Category: Wansteadium

A campaign by former Wanstead Society stalwart Kat Ibrahim to get BT to look after the phone box outside Wanstead Tube had a temporary victory before vandals struck again.

Though not now functioning telephonically, the iconic Giles Gilbert Scott phone box itself is listed and is one of just two left in Redbridge. A campaign in 2021 to have it restored was successful, but the kiosk was vandalised.

Following lobbying by Kat, BT re-restored the box earlier this month, and the windows have since been re-daubed by muppets. (No offence to actual Muppets.)

A sign in the window says the box could be ‘adopted’, but since it is on public ground it’s not clear that anyone except Redbridge could do this. A longer term answer is clearly needed or the box seems destined to end up at the Chigwell Road recycling centre.

Yellow cross-hatching painted just a few months ago on Wanstead High Street at the ends of Grove Park and Woodbine Place has been removed by Redbridge following a U-turn.

In a statement to Wansteadium, a council spokesperson said: “The two box junctions on Wanstead High Street were installed in October 2024 to help ease congestion and keep junctions clear and have been effective in helping to improve traffic flow.

“However, following concerns raised by the community about dangerous driving associated with the yellow box junctions the council commissioned an independent road safety report earlier this year. While the report recognised the benefits of the yellow boxes, it also highlighted that their placement – especially in proximity to a zebra crossing – was causing confusion for some drivers and potential safety concerns. In light of this, the decision was taken to remove the boxes as a precautionary move to aid safer driving.

“Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) issued while the boxes were in place remain valid. The regulations around yellow box junctions are clear, and all PCNs were correctly and legally issued under existing traffic enforcement legislation.

“We always review our schemes and work closely with our local communities to get feedback on them. If it’s clear a scheme is no longer suitable for the local community it’s only right we change it, or remove it.”

Redbridge is proposing to introduce 20mph speed limits to a large part of Wanstead including Aldersbrook and the roads between the A12 and Overton Drive. The plan also includes speed humps on several roads including Blake Hall Road.

In a consultation document distributed in the affected area, the council says:

The main objective of the proposed scheme is to make this area safer for all road users. The proposed scheme will help reduce vehicular speeds, reduce the occurrence of collisions and improve road safety in the area. There have been 41 collisions resulting in injury including 7 involving serious injury in the latest three years for which data is available (to 30^th September 2024). The scheme also includes pedestrian crossing improvements at some locations that will make it safer and easier for pedestrians to cross the road.

Residents are being asked to complete a survey as part of a consultation process on the proposals – the form is available here – and submissions are open until 5 June.

Redbridge says the new pool at Wanstead Leisure Centre is ‘on track for completion in Winter 2025’, meaning the end of the mammoth construction process could be within sight.

In a statement the council said:

Redbridge Council is thrilled to announce that the construction of the £16m Wanstead Leisure Centre extension is now in its final phases, bringing us one step closer to the completion of this exciting project.

The existing building is being extended to house a new 25-metre swimming pool, dance studios, a modern reception area, new state-of-the-art classrooms for Wanstead High School students, and accessible changing rooms, all of which will significantly enhance the education and leisure experience in Wanstead.

The Leader of Redbridge Council, Cllr Kam Rai, said: “Few, if any, local authorities are currently investing in leisure facilities, building swimming pools, and creating new classrooms.

“Brand new classrooms, including specialist art studios, are being built on the site as we speak, while a new dining space for teachers and students is also taking shape.

“We appreciate the support and patience shown by the local community and Wanstead High School as we work to provide this vital infrastructure, which will serve the community now and for future generations.”

The new facilities will complement the existing Leisure Centre, which has a fully equipped gym, various fitness classes and squash and badminton courts.

Construction is on track for completion in Winter 2025.  Further information on memberships will be available later this year. We look forward to sharing more exciting news with you soon.

The lineup for the third May Music Festival at St Mary’s church in Overton Drive has a first for Wanstead – an orchestra with instruments made from actual vegetables.

The LVO (London Vegetable Orchestra), featured below, will be kicking off the festival which also inlcudes opera, an organ recital and a celebration of stringed instruments including guitar, banjos, mandolins and more. Tickets are available here.

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