Underground Station Gets £15 Million Upgrade Walthamstow Central Station Is Get Through the Crowds at Rush Set for a Major Upgrade Thanks Hour Is Just Horrible
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Find out about all the fantastic markets taking place across the borough on page 4 Your Council keeping residents informed Issue 205 28 May 2018 www.walthamforest.gov.uk @wfcouncil Underground station gets £15 million upgrade Walthamstow Central Station is get through the crowds at rush set for a major upgrade thanks hour is just horrible. Hopefully this to a £15million investment from will make it much easier and less Transport for London. stressful!” Mayor of London Sadiq Khan Waltham Forest Council announced the money as part Leader, Clare Coghill, said: of exciting plans to redevelop “This announcement is great the Mall and town square. The news for Waltham Forest and our project will rejuvenate the town residents, and will further enhance centre area and attract extra our ambitious plans to revitalise investment to the borough, Walthamstow town centre. The unlocking new housing and upgrade to the station will unlock employment opportunities for the full potential of the Mall as a local young people. catalyst to bring new jobs, homes The station upgrade will deliver a and a better retail offer for our second entrance to the station that residents.” opens directly into the expanded The funding has been granted on Mall shopping centre, and create condition that the redevelopment step-free access to the platforms of Walthamstow Mall goes ahead. and Victoria line making travel The redevelopment will provide up easier for those with mobility to 350 permanent retail jobs, a new issues. It will ease the overcrowding children’s play area, and over 500 that currently causes delays and new homes. frustration, especially at rush hour. The scheme has high costs due Tommy Walker, of Walthamstow, to the difficulty of building above Walthamstow Central Station. Photo credit Duncan via Creative Commons said: “I use the station regularly the nearby tube line and station to get to work in London and it without causing any damage, negotiations between the Greater the council’s priority of providing a population grows, it is essential needs the upgrade. It’s way too together with the need to keep London Authority, the council and decent roof over residents’ heads. we continue to build world-class busy at rush hour and this could the shopping centre open during the developer Capital & Regional. First priority for all affordable infrastructure like new Tube stations make the difference. It’s pretty grim construction. Despite this, an An extra £7.3 million contribution homes built in the borough goes across the capital, but also target at the moment.” Tommy’s partner increase in the level of affordable from the developers will be used to residents. improvements in a way that Lila Palmer agreed: “It can’t come housing up from 20 per cent to 30 to build new homes for affordable Mayor of London, Sadiq can help deliver the new homes soon enough because trying to per cent was achieved following rent in Waltham Forest to meet Khan, said: “As London’s Londoners desperately need.” WE’VE MADE IT EVEN EASIER FOR YOU TO REPORT FLY TIPPING Report neighbourhood issues through our Chatbot available 24/7 on Facebook @walthamforestcouncil and on Twitter @WFTellWalt 2 News Successful operation closes raised about the cost of removing these stickers, as well as increased criminality around properties being 24 brothels used as brothels and the safety and A close partnership between the and right that we concentrate wellbeing of sex workers. council and police colleagues resources on tackling this foul The operation will continue has achieved success in tackling industry. Working closely with the to gather intelligence and take the problem of off-street police means they can target the enforcement action against the prostitution – but there is still pimps while council officers can offer culprits of this illegal activity as well more that can be done to combat support to the sex workers to help as the landlords and businesses this scourge that condemns them break the cycle of abuse. who allow it to take place on their vulnerable women to misery. “We also take action against premises. Council Officers and the Police the foot-soldiers who plaster town Cllr Ahsan Khan, Cabinet Member achieved the closure of 24 brothels, centres and street furniture with ugly for Community Safety said: “This will with council officers on hand to stickers. These stickers are a visual ensure that the victims of the trade offer assistance and guidance to blight in our public spaces, and cost who are often the target of human sex workers about how they could taxpayer money to clean up. We are trafficking and modern slavery access support services to escape very grateful to the many residents are provided with appropriate exploitation. Additionally, five arrests who remove the stickers where they safeguarding intervention and were made for illegally posting see them posted. advice.” stickers advertising ‘massage “We will continue to find and shut services’ around town centres. down the backroom brothels where Councillor Clyde Loakes, Deputy victims of this illegal trade suffer, and More info Leader and Cabinet Member for prosecute those who perpetrate Operation Yorkley closes 24 brothels If you suspect a property is being Environment, said: “That women the crimes to the fullest extent of used as a brothel you can report it in this day and age suffer this the law.” after an increase in the number of centres, which led to complaints anonymously to the police on 101 or exploitation is a disgrace. It is fair Operation Yorkley was sparked ‘massage stickers’ appearing in town from residents. Concerns were to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. From the Leader Cllr Clare Coghill It’s been a fantastic fortnight people. The housing crisis won’t needed. The funding has been opportunity to shop in the borough with funding announcements be solved by this money alone, but granted to unlock the economic rather than going further afield, that mean we can start our we have to build more homes in potential brought about by the which has a detrimental effect on work to improve transport links the borough to accommodate our redevelopment of Walthamstow our town centre. I hear people in the borough and get our growing population and reduce our Mall that will bring £200 million of regularly mention that new housing largest council house building housing waiting list. investment to the area, 8,000 sq doesn’t come with an increase in programme for a generation off Last week Mayor Khan also meters of new retail space, 500 transport capacity but this upgrade the ground. announced £15 million to improve new homes, 350 new permanent will help to improve accessibility The Mayor of London, Sadiq WalthamstowMore info Central Station, retail and restaurant jobs, a and reduce overcrowding. Both Khan, announced £26 million moneyFor helpthat orhas information been granted about new children’s play area and a these announcements show how funding to help us build 525 new dueregistering to the much to vote, wider please project visit of radically improved town square, our constructive partnership with council homes in the borough. It buildingwww.walthamforest.gov.uk/ an entirely new Mall in replacing the existing square and the Mayor benefits the people of elections or call our contact is our priority to ensure residents Walthamstow. shopping centre which is tired and Waltham Forest. centre on 020 8496 3000. have a decent roof over their heads The money will be used to create underused. and a key part of this is spending a new entrance going straight A new and expanded Mall would £196 million over the next four into the Mall and to deliver step- give a significant boost to the local years building homes for local free access that is so desperately economy, giving residents the Contact Waltham Forest Council Waltham Forest News Edited by: Corporate Advertising and promotional Their inclusion does not mean that Communications Team enquiries: the council endorses the company or Margie Agudelo 020 8496 3000 (press 6) product being advertised. 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More services The official independently audited free letterbox delivery of Waltham Forest News is 97,161 ABC Regional 4 January 2016 to available online. 1 January 2017 Issue 205 I 28 May 2018 www.walthamforest.gov.uk 3 Mayor’s £26 million boost to In brief New chapter for house building programme Music Education The Council has received a major boost in its effort to reduce its housing waiting list by Mayor of London, Sadiq Kahn The Waltham Forest Music Education who has allocated £26 million Hub (WFMEH), launched earlier this to help build 525 new council month, will begin a new chapter for homes over the next four years. music education in Waltham Forest. It In what will be the first ever will further develop the range of musical City Hall programme dedicated opportunities available for children and to supporting council housing, young people, focussing on the distinct and diverse local needs in the borough.