Wansteadium

While many residents across Redbridge have in the past few months objected to ‘quiet streets’ projects – roads closed with planters to reduce through-traffic – people living in one Wanstead road are calling for the council to stop it being used as a rat run.

Mansfield Road is used by vehicles avoiding the traffic lights at George Green – in part to get to and from the A12 slip roads – but residents say the number of pedestrians and Wanstead High School pupils who use the road make it unsuitable for the traffic levels.

A petition residents have started on the Redbridge site says: “Traffic often builds up halfway down the road. The air quality is severely affected during peak times, posing a serious threat.”

They are asking the council to investigate and introduce traffic calming measures such as speed bumps or a one-way system.

Longtime Wansteadium reader Kat Ibrahim is encouraging fellow readers to avoid spending loads of money on shop-bought decorations this Christmas.

She said: “I want to share this idea to adorn our homes with fallen branches, stems and other items from nature. I hope it will inspire people to forage in their garden and see what they can make. It’s a very relaxing process, it’s very economical and there’s no need to buy more stuff.”

The next phase of Redbridge doing its bit for the climate emergency is to be considered on Monday by the council – and it could mean the wheelie bin pilot being extended across the whole borough.

Other measures recommended in a report to the council include:

• Considering putting solar panels or heat pumps at existing Redbridge sites, including schools
• Encouraging residents to cut food waste, increase composting and take part in improved recycling
• Making council buildings and vehicles meet environmental standards
• Improving cycling infrastructure
• Increasing facilities for charging electric and hybrid cars
• Encouraging businesses and resident behaviour to make 50% of journeys by “active, efficient and sustainable” modes of transport
• Increase biodiversity by increasing the proportion of the borough which is covered by trees by 10%
• Ensure new developments – especially those in urban areas – include requirements for diversity.

The full list of recommendations which is being presented to council leaders is available on the Redbridge website.

Whatever other problems our changing lifestyles are posing, the signs of hope for the health of Wanstead High Street are still strong.

Two new ventures, both run by women, have opened this week, just a few days after the new wine specialist Daygustation.

Bridal Reloved Wanstead has opened in Cuckfield House, behind the Cuckfield pub. Owner Debbie Clifford writes: “We are a multi award-winning national franchise specialising in designer sample and pre-loved wedding dresses, which are much more eco friendly and affordable than having one custom made.”

The shop is open briefly before lockdown starts, but during lockdown will be doing virtual appointments. Its website is www.bridalreloved.co.uk, and it is on Facebook and Instagram as @bridalrelovedwanstead.

Nearby, a dog grooming parlour has opened in the Heads’n’Tails pet shop. Barking Beautiful is run by Emily Rose, who has been grooming in central London for six years, and is ideally located in a room at the back of the shop. She is best contacted via Instagram as @barking.beautiful.

Good luck to both valiant entrepreneurs, especially in these trying circumstances.

The plans for Poppy Day sales have changed because of the lockdown – and so Jim the Poppy Man will be selling poppies on Wanstead High Street ONLY today (Wednesday 4 Nov) and not this coming weekend as planned.

Poppies are still available  from Wanstead Station, the Ginger Pig, the Co-op, Krishandco News, Snaresbrook News, Heads’n’Tails and (TBC) Moments.

Every autumn we record the date of the first frost of the season, and that is today. You’ll see that it is well within the range of normal activity. You might notice something else, which we will return to soon…

2019 – 4 November
2018 – 25 September
2017 – 30 October
2016 – 2 November
2015 – 23 November
2014 – 6 November
2013 – 13 November
2012 – 6 November
2011 – 25 November
2010 – 21 October