Saturday, May 30, 2009

StreetCare fined £10,000


The London Borough of Havering has been fined £10,000 after an employee of its Street Care Department struck an 11,000 volt cable buried in the pavement with a hydraulic breaker.

The employee suffered flash burns and electric shock during the accident which occurred on Main Road, Romford in December 2007. The worker, who was untrained, was using the hydraulic breaker to dig holes for the installation of a new bench.

Havering pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and safety at Work Act 1974. It was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay costs of £9,810 at City of London Magistrates Court.

John Crookes, Health and Safety Executive inspector, said: "This incident could have been fatal. London Borough of Havering failed to provide a safe system of work as a result of which a temporary council worker was injured."

Click HERE for details of our original story, when the incident first happened.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Hampden Lodge You Tube Video

Local resident and Hampden Lodge campaigner, Jeff Terrell has made a short video and posted it on You Tube, click on the link below to view it.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Lynwood Drive Planning Application

Another planning application has been submitted by the Lynwood Drive Medical Centre to extend its size by converting the house a no.2 to form part of the surgery.

It also proposes a Change of use from residential to D1 for pharmacy, consulting rooms and administration, alterations to the driveway of 2 Lynwood Drive to form parking for patients and staff of adjoining medical centre located at 2A, 4 and 6 Lynwood Drive.

The pharmacy also seeks permission to be open Monday to Saturday, from 06.00 to 23.00 and on Sundays from 09.00 to 13.00, that is a total of 100 hours a week.

The Collier Row & Mawneys Residents Association is sympathetic to the needs of the community in improving the facilities available to patients and to improving the care they receive.

However, this site is just not capable of being extending any further; the surgery is already located within three converted houses in Lynwood Drive. The parking situation in the surrounding roads is already at breaking point and the six extra spaces that are proposed will not be enough, as they will be taken up by extra staff parking.

The location of the pharmacy on the junction of Lynwood Drive and Clockhouse Lane will be a traffic nightmare, it is also less than 100 metres from a school, and the traffic at start and finish times is already of concern.

There is also issues around why a Chemist needs to be open 100 hours a week !

Havering Park Ward Councillor, Andy Mann said “This application was refused last summer and as far as I can see, there is no difference to the new plans, I am deeply concerned about a dispensing chemist being available for over 100 hours a week, from 06.00 in the morning to 11pm at night, its not like the surgery is open for 17 hours a day”. “To that end, I will be writing to the Head of Planning at Havering Council and calling in tis application and to express my concerns and objections”.

Monday, May 25, 2009

Gallows Corner flyover CLOSED

Gallows Corner flyover will be closed from tomorrow morning, for 3 months to enable repair works to be carried out. Additional works were found to be needed after the existing safety barriers were not up to the job. The work that was necessary to manufacture the support structures off-site has now been completed.

However, it will take at least three months, working 7 days a week, to install the new parapets. During the period of works the flyover will be fully closed with traffic diverted around Gallows Corner Roundabout.

There will be partial lane closures on the roundabout and its approach during off-peak periods and there will be inevitable delays to motorists.
It will also affect certain bus routes, including, the 174, 496 and 498.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Latest Newsletter being delivered


Issue 14, the May / June edition of our Collier Row & Mawneys Residents Association is now being delivered, across Collier Row, Mawneys, Chase Cross & Havering-atte-Bower.

Over 11,000 houses and shops should have received a copy, with information such as the latest update on the Councils plans to sell of Hampden Lodge. There is also stories about Bower Park School, StreetCare, a new Vicar for the Ascension church and Park openings.

Click on the newsletter to read, or click on the link on the right hand side to take you to our newsletter archive.


Thursday, May 21, 2009

Council Advertising Income not achieved


Income from advertising on council assets (lampposts, roundabouts, etc) could underachieve by around £300,000 this year according to a report recently considered by the Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

Last year, the Council agreed to increase income raised through advertising on council assets from £50,000 to £550,000, however the actual figures have left a large deficit in the planned budget.

Following a question to Council in December 2008, it was revealed that the 2008/09 budget was likely to underachieve by £200,000.

For 2009/10, the figures are looking even less favourable as one advertiser has already dropped out of the contract. Based on existing figures, income may only be £235,000, leaving a shortfall in excess of £300,000.

Leader of the Opposition, Cllr Clarence Barrett, said: “Last year we challenged the Cabinet decision to increase income through advertising on council assets on the grounds that we needed reassurance as to the quantity and quality of advertising and that the income projections were way too optimistic. However, our concerns were subsequently voted down by the Tory dominated Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

“Even given the economic conditions, the need to set income projections at a level which is achievable rather than through wishful thinking is crucial as it impacts on council budgets if the targets are not met”.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Half Term Fun at the Library


Children in Havering can find out all about their favourite animals, be brave enough to hold a creepy crawly, or learn more about their carbon footprint and the environment this half-term.

Staff from Wellgate Community Farm will bring along animals including rabbits, chickens and ducks to teach children how to care for their pets during an animal fun day at Collier Row Library from 12pm on Saturday 23 May.


There will also be local guide dog trainers, therapy dogs, local vets, craft activities and face painting at the event. Tickets for the animal fun day cost £3 and are available from the library. Call 01708 760063, to book.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Havering Village Fete

The Collier Row & Mawneys Residents Association was out in force yesterday, braving the weather to support 3rd Havering Scout Group in raising funs for a new minibus.

Denis Stevens once again came up trumpts with his stall of flowers and vegetable plants for sale, helping raise something, he was assisted by both Karen and Graham Price. Cllr Andy Mann also visited the fete, getting the chance to speak with many residents about their issues.

Although the afternoon was very windy, the rain kept away long enought not to spoil things. Amongst the highlights, were the Bouncy Castle, Morris Dancers (and their Cow) football, steam train, there was also a beer tent and indian food on offer.

Friday, May 15, 2009

Scouts May Fayre in the Village

If you have nothing on this Saturday, then why not come along to Havering-atte-Bower for the 3rd Havering Scout Groups May Fayre, in aid of their minibus fund. The fun starts at 1pm and ends at 4pm.

Please see the flyer below for all the details, Havering park Action member Denis Stevens will be running a stall in aid of the Scouts selling plants, including vegetables, such as runner beans, tomatoes and french beans.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Havering in Bloom

Residents in Havering are being urged to enter this year’s Havering In Bloom competition. As one of the greenest boroughs in London, the Havering in Bloom competition is always hotly contested.

There are 11 categories in the competition which means it is well and truly open to all residents, from gardeners with beautiful window boxes and container boxes to the best community garden and the most beautiful front garden.

The pub and restaurant which produce the best displays for the passing public will be honoured and there is an award for the best business premises, which could cover anything from an office building to a garage forecourt. The awards also include best school hanging basket and best school grounds.

The basket winner will be involved in creating and planting baskets next Spring which will be displayed in South street, Romford. The school grounds award will be given, not just for areas that are attractive and well-maintained, but also on the educational use of the grounds for the pupils.

The awards are not just restricted to beautiful displays of flowers and pretty plants – but also to vegetables with prizes going to best allotment site and allotment plot. On the environment front, there is the bio-diversity award which will be awarded to an area which supports the wildlife population and creates habitats which attract new species through the use of plantings, nesting sites, refuges and natural food sources.

Nomination forms can be picked up at local libraries and Council buildings. All entries must be received by 3 July. The awards will be presented to winners at a special presentation ceremony in October.

Cllr Mann said "This competition has been an excellent show case of our residents talents, many of whom take great pride in their gardens, I have been honoured to present awards in the past for this event whilst i was the cabinet member for StreetCare, i only wish the rules allowed me to take part myself".

To coincide with Havering In Bloom, the Council has packets of sunflower seeds to give away to children who want to enter a competition to grow the tallest sunflower in the borough. The Council has seen some fantastic results over recent years and this year is expected to produce the same level of enthusiasm by all who take part.

Sunflowers can be planted between May and early June. To get a packet of seeds contact maria.smart@havering.gov.uk

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Travellers moved on from Bedfords park

The Travellers spent less that 24 hours in Bedfords Park following an operation put together by Havering Council and the Havering Park Safer Neighbourhood Team.

Following the invasion by two families in the park, they settled in for the evening and eventually lit a fire on the ground, as they were trespassing, this constituted criminal damage.

This allowed Sgt Grahame Harle (the newly appointed Sergeant of Havering Park Ward) to conclude that as criminal damage had been caused, he was able to use powers under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act of 1994, after checking with Havering Councils Legal Department, that setting a fire was indeed, criminal damage as set out in the parks by-laws.

Sgt Harle then returned to the Park, with Havering Parks Dept staff and subjected the group to a Sec 61 Criminal justice and Public Order Act1994, i.e. a requirement to leave, giving them up to 18.00hrs that day to comply.

The Travellers then decided to leave the site in the early afternoon, being there for less than 24 hours, they were last seen heading out to the Brentwood Area.

Havering Park Ward Councillor Andrew Mann said "I am very grateful to the Havering Park SNT for the work in this matter, working along side Havering Council staff they have managed to use the law to our advantage, rather than having to use the normal long winded route of going to a magistrate Court to get an eviction order"

Lets hope that the park recovers well ready for its Green Flag Inspection, later this month,


Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Travellers invade Bedfords park


Havering Park Councillor, Andrew Mann is disappointed that Travellers have once again invaded Bedfords Park, in Broxhill Road, Havering-Atte-Bower. They used a crane on the back of a truck to drag a 3 ton tree, which was being used as a barrier to gain access to the fields.

On receiving the news, Cllr Mann and Havering Park Action Member, Kevin Tonks went straight to the park to see the situation that was unfolding and found three vehicles and two caravans. Despite only being there for less than 2 hours, there was already a large amount of rubbish accumulating.

Cllr Mann was able to talk with Havering Councils Parks Manager, Martin Stanton, who had also rushed to the Park to make sure that no further Travellers were able to gain access and join those that had already arrived. Extra security was brought in over night with guard dogs to make sure no further issues occurred.

This is now the third time we have had travellers in Bedfords Park in the same amount of years, each time extra measures have been put in place to make the park more secure and each time the travellers find new ways of beating them to gain access.

The focus will now turn to the process of getting rid of the travellers; sadly this can only be done by a legal process of serving eviction notices and attending Havering Magistrates Court. With any luck, they move on before this process is completed, like they did last year.

Once the removal has happened, the focus most turn to getting the park ship shape for it annual green flag inspection that will take place shortly. Bedfords Park has achieved green flag status for the last two years, and we can not allow this recent traveller invasion to distract from that goal.

I have to say well done to Martin Stanton from the Parks Department and his staff who acted quickly in getting to the park; I know he would be upset if he did not get a personal mention.

Saturday, May 09, 2009

Collier Row Shop Keeper prosecuted


Collier Row shop keeper, Mr Ashgar of Aladdin’s Cave, Collier Row Road, was fined £800 and ordered to pay £840 prosecution costs at Havering Magistrates Court last week for selling a knife to a an underage child.

In a Trading Standards operation in November 2008, two under-age volunteers aged 14 visited Aladdin’s Cave, Collier Row Road, Romford and were sold a sharp craft knife by shop keeper Imran Ashgar.

Neither of the children was asked for identification by Mr Ashgar even though the packaging the knife was contained in, stated clearly that it should not be sold to anyone under 18.

Cllr Andrew Mann said “Knife crime in Havering is low but we want to make the borough safer. The Council has a zero tolerance attitude to the selling of knives and I will continue to push the Council to carry on with their test purchasing operations so that the message goes out loud and clear - we don’t want people carrying knives on our streets.”

Friday, May 08, 2009

Hampden Lodge Public Meeting

The Collier Row & Mawneys team were out in force last night at a public meeting held with local people who are un-happy about Havering Council and Bellway Homes plans for 48 flats on the former care home site.

Over 50 local people turned up at the North Romford Community Centre to have their say. Cllr Andrew Mann was present, along with Havering Park Ward colleagues, Kevin Tonks and Denis Stevens and Mawneys team members Graham and Karen Price. Also present was Romford M.P, Andrew Rosindell and the two Tory Councillors, Starns and Binion (who are part of the Administration selling the land).

Over 20 local people had the chance to speak and ask questions of the Developer, Architect and Cllr Starns who as a Cabinet member agreed the sale of the site. Both Karen Price and Denis Steven were able to ask questions and make comments.

Karen raised the issue around the four story height of the proposed flats and suggested that residents take a trip to Essex Road to see the impact of a four story block of flats next to a two story house, the block is often known as “Tebbutt Towers” after the former Councillor approved in using his casting vote.

Denis Stevens raised issues around the environmental impact of the scheme, in relation to the loss of grass land, the impact of shadows and the loss of sun on local houses and the allotments, which are behind the scheme. He also raised issues around the extra surface and foul water that would be pushed into the over stretched local network and how flooding would be prevented.

Cllr Mann who spoke at length, highlighted some of the faults with the scheme, such as the reduction of 10 flats from the original plans, from 58 to 48, however the new scheme has an increase of bedrooms from 90, up to 103. He also spoke about his anger that the Council and developers have been secretly being doing deals to turn the whole development over to social housing landlords, something that Bellway Homes were forced to admit after being pushed by a local resident.

Cllr Mann said “I have been dealing with anti-social behaviour problems on the former Gobions School site, where developers could not sell all of the homes on the open market and then dumped the remaining un-sold flats and houses onto numerous registered social landlords, thereby creating a mini housing estate, but without any proper provision for the extra young families and children”.

He went on “we will now get the same issues in Collier Row with 48 flats sold not to the open public, not available to local people, but dumped onto a social housing landlord who is then able to offer flats to people form all over East London and Essex, therefore letting local people miss out on the chance of living there.

Local residents last night confirmed that they are not against the development of the site, they are grown up enough to expect some sort of building on the land, however 100% said they would only accept low level two story housing at the most, that do not overlook back gardens and that are available to local people.

It is still not to late to object to the plans, you can do so by writing to Patrick Keyes, Head of Regulatory Services, Mercury House, Mercury Gardens, Romford, RM1 3SL or e-mail planning@havering.gov.uk

Sunday, May 03, 2009

Successful Street Surgery


The Collier Row & Mawneys Residents Association were once again out and about in Collier Row on Saturday, meeting and talking to local residents about their issues and concerns with Havering Council as part of their regular street surgeries.

The main topics of conversation amongst residents was the impending planning application for 48 flats on Hampden Lodge, the former Care Home in Clockhouse Lane, the lack of activity from StreetCare, in relation to dog fouling and street cleaning.
Also, on the list was more issues with Homes in Havering, including the CCTV charge that residents have to pay, even if they have do not have CCTV coverage in their road and the state of Collier Row parks.

Cllr Mann said “It is great to be out and about in our Wards, listening to what residents want and how their every day lives are affected by Havering Council”.

Saturday, May 02, 2009

Hampden Lodge Update

If you have not yet had the chance to object to the proposals by Bellway Homes for 48 flats on the former care home site, you need to do so, as soon as possible. The address details are at the bottom of the page.

We have been contacted by hundreds of people, who are again very concerned about the over development of the site and the implications it will have on surrounding properties if it is approved.

A meeting has been arranged with bellway Homes and local residents who are un-happy about the proposals. You can attend this Thursday at 7pm at the North Romford Community Centre to voice your concerns with the developers.

You can e-mail your objection to planning@havering.gov.uk Please quote the planning application number when you write, it is P0453.09.

Or write to: Patrick keyes, London Borough of Havering, Mercury House, Mercury gardens, Romford, RM1 3SL

Friday, May 01, 2009

Swine Flu Update

If you are concerned about the recent news on the Swine Flu outbreak in Mexico we have some links to websites where you can get the latest news, health and travel information.

These websites can provide up to date information:For health concerns visit:






For travel concerns visit The Foreign Office website