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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 09/03/2009(UTC)
Posts: 77
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On Thursday 26th February I organised a meeting between local community safety teams from Redbridge and Barking & Dagenham and TFL to discuss the issue of antisocial behaviour within the East Road and Somerville Road Subways. From TFL the following staff members were present:
Chris Tudor – TLRN (Transport for London Road Network) Planning Manager, North
Morwenna Cox – Network Development Planner, North
Carl Horsman – Crime and Disorder Partnership Unit
Claire Lacey – Schools Liaison Coordinator
Esther Johnson – Major Projects Consultation Team Manager
The meeting was a direct result of our severe campaign for the introduction of a safe ground level crossing and CCTV to restore community quality of life and safety. Following a spate of violent attacks including a 71 year old being hospitalised. During the meeting local Police form Chadwell Heath Ward (Barking & Dagenham) and Chadwell Ward (Redbridge) stated that no crime had been reported around the two subways since December. Carl Horsman felt that as crime had now dissipated from the area it would be hard to substantiate the costs of £25,000 for each potential CCTV camera Mast.
I informed him that people were not reporting crime due to a fear of repercussions and not believing the effort would be rewarded with any significant action. I advised that crime had reduced due to the increased police patrols in the area a consequence of the high profile media coverage and the extremely cold weather conditions. Crime around the subways, is known locally, to increase during the summer months. I indicated his fear that the significant number of priorities for the local police to be covered by a team of 6 officers’ of whom only 2 were PCs and 1 a Sergeant – would inevitably lead to a limitation to effective policing of the area during the summer months – despite the Police belief that the antisocial behaviour could be controlled. Moreover the Safer Neighbourhood teams do not work 24 hours a day or seven days a week but on alternating schedules of 5 days per week – resulting in an inability to cover the danger times regularly. This is not in detriment to the forces but is an objective analysis based on reality.
Chris Tudor advised the group that “to provide a safe crossing you have to have the right traffic environment and on the A12 we have not got it.” (taken from Barking and Dagenham Post – I invited Sukran) he expressed concerns over the high speed area of 5omph along the section of the A12 at which these Subways cross. He added “We do not want to give people a false sense of security” (B&DP)
Chris Tudor confirmed that a crossing would be feasible at the Whalebone Lane junction, a little further along the A12. Wilson agreed to confer with local residents via local public meetings to gauge community enthusiasm for such a scheme.
Most affected residents I have communicated with so far have been bemused by the distance to travel for a safe crossing. For the elderly and disabled the increased length of journey is significant and in poor weather would be an arduous task. With this in mind with community support I have approached the local police to ask for permission to hold a demonstration at:
the East Road Subway on the 18th April 2009 from 12:00 – 14:00. We will again challenge TFL to review their decision not to install CCTV cameras and have also sought a second opinion from Redbridge Council about the potential for a safe crossing installation at East Road. Petitions are placed at local shops on East Road Somerville Road and Chadwell Heath Lane and these will be forwarded to TFL our MP’s and the Mayor of London.
Come and Join us and please do share your views in this forum
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 16/09/2007(UTC)
Posts: 874
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Will the Cllr holding that portfolio be joining you? Or will they at least post on here??
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