NEWHAM HIGH STREETS LITTLE

WE ARE NEWHAM. 186 187 THE HIGH STREET

Little Ilford is mostly a residential area and in the Local Plan there is no town or local centre identified in the area. However, there is a smaller Local Shopping Parade, as well as some other retail pockets. The Local Shopping Parade and wider Little Ilford neighbourhood are both located in the far northeast of the borough, at the bound- ary with the Borough of Redbridge. Romford Road cuts horizontally through the north of the neighbourhood. Jack Cornwell Local Shopping Parade is home to a post office and a grocery store, while more shops are located along Romford Rd and Church Rd.

The study area encompasses the Jack Cornwell Local Shopping Parade, as designated in the Local Plan, and its immediate surroundings. A 400m catchment area around the shopping parade has been drawn, 400m being a typical 5 minutes’ walk time.

MAP DOCUMENT CONTENTS

• UNDERSTANDING THE HIGH STREET JACK CORNWELL ST • BEHAVIOUR PATTERNS & THE IMPACT OF COVID

NEWHAM • CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNTIES • FROM A VISION FOR LITTLE ILFORD TO ACTION

• STRATEGIC DELIVERY PLAN & MAP

• PROJECT IDEAS

188 THE PLAN

For Little Ilford’s Local Shopping parade (Jack Cornwell Street) and its adjacent area, the most important future aspirations expressed by people related to the following key themes: Environment & Climate, Health & Wellbeing, and Economy & Work. The plan highlights the need to manage traffic better, improve levels of cleanliness and safe- ty, enhance the public realm, have a diversified offer, such as cafes, restaurants, and leisure events, and support young people. Participation in developing Little Ilford’s stra- tegic plan was lower, compared to the other areas of Phase 1. However, engagement confirmed key issues highlighted through the areas appraisal, and these are included in the strategic plan.

GENERAL & ENGAGEMENT STATISTICS

17,937 people 28 respondents live in Little Ilford’s local shopping to the survey about their experiences & parade & immediate catchment area aspirations for the high street’s future

53% of residents 28 people in the area were born outside of the UK, participated on the online forum helping making it very ethnically diverse. further scope the project ideas for their high street through over 91 votes

74% of people 43 years old in Little Ilford are under the age of 45, was the participants’ average age, with a higher proportion of children un- ranging from 30 to 74 years old der 15, compared to Newham overall

160 businesses 2% of participants were based in Little Ilford in 2019, em- overall in the engagement were local ploying about 325 people business owners or traders

189 LONDON 1 CEMETARY Little Ilford E12

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In early 2020, we commissioned ‘We Made That’, an architecture and urbanism practice with specialist knowledge on high streets, to carry out a place-based appraisal for Little Ilford. In this section, we have included key highlights from their research across the six evaluation themes (full list of findings:Appraisal Report for Little Ilford).

spaces for hire by the community. Faith People & Community spaces reflect the diverse demographics Little Ilford’s population is young and there of the area and faith-based operators and is a higher proportion of young children organisations provide community services than in the rest of the borough. There are and activities, typically taking on educa- also a high number of large families and tional or social functions. 30% of the homes are estimated to be over-crowded. Little Ilford is multicultural Levels of crime and ASB have reduced and one of the most ethnically diverse in recent years and are below Newham’s neighbourhoods in . The pro- levels. However, local stakeholders have portion of residents born outside of the UK mentioned specific issues around drug is higher than in the rest of the borough consumption and dealing, as well as pros- and almost half of the population don’t titution along Romford Road. have English as a main language.

Little Ilford has particular issues around Health & Wellbeing housing affordability, homelessness, over- Spaces supporting the health and well- crowding adult education and unemploy- being of Little Ilford’s residents are rela- ment. Unemployment rate is not critical tively scarce. There is no GP surgery in but more people are actively seeking work the neighbourhood, the nearest one being in Little Ilford than in Newham. The pro- located more than a 10 minute walk from portion of working age residents is low Jack Cornwell Street in Church Road and and there is a high proportion of residents Romford Road. There is however a local economically inactive. Half of the working pharmacy to the north of the neighbour- age females are currently not in employ- hood. ment. There are opportunities to practice fit- ness and sports with the presence of a Civic & Participation large gym, and multiple sports and fitness Little Ilford is a dense and relatively isolat- classes provided from the different com- ed residential neighbourhood, composed munity centres. Little Ilford Park is a key of a high proportion of young people asset for the neighbourhood, providing and families. Local schools are playing open-access tennis courts and a crick- an important role and have an extend- et pitch along with designated paths for ed extra-curriculum programme of sup- running and walking. However, residents port and community activities. The Jack have mentioned the need for major main- Cornwell Community Centre, managed tenance to be realised on the park. by the Council, is located at the heart of Little Ilford’s residents are overall in a rel- Jack Cornwell Estate and provides varied atively poor health. The proportion of resi- community events, activities and support dents with disabilities and long-term condi- services throughout the year as well as 191 tions is higher in the area than in Newham education, health and third sector. Varied and London. Given the very high levels of organisations and community groups pro- pollution, interventions to improve outdoor vide skills and educational support across air qualities should be a focus, along with the area including Little Ilford Learning improving the quality of public realm. Zone, the Jack Cornwell Community Cen- tre and the Froud Community Centre. Be- yond retail and community uses, uses are Development & Placemaking very limited and Little Ilford is an evening The area is residential in nature, charac- and culture ‘cold-spot’. terised by a mix of post-war residential ty- pologies and Victorian terraces. The Jack Cornwell Local Shopping Parade and im- Environment & Climate mediate surroundings provide a key so- Little Ilford is suffering from poor air quali- cial function as well as an important con- ty. Whilst Little Ilford Park acts as a ‘buffer’ venience retail role in an area otherwise between the North Circular and the resi- lacking access to a larger centre. dential core, levels of pollution and noises are exceeding the threshold values above Little Ilford is somewhat isolated with which adverse effects on human health Romford Road and the North Circular, are contained. Car ownership is low but dominated by motor traffic, acting as key Little Ilford suffers from the presence of severances. The residential core is com- large roads. posed of a network of streets and public spaces of post-war estate developments. Little Ilford’s residents have a relatively The size of the estate means that it can good access to open spaces. Little Ilford play a significant role in the life of Little Il- Park, and City of London ford and there is an opportunity to rethink Cemetery are very close, but access to how the public realm and routes around these assets is constrained by the pres- the building blocks can be better activated ence of Romford Road and poor / uninvit- and improved. ing pedestrian paths. Within the residential core, Little Ilford contains pockets of green Little Ilford is not expected to experience spaces, which could be better valued. important changes in the next decade. Any changes will likely focus on public Despite the lack of infrastructures, pedes- realm, circulations routes and community trian and cycling movements are relatively and social infrastructure provision. untroubled in the neighbourhood’s core. However, Romford Road and the North Circular are two key severances, making Economy & Work pedestrians and cyclist movement difficult. Little Ilford is not an economic desti- nation and there are just over 160 busi- nesses around the area, employing around 325 people. Most of these busi- nesses do not have a physical presence and includes freelancers or sole-traders, who have registered their businesses at their home address. Local employment sits mainly within the public sector with almost half of the local jobs provided in the 192 AREA CHARACTER

Little Ilford main shopping parade is in Jack Cornwell Street and located at the heart of little Ilford Estate. It is comprised of four units - including a post office, two convenience stores and a betting shop - across the ground floor of a five storey residential block.

Little Ilford is residential in nature. It is located to the north- The area is characterised a mix of post-war residential ty- east of the borough and near to Ilford in the London Bor- pologies including maisonettes and tower blocks. It is ser- ough of Redbridge. viced by a mix of access streets and pedestrian walkways.

The Jack Cornwell Community Centre is located opposite Warrior Square is well used by the local residents. It pro- the shopping parade and hosts a number of activities and vides a play space, basketball pitch and an open green support services for both children and adults along with a space. However, its infrastructures need better mainte- community café, large hall, and meeting rooms for hire. nance.

193 BEHAVIOUR PATTERNS & THE IMPACT OF COVID

Through the survey realised in the middle Datastore1, after the first Lockdown, Rom- of the pandemic, 85% of the respondents ford Road seems to recover slowly back to mentioned that they visit their high street at similar and even higher spend levels they least once a week. People identify as their had before the beginning of the pandem- high street mostly Church Road (61%), ic, in terms of both retail and eating. For Romford Road (50%), and last Jack Corn- Church Road, only retail spend is avail- well Street (39%), which is actually de- able, and given its convenience character, fined as a local shopping parade, but has it does not seem to have been impacted more limited offer. 46% of the respondents as much after the first lockdown. highlighted that the pandemic has forced In certain periods between July and No- them to visit their high street less often. vember 2020, expenditures at local eat- In general, only a quarter of participants eries has increased, slightly exceeding venture out after 5:00 pm (25%). Respon- pre-pandemic levels. This could be be- dents usually walk (86%) or drive (21%) cause people have been working from to their high street, while 11% cycle. How- home over the last year, leading to an in- ever, travel patterns have changed during crease of deliveries from local restaurants the pandemic making respondents to walk and local spent overall. or cycle more. Estimated monthly data2 show that footfall The most popular businesses in Little Il- in Little Ilford East during September 2020 ford among respondents are the grocery has dropped to 94% - 67% of its pre-pan- stores (89%), off licence (39%), food take- demic levels in 2019. aways (25%), restaurants / cafes (25%), and barbers (21%). Respondents also The number of people in Newham claim- make good use of the post office (75%), ing for unemployment benefits has tripled green spaces (64%), cash points (61%), from March to May 2020. This represents community centre (21%), and school 9.5% of the working age population. As of (21%). Finally, respondents tend to trav- March 2021, the claimant rate in Newham el outside of their town centre for services amounts to 11.2% of the borough’s popu- like bars and , bookstores, clothes lation, signifying unemployment challeng- shops, department stores, restaurants es that people in the borough are and will and cafes, GP surgeries, leisure facilities, continue to face because of the covid-19 libraries and cultural events. To access pandemic.3 these services they either travel out of the borough (67%), visit Stratford (63%), (42%), Forest Gate (29%) or Manor Park (20%).

The pandemic had significant impact on footfall and spend in Manor Park, as is the case with many high streets across the country. There are no data for Jack Corn- 1 Source: Anonymised and Aggregated data by Mas- well Street, but only for Romford Road tercard and Church Road. Based on recent data 2 Anonymised and Aggregated data by O2 released by MasterCard through London 3 The Covid Unemployment Tracker, Lukas Kikuchi, Autonomy (https://autonomy.work/portfolio/cvdunemploy- menttracker/#1616755116466-3785e976-ba6d) 194 MASTERCARD SPEND TRANSACTIONS: RETAIL The chart below highlights the Mastercard spend for retail in Romford Road (Little Ilford) and Church Road between April 2019 and April 2021, highlighting the key restrictions imposed by Covid-19, and comparing it to the relevant re- tail spend in the part of Romford Road in Manor Park. What the chart shows is that in Little Ilford, retail spent is quite low comparison to Manor Park, but both Romford Road and Church Road seem to have recovered back to compara- ble pre-covid levels of retail spend, after taking a drop after Lockdown 1 (specifically in Romford Road). (Source: Anonymised and Aggregated data by Mastercard)

Romford Rd, Manor Park

Romford Rd, Little Ilford

Church Road, Little Ilford

MASTERCARD SPEND TRANSACTIONS: EATING The chart below highlights the Mastercard spend for eating in in Romford Road (Little Ilford) between April 2019 and April 2021, highlighting the key restrictions imposed by Covid-19, and comparing it to the relevant spend for eating in the part of Romford Road in Manor Park. What the chart shows is that in terms of eating, in both areas Romford Roa seems to have recovered after Lockdown 1 and return or exceed its pre-covid levels of eating spend. Manor Park has been doing better after Lockdown 1, and is currently still recovering from the impact of Lockdown 3. In Little Ilford, spend at eateries seems to fluctuate a lot more since April 2020, impacted by the various restrictions.However, eating locally seems to have increased compared to precovid era. (Source: Anonymised and Aggregated data by Mastercard)

Romford Rd, Manor Park

Romford Rd, Little Ilford

Church Road, Little Ilford

DAILY FOOTFALL CHANGE (September 2020) September 2020 (change compared to 2019 baseline) The chart belowSeptember shows 2020 the daily(change footfall compared change throughout to 2019 baseline) September 2020, in comparison to pre-pandemic levels in 2019 in the area of Little Ilford East. It showcases footfallChange by day to andvisitors night, by day, highlighting Manor Park that North the drop in average SeptemberSeptemberSeptemberChangeSeptember 2020 to visitors 2020(change 2020 (changeby2020September day, compared (change(change Manor compared 2020 Park tocompared 2019North(change to 2019baseline)compared to compared baseline)2019 baseline) to 2019 to baseline) 2019 baseline) footfall throughout SeptemberSeptember 2020 ranged2020September (change betweenSeptember 2020 September compared94% (change 2020to 140%67% (changeto 2020 of compared2019 normal (change baseline) compared footfall to compared2019 in theto baseline) 2019previous to baseline) 2019 year baseline). SeptemberSeptemberSeptember140%September 2020 2020 September (change2020 (change 2020 compared(changeSeptember compared2020(change (changeSeptember compared to 2020 to 2019 2019 Septembercompared (change baseline) to 2020baseline)compared 2019September (change compared to2020baseline) 2019 (change compared baseline) 2020 to 2019 (change comparedto baseline)to 2019 compared tobaseline) 2019 baseline) baseline)to 2019 baseline) (Source:ChangeChange AnonymisedChange to visitors Changeto to visitors visitorsand Changeby to day,Aggregated visitors byChange Manor today, visitors byby Manor Change Park day,todata visitorsday, by NorthManor Parkby day,Change to O2 visitorsNorth by Manor)Park day,Change to North visitors byParkManor day, to North Parkvisitors ParkbyManor day, North by ParkManorNorth day, North ParkManor North Park North ChangeChangeChange to toChangevisitors visitors visitors toChangeby byvisitors day, day, Littleto Little byChangevisitors byday,Ilford Ilford Little bytoday,EastChange Eastvisitorsday, Ilford Little toChange LittleEastby visitors Ilfordday, to LittleEastChange byvisitorsIlford120% day, Ilford to Littleby Eastvisitors day, EastIlford Little by East day, Ilford Little East Ilford East 140%140% 140% 140% 140% 140% 140% 140% 140% 120%120%120% 120%120% 120% 120% 120% 120% 120%

100% 120%120% 120% 120% 120% 100% 120% 120% 120% 120% 100%100%100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 2019 baseline

% of usual 80% 100%100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% % of usual 80% 80%80%80% 80% 80% 80% 80% 80% 80% 60% % of usual % of usual % of usual % of usual % of usual % of usual % of usual % of usual 80%80% 80% 80% 80% 80% 80% % of usual 80% 80% % of usual % of usual % of usual % of usual % of usual % of usual % of usual % of usual % of usual 60% 60%60%60% 60% 60% 60% 60% 60% 60% 40% 60%60% 60% 60% 60% 40% 60% 60% 60% 60%

40%40%40% 40% 40% 40% 40% 40% 40% 20% 40%40% 40% 40% 40% 20% 40% 40% 40% 40%

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OPPORTUNITIES CHALLENGES

Limited shop variety & offer (32%), low quality and closed shops (3%) in the area Independent local shops in the area are a challenge. People would like to see OFFER (18%) are appreciated. more quality restaurants and cafes (14%) as well as pubs (7%).

People would like to see more culture The existence of a post office (7%), and creative arts in the area (4%), as were mentioned as a positive thing in SERVICES well as health services (4%) and cash the area. points (4%).

People believe there is too much car traf- One of the reasons people visit shops fic in Little Ilford (11%), making the high ACCES in Little Ilford is convenience, as it is street not very pedestrian-friendly (11%). SIBILITY close to their home and easily accessi- Lack of parking (18%) is a big problem, ble (32%). leading to cars parking on the pavement (7%).

People believe that the public realm is PUBLIC People like areas in Little Ilford with not family & child-friendly (7%), and it REALM wide pavements (4%). also lacks infrastructure for cycling (4%) and good wayfinding (4%)

People feel a sense of community (18%) People believe that shops in the area are CHARACTER/ and that they know people in their com- not as affordable (7%), and certain areas munity (18%). Also they appreciate it is PERCEPTIONS can feel overcrowded (4%). quiet (2%).

People believe that the built environ- BUILT ment’s look & feel could improve (4%) ENVIRONMENT to avoid giving the sense of neglect and disinvestment (7%).

Cleanliness is one of the biggest issues in the town centre (36%), as well as pol- CLEANLINESS lution and noise (4%). People highlighted issues of flytipping (4%) to be common in the area.

People mentioned they feel unsafe especially at night. This is due to crime in SAFETY the area (18%) and ASB (7%), especially along Romford Road.

196 Based on the engagement & research, we have summarised the key challenges:

ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT Cleanliness and fly tipping in the There is a limited offer allowing area are big challenges. Pollution people to spend more time in the and noise from car traffic especially area, such as restaurants, cafes, along Romford Road & Little Ilford pubs, or cultural and community Ln are significant. People high- activities – especially for children – lighted the need for more greenery, and people would like to see more better use of Little Ilford Park, traffic of that offer closer to home. management and dealing with litter. HEALTH & WELLBEING PUBLIC REALM & PLACEMAKING People feel unsafe in Little Ilford, People find the public realm not especially along Romford Rd, due very family and children friendly. to ASB and crime. Feelings of They highlighted the need for more unsafety, low quality public realm, safety from traffic, better signage lack of positive social activities and and wayfinding, as well as more health services in the area can cycling infrastructure. have a significant impact on peo- DEVELOPMENT & NEW USES ple’s wellbeing. People are concerned about CIVIC & PARTICIPATION a sense of neglect in the area, such as uncared empty shops, Little Ilford is home to Jack Corn- or unmaintained public spaces. well Centre, which provides a wide People welcome new uses in the range of community activities and area, such as quality restaurants, has spaces for hire. It could be cafes, pubs, cultural events, health further activated, utilised for regular services, and cash points. activities throughout the day and better connected to Warrior Square. ECONOMY & WORK

As town centres reopen, vacant TRANSPORT & ACCESSIBILITY shops might increase and busi- nesses will continue to face diffi- Little Ilford’s public connections are culties imposed by Covid-19. The mostly by bus, and while pedestrian higher levels of children & young & cycling movements are relatively people in the area highlights the untroubled in its core, better con- need for supporting their upbring- nections to surrounding areas are ing, skill development, and future needed to overcome barriers such employment opportunities. as Romford Road & North Circular.

To address the challenges in Little Ilford, people’s aspirations during the engagement focused on the following themes: Environment & Climate, Health & Wellbeing, and Economy & Work. The plan highlights the need to manage traffic better, improve levels of cleanliness and safety, enhance the public realm, have a diversified offer and support young people.

197 FROM A VISION FOR LITTLE ILFORD TO A PLAN recommendations challenges recovery pillars

A Improve Air Quality, Manage car traffic & Prioritise Active Travel by pillars 5 & 6 connecting to local destinations

B Activate and connect neglected green areas on and around the high street and improve people’s pillars 5 & 6 mental & physical health

C Improve the look and feel and support better experiences while walking along pillar 5 Jack Cornwell Street

D Galvanise officers, residents and businesses to improve cleanliness pillar 4 & 5 and minimise pollution in Little Ilford

E Activate specific civic buildings & open spaces to encourage civic partici- pillars 2 & 5 pation, pride, and community activities

F Develop programmes that focus on dealing with issues of crime and ASB pillars 2 & 4 and help empower vulnerable people in the area

198 projects implementation difficulty people’s favourites

• Managing traffic on Little Ilford Lane

• Safe Romford Road Crossings

• North-South safe cycling connection

• Ilford Garden Junction*

• Jack Cornwell Street Pocket Parks

• Cemetery Manor Park Entrance

• Warrior Square & Play Area Redesign

• Bright Alleyway

• Warrior Square Streets

• Evening Lights

• Welcome to Jack Cornwell Street

• Litter Heroes

• Church Road Improvements

• Little Ilford Park

• Jack Cornwell Community Centre

• *

• Increase Safety on Romford Road

• Children-safe Routes to School

• Training & Upskilling Programmes

* In bold are the most popular ideas. With asterisk are ideas that are already happening in the area and support the plan. 199 N town centre boundary (based on the Local Plan) 400m catchment area 0 100m

B6

A4

F16

A2 ROMFORD ROAD A3

C8

GRANTHAM ROAD

A1

B7

C8

NORTH CIRCULAR ROAD E14

B5 B5 C10 JACK CORNWELL STREET B5

E15

LITTLE ILFORD LANE

DERSINGHAM AVENUE

C7

A3 E13

E12

GAINSBOROUGH AVENUE

CHURCH ROAD

200 RECOMMENDATION A STRATEGIC DELIVERY PLAN & MAP A1 Manage Traffic & Enable Active Travel TheA2 following Junction Redesignpages outline the strategic delivery plan for Little Ilford’s local shopping A3 Manor Park Cycles parade. Each recommendation is presented along with the projects that will help fulfill it. A4 Safe Romford Road Crossings

RECOMMENDATION B B5 Greening Manor Park HowB6 toManor read Park the Community plan? Garden RECOMMENDATION A The project ideas presented have different levelsA1 of Manage information Traffic dependingon Little Ilford on Lane their com- RECOMMENDATION C plexity and priority. In general you will find the followingA2 Safe Romfordtype of information:Road Crossings C7 Colours of Manor Park A3 North-South Cycling Connection • projectC8 Evening title & Lights description • project’sA4 Ilford impactGarden Impact Junction and value creation. C9 Welcome to Manor Park • quick information on the type of project, its • map(project with the already project underway locations in & collaborationquotes C10 Local Branding with Redbridge as part of the the Mayor’s prioritisation, and connection to other ideas from the engagement C11 Walk & Talk Air Quality Fund) • resourcesC12 Stop &that Rest will be needed to make it • first steps towards the project’s kick-start happen in terms of people, time & money RECOMMENDATIONand delivery B RECOMMENDATION D B5 Jack Cornwell Street Pocket Parks D13 Community Cafe & Arts Space B6 Cemetery Manor Park Entrance HowD14 will Manor we Parkuse Librarythe strategic delivery plan forB7 Little Warrior Ilford? Square & Play Area Redesign D15 Free Wifi Hotspots We hope that the plan will be the beginning of a collaboration between different stake- RECOMMENDATION C holders,RECOMMENDATION from the council, E local businesses, groups, organisations and residents. C7 Bright Alleyway E16 Sunday Market C8 Warrior Square Streets E17 Business Shopfront Improvement Guide C9 Evening Lights E18 Evening Pop-Up Looking at the Map C10 Welcome to Jack Cornwell Street

RECOMMENDATION F RECOMMENDATION A RECOMMENDATION D F19 Litter Heroes A1 Manage Traffic on Little Ilford Lane D11 Litter Heroes A2 Safe Romford Road Crossings RECOMMENDATION G A3 North-South Cycling Connection RECOMMENDATION E G20 Playground A4 Ilford Garden Junction E12 Church Road Improvements G21 Sunday Play Street (project already underway in collaboration E13 Little Ilford Park with Redbridge as part of the the Mayor’s E14 Jack Cornwell Community Centre RECOMMENDATION H Air Quality Fund) E15 Victoria Cross Pub H22 Increase Safety on Romford Road (planning permission approved) RECOMMENDATIONH23 Children-safe RoutesB to School B5 Jack Cornwell Street Pocket Parks RECOMMENDATION F B6 Cemetery Manor Park Entrance F16 Increase Safety on Romford Road B7 Warrior Square & Play Area Redesign F17 Children-safe routes to School

RECOMMENDATION C C7 Bright Alleyway C8 Warrior Square Streets C9 Evening Lights C10 Welcome to Jack Cornwell Street

RECOMMENDATION D D11 Litter Heroes

RECOMMENDATION E E12located Church on the Roadmap Improvementshigh street-wide idea or location to be defined E13 Little Ilford Park 201 E14 Jack Cornwell Community Centre E15 Victoria Cross Pub (planning permission approved)

RECOMMENDATION F F16 Increase Safety on Romford Road

F17 Children-safe routes to School located on the map high street-wide idea or location to be defined

located on the map high street-wide idea or location to be defined A Improve Air Quality, Manage car traffic & Prioritise Active Travel by connecting to local destinations

RESPONDING TO CHALLENGES: SUPPORTING RECOVERY PILLARS: 5 6

Environment Transport & High streets that We will quicken & Climate Accessibility support healthier the greening of happy communities our economy

PROJECTS • Manage traffic on Little Ilford Lane • North-South safe cycling connection • Safe Romford Road Crossings • Ilford Garden Junction

202 MANAGE TRAFFIC ON LITTLE ILFORD LANE

DESCRIPTION

Commission a traffic and parking study to investigate feasible ways to manage traffic on Little Ilford Lane, avoid congestion, and prioritise pedestrians and cyclists. The study should consider:

• Traffic calming interventions, including • Reduce the incoming traffic from the A406 speed bumps and lowering speed limits and the Browning Bridge closure, to help from 30 mph to 20 mph. improve local air quality.

• Improve pedestrian crossing along Little Ilford Lane.

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transport & accessibility project

25% of the participants in Little Ilford support this idea

Connected with ideas: Safe Romford Road Crossings, Children-safe routes to school 203 NORTH-SOUTH SAFE CYCLING CONNECTION

DESCRIPTION

Turn Walton Road into a safe cycling route, connecting Jack Cornwell Street with the City London Cemetery on the North, Little Ilford Park on the South, and even leading to East Ham station and town centre within a 10 minute cycle. Supporting cycling in Little Ilford will help connect to other public transport modes in the wider area, giving residents more mobility options and enabling active travel.

To support this idea, consider using better signage to connect to the existing cycling network, dedicated cycling lane, as well as incorporate residential secure storage on residential side streets, based on demand.

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transport & accessibility project

46% of the participants in Little Ilford support this idea

Connected with ideas: Manage Traffic on little Ilford Lane, Cemetery Manor Park Entrance 204 SAFE ROMFORD ROAD CROSSINGS Make crossing Romford Road safer for pedestrians, and specifically children walking or cycling to school.

• Incorporate traffic calming measures and • Use colour and signage to highlight these safe zebra or pelecan crossings on other crossings and make them more appealing. intersections of Romford Rd, especially as • Incorporate more light & greenery to make they relate to schools and students walking the crossings more appealing and safer for to and from home after school. pedetrians.

ILFORD GARDEN JUNCTION The Ilford Garden Junction scheme is a project taking place on the junction under the A406 fly-over. It has £1 million fromthe Mayor’s Air Quality Fund and further funding from the Mayor of London and TfL’s Liveable Neighbourhoods programme.

The project will create a green gateway between Redbridge and Newham to revamp the junction under the A406 fly-over. The project aims to vastly improve the area, with exten- sive landscaping, lighting and new walking and cycling opportunities. The transformed junction will provide a safe and accessible route to Ilford Town Centre, the upgraded Crossrail station, bus services and the nearby high quality green open space alongside the for residents and businesses. It will also highly improve the entrace to Newham and Little Ilford from Redbridge. You can read more about it here.

205 B Activate and connect neglected green areas on and around the high street and improve people’s mental & physical health

RESPONDING TO CHALLENGES: SUPPORTING RECOVERY PILLARS: 5 6

Environment Health & High streets We will & Climate Wellbeing that support healthier quicken the green- happy communities ing of our economy

PROJECTS • Jack Cornwell Street Pocket Parks • Cemetery Manor Park Entrance • Warrior Square & Play Area Redesign

206 JACK CORNWELL STREET POCKET PARKS

DESCRIPTION

Along Jack Cornwell Street and in surrounding housing estates, there are green spaces that are uncared for. Activate these green spaces and introduce more trees & greenery. • Introduce more trees and plants along Jack • Develop a local stewardship programme to Cornwell Street. help support with the mainentance and care of the gardens. • Identify plots of grass owned by the council (e.g around residential estates), that can be • Create training and intership programmes for used for gardening and urban agriculture. young people around different aspects of the gardening. • Activate these spaces through creative light- ing, painting and seating solutions.

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public realm project

18% of the participants in Little Ilford support this idea

Connected with ideas: Warrior Square & Play Area, Jack Cornwell Community Centre 207 WARRIOR SQUARE & PLAY AREA REDESIGN Warrior Square, and specifically its playground is highly used by families in Little Ilford, but it needs more care, improvements, and maintenance.

• Redesign Warrior Square to incorporate • Work with local families to co-design the more trees, seating, and lighting. improvements needed for the playground and pitch, such as softer material, new play • Activate the square through temporary infrastructure, grass and trees. events and activities organised by the Jack Cornwell Centre, such as exercise activities, clubs, etc.

CEMETERY MANOR PARK ENTRANCE Little Ilford is close to some great green spaces and parks. Manor Park Cemetery on the north of Romford Road is one of them and is owned by the City of London. Unfortunately, access to the park is not good and the alleyway leading to the park’s entrance needs more maintenance and brightening up to make it safer and more appealing.

Work with City of London to brighten up the alleyway connecting Little Ilford to the cem- etery with better lighting and artwork to enourage more active use by residents.

208 C Improve the look and feel and support better experiences while walking along Jack Cornwell Street

RESPONDING TO CHALLENGES: SUPPORTING RECOVERY PILLARS: 5

Public Realm Development High streets that & Placemaking & New uses support healthier happy communities

PROJECTS • Bright Alleyway • Warrior Square Streets • Evening Lights • Welcome to Jack Cornwell Street

209 BRIGHT ALLEYWAY Brighten up the alleyway connecting Jack Cornwell Street with Parkhurst Road with paint, greenery and lighting.

Consider it as a pass through for cyclists that connects the north-south cycling route. Consider a paving uplift of the alleyways with colourful floor vinyls.

WARRIOR SQUARE STREETS Improve the connections to Warrior Square from Jack Cornwell Street by realising im- provements on Warrior Square Streets.

• Introduce signage and public realm im- • Work with local schools and enforcement to provements that will help create better improve safety in Little Ilford Park and War- connections from Jack Cornwell Street to rior Street by pedestrianising these streets the playground and pitch. and introducing more trees, paint, lighting and seating.

210 EVENING LIGHTS Improve lighting in darker corners of Jack Cornwell Street to increase safety during the evening.

• Incorporate creative lighting, such as hang- • Work with enforcement officers and resi- ing lights or lights on trees, which are timed dents to identify and implement in areas and light up at twilight. of the town centre that attract loitering and ASB.

WELCOME TO JACK CORNWELL STREET Create a welcoming entrance to Jack Cornwell Street from Dersingham Avenue, high- lighting the local shopping parade and its community focus.

Combine the sign with other placemaking interventions, such as plants, colour and better light to create a sense of place for the neighborhood.

211 D Galvanise officers, residents and businesses to improve cleanliness and minimise pollution in Little Ilford

RESPONDING TO CHALLENGES: SUPPORTING RECOVERY PILLARS: 4 5

Environment Public Realm Ensure residents High streets & Climate & Placemaking are healthy enough that support healthier to have more happy communities rewarding engagement with the economy

PROJECTS • Little Heroes

212 LITTER HEROES

DESCRIPTION

• Improve cleanliness of Jack Cornwell Street and surrounding area.

• Work with Enforcement Officers to investi- • Work in collaboration with local shop-keep- gate solutions and challenges around dealing ers to support this project and keep the with litter and flytipping on Jack Cornwell areas in fornt of their businesses tidy. Street and across local housing estates. • Consider changing the bin collection rota to • Build a local #LitterHeroes network of people weekly and re-introduce free bulky waste to help keep the neighbourhood clean. collections. • Work with volunteers to organise local clean ups.

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non-spatial programme

7% of the participants in Little Ilford support this idea

Connected with ideas: Bright Alleyway, Little Ilford Park, Church Road Improvements 213 E Activate specific civic buildings & open spaces to encourage civic participation, pride, and community activities

RESPONDING TO CHALLENGES: SUPPORTING RECOVERY PILLARS: 2 5

Civic & Leisure & Support High streets Participation Entertainment every resident that support healthier under 25 happy communities

PROJECTS • Little Ilford Park • Church Road Improvements • Jack Cornwell Community Centre • Victoria Cross Pub

214 LITTLE ILFORD PARK

DESCRIPTION

Realise significant improvements to Little Ilford Park to make it more welcoming and safer for the local community. • Improve the park’s infrastructure, such as • Improve Barrington Fields to allow more use footpaths, seating areas, toilets / changing from families and schools. rooms. Work with local residents to identify • Create physical exercise programmes for additional needs. all ages to activate the park and encourage • Introduce signage in and around the park to positive social activities. highlight entrances, guide visitors and make • Work with enforcement to identify ways to the park more welcoming. discourage crime and ASB. • Improve lighting and safety of the park on the surrounding streets to discourage ASB.

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public realm project

46% of the participants in Little Ilford support this idea

Connected with ideas: Jack Cornwell Pocket Parks, Warrior Square & Play Area Redesign 215 JACK CORNWELL COMMUNITY CENTRE

DESCRIPTION

Realise improvements on Jack Cornwell Community Centre’s building and expand its community use and cultural offer. Placemaking & Building Activation: • Use the community centre for arts & culture • Create a better-defined entrance to the cen- projects, educational programmes & SEND. tre through placemaking and signage, for • Create a model that allows for the centre to example through a mural by young people be activated by residents with activities & to activate part of the building’s facade. events at least 30-50% of the time. Proposed • Create more windows to allow for some of activities can be a shared library or library of the activity inside to be visible from the street. things, events with local residents, learning opportunities or a co-learning space. Uses & Cultural Offer: • Create an extended outdoors area for the • Provide the community cafe to be used for centre’s cafe with seating & light. cooking lessons between residents.

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space activation project

14% of the participants in Little Ilford support this idea

Connected with ideas: Jack Cornwell Pocket Parks, Warrior Square & Play area Redesign 216 CHURCH ROAD IMPROVEMENTS Improve Church Road’s public realm by introducing more lighting, greenery, colour, and signage to support local shops. This will improve people’s experience while walking dow the road for their everyday shopping.

Also consider improving signage and creating better wayfinding connections in the area between Romford Road, Jack Cornwell Street, and Church Road.

VICTORIA CROSS PUB There is a lack of quality evening establishments in Little Ilford, such as a local pub or family restaurant. Victoria Cross Pub on Jack Cornwell Street, has been closed since 2014. The pub sits empty across the estate, and the adjacent empty parking lot attracts blight. The redevelopment of this pub could potentially improve Jack Cornwell Street and create a sense of place. Currently, it seems there is a proposed redevelopment for the site by a private owner to provide a pub on the ground floor with residential units on top.

217 F Develop programmes that focus on dealing with issues of crime and ASB and help empower vulnerable people in the area

RESPONDING TO CHALLENGES: SUPPORTING RECOVERY PILLARS: 2 4

Health & Economy Support Ensure residents are Wellbeing & Work every resident healthy enough to under 25 have more rewarding engagement with the economy

PROJECTS • Increase safety on Romford Road • Children-safe routes to school • Training & Upskilling Programmes

218 INCREASE SAFETY ON ROMFORD ROAD

DESCRIPTION

Romford Road in the area of Little Ilford and towards Redbridge, faces a lot of issues of crime and ASB. Develop programmes and interventions that will help improve levels of safety along Romford Road:

• Different council departments to work • Increase lighting and ‘eyes on the steet’ together and with the voluntary sector and during the evening hours along Romford police, to address issues of crime and ASB Road. along Romford Road. Engage with local • Consider the potential to create a safe businesses along Romford Road to identify space for women in the area. key issues at hand and how to best ad- dress them.

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non-spatial programme

39% of the participants in Little Ilford support this idea

Connected with ideas: Children-safe routes to school,

219 PLAYGROUND

DESCRIPTION

Support children’s and young people’s transit to and from school through active travel (walking or cycling). • Host workshops with local officers and in the public realm through wayfinding tact- schools to identify barriers for students icts, using colour on streets and signage on walking or cycling to school and map poten- lamposts. tial key routes to school with local families • Consider the opportunity to organise local and students. ‘walking school buses’, with parents taking • The proposed Safe Romford Road Cross- turns to take kids to school. In such a case, ings will also help connect the north and support should be provided for the walking south of the area. Make safe routes visible guide’s vetting, road safety training etc.

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non-spatial programme

3% of the participants in Little Ilford support this idea

Connected with ideas: Increase Safety on Romford Road, Manage Traffic on Little Ilford Lane 220 TRAINING & UPSKILLING PROGRAMMES

DESCRIPTION

Little Ilford has a high population of families with children and young people. Ensure that young people in the area have the support they need to develop, upskill and pursue meaningful careers.

• Develop after school literacy programme • Provide training and career support to for children aged 9-12 years old, that helps young people aged 16-25, to explore poten- them practice and boost confidence. The tial and sustainable career paths for them programme could be facilitated at Jack and develop the necessary skills to pursue Cornwell Centre and be modelled after the them. Training sessions can be facilitated literacy pirates programme in Hackney & in Jack Cornwell Centre. A great example Haringey. is the Digilab, social enterprise founded by Seun Oshinaike at Barking Learning Centre.

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non-spatial programme

39% of the participants in Little Ilford survey highlighted the need for ac- tivities for young people & children

Connected with ideas: Jack Cornwell Community Centre, Warrior Square & Play Area 221 WE ARE NEWHAM.