April 30th, 2012 by Mark Rusling

The alleyway between Forest Road and The Drive was previously badly overgrown and in a very poor state. It was particularly difficult for disabled people to navigate. We have had the path replaced and the whole alleyway cleared up. See the ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos – looks good!

February 27th, 2011 by Mark Rusling

We have joined forces with the Aubrey Road and Milton Road Residents Associations to fight drivers who ignore speed limits and road signs and put residents’ lives at risk. Drivers often speed down Aubrey Road, Milton Road, Tower Hamlets Road, Browns Road and Byron Road to get between Hoe Street and Forest Road, and to get to Church Hill.

The speed limit on all the roads is 20mph, but that doesn’t stop many drivers. We are contacting residents to warn them of this danger, and to ask them to sign our petition. We’ll then take up this issue with council traffic officers. Below is a press release we will be sending to local newspapers.

Speed Demons
Chairs of two Walthamstow residents associations have joined local councillors to say ‘enough is enough’ to speeding cars. Milton and Aubrey Roads are often used by drivers to cut from the Bell Corner on Forest Road to Hoe Street, and as a dangerous short-cut to Church Hill.

Both have 20 mph limits, as do the surrounding streets – Tower Hamlets, Byron and Browns Roads. However, that doesn’t stop many thoughtless drivers, who often clock up speeds of over 40 mph and ignore one-way signs.

The local councillors, Saima Mahmud, Ahsan Khan and Mark Rusling, are visiting residents to warn them of the dangers of speeding cars and to ask them to sign a petition calling for action.

They said: “We are very concerned that drivers are blatantly ignoring the speed limit. By ignoring the speed limit, they are ignoring the right of residents to be safe in their own streets. We’re going to work with Barry and James to sort this out”.

Barry Coidan, Chair of Milton Road Residents Association said: “These are quiet residential streets with a lot of families and older people living in them. It is totally unacceptable for drivers to put our lives at danger just to shave a few seconds off their journey”.

James Phillips, Chair of Aubrey Road Residents Association, added: “The number of new families with young children has increased on our street and residents are worried that it’s only a matter of time before a child is struck by one of these speeding one-way drivers”.

Residents can contact the councillors through www.workingforhoestreet.org.uk to find out about the campaign.

February 19th, 2011 by Mark Rusling

Orphan sites have been blighting this borough for years. These are areas – often quite small – which nobody owns or cares for, so which become dirty and unsightly. We have been reporting sites that we have seen in the ward, arranging for them to be cleaned.

The alleyway between Hurst Road and Forest Road is one area – it has become overgrown and is an eyesore. By May, it will have been dealt with – the weeds will be removed and turfed over and the wall will be removed. Overhanging branches will be removed and improved lighting will be installed.

The alleyway between Howard Road and Aubrey Road is prone to fly-tipping, graffiti and anti-social behaviour. This will be improved by the end of May and will be taken over by the Aubrey Road Residents Association.

If there are other orphan sites that need to be sorted, let us know.

Four roads in Hoe Street ward have also been approved for improvement works, after lobbying from Saima, Ahsan and I. Copeland Road, Leamington Avenue, Milton Road and Wingfield Road will all be worked on in the next year.