Heath Park Road railway bridge

Havering Council has been instructed to introduce a three-tonne weight limit on the Heath Park Road / Victoria Road railway bridge, following an assessment by Network Rail.

To prevent heavy vehicles crossing the bridge, which carries traffic over the Upminster to Romford branch line, the Council needs to install 6 feet 6 inch (2 metre) width restrictions on either side of the bridge.　 Works are planned to commence on 1st August 2011, which will mean that Heath Park Road and Victoria Road either side of the bridge will be closed to all traffic for up to two weeks to allow construction of the physical width restrictions.　 Once the width restrictions are in place, the bridge will be open to traffic under the three-tonne weight limit, and less than 2 metres wide.

In addition, Manor Road will be closed at its junction with Heath Park Road / Victoria Road until further notice as width restrictions are not suitable at this location.

Pedestrians will still have access to be able to walk across the bridge.

This width restriction will affect the 370, 496, 649 and 650 bus routes which will be diverted via Brentwood Road.

We appreciate that the road closure and new bus route may cause an inconvenience and officers will keep in regular contact with Network Rail and Transport for London to keep disruption to a minimum.　 Network Rail will be covering all the Council’s costs of implementing these necessary measures, and will shortly be undertaking a detailed structural inspection of the bridge to see if substantial strengthening works are required.　 The weight restriction and traffic routes are likely to be in place for some significant time, and I will provide  updates in the coming months.

Hornchurch High Street update

15 July 2011

Temporary road closures from 17:00 on Sunday as repairs continue to damaged building. 

Businesses, shops and car parks have remained open during the temporary one way traffic system which has been in place due to a damaged building on Hornchuch High St.

 

As the building is not council owned we are reliant on the building owner to work with us to rectify the problem.

 

Workers on the site started demolition work on the upper part of the building this week which has enabled engineers to assess the state of the building.

 

As a result, we anticipate removal of some of the scaffolding on the road.

 

To do this, we will need to temporarily close the High Street between 4 Station Lane and 144 High Street from 5 pm on Sunday 17 July until mid-morning on Monday 18 July.

 

This is a necessary closure and we hope it will enable more lanes to be opened on the High Street  on Monday but we will need to make a careful assessment before any changes are made.

 

Buses will continue to serve Hornchurch town centre on diverted routes for the time being, and we are in constant communication with Transport for London about getting the buses back onto their original routes.

 

  

Apology

An apology for the telephone details given for the Optics Day in the Essex Wildlife Trust Visitor Centre 28th June.  These details were reposted from the Havering webpage and I had no idea the telephone number was incorrect.

Albert Road traffic issues

Unfortunately I didn't achieve what I asked for, a speed reduction but Officers have agreed to improve the signage.
Driving along Albert Road this afternoon, I actually saw a car come out of a house front parking area and turn the wrong way.  So residents themselves are breaking the law and putting others at risk.

Albert Road, Romford

I shall be attending the Highways Advisory Panel this evening to speak on the issues raised by residents of Albert Road concerning traffic driving the wrong way along a one way street!

Raphael's Park Revival

Raphael's Park Revival

​A £1.7million boost from the Heritage Lottery Fund to revive Raphael’s Park in Romford has been announced today (11 July).

Banquet in the Park

This afternoon I represented the Mayor of Havering at the RCCG Jubilee House (Redeemed Christian Church of God) for their 6th annual Banquet in the Park on Queen's Theatre Green in Hornchurch.

It was a lovely and joyful afternoon and many thanks to Pastor Mary Omoyele Afolabi for making myself and Cllr. Andrew Curtin so welcome.

Romford wins top award for managing the night-time economy

A group made up of the Council, police, local businesses and volunteers has received a top award from the Association of Town Centre Management (ATCM) awards for Developing the Evening and Night-time Economy.
The town received the award on Thursday (30 June) ahead of entries from fellow finalists Brixton and Bournemouth.

The judges were looking for projects with evidence of success at proactively  tackling problems in a coordinated way.

During the 1990s Romford became the home to many restaurants, pubs, bars and nightclubs, which brought a new set of challenges involving alcohol-related disorder.

The Council, police, licensees and other local businesses introduced projects such as the taxi marshal scheme, street pastors, the Deeper Lounge safe haven, drugs dogs searches, use of metal detecting search arches and a digital radio network between licensed premises. Weekly door supervisor briefings were also introduced along with feedback meetings with police.

In 2009 Havering was awarded a prestigious Beacon status for its excellence in managing the night-time economy and, since then, has continued to make further improvements.

A Banned From One, Banned From All scheme was introduced for licensed premises. Anyone banned from one licensed premises for drink-related disorder will be banned from them all.

In addition, teenagers caught attempting to use fake ID in order to drink under age are being barred from Romford's pubs and clubs until they are 19. And troublemakers under the influence of alcohol in the streets are being given 'yellow cards' and temporarily excluded from the town centre.

These schemes were backed by London Mayor Boris Johnson during a visit to Romford in May.

Councillor Geoff Starns, Cabinet member for Community Safety, said:

"This is yet another award that everyone involved can be proud of. This is a huge team effort involving the police, licensees, door supervisors, taxi marshals, street pastors and Council officers. We as a group are being recognised continually by experts for our joint work in making Romford a safer and more pleasant place to enjoy a night out."

Martin Blackwell, ATCM Chief Executive, said:

"The standard was remarkable.  It really does highlight the quality and variety of projects being undertaken in our towns and cities, through Town Centre Management and Business Improvement Districts, to enhance our high streets and town centres for the benefit of all and at all times of the day.  To win an award is a great achievement and should be celebrated."

The Havering Safe and Sound group recently received a 'distinction' from the Association of Business Crime Partnerships, the highest award possible, for 'very good' management and work to reduce crime in Romford town centre.

The group was also received 'highly commended' in the Managing Evening Economy category of the annual Partnership Excellence awards run by the Business Against Crime Partnership.

Council saving plan

Roads repairs, weekly rubbish collections and libraries protected in Council saving plan

Havering's Cabinet is set to consider proposals on 13 July to save £16 million. Together with its savings published last summer, this will complete the savings drive to bridge the Council's £40m budget gap, which was the result of cuts in Government funding to all local councils. *
Key services like weekly rubbish collections, libraries, parks, child protection and repairs to roads and pavements are protected under the proposals. The report sets out how the majority of the £16 million will be found by cutting red tape and bureaucracy, driving out inefficiencies and focusing money and effort where they will do the most good – particularly for the borough's most vulnerable residents.
In January, the Council conducted its largest ever survey asking Havering residents to set out their priorities. The proposals to be considered by Cabinet are based on these priorities and underlines the Council's commitment to protecting its key services, like its weekly rubbish collection, support for vulnerable adults and children, and continued investment in roads and pavements.
The Council will also be identifying areas where it can work more closely in partnership with other councils and public sector bodies, for example in its library and communications services.
It will also refocus its work with the large voluntary sector in Havering to help provide care and support for vulnerable people and make sure that they have the assistance they need to live independently for longer, rather than requiring lengthy and expensive full time care. A new volunteer project will be kicked off in the near future.
Councillor Michael White, Leader of Havering Council said:
"We have aspirations, for our residents and communities and for what we can achieve as a Council. But we have to balance our aspirations with our responsibilities to save money and work more effectively. This savings plan sets out responsible and fair measures to balance our books. Our residents told us what most matters to them and this report protects investment in roads and pavements, the weekly rubbish collection, our parks and our libraries.
"By continuing to find more efficient ways of working, we will be able to keep council tax stable over the next few years and this report reaffirms our commitment to keeping council tax as low as possible. Provided the Government makes no further announcement, this will be our last major set of savings that we need to make ending this period of uncertainty for residents and giving them the confidence that services in Havering will not be slashed."

Reminder: Save King George's A&E

There will be a public meeting to discuss the proposed closure of King George's A&E on Friday, 8th July, 7.30 pm at the Church Hall, St Edward's, Market Place, Romford.

Several members of Parliament will be speaking and I believe the BBC will be present.

Metropolitan Police Service in Havering Need You!!

　

Havering police is currently looking to recruit a new team of Met Police Volunteers as part of our autumn recruitment Programme.

　

The Met Volunteer Programme (MVP) gives volunteers the opportunity to support the MPS in making London the safest major city in th e world. It increases contact between local communities and the police, and improves the service we give to the public.

　

　We are looking for candidates who live in Havering, who are aged over 18 years or age and can officer a minimum of 10 hrs per month to the volunteer programme locally.

　

MVP Volunteers in Havering currently assist our officers and staff in many administrative areas of the police station, they call our victims of crime and they assist in our front counters.

　

If you feel that you would like to volunteers and can offer 10 hrs per month or more please call Jo Hudson - Communications and Volunteer Manager at Romford Police Station on 01708 779124 to express your interest.

　

An open day will be held on 25th August 2011 to introduce you to the programme and explain our recruitment process.

　

Please call to book a place.

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　　　　 Met volunteers lend their skills and free time to help make London safer.

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　　　　 They volunteer in the borough that they also live or work in.

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　　　　 By giving back to their community, they also gain valuable experiences.

　

Have Your Say on Policing in London

　

The Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) is consulting on London's policing priorities. We are interested in your opinion.

Please take part in a short questionnaire to tell us your views. To complete a questionnaire click on

If you require a telephone questionnaire please call 020 7202 0063, leave your name and telephone number and somebody will call you back.

Please feel free to pass details of the consultation on to your friends, family or colleagues. The consultation closes on Friday 25 November 2011.

We look forward to hearing your views on policing in London.

www.mpa.gov.uk/publications/policingplans/haveyoursay or call 020 7202 0063, leave your name and address and we will send you a paper copy.www.mpa.gov.uk/publications/policingplans/haveyoursay-businesses/ or call 020 7202 0063, leave your name and address and we will send you a paper copy.

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

Businesses - Have Your Say on Policing in London

The Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) is consulting on London's policing priorities. We would like to know what crime and policing issues are important to you and your business.

Please take part in a short questionnaire to tell us your views. To complete a questionnaire click on

If you require a telephone questionnaire please call 020 7202 0063, leave your name and telephone number and somebody will call you back.

Please feel free to pass details of the consultation on to your friends, family or colleagues. The consultation closes on Friday 25 November 2011.

We look forward to hearing your views on policing in London.