dmurray wrote::( I've been seriously considering moving out of the area. I loved it when I moved here five years ago, but I've become more & more unhappy lately. Just walking from the station to my house is like an obstacle course of over-flowing bins, torn refuse bags, litter (mostly from said bins & bags), dumped rubbish, derelict cars etc. In 2001 it was a pleasant walk,and now it's just horrible. I've stopped inviting friends around, because I'm embarrassed for them to see the lack of cleanliness around here. Does anyone else feel this way?
In a word...YES!!
I absolutely agree with you - I've lived here nearly ten years and in that short time, have seen the area really seriously decline. Ilford station is just beyond awful - I only use it if I absolutely have to as I actually feel afraid to be in that area - I've already had a few nasty experiences. Gants Hill tube station is not much better with the underpass being in a very bad state of disrepair. I understand that as of next July, the Gants Hill roundabout area is finally going to be sorted out - I wonder if this will extend to the depressing and dangerous underpass.
Other eyesores are Ley Street, Ilford Lane etc etc...
I think Ilford generally is a rather depressing place to live - I don't feel safe here at all. Just a few weeks ago in my street, a neighbour was beaten to a pulp in the late afternoon/early evening while he was waiting in his car. I've had my house vandalised, my car vandalised and myself and my young child were even verbally attacked at 11am when leaving our house by an aggressive guy who was swearing at us and saying he was going ot burn our house down. We rang the police, who never even turned up. Sometimes I'm even terrified to open my own front door and I never open it after dark.
I know there are various schemes going on to improve the area, but I think perhaps it is too little too late.
