "src": "https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3894/15268913435_17ff8dcb88_b.jpg", "formatted_filename": "ff dcb b", "rendered_width": 1024, "rendered_height": 599}, null, {"document_url": "https://cathallliberaldemocrats.mycouncillor.org.uk/category/environment/", "unformatted_src": "https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4094/4849051463_9fe5329e7d_n.jpg", "src": "https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4094/4849051463_9fe5329e7d_n.jpg", "formatted_filename": "fe e d n", "rendered_width": 320, "rendered_height": 298}, null, {"document_url": "https://cathallliberaldemocrats.mycouncillor.org.uk/category/environment/", "unformatted_src": "https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3758/9115108413_5909afcf85.jpg", "src": "https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3758/9115108413_5909afcf85.jpg", "formatted_filename": "afcf", "rendered_width": 500, "rendered_height": 385}, null]
Lib Dem campaigner Bob Sullivan

Mr Sullivan said:

Campaigner Bob Sullivan wants action to ensure tower block safety

Council leader, Clare Coghill, said:

Tom Barnes posted an update on 22nd June: Fred Wigg and John Walsh Towers

A spokesman said: Christmas service changes

The Council has advised that refuse/recycling collections will be one day later than usual for the week after Christmas. 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!

Paddy Power appeal victory paves way for sixth bookies in high street despite public outcry 7:00am Thursday 23rd April 2015 – Waltham Forest E-Guardian

Paddy Power has won the right to open a sixth betting shop in a high street despite public opposition.

The company was successful in appealing against a decision by Waltham Forest council’s planning committee to deny a change of use at 620 High Road, Leytonstone.

Paddy Power was granted a premises licence in October despite more than 1,200 people signing a petition against the move.

Yesterday, a planning inspector, appointed by the Secretary of State for Communities, ruled in the betting giants favour in a move a council spokesman described as “another example of an inspector not supporting local concerns regarding the clustering of betting shops.”

The betting shop will operate under the condition that it will not be open to customers after 10pm on any day of the week and CCTV is installed to deter criminal activity.

The inspector approved the application despite it adding an ‘obvious’ third betting shop to the immediate vicinity.

Following the closure of Leytonstone police station, the inspector also heard local concerns that the police presence in the area had been reduced, but said “The Metropolitan Police’s crime prevention officer did not raise this as a concern when consulted.”

The inspector continued:

I do not consider that an additional betting office within the immediate area would result in a significant alteration to the balance [of being a retail-led high street], or result in a clustering effect that would be detrimental to the retail attraction of the immediate area or wider centre.

The appellant operates a chain of betting offices, and although the use would not make a large contribution to local regeneration or have a significantly positive effect in tackling social deprivation, its corporate responsibility policies are clear and links with the local community are encouraged.

The FOCUS Team says:

Local people will be wondering what is the point of the Council spending time and resources securing changes to planning regulations, if they are going to be over-ruled by inspectors who choose to ignore local opinion. Works commence Monday 16 March

Transport for London (TfL) has announced that work will include a new enclosureand new lighting to improve visibility and reduce anti-social behaviour. This will incvlude some work to strenthen the footbridge.

Period of work

Work will begin on Monday 16 March and will last approximately 16 weeks, or until the works are completed with the agreement of the local Council. The working hours will be from 21.30 to 05.00 at night and 08.00 to 16.00 Monday to Friday.

The strengthening works, taking place under the footbridge, are due to be carried out at night from 16 March until 3 April.

The surface renewal, enclosure and lighting replacement are to to be carried out during the day from 30 March until 26 June.

TfL says that every effort will be made to ensure that noisy operations are completed berfore midnight, but explain that vehicle reversing beepers are essential safety devices.

During bridge closures pedestrian and cyclist diversions will be clearly signposted.

TfL Contact

For further information or an update while work is underway, contact the Customer Services Department on 0845 305 1234,  or via the web at www.tfl.gov.uk/contact or via vemail at email@example.com Fred Wigg and Joihn Walsh Towers, Montague Road

In November a packed meeting of tenants voted for the option of refurbishment of kitchens and bathrooms for John Walsh and Fred Wigg tower blocks in Leytonstone.
Tenants Ignored
However, the Labour Council over-ruled the tenants, agreeing a plan to strip back the towers to the core, completely refurbish the flats and build a smaller block between them.
Labour Selling Off Flats
Brand new flats for the tenants?  No! The Council wants to sell off one of the blocks to the private sector, thus reducing the number of Council flats from 232 to 160!  Waltham Forest has thousands of families on the waiting list, so a further reduction of affordable homes will dash the hopes of many people.  In effect Labour is getting rid of tenants who are, in the main, less well-off and inviting wealthy people to buy up the flats.
Labour MP and councillors ignore cries for help
The residents have asked their Labour MP and Labour councillors for help but they stay quiet.  They have even been ignored by one of their Labour councillors who was once a tenant in one of the blocks!

Focus says:

The Council has said tenants can go back once the refurbishment is complete.  This is rubbish as there will not be enough flats to house all of them!  One of the tenants has said “The Council is treating us worse than something stuck on their shoe”.

Focus will keep you informed of the tenants’ campaign to save their homes.

Link to article in the national Guardian:

 
With the closure of Leytonstone Police Station there is now no police station in the south of the borough.

Following the closure the Police are providing a contact point at Tescos in Gainsborough Road. Officers are present every Wednesday and Thursday from 6 – 8pm. and on Saturday from 2 – 4pm.

The only other local contact point is The Police Base, 593 Lea Bridge Road, E10 6AF. It is open every Wednesday and Thursday from 7 – 8pm, and on Saturday from 2 – 3pm.

The Cathall Neighbourhood Policing Team telephone number is (020) 8721 2767.

For non-emergency calls the Police ask you to dial 101. However, for emergencies call 999. Waltham Forest Council is one of the few Councils, successful in their bid to Transport for London for ‘Mini Holland’ funds to radically improve cycling in the borough. One of the areas for improvement is Ruckholt Road.

At a consultation meeting in Leyton Library, Lib Dem Focus Team member, Bob Sullivan had a chance to discuss the plans with officers and residents. Overall the scheme looks innovative and will assist safer cycling in the area. Bob outlined many small changes that would improve the scheme for cyclists and residents. The main one was allowing a left turn from Oliver Road into Ruckholt Road. Blocking the left turn would only encourage vehicle rat running.

He also said that the present bus stop in Ruckholt Road by the library should not be moved to Warren Road. The area in Warren Road is constantly used by motorists to park and shop locally in the High Road.

He also felt that the two current CPZs need to be combined and the times of operation extended.

Bob says: My full list of comments and suggestions has been sent to the Council. This website will keep you informed of developments. Former Police Station in High Road Leytonstone

Planning Application no. 2011/1229

At a recent meeting of the Planning Committee planning permission was refused for change of use from police station to school and nursery.

The reasons for refusal included an over-development of the site; increased traffic generation, congestion and increased demand for on street parking.

Full details can be found on the Council’s website, by quoting the application number in the Planning Explorer.
