July 2025

Redbridge Council is moving forward with plans to demolish and rebuild Broadmead Road bridge, which has been closed to traffic since July 2023 due to structural defects.

The decision follows a detailed options appraisal, which identified full replacement as the most effective long-term solution.

The new bridge will cost £24m to construct, with a further £56m required to cover associated costs. The council plans to apply for support from the government’s recently announced £1bn infrastructure fund.

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Residents are encouraged to sign up to the Metropolitan Police’s new community platform, Met Engage.

“You can get to know your local officers, help shape how we police your area and have access to key information and advice. This isn’t just a platform for us to tell you what we’re doing in your area, it’s an opportunity for you to tell us what’s concerning you most so we can take action,” said a spokesperson.

Visit wnstd.com/engage

A pop-up art sale will take place in one of Wanstead High Street’s empty shops this weekend.

The event will take place at 42 High Street – next door to Otto restaurant – from 10.30am to 4pm on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 August.

“Please come over and take a look, there will be all sorts of styles, paintings, drawings, mosaics and costume jewellery, something for everyone,” said a spokesperson for Art Group Wanstead.

Redbridge has been ranked 26th out of 33 in the annual Healthy Streets Scorecard, which assesses the living environment of all London boroughs.

Redbridge’s overall score is slightly higher this year – up one place – which has, in part, been attributed to the expansion of the council’s school streets scheme. Nearby Newham finished in 8th place, with Waltham Forest in 12th. The City of London topped the list.

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The Wanstead Barber Shop has confirmed it will continue trading despite plans to redevelop the site.

The proposals, approved last month, involve demolishing two existing single-storey buildings on Wanstead High Street – home to the barber shop at 1A and the now-closed Simple ‘n’ Natural shop at 3A – and replacing them with a combined ground-floor retail unit and three flats above.

“We will not be closing at all. We still have a very long lease and have no plans to move anywhere, nor will we be asked to do so,” said a spokesperson.

Local children are invited to celebrate National Playday on 6 August.

Wanstead Library will be hosting a teddy bears’ picnic for under-5s on Christ Church Green from 2.30pm, followed by an hour of games and activities suitable for four- to 10-year-olds from 3pm. “Please note, these free events will take place in the park, weather permitting, but will be held in the library hall if it rains,” said a spokesperson.

National Playday events first began in 1987 as a response to cuts in funding for playgrounds and play centres.

Visit wnstd.com/play25

Gita Malhotra, chair of Healthwatch Redbridge, has issued a statement following news that the government’s 10-year health plan may see the closure of all Healthwatch organisations.

“For over a decade, we have challenged poor practice and held services to account when they fail local people… The way this decision and news has been handled is in stark contrast to the government’s avowed commitment to person-centred care and wellbeing… We wait to hear the full implications of these changes.” Visit wnstd.com/hwr

To report antisocial behaviour to the council, visit: my.redbridge.gov.uk/reportit/anti-social-behaviour

To contact the police, call 101 for non-emergencies or 999 in an emergency

You can also sign up to Met Engage, a new online platform that connects you directly with your local policing team. It’s a useful way to stay informed and share what’s happening in your area.

Wanstead Park’s woodland play area has been revamped following fundraising by the Aldersbrook Families Association and Friends of Wanstead Parklands.

“Improvements include upgraded sections of the original trim trail, a new nest swing and refreshed woodchip. New fencing and signage complete the enhancements,” said a spokesperson for the City of London Corporation, which part-funded the project and carried out the work.

Located behind the Temple, the play area first opened in June 2023.

The Friends of Wanstead Parklands is urging residents and visitors to help protect Wanstead Flats and other parts of Epping Forest from the risk of grass fires.

It follows a blaze earlier this month that swept across 14 acres of the Flats, requiring 10 fire engines and around 70 firefighters to bring it under control.

“This event underscores the serious threat wildfires pose to Epping Forest, its wildlife and the surrounding properties. The People’s Forest needs your help to prevent further incidents,” said a spokesperson.

With the summer heat increasing the fire risk, people enjoying the area are asked to avoid smoking, never to light barbecues – which are illegal on Forest land – and to take all litter home, as discarded items can ignite or fuel fires.

“If you notice smoke, flames or any suspicious activity, contact the emergency services (call 999) and Epping Forest Keepers (call 020 8532 1010) without delay.”

A new edition of Village Vouchers has been jointly published by the Wanstead Village Directory and South Woodford Village Gazette.

“Next time you head to the High Street, make sure you have Village Vouchers in your pocket. There are over £500 of savings available at local shops, salons, cafés, pubs and restaurants. Plus, every copy sold includes a donation to Tin in a Bin,” said editor Lee Marquis.

Valid until June 2026, the booklets can be ordered online (£5) and collected from the High Street.

Visit wnstd.com/vouchers

Ninety years ago, Sir Giles Gilbert Scott designed the famous K6 telephone box. Wanstead’s own iconic kiosk has now been adopted by Wanstead House Community Association. Kathryn Stangaard reports

It has always surprised me when someone comes into Wanstead House for the first time and says they have lived in the area for years but never knew we were here! For nearly 80 years, Wanstead House Community Association has been part of the local community, here every day of the week providing classes and clubs for everyone from birth to 110!

As a charitable organisation, advertising is expensive; our website and social media work well but sometimes you need something more obvious that really stands out, so what could be better than that typically British London landmark, the phone box?

One of our art tutors, Brenda Coyle, brought to my attention that we could adopt the historic phone box outside Wanstead Station. It was a very easy process. I sent an email to the relevant department at BT and we answered a few simple questions to see if we were eligible. The phone boxes are only available for adoption by councils and charities, so we fitted the bill and were accepted straight away. Obviously, we do have to maintain it, keep it clean and free of graffiti, and we can then use it to advertise Wanstead House and all that goes on here. Around the country, these redundant phone boxes have been used as book exchanges, art galleries and to house defibrillators (we have one of those at Wanstead House now as well, thanks to Martin & Co). It is surprising what you can do with a small space.

This particular phone box is a special one. Known as a K6 kiosk, it was designed by Giles Gilbert Scott in 1935 to mark King George V’s Silver Jubilee. Positioned beside a rare Edward VIII post box, Wanstead’s K6 was Grade II listed in 1987 and is one of only two K6s in the borough (the other one is in Woodford Green, opposite The Castle).

Giles Gilbert Scott was a talented architect, best remembered for the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral. He stemmed from the famous Scott dynasty of architects whose patriarch was George Gilbert Scott (Giles’ grandfather), whose work includes Snaresbrook Crown Court and Christ Church, Wanstead.

This amazing opportunity, to be able to adopt and use a part of history, has cost just £1. That was all BT were asking for it, so all we would ask you is to please help us look after this piece of heritage and take the time to stop and have a look at what is going on at your local community centre. I guarantee there will be something that will be of interest to you to keep your mind active or your body fit. It’s never too early or too late to try something new and we always welcome new members. So, next time you are passing, don’t forget to make a quick call to the phone box and see what we have going on.

Wanstead House is located at 21 The Green, Wanstead, E11 2NT. Call 020 8989 3693 or visit wnstd.com/house