Waltham Forest Echo
WALTHAM FOREST - ONE COMMUNITY This Blog provides information about our Community in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. Please send your contributions to wfoc10@gmail.com
Saturday, 29 November 2014
Parks Alliance
Government to hold green spaces seminar after positive first meeting with The Parks Alliance
Horticulture Week - 26 November 2014
The Government is to hold a green spaces seminar early in the new year after a "positive and encouraging" first meeting with The Parks Alliance, board members have said. They told Horticulture Week that the seminar will be hosted by the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) with other Government departments with an interest in parks to be invited, after a pledge by the minister responsible for parks Stephen Williams MP.
He also invited the Parks Alliance to work with DCLG civil servants on parks issues and to discuss a Commission for Parks.
Parks Alliance chairman Mark Camley, deputy chair Sue Ireland and vice chairman Dr Sid Sullivan met Williams in Parliament yesterday and presented him with a bunch of flowers and a jar of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park honey.
They said the Minister raised the question of whether parks should be a statutory service, something many members of The Parks Alliance support. He also recognised the need for quality standards, including the Green Flag scheme, run by Keep Britain Tidy.
For its part, The Parks Alliance welcomed the work the Government is doing identifying and mapping all UK parks, and asked that this work be extended to cover quality as well. The Parks Alliance has proposed and offered to facilitate a small pilot to develop a standard system for measuring the quality of parks, involving park users and managers.
Chairman of The Parks Alliance Mark Camley said: "This was a positive and encouraging first meeting to introduce the minister to the aims and work of The Parks Alliance as the voice of UK parks. "The minister fully understands the importance of parks to the quality of life in Britain and is committed to working with us to protect and improve this important service." He added that the alliance looked forward to working with Williams, who is Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and Liberal Democrat MP for Bristol West and his department.
Williams was positive about parks, saying they breathed life into communities by providing much-needed free space for physical activity as well as a nice spot to while away a free moment. He said: "It's great to see The Parks Alliance supporting local communities. Parks and green spaces provide millions of Britons with a gateway to the great outdoors. They are particularly important to people in town and city centres, where many residents don't have their own gardens, and allow a space for people to relax and for children to play."
The establishment of The Parks Alliance follows the Parks Leadership Round Table, hosted last year byHorticulture Week, which brought together nearly 40 key sector executives from across the UK to discuss how best to tackle the challenges facing the sector.
Parks professionals, landscape contractors and local authority representatives sign up to national petition at major events this autumnAt four major green space events in October and November, many of those who best understand, manage and speak up for our green spaces have been signing up to the UK 'Save Our Parks' petition.
The four events were:
- the Green Connect conference in Exeter on October 8th, attended by over 80 organisations concerned about green spaces
- the Sustainable Green Infrastructure conference at the British Library in London on 23rd October, attended by over 100 reps from local authorities, national green space charities and organisations, landscape contractors and designers, Friends Groups, academics and professionals
- the London Parks and Green Spaces Forum's event for London's Local Authorities at London's City Hall on 17th November, attended by Council cabinet members and Heads of Parks from 20 local authorities.
- an annual meeting of Green Flag judges at London's City Hall on 17th November
Representatives of the National Federation of Parks and Green Spaces - the voice of the Friends Groups' movement - made presentations and contributions, ran stalls, joined in the discussions and distributed literature and petition forms. We were heartened by the overwhelming support for the national petition by the whole sector. It seems clear that almost everybody 'in the know' is highly aware, deeply shocked, and keen to speak out over the alarming crisis which the UK's green spaces are being plunged into due to the savage Government-driven cuts in funding and budgets.
The National Federation of Parks and Green Spaces is calling on all organisations to promote the UK petition to its members and the wider public throughout this winter as we move into 2015 and closer to the General Election in May.
Promote the 'Save Our Parks' petition - let's make the protection and improvement of our open spaces an issue in the May 2015 General ElectionThe Government's cuts to Local Authorities for our local public services, combined with the lack of statutory protection for open spaces, are causing the most of the problems we are facing. So please sign and promote the UK 'Save Our Parks' petition to step up the pressure on the Government and all political parties to take seriously the future funding and protection of our vital green spaces.
1. Sign the petition: http://chn.ge/TXdqhj
2. Spread the news via Twitter: @LoveParks_Week #LoveParks
3. Spread the news via Facebook: www.facebook.com/ukparkspetition - and:www.facebook.com/LoveParksWeek
4. Refer to the Parks Petition webpage: www.natfedparks.org.uk/parks-petition.html - the page includes a Sign Up Sheet and leaflets to distribute
And please don't forget to support your local green space Friends Group or help set up one for any green space without one!
best wishes
Dave Morris
NFPGS Campaigns Officer
vice-chair@natfedparks.org.uk
Street Watchers for Lloyd Park
Subject: Street Watchers at Lloyd Park
To: Ellie Mortimer <Ellie.Mortimer@walthamforest.
- You regularly use your park and value high standards of cleanliness and safety
- You want to be part of your community, or make a difference
- Easy reporting options so you can tell us what you’ve seen
- Invitations to consultations and community events
- Quarterly newsletter
- E mail street.watchers@walthamforest.
- Phone 020 8496 3000 and ask for Street Watchers
To: Ellie Mortimer <Ellie.Mortimer@walthamforest.
Hello everyone,
We’d like your help to keep Lloyd Park clean, safe and welcoming, so we’re looking for Street Watcher volunteers for Lloyd Park.
Street Watchers report environmental issues they see when they’re out and about, to the Council. For Lloyd Park, this will be things like dog fouling, graffiti, litter, fly-tipping and vandalism.
You might want to become a Street Watcher because:
- You’re proud of your park and you want to see it looking even better- You regularly use your park and value high standards of cleanliness and safety
- You want to be part of your community, or make a difference
Other benefits:
- No time commitment required- Easy reporting options so you can tell us what you’ve seen
- Invitations to consultations and community events
- Quarterly newsletter
For further information or to sign up:
- Visit www.walthamforest.gov.uk/- E mail street.watchers@walthamforest.
- Phone 020 8496 3000 and ask for Street Watchers
Please tell us you’d like to be a ‘Lloyd Park Street Watcher’
We look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards,
Ellie Mortimer
Lloyd Park Community Project Co-ordinator
Public Realm
Low Hall Depot
Argall Avenue
Leyton
London E10 7AS
Tel: 0208 496 2822
Mob: 07530 072 216
Waltham Forest History Network Group
Dear fellow enthusiast for the history of Waltham Forest
This is a reminder that the Network is meeting again at 7pm this coming Monday 1st December at Vestry House Museum to discuss :
the visit to the Black Cultural Archives at Brixton
a programme of local events to tie in with London Open House in September 2015
a bid for lottery funds to digitise the poor law records surviving in the borough
Below is an update from the Everyday Muslim Project.
This message is 'blind-copied' to recipients who have not specifically agreed to show their email address to other recipients. The Network is open to all, so pass this message to anyone you might think slightly interested.
Regards
David Boote
temporary co-ordinator
Waltham Forest History Network
temporary co-ordinator
Waltham Forest History Network
LVRPA Consultation
| 26th November 2014 |
Dear Consultees
Park
Development Framework
Lee Valley Regional Park Act 1966
Section 14 Draft Area Proposals Consultation by the Lee Valley Regional Park
Authority on Draft Proposals for the Regional Park from
East India Dock Basin to the Queen
Elizabeth Olympic Park, Area 1
Period of consultation 26 November 2014
to 21 January 2015
The Authority is in the
process of preparing a suite of documents, the Park Development Framework
(PDF), which will establish our aspirations and specific proposals for the
future use and development of the Regional
Park
The ‘Vision, Strategic Aims
and Principles’ (July 2010) and the ‘Thematic Proposals’ (January 2011) set out
development and management proposals on a broad Park-wide thematic basis and
the Authority is now working to translate the thematic proposals onto area
based maps in line with Section 14 of the Lee Valley Regional Park Act 1966
(the Park Act). This will provide a set
of specific area proposals covering the whole Park.
This is a phased process with
priority being given to areas where significant change within or adjacent to
the Park is planned. Once it has been
completed it is intended that these area proposals will completely replace the
Part Two Proposals of the Park Plan 2000.
In the interim where an area is updated it will specify which parts of
the Park Plan 2000 it is replacing, the rest remaining in place.
For the local planning
authorities in whose boundaries the Regional Park lies the importance of these
proposals is that, once adopted by the Authority, section 14(2) of the Park Act
requires their inclusion in their Local Plans or Local Development Frameworks.
Their inclusion does not however imply approval of the local planning authority
although clearly it is hoped that by reason of this process there will not be
fundamental objection to them. It is anticipated that these proposals will be
adopted for this particular area by April 2015.
The Authority has in place
adopted Area Proposals for the section of the Park from Ruckholt Road/Hackney
Marshes through to the M25/Rammey Marsh. We are now consulting on our proposals
for the southern-most area of the Park from East India Dock Basin, adjacent to
the River Thames, to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
We would like your views on
the draft proposals for Area 1; these can be found on our web site via the
following dedicated link: www.leevalleypark.org.uk/go/consultation
The consultation runs from
the 26th November 2014 until the 21st January 2015. We hope that you are able to take this
opportunity to comment on these important proposals for the future of the
Regional Park.
Comments are welcome by email
to planning@leevalleypark.org.uk
Or by post to PDF
Consultation, Myddelton House, Bulls Cross, Enfield, Middlesex EN2 9HG
Best Wishes
Stephen Wilkinson
Head of Planning and
Strategic Partnerships
Victorian Christmas at VHM
| ||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||
|
Friday, 28 November 2014
Mini Holland Update - 28/11/14 Bike Sheds
|  26 Nov (2 days ago) | | ||
Hi there,
As part of the Mini Holland programme, we are bidding to design and build 8 cycle parking facilities or ‘bike sheds’ in the following locations:
· Leyton Station (larger super shed facility)
· Walthamstow Station - Town Square Gardens (larger super shed facility)
· Blackhorse Road Station
· Chingford Station
· Highams Park Station
· Leytonstone Station
· St James Street Station
· Wood Street Station
In order to provide the best solution for the community, we are looking to get feedback from as many people (and groups of people) as possible, telling us what you would like from these community facilities. So please fill in the questionnaire below and encourage your fellow residents to do the same to help us shape the design of the facilities.
Would it be possible for you to promote our questionnaire via your blog to give everyone the best opportunity of having a say?
The Questionnaire can be found at: www.falco.co.uk/waltham-
Or alternatively I have attached a Word Document.
We will be attending the Ward meeting on Thursday evening as well so it would be good to meet up of possible?
Please note: this process will run until 17th December, your information will be used solely for the purposes of this Cycle Parking project. If you would like to discuss this questionnaire or any part of the project further then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with jeremy.green@falco.co.uk.
Many thanks
Jeremy
Falco manufactures and installs a wide range of high quality Street Furniture and Cycle Parking systems.
Waltham Forest Borough Council,
Mini Holland Cycle Sheds, Stakeholder Engagement Questionnaire
Waltham Forest is currently undergoing
rapid regeneration with approximately £270m being invested in major
residential, retail and commercial development. A recent success includes
winning a £27million bid for our mini-Holland project to radically change neighbourhoods
by placing cycling at the heart of its schemes - this cycling transformation helps
to provides a huge catalyst for long-term growth in the borough - you can view
the bid document here (http://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/miniholland).
As part of the Borough Mini Holland
cycling programme, we are looking to design and build 8 cycle parking
facilities or ‘bike sheds’ in the following places:
· Leyton Station (larger super shed facility)
·
Walthamstow
Station - Town Square Gardens (larger super shed facility)
·
Blackhorse Road
Station
·
Chingford Station
·
Highams Park
Station
·
Leytonstone
Station
·
St James Street
Station
· Wood Street Station
In order to provide the best solution for
the community, we are looking to get feedback from as many people and groups of
people as possible, as to what you would like from these community facilities.
So please fill in the questionnaire below and encourage your fellow residents
to do the same to help us shape the design of the facilities! Note: this
process will run until 17th December.
1. Your Name/Contact Details (if you are
happy for us to get back in touch?):
2. Position in Community e.g. resident,
teacher, voluntary worker etc., or perhaps you are part of a community group:
3. Cycle Shed Build Features – what features
would you like in your local bike shed to be made of? (e.g. clear walls for
security, green roof, robust materials etc.):
4. Facilities - the structures are
primarily for secure cycle parking, but what other facilities would you like to
see in your cycle sheds? (e.g. seating, cycle repair stand, information points,
pump, electric bike charging etc.):
5. Entry and Security – a key component
of the design is security for users and cycles, what kind of security systems
would you suggest (e.g. CCTV, smart card access , access times etc.):
6. Aesthetics and Branding – we would
like to give the network of cycling facilities across the Borough a cohesive
feel, via a name or brand, so they are recognised by everyone in the Borough. Do
you have an idea for the name of the cycle sheds network? (PS we cannot used
the word ‘hub’!) Note you could have a
different name for the different shelters?:
7. Cost –
would it be fair to charge to park a bike in a high quality secure facility? If
yes how much and how would you pay?
8. Comments - any other comments you
would like to add, to help us design the best facilities for the borough?
Please note: your information will be
used solely for the purposes of this Cycle Parking project. If you would like
to discuss this questionnaire or any part of the project further then please
don’t hesitate to get in touch with jeremy.green@falco.co.uk. Please leave a number if you want him to call you
back.
Thank you for your input!
Mini Holland update 28/11/14 - Markhouse Village
Here are some more interesting items about the mini Holland plans.
Last night at the Markhouse Ward Forum in Edinburgh Primary School meeting these points were noted:
1. About 50 people attended and Cllr Loakes fielded the questions with help of officers.
2. The first speaker was in favour as cycling had improved his health.
3. Concerns were expressed that Blue Badge holders were not made to be feel welcome in the trial area.
4. TFL is responsible for the scheme.
5. Cllr Loakes felt we cannot go on as we are with traffic congestion and 80 people a year dying of air polution. There is no road utopia in WF. Traffic should not be rat running.
6. Traffic on Lea Bridge road has been declining in recent years.
7 Cllr Loakes admitted the Markhouse Road improvements were criminal.
8. A resident complained that Cllr Loakes was just inflaming the situation instead of trying to take people with him.
9. A new consultation of Village residetns starts on the 28/11/14 on amended plans. The residents of the Village will be written to.
10. A dedicated web site will be set up in the new year by the council to contain all the mini Holland info.
Last night at the Markhouse Ward Forum in Edinburgh Primary School meeting these points were noted:
1. About 50 people attended and Cllr Loakes fielded the questions with help of officers.
2. The first speaker was in favour as cycling had improved his health.
3. Concerns were expressed that Blue Badge holders were not made to be feel welcome in the trial area.
4. TFL is responsible for the scheme.
5. Cllr Loakes felt we cannot go on as we are with traffic congestion and 80 people a year dying of air polution. There is no road utopia in WF. Traffic should not be rat running.
6. Traffic on Lea Bridge road has been declining in recent years.
7 Cllr Loakes admitted the Markhouse Road improvements were criminal.
8. A resident complained that Cllr Loakes was just inflaming the situation instead of trying to take people with him.
9. A new consultation of Village residetns starts on the 28/11/14 on amended plans. The residents of the Village will be written to.
10. A dedicated web site will be set up in the new year by the council to contain all the mini Holland info.
Mini Holland Update 26-11-14
Waltham Forest Council
Walthamstow Village Residents Association
Village Trial Results
Village revised scheme
Question and answers for Mini Holland programme:
Q1: What is Mini Holland?
A: In 2013, all 18 outer London boroughs were given the opportunity to apply for funding from the
Mayor of London’s Mini Holland programme that had set aside £100million for cycling infrastructure
improvements. Waltham Forest was one of just three boroughs (Enfield and Kingston being the
others) selected to share the pot of money, with £30million earmarked for structural changes to the
layout of roads and pathways in the borough.
Q2: What does the programme aim to do?
A: The aim of the programme is to;
1- Improve the borough’s infrastructure and connectivity between villages to make it safer and
more enjoyable for pedestrians, vehicles and cyclists to travel in the borough.
2- Improve and create new public spaces to make the borough a more enjoyable place to live,
and to encourage community interaction.
3- Increase the number of people choosing to travel on foot, by bike and on public transport, in
order to lessen congestion on the roads and improve air quality across the borough.
Q3: Why has the programme been called Mini Holland, what is the link between Holland and cycling?
A: Cycling is a major mode of transport in the Netherlands, and represents 27per cent of all trips
(urban and rural) nationwide. It is successful and popular in Holland as they have many cycle friendly
factors such as; bike-friendly infrastructure, and bike-friendly public policy, planning and laws.
Q4: Is the programme only for cyclists?
A: The Mini Holland programme is for everyone who lives, works, and spends time in the borough.
By making changes to the infrastructure in the borough we are able to make improvements to the
borough as a whole. These changes are going to significantly improve the borough, creating more
pedestrianised areas and making huge improvements to public spaces.
Introducing pedestrianised areas will make getting around on foot easier for people, lower congestion
on the roads and increase footfall in areas to boost local business. Improving the cycling infrastructure
and facilities will make cycling safer and more accessible for all, which will encourage people to
cycle instead of drive for shorter journeys. Improvements to local public spaces will make the
borough a more enjoyable place to live and instil a sense of pride in the community.
Q5: What are the benefits of the project?
A:
1- The borough will be safer for cyclists, pedestrians and road traffic
2- An increase in cycling among residents will ease congestion on the roads
3- Less traffic will reduce emissions, improving air quality and creating a more pleasant
environment for all
4- The uptake of cycling will improve the health and fitness of residents
5- Pedestrianised areas and improvements to public space will make the borough a more
enjoyable place to live
6- Increase in footfall in areas creating a boost for businesses in our town centres
7- Residents will be able to connect better to the borough’s town centres and to neighbouring
boroughs
8- More opportunities to allow play streets, temporary road closures for local community eventsQuestion and answers for Mini Holland programme
9- A joined up network of cycle and pedestrian friendly zones to make cycling easier and more
accessible
10- Segregated cycle tracks to make cycling safer for all cycling abilities
11- Increase in cycle facilities such as cycle parking to make cycling more accessible and lessen
barriers to cycling
Q6: How will you increase the number of people choosing to travel on foot and by bike?
A: By improving the roads, making them safer and more enjoyable, as well as making cycle routes
more sympathetic to where people want to go, residents will be presented with a better alternative to
using their car.
Complementary measures will be a fundamental aspect of the programme and will encourage
residents to take up cycling and walk more. Residents and businesses will be encouraged to take part
in events and activities to help them see the benefits of the programme to themselves and the borough.
These activities include; cycling initiatives for schools and workplaces, HGV cycle safety training,
improved facilities for cyclists and community events.
Q7: When will the work start?
A: We are currently in the process of refining plans for all schemes involved in the Mini Holland
programme. Before any work takes place the Council will consult with residents in the scheme area to
gather their thoughts on where they live and the proposed improvements. To date we have begun
consultation with residents in Walthamstow Village in Walthamstow and Ruckholt Road in Leyton,
with implementation due to start early 2015.
Full details will be available on the Council’s website at www.walthamforest.gov.uk/miniholland as
each of the schemes develops.
Q8: Will it affect the whole borough?
A: The Mini Holland programme aims to make significant improvements to the whole borough. The
programme is separated into the following schemes; Villages (Walthamstow Village, Blackhorse
Road Village and Markhouse Road Village), Walthamstow town centre, other town centres
(Chingford, Higham Park, Leyton and Leytonstone), network of cycle routes (Leyton-Chingford and
Leyton-Blackhorse Road) and the Lea Bridge Road superhighway. The improvements proposed differ
across the schemes and full information will be made available to residents when the proposed
improvements are refined. A programme leaflet outlining key dates will be sent to residents in early
2015.
Q9: What does the programme comprise of?
A: The programme will comprise of the following four key areas:
1- Walthamstow town centre and villages
The main town centre will consist of a joined up network of cycle and pedestrian friendly
zones with greener streets and new public spaces.
2- Lea Bridge Road superhighway
The road will have segregated cycle tracks, new and improved pedestrian crossing facilities
and high quality street improvements with a new cycle friendly junction at Whipps Cross.
3- Secondary town centres and network of cycle routes
Schemes will be implemented in the town centres of Leyton, Leytonstone, Highams Park and
Chingford, with each of these connected to the main Walthamstow scheme by two spine cycle
routes: Chingford to Leyton and Blackhorse Road to Leyton.
4- Complementary measuresQuestion and answers for Mini Holland programme
There will be more cycle parking in residential areas, stations and shopping areas. Residents
will be encouraged to try cycling and take part in activities to increase their confidence when
cycling.
Q10: How can residents feed into the programme and the proposed changes?
A: There are a number of stages the individual schemes will go through before any permanent
changes are made.
Design - Each of the areas will go through design stages to ensure that the proposed changes are
feasible and meet the needs of the project and the residents.
Engagement – While plans are being designed Council staff will contact residents, businesses and
commuters who will be impacted by the changes to find out how they perceive the area as it currently
stand.
Public consultation – The plans will be drawn up and sent to residents and businesses in the area to
offer the opportunity to ask questions and raise any concerns they may have.
During this time some areas will have QR codes at targeted points for people to scan using their
mobile devices. This will allow people to comment automatically and recommend addition changes to
the public spaces, such as; increase in trees or lighting.
Statutory consultation – The final proposed designs based on the previous stages will then be made
available to the borough for residents to provide final feedback.
Implementation – The proposed and agreed plans will then be implemented over an agreed
timescale.
Q11: How can residents and businesses get involved and have their say?
A: The Council greatly values the views of local people and will have someone on call on 020 8496
1015 to answer the phone and address your concerns. Alternatively, there is a dedicated email address
at miniholland@walthamforest.gov.uk
Saturday, 22 November 2014
Opening of Lea Bridge Station
Dear Masood,
Thankyou for copying through the replies from Neil Bullen about Lea Bridge station.
There are answers to a number of points which in themselves each make some sort of sense, but many of them are but starting points. I continue to have little confidence about overall co-ordination.
The junction improvement mentioned in point 3 (Lea Bridge Rd/ Orient Way) - if you remember - was presented to a Lea Bridge Community Ward Forum of about two years ago in association with plans for improvements at Bakers Arms and Markhouse/ Church Rd. Of these only Bakers Arms has been done, and this was at the cost of massive disruption to pedesrians, cyclists and buses for months on end. Am I right in thinking that the construction of the Lea Bridge Road Cycle Superhighway will now require yet more works at the Bakers Arms?
The reference to a scheme for pedestrians and cyclists being able to access the re-opened station safely is welcome, but there needs to be public consultation about this - involving people from Hackney as well as Waltham Forest. Reinstating/ building anew stairways at the southern side of the Lea Bridge road bridge would be one way to ensure a safer crossing for pedestrians but cyclists would need something more substantial to assure their safety if turning westwards towards Clapton along Lea Bridge Road after exiting the station.
As I have requested before, it would be useful if Council/TfL/Network Rail officers could attend the next Ward Forum and listen to residents' views. Is this possible please? With a completion date of December 2015 there is little time left for the proper planning of these significant changes to transport routes and facilities. I suggest that consideration is given to making part of the meeting a joint session with Lea Bridge Ward in Clapton and inviting cycle campaigners.
Many thanks,
Claire Weiss
Report from the Transport Liaison Committee:
Lea Bridge Road Station
I attended the WF Transport Liaison Group yesterday. I took the opportunity to raise the issue about the 18-month delay in the re-opening of the Lea Bridge station while Cllr Clyde Loakes (he lately of the NE London Waste Authority - defender of the Veolia contract) was present. Unfortunately but not surprisingly he also turns out to be the worst advocate for the TfL-funded Mini Holland cycle development in WF even though he is leading it - he resisted listening and taking on board quite reasonable comments and questions about the trials from residents during the meeting and became vitriolic with indiscriminate criticism and using unnecessarily emotive language, I thought.
Anyway, on Lea Bridge station he felt it necessary to tell me, making a fool of himself with his condescending attitude as he spoke, that I wouldn't imagine how complex the process was and how many agencies etc had to be involved in the re-opening of a station. He then informed the meeting that he is now chair of a cross-authority/agency transport strategic body in east London, having informed us also, without a hint of humour, that "even" he was not responsible for traffic lights in Walthamstow.....
Now I do have some grasp of the complexities of planning and this is precisely why I continue to raise the doubts I have had about WF Council having a transport strategy that fits in with the those of other agencies eg TfL's CrossRail2 and Mini-Holland (the Lea Bridge Road Cycle Super Highway will intersect with the access to the re-designed station approach somehow).
And I feel the station re-opening is not top of anyone's priority list.
Katy pointed out the disadvantages of the proposed Lea Bridge station access/entrance being on the eastern side: it seems that bus-fuls of Clapton residents intending to travel to Stratford will be using the Lea Bridge rail connection, and the lack of a dedicated bridge or passage under the existing road bridge will mean lots of pedestrians negotiating the appalling Lea Bridge/ freight relief road intersection on the way home.
The reason for the 18-month delay was given by Loakes as the discovery of unexpected obstacles found once the planners had left their desks and actually set foot on the derelict platforms. Cllr Loakes would not accept or account that it had been remiss of the Council to have relied for their first forecasts on an original survey done by consultants who had never visited the actual location - even though the facts are documented in WF Cabinet minutes of last year.
This situation has reminded me of the so-called surveys done of Leyton Marsh in 2010/11 that deemed the land fit for supporting a temporary basketball training venue without foundations - only to find it had to be dug up at huge cost in the end.
The Chingford Line people at the meeting, who have long advocated the re-opening of Lea Bridge, pushed the question of the Hall Farm Curve reinstatement. This will logically link the Chingford/ Walthamstow/ Liverpool St line into the Lea Valley line (on which Lea Bridge Station sits) giving direct access to Stratford. The comment from Network Rail was that during the x number of years it will take to build the Hall Farm Curve, passengers from Chingford, Highams Park, Wood St, Walthamstow and St James intending to reach Stratford will at least enjoy reduced journey times courtesy of the imminent Hackney Downs/ Hackney Central walkway link. Unfortunate commuters currently make this awkward journey across the Marshes and back again, running down Amhurst Road en masse. At least they won't get so wet any more, even if the time saving of the Hackney walkway link is only 5 minutes.
Sorry for the rant, but it does seem to me that the Marshes as an open space are increasingly subject to encroachment - not just from the threat of building over but also increased density of road and rail transport, with phalanxes of commuters criss-crossing the Lower Lea Valley to reach Westfield El Dorado. Katy's spotting of a tarmac strip by the ice rink is a case in point.
The WF Lea Bridge Community Ward Forum is on Wednesday 3rd December at the Lea Bridge Library, 6-0 for 6-30pm. We need to ensure the Cllrs are informed about the reasons for protecting the Marshes.
Claire
Thankyou for copying through the replies from Neil Bullen about Lea Bridge station.
There are answers to a number of points which in themselves each make some sort of sense, but many of them are but starting points. I continue to have little confidence about overall co-ordination.
The junction improvement mentioned in point 3 (Lea Bridge Rd/ Orient Way) - if you remember - was presented to a Lea Bridge Community Ward Forum of about two years ago in association with plans for improvements at Bakers Arms and Markhouse/ Church Rd. Of these only Bakers Arms has been done, and this was at the cost of massive disruption to pedesrians, cyclists and buses for months on end. Am I right in thinking that the construction of the Lea Bridge Road Cycle Superhighway will now require yet more works at the Bakers Arms?
The reference to a scheme for pedestrians and cyclists being able to access the re-opened station safely is welcome, but there needs to be public consultation about this - involving people from Hackney as well as Waltham Forest. Reinstating/ building anew stairways at the southern side of the Lea Bridge road bridge would be one way to ensure a safer crossing for pedestrians but cyclists would need something more substantial to assure their safety if turning westwards towards Clapton along Lea Bridge Road after exiting the station.
As I have requested before, it would be useful if Council/TfL/Network Rail officers could attend the next Ward Forum and listen to residents' views. Is this possible please? With a completion date of December 2015 there is little time left for the proper planning of these significant changes to transport routes and facilities. I suggest that consideration is given to making part of the meeting a joint session with Lea Bridge Ward in Clapton and inviting cycle campaigners.
Many thanks,
Claire Weiss
Report from the Transport Liaison Committee:
Lea Bridge Road Station
I attended the WF Transport Liaison Group yesterday. I took the opportunity to raise the issue about the 18-month delay in the re-opening of the Lea Bridge station while Cllr Clyde Loakes (he lately of the NE London Waste Authority - defender of the Veolia contract) was present. Unfortunately but not surprisingly he also turns out to be the worst advocate for the TfL-funded Mini Holland cycle development in WF even though he is leading it - he resisted listening and taking on board quite reasonable comments and questions about the trials from residents during the meeting and became vitriolic with indiscriminate criticism and using unnecessarily emotive language, I thought.
Anyway, on Lea Bridge station he felt it necessary to tell me, making a fool of himself with his condescending attitude as he spoke, that I wouldn't imagine how complex the process was and how many agencies etc had to be involved in the re-opening of a station. He then informed the meeting that he is now chair of a cross-authority/agency transport strategic body in east London, having informed us also, without a hint of humour, that "even" he was not responsible for traffic lights in Walthamstow.....
Now I do have some grasp of the complexities of planning and this is precisely why I continue to raise the doubts I have had about WF Council having a transport strategy that fits in with the those of other agencies eg TfL's CrossRail2 and Mini-Holland (the Lea Bridge Road Cycle Super Highway will intersect with the access to the re-designed station approach somehow).
And I feel the station re-opening is not top of anyone's priority list.
Katy pointed out the disadvantages of the proposed Lea Bridge station access/entrance being on the eastern side: it seems that bus-fuls of Clapton residents intending to travel to Stratford will be using the Lea Bridge rail connection, and the lack of a dedicated bridge or passage under the existing road bridge will mean lots of pedestrians negotiating the appalling Lea Bridge/ freight relief road intersection on the way home.
The reason for the 18-month delay was given by Loakes as the discovery of unexpected obstacles found once the planners had left their desks and actually set foot on the derelict platforms. Cllr Loakes would not accept or account that it had been remiss of the Council to have relied for their first forecasts on an original survey done by consultants who had never visited the actual location - even though the facts are documented in WF Cabinet minutes of last year.
This situation has reminded me of the so-called surveys done of Leyton Marsh in 2010/11 that deemed the land fit for supporting a temporary basketball training venue without foundations - only to find it had to be dug up at huge cost in the end.
The Chingford Line people at the meeting, who have long advocated the re-opening of Lea Bridge, pushed the question of the Hall Farm Curve reinstatement. This will logically link the Chingford/ Walthamstow/ Liverpool St line into the Lea Valley line (on which Lea Bridge Station sits) giving direct access to Stratford. The comment from Network Rail was that during the x number of years it will take to build the Hall Farm Curve, passengers from Chingford, Highams Park, Wood St, Walthamstow and St James intending to reach Stratford will at least enjoy reduced journey times courtesy of the imminent Hackney Downs/ Hackney Central walkway link. Unfortunate commuters currently make this awkward journey across the Marshes and back again, running down Amhurst Road en masse. At least they won't get so wet any more, even if the time saving of the Hackney walkway link is only 5 minutes.
Sorry for the rant, but it does seem to me that the Marshes as an open space are increasingly subject to encroachment - not just from the threat of building over but also increased density of road and rail transport, with phalanxes of commuters criss-crossing the Lower Lea Valley to reach Westfield El Dorado. Katy's spotting of a tarmac strip by the ice rink is a case in point.
The WF Lea Bridge Community Ward Forum is on Wednesday 3rd December at the Lea Bridge Library, 6-0 for 6-30pm. We need to ensure the Cllrs are informed about the reasons for protecting the Marshes.
Claire
Mini Holland Update
Stop Mini Holland
For anyone who lives in Markhouse Ward, the next Community Ward Forum will be on Thursday 27 November from 7pm at Edinburgh School, Queens Road. It will feature a discussion on mini-Holland plans for the area.
Markhouse Ward Forum Meeting
Summary of Mini Holland so far:
Walthamstow Village
Ruckholt Road Ruckholt Road Plans
Peterborough Road
Blackhorse Road
Selbourne Road
Whipps Cross Road Roundabout - officers in discussion with the City of London about improved access to Epping Forest.
Lea Bridge Road - see report from the Transport Liaison Committee:
I attended the WF Transport Liaison Group yesterday. I took the opportunity to raise the issue about the 18-month delay in the re-opening of the Lea Bridge station while Cllr Clyde Loakes (he lately of the NE London Waste Authority - defender of the Veolia contract) was present. Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, he also turns out to be the worst advocate for the TfL-funded Mini Holland cycle development in WF even though he is leading it - he resisted listening and taking on board quite reasonable comments and questions about the trials from residents during the meeting and became vitriolic with indiscriminate criticism and using unnecessarily emotive language, I thought.
Claire
For anyone who lives in Markhouse Ward, the next Community Ward Forum will be on Thursday 27 November from 7pm at Edinburgh School, Queens Road. It will feature a discussion on mini-Holland plans for the area.
Markhouse Ward Forum Meeting
Summary of Mini Holland so far:
Walthamstow Village
Ruckholt Road Ruckholt Road Plans
Peterborough Road
Blackhorse Road
Selbourne Road
Whipps Cross Road Roundabout - officers in discussion with the City of London about improved access to Epping Forest.
Lea Bridge Road - see report from the Transport Liaison Committee:
I attended the WF Transport Liaison Group yesterday. I took the opportunity to raise the issue about the 18-month delay in the re-opening of the Lea Bridge station while Cllr Clyde Loakes (he lately of the NE London Waste Authority - defender of the Veolia contract) was present. Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, he also turns out to be the worst advocate for the TfL-funded Mini Holland cycle development in WF even though he is leading it - he resisted listening and taking on board quite reasonable comments and questions about the trials from residents during the meeting and became vitriolic with indiscriminate criticism and using unnecessarily emotive language, I thought.
Claire
Marsh Walk
A Winter Marsh Walk Saturday 13 December
Come walk the fields of Walthamstow marshes to seek out what rooty medicinal goodness is lying low in the earth, share knowledge about plant medicine remedies for the winter ailments and look forward to what's to come when the light returns...
Meet 10am in front of The Mill, 7-11 Coppermill Lane, Walthamstow E17 7HA
or
10:20 Coppermill Fields Car Park
Cost: Free
Energy: Fresh & cold!