August 2025

Wanstead High Street’s mobility hub and parklet was damaged last month after being struck by a vehicle.

“We have secured the area and are currently identifying the materials required for repair,” said a Redbridge Council spokesperson.

However, some residents have called for the seating space – installed in June 2021 – to be removed entirely. “Before the crash, this structure had fallen into disrepair. We have plenty of seating and bike racks, and it uses up valuable car parking spaces,” said Katriye Ibrahim.

Wanstead residents told a public meeting, called by a London Assembly member, how TfL’s careless bus reorganisation is wrecking lives and needs urgent action. Donna Mizzi and Millicent Brown report

On one of the hottest days of the year, about 60 local residents packed a meeting, called at short notice, to speak of the dreadful effects the area’s bus changes have had on their lives, livelihoods, health and children’s education.

Caroline Russell, deputy chair of the London Assembly’s Transport Committee, explained she called July’s meeting at Wanstead House to understand why there was a continuing outcry about the changes imposed last September. The London Assembly holds the Mayor and TfL chairman Sadiq Khan to account. Her eyes widened as, over 90 minutes, she heard emotional accounts of ongoing impact – particularly about the W14, which has created major hardships at every level. “Children can’t get to school and adults can’t get to work.” “Patients can’t reach the hospital.” “The whole thing is a disgrace. We can’t wait for a bus that doesn’t come,” said residents. The W12 and W13 buses have also been problematic for many.

Residents told Caroline the infrequency and unpredictability of the ‘hourly’ W14 services, where there is no alternative public transport, has left elderly and disabled people isolated and lonely – common causes of depression. Meanwhile, carers have had trouble reaching residents. The W14 also avoids the most useful sections of South Woodford’s and Wanstead’s shopping streets, before terminating at Whipps Cross interchange, half a mile from the Outpatients and A&E departments.

Lucille Grant (86) was confined to her Nightingale Estate home on a number of days over the winter, forcing her to sell up and move to a more convenient location. “Now I worry about all the elderly and disabled people I’ve left behind,” she said. Elderly residents, including some using frames or walking sticks, have gone out and not been able to get a bus back home.

Actor and Green Party member Ashley Gunstock said: “TfL is either grossly inept, thoughtless or callous.” Caroline suggested there might have been some planning oversights; the response was a shaking of heads. A resident said it appeared TfL was taking a “sneaky wrecking ball” to the W14 as it hasn’t been as profitable as other routes.

A local elderly woman apologised for arriving late after a one-and-a-half-hour journey. Caroline said she understood because it had taken her that same length of time to reach the meeting, including Tube replacement buses. Immediately, several people chorused: “But this woman hasn’t travelled from Islington!” The exhausted, apologetic resident had just come from nearby Nightingale Lane, but her bus didn’t turn up.

Caroline is a Green Party member. Fellow London Assembly member Keith Prince, Conservative member for Redbridge and Havering, also attended the meeting. He mentioned that the local Labour MP Calvin Bailey has been involved, presenting a parliamentary petition in January. Meeting organiser Syed Siddiqi said the seriousness of the issues meant that parties needed to work together to bring about the necessary bus changes. Keith said he is also arranging to get the Deputy Mayor down to the area and to the badly affected Woodbridge High School in September. Later, he explained he has also visited badly impacted retired residents in Eagle Lodge, Snaresbrook, and has arranged a meeting with the Director of Buses and to ride the W-buses with residents. He has raised direct questions with the London Mayor and says he is having ongoing meetings. Wanstead’s Labour councillors have also been raising the issues at Redbridge’s External Committee meetings. Save Our Local Bus Services campaigners say they will be meeting Deputy Mayor Seb Dance soon, and they were urged to work together with councillors and officers. But then a TfL officer spent much time telling the committee how difficult it was for TfL to make any changes. Councillors responded saying their own objections had been ignored in the first place.

Other residents have been drawing attention to the lack of essential bus information at local stops, including the Whipps Cross stand, even though the extensive changes took place almost a year ago. A TfL officer apologised, without being challenged, and said renewed details should appear this month.

Meanwhile, residents complained the apps were frequently useless. Director of Wanstead Mental Health Clinic, David Sleet, said: “You’re told to check an app for information. If you are a vulnerable person, you are already a target, and TfL is making them do something which makes them even more vulnerable.”

To share your W-bus stories, email donnamizzi@btinternet.com

Rising crime and antisocial behaviour are having a real impact on Wanstead residents and businesses, says Calvin Bailey MP, who is calling for stronger action and better reporting

Since becoming an MP, I’ve received a number of emails from constituents and had conversations with Wanstead residents and businesses about rising crime and antisocial behaviour. Shoplifting, vandalism, intimidation; these are not occasional incidents. They are now affecting how people feel about their local area and how businesses are able to operate day-to-day.

Much of this is focused around the High Street. Business owners have told me about thefts happening in broad daylight. In some cases, staff have been threatened or verbally abused. There have been break-ins, smashed windows and reports of elderly residents being targeted near cash machines. I’ve heard directly from people who have witnessed this kind of behaviour and feel helpless and frustrated that it continues.

To help bring the right people together, I hosted a High Street business forum at the start of July with representatives from the police, Redbridge Council, local councillors and enforcement officers. The purpose was to listen, respond and make sure the concerns being raised are acted upon. At the forum, the police confirmed that more officers are now in post in Wanstead, and we discussed how to improve visibility and patrols. Council teams shared their approach to enforcement and where extra support can be provided. Businesses raised a clear message that they want to see more consistent action and faster follow-up when incidents are reported.

One of the most important things I can do as your MP is to make sure the police and council understand the scale of the issue and push for resources to be allocated accordingly. But that also depends on data, and that means we all need to report incidents when they happen. Even if it doesn’t lead to immediate results, it builds the case for longer-term change.

A stronger community response is essential, too. Ward panels, which bring together residents and local police, are an important way to hold services accountable and shape local priorities. The next meeting for Wanstead Village and Wanstead Park wards is on 3 September, from 7pm to 8pm at Wanstead House, and I’d encourage anyone concerned about local safety to attend. 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.

Please report incidents when they happen. Even if it feels insignificant, your reports help build the case for greater action and funding. Everyone deserves to feel safe where they live and work. I’ll keep working to ensure that’s the case for Wanstead.

For more information on Met Engage and for details of how to report incidents, visit wnstd.com/report

Environmental charity Thames21 and the River Roding Trust are working together on a groundbreaking programme to identify, test and fix the most damaging sewage and road run-off outfalls on a 10-mile stretch of the River Roding.

“This project will establish a baseline for water quality by monitoring key indicators such as phosphates, ammonia and bacteria… If you’d like to get involved in citizen science water quality monitoring, come along to our free training event on 9 August in Woodford,” said a spokesperson.

Visit wnstd.com/9aug