If only there was a way to know about roadworks

Elmcroft Ave is, for the next week, a roadworks nightmare.

If only there was a way people could know about how long roadworks would last, what they were for, whether they were overrunning or even – and here’s the Holy Grail – what roadworks are planned.

Well, lucky readers, another new service from Wansteadium: a roadworks dashboard, using data straight from the Department of Transport which shows where work is taking place, what’s coming up, how long it’s supposed to last, who is doing the work, and the level of disruption which might be expected. The data will update as the official information updates, often during the day.


A full list is available here, and it is always available via the menu of links at the top of the page.

(Note for data nerds: this tool is contained within WordPress and does not use AI in its day-to-day operation.)

UPDATE 5pm
Elmcroft Ave has reopened, work apparently at least partly completed.

Send your Wanstead photos

Social media is gradually dying as ordinary people post fewer items online and become passive consumers of posts made by “content creators”, AI slop and far-right cover groups.

But we still love looking at photos of local things. How can this circle be squared?

Well, Wansteadium has decided to make it easy to share photos of Wanstead-related subjects with other local residents. It’s easy.

  • Submit photos to us. You’ll promise they aren’t AI generated.
  • We’ll choose interesting ones and publish them as posts here.
  • There will also be a page with ALL the photos on it.
  • You retain the copyright.
  • It’s that simple.

To take part, just go to our new Submit Wanstead Photos page.

Cut above

Redbridge councillors last week gave the go-ahead to the demolition of one of the most charming and widely loved pieces of Wanstead, the row of very old single storey shops on Woodbine Place.

For many of those upset by the plans to replace the buildings with a two-storey modern block, the reason for being emotional is simple: Wanstead Hairdresser’s. Literally generations of Wanstead boys and men have sat in those chairs for haircuts – Wansteadium has known old men who talked of getting their haircut there in the 1920s.

It’s the experience of the shop, run by Paul Michaelides and his uncle Steve Kyprianou and family before him all the way back to 1959, that has made it such a definitive and beloved Wanstead experience.

Paul does not yet know what will become of his shop or business, yet despite the uncertainty somehow has not lost his appetite for cutting hair and talking to his customers.

When Paul asks them ‘how’s the family?’, the chances are he has cut their hair too. So for this and future generations of Wanstead men, Wansteadium fervently wishes him and co-snipper Ian all the best.

Man hug over.

New planning applications in Wanstead: 20 Oct 26

This is an experimental feature for Wansteadium – a weekly digest of new/updated planning applications within Wanstead Village or Wanstead Park wards in the previous week. We hope you will find it useful and – oh look, someone’s building some new cricket nets in Wanstead. Who knew?

New planning applications

Registered 12 Oct 2026 – 18 Oct 2026 · Wanstead Village and Wanstead Park

Under assessment
Garage & outbuilding

79A, Snaresbrook Road, London, E11 1PQ

Wanstead Village · Registered 16 Oct 2026

Detached rear outbuilding. (Summary).

2709/26Council record ↗
Registered
Tree works

1, Clavering Road, London, E12 5EY

Wanstead Park · Registered 15 Oct 2026

T1 (Magnolia) - reduce by 2m; T2 (Holly) - shape by 0.5/1m; T3 (Sycamore) - lift lowest limbs by 5m; T4 (Pear) - reduce by 2m. (Summary).

2700/26Council record ↗
Under assessment
Extensions

Gartina, Hermitage Walk, SOUTH WOODFORD, London, E18 2BN

Wanstead Village · Registered 14 Oct 2026

Non material amendment to approved permission 2930/25: Omit sedum "green roof" to new rear extension; replace with single ply membrane (grey in colour) (summary)

2930/25/01Council record ↗
Under assessment
Other proposals

Bradwell Close Sports Ground, Bradwell Close, London

Wanstead Village · Registered 14 Oct 2026

Erection of fixed cricket practice lanes (cricket nets). (Summary).

2697/26Council record ↗
Under assessment
Garage & outbuilding

1A, Chestnut Drive, London, E11 2TA

Wanstead Village · Registered 14 Oct 2026

Single storey rear extension. Installation of front canopy over garage. Replace side door with window. Alterations to roof over existing two storey side extension. (summary)

2696/26Council record ↗
Registered
Other proposals

44A, New Wanstead, Wanstead, London, E11 2SU

Wanstead Village · Registered 12 Oct 2026

T1 (chamaecyparis)- Cut length back 4m (summary)

2483/26Council record ↗
Under assessment
Other proposals

1, St Marys Avenue, WANSTEAD, London, E11 2NR

Wanstead Village · Registered 12 Oct 2026

Dismantle timber panel clad stable block. (summary)

2420/26Council record ↗
Under assessment
Conditions & amendments

5, The Avenue, WANSTEAD, London, E11 2EE

Wanstead Village · Registered 12 Oct 2026

Discharge of conditions for approved permission 0381/25: Soft landscaping (Condition 7). (Summary).

0381/25/01Council record ↗

Source: London Borough of Redbridge planning register. Category labels are automatically inferred, not official classifications. Application details and decisions can change; check the council record for current information. Wansteadium publishes site details rather than applicant identities or neighbours’ comments. Report an issue.