Local News Update - April 2008

9.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 9th Apr 2008

Leyton news - Red Alert at Whipps. Forest news - Planning application at Barclay Primary. Cathall news - Where is the bus stop? Cann Hall news - Housing.

There have been a number of incidents where ambulances with Accident and Emergency (A&E) cases have been turned away at Whipps Cross Hospital. Ambulance drivers have said that it is not unusual for them to be sent to Newham or Homerton Hospitals. Focus hopes that this is temporary and not a plan to run down the A&E at Whipps. We are contacting the Primary Care Trust (PCT) to check this out.

Forest Ward

West End Avenue has been resurfaced twice over the past year. On both occasions only the middle of the road was repaired and the work done was very shoddy. Cllr Farooq Qureshi has complained about the low quality of the work. In response he has been advised that the whole of the road will be resurfaced in the next financial year.

Planning Application Barclay Junior School - Cllr Qureshi has arranged a meeting between the Head, the Chair of Governors, and residents, to discuss the proposal to replace the Victorian iron fences with a high roller top fence. The school is suffering vandalism and criminal damage due to ease of access to its grounds. Residents say that the new fence will make it seem like living opposite a prison. Negotiations are continuing to hopefully resolve this issue.

Cathall News - Where's our Bus stop?

Not so long ago the W14 bus stopped on the Cathall Road bridge for people living in the local area. Unfortunately an inspector, travelling on the bus, decided that buses stood at this stop caused hazard to traffic coming onto the bridge from Grove Green Road. He had it removed. All is not lost though: London Buses are planning to relocate the stop to a position in front of the Cathall Leisure Centre. The likely start date for the work is planned in April.

Cann Hall

Liberal Democrat Cann Hall councillor Keith Rayner has given his backing to Mayoral candidate Brian Paddick's plans to revolutionise housing provision for Londoners. Cllr Rayner recently clashed with the local Labour Party over suggestions that new tower blocks could be built in our area. Cllr Rayner warned against the idea, passing on his knowledge of the problems faced by Cann Hall residents who live in such accommodation.

Liberal Democrat Mayoral Candidate Brian Paddick said: "The way out of the housing crisis is decent, affordable, rented accommodation, suitable for people on low incomes and young professionals, close to where people need to work or study".