In March of last year Seven Kings & Newbury Park Resident's Association (SKNPRA), in partnership with the Fitter for Walking project, undertook a community audit of Aldborough Road South, a key road in Seven Kings linking the High Road and Eastern Avenue via Seven Kings Park.
The findings of the Community Audit formed a report which was presented to the Area 5 and Area 7 committees. The Community Audit report highlighted issues of traffic speeds, pavement parking, damaged paving, renewal of signage, litter, and seating in public areas along Aldborough Road South. In it we called for greater enforcement of the 20mph speed limit; traffic calming measures; a review of parking in the whole area; and additional signage to local amenities.
Since that point SKNPRA and the Fitter for Walking project have been negotiating with the local authority and other groups to implement a number of the recommendations from the report. First, the Fitter for Walking project supported the development of a Community Garden at St John's Seven Kings by purchasing two plantlocks (planters to which bikes can be locked) and also funded leaflets publicising the Church Art Trail for which Aldborough Road South is one of three main link roads.
Next, through Redbridge Council's Street Cleansing service, a major clean-up of Aldborough Road South was organised which saw large amounts of rubbish removed from front gardens and SKNPRA members, with the support of Cllr Bellwood, the Fitter for Walking project and the Newbury Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT), assisting with litter picking to ensure a full clean-up of the area.
Just tonight Area 7 agreed their part in funding, together with Area 5, the repair and renovation of the bandstand in Seven Kings Park, as a result of a funding application made by SKNPRA. The bandstand is a valued community facility which had fallen into disrepair in recent years and its restoration will signal that Seven Kings Park is not being neglected, even in a time of severe budget constraints.
In addition, following a request from SKNPRA, Redbridge Council have ordered a new bench for installation near the Aldborough Road South shops. The Fitter for Walking project have arranged with Newbury SNT for a speed gun to be used in Aldborough Road South by Downshall Primary School. The project is also beginning to do walking initiatives with the School and it seems likely that a mural may be painted on the blank school wall in Aldborough Road South, all as recommended in our Community Audit of the road.
SKNPRA and St John's Seven Kings will be organising a community event, in the community garden at St John's, on Saturday 21st May to celebrate these achievements, open the community garden, provide community information, promote gardening, and hold a Plant and Table-top sale.
Mark Kennedy, Membership Officer for SKNPRA said, "Our aim has always been to work closely with residents in both the areas we represent, together with community groups, council departments and other independent agencies from time to time to achieve one aim which is to actively to improve the communities we live in. The improvements in Aldborough Road South resulting from our Community Audit are our latest initiative to get our hands dirty to improve the road and area for all resident's benefit. We are always on the look out for new members to join our association as the more members we represent the more we can achieve with people giving us their views and support to make the community a better place to live in for all to enjoy."
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Paul Weller - Broken Stones.
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