We hoped some clarity would be coming out of Saturday’s public meeting with councillors discussing Redbridge’s decision to introduce permanent market stalls on Wanstead High Street. There was clarity, but not the kind we were hoping for.
It was hoped the Redbridge leader Cllr Kam Rai would attend, but he didn’t.
There was no indication that Redbridge has any intention to listen to Wanstead residents, and certainly not to run a proper consultation on the issue.
In our editorial last week we said we feared Redbridge would squander public trust on the issue. Equally hard to figure out is why the ruling Labour group seems prepared to throw its three faithful councillors under the bus.
Not just 3 councillors, 5 councillors : 3 for Village and 2 for Park. Wanstead Underground station falls under Wanstead Park and the proposal was for market stalls outside there too.
Would local shoppers boycott the stalls? Could local businesses withhold their business rate payments due to installation of the market stalls?
It’s time for the Wanstead high street to die; it had a good run. I expect in a few years we will see shops and restaurants closing their doors. It’s a shame that it didn’t have to be this way.
People should email all the Councilors and the Leader pointing out that the is an election in May and that they were elected to work in the interests of their constituents and the people of Wanstead will choose not to vote Labour if they feel that they have been “let down” by people who do not have their best interests of Wanstead at heart.
Unless I’ve missed something (highly likely, of course), there seems to be no reason given by the council for its introduction of this scheme and no analysis of the impact on existing businesses – or, indeed, residents.
Sadly, this makes me wonder what possible reason there can be for the council’s actions – and I’m sure I’m not the only person wondering about the motives of the decision-makers.
Hear hear……
My thoughts too.
What is the motivation to back this scheme?
Who is going to benefit?
There is no option but to bombarde our MP (Labour) and then pull a fighting fund together and take them to court. Trust me there will be more crime, smells not to everyone’s taste, vermin and general mismanagement. It will also make the high st look very down- market. The shop keepers have enough to put up with and with the lack of parking other areas are becoming more attractive to shop in. We, as custodians of our high street must not let this happen.
Once again this is all about revenue for the council.The underhanded way it was introduced ie in the yellow advertiser paper not seen in Wanstead for over 30 years was disgusting!No signs on lamp posts or in the Library or on the notice boards let alone online what does that tell you?As for the councillor who didn’t turn up well shame on you this area is ,as I’ve said before is used as a cash cow to sift off money to other areas of Redbridge.
Not only there won’t be a proper consultation, the stalls will already be lined up for a chosen few ,
Surely under the Freedom of information act. Ilford council should be made to advise the following: 1. The name of the councillor who suggested that we have market stalls in Wanstead. 2. The names of the cou. Ilford who have voted for this & 3. What wards they represent. I should imagine that the three village councillors will not want this information published….
This link tells you how to make a FoI request:
https://www.gov.uk/make-a-freedom-of-information-request
Thank you.
Surely under the Freedom of information act. Ilford council should be made to advise the following: 1. The name of the councillor who suggested that we have market stalls in Wanstead. 2. The names of the cou. Ilford who have voted for this & 3. What wards they represent. I should imagine that the three village councillors will not want this information published….
We in Wanstead can and will boycott the stalls but there will always be people from here and there who will support them.
Also we were told in a glib manner that nothing will conflict with nearby businesses. One who I think was shopkeeper pointed out that the high street is relatively short so anywhere there would be prejudicial to everyone.
We then tried to work out what shops did not exist on the high street. We came up with menswear, workwear of the solid kind and haberdashery. Even if these are correct it is a somewhat narrow range. Oh and of course I think we no longer have an antique shop……