Crossrail Corridor Area Action Plan (2)

Here is a summary of the comments made during the recent consultation event at St Johns Seven Kings on the Crossrail Corridor Area Action Plan:

• The Council has consulted on several ‘Action Plans’. Although residents and community groups are committed to consultation, the creation of Action Plans that do not result in action and change does lead to cynicism amongst local residents;
• The High Road has been run down for the last few generations, the Area Action Plan is 15 years too late;
• The area looks generally run down and needs better street cleaning; trees/flower displays;
• Important to have evidence to support need for new community facilities, so not simply a wish list;
• Joined up working is crucial - Highways, TfL, Crossrail, the PCT, Education and Leisure Services need to be fully consulted at all stages of the plan preparation so that work is complementary and not contradictory;
• Improve pedestrian crossing points along High Road, making safer at key points such as outside Seven Kings station and Barley Lane junction;
• Seven Kings centre is dominated by too many take-aways, no traditional cafes or meeting places for local residents;
• Have specific policies for different town centres and different parts of High Road, e.g. for building height, retail use;
• On-street car parking often obstacle and difficult for cyclists to negotiate;
• Car parking should be delivered as part of new developments;
• Important to encourage walking and use of bikes, this would be best achieved if there were more local shops and community facilities in the immediate area;
• Only one realistic option for swimming pool - current site;
• Tree planting would improve the look and feel of High Road - can be in tubs rather than planted if easier to manage with utilities infrastructure;
• Lorry Park Planning Brief has many good points, but need to ensure development is of a high standard of design as location next to railway track may not be ideal;
• New developments should be a high quality design;
• Need for a library should be highlighted and made clear in Plan. Recent library petition is evidence that there is a need for library;
• Would like to see a policy in place to allow change use in some cases to enable community facilities and services to be delivered in vacant retail outlets;
• Also look at using existing community building, such as schools and faith buildings for the delivery of additional local community services/facilities;
• Ensure all comments and responses to consultation are published and made transparent;
• Landowners, such as Tesco’s, should be consulted and any representations received should be published and made transparent;
• Police should be consulted, as they may require a new police station in the area.

If you would like to make any comments please email jennifer.millard@redbridge.gov.uk.

Individual comments and feedback forms are also welcomed and can be returned to the Council using the following freepost address: Crossrail Corridor Area Action Plan London Borough of Redbridge Freepost RSLR - JACE - HSUG Ilford IG1 1DD. You can also email at dpd@redbridge.gov.uk or fax at 020 8708 2062.

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Ben Harper - Excuse me Mr !!!!!!