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A Government survey has found that Waltham Forest residents are among the least satisfied with their local area in London (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)
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Original Comment
Techno2 wrote:I take your point. There are good things and I know what you mean about the snootyness of the 'Village' where a coffee and sandwich can can cost more than the West End and some of the Pubs think they are in Chelsea. There is a wide range of food shops around and the ones that are not closed down for hygiene reasons by the council, do produce some good intercontinental fare. There is a certain myth that the Village will 'happen' one day. It has not happened at all but has in my view gradually worsened whilst at the same time see an array of trendy shops opened whilst decay seems to be equally active. The imposing St Mary's Church and Vestry House Museum, contrasts to the decrepit shops with broken glass and filty shop fronts, pseudo 'art' shops, more take aways, inconsistant pubs and restaurants. The crime in and around the village is at times terrifying. The Police still have not found the murderer of the lady in the Church Yard who was found there recently, there is another murderer and rapist on the loose, and countless robberies and assaults. Not the sort of climate to enjoy a latte and pain au raison.
RichieA70 wrote:There are loads of good things about Walthamstow.
C'mon there must be some good things about the area! May I suggest the shops/restaurants/pu bs in Orford Rd, better grafitti & enviro-crime reduction, Orphan sites, Walthamstow Village, a faster and more frequent Vic & Goblin line service in 6mths to 2 years time, loads of great residents, the E17 Arts trail, Farmer & French Market, Manze's pie & mash, Lloyd Pk/Morris Gallery, the EMD & Dog track even though they're shut, Chingford plain....err....help me out someone!?
Many of the things you list though really annoy many residents outside the 'Nob Hill' social ghetto in the village because they are actually just signs of artificial gentrification and the creation of a seperate culture for an inward-looking middle class minority. This seems to live in its own cut-off world and to have lifted a mental drawbridge up where the lives and concerns of the rest of the population is concerned.
What I find most amazing about Walthamstow are food and the wonderful array of people (yes we get the dross of humanity, but we also have some of the most fabulous souls you will ever meet).
The market has declined as well. The remnants of shops like Manzes Pie and Mash, the EMD, and a few othe shops are all that remain now. Stallholders all seam to sell much the same between them.
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A Government survey has found that Waltham Forest residents are among the least satisfied with their local area in London
8:20am Friday 26th June 2009
WALTHAM Forest residents are among the least satisifed with their local area in London, according to a Government survey.
The national survey, carried out by the Communtiies and Local Government department, saw half a million people asked how they felt about their quality of life, council services, and anti-social behaviour.
Waltham Forest came fifth bottom out of the London boroughs,(ahead of Islington, Harrow, Hounslow and Barking & Dagenham) with residents giving an approval rating of just 59.9 per cent.
The top five were Richmond (92.1 per cent), Kensington and Chelsea(86.2 per cent0< Wandsworth (85.7 per cent), City of Westminster (83.4 per cent) and Merton (79.2 per cent).
But is life in Waltham Forest really that bad? We went to Walthamstow town square to ask shoppers there whether they think the area really is that bad.
Tricia Thomas, 30, support worker, of Wood Street, Walthamstow said: " I would say I am not happy, there is high crime rate.
"My husband was attacked in the street by a guy who had mental health issues, and the police just said there was nothing they could do.
"I feel I have been let down by the council, the police are not doing much to control crime.
"I would not go out in the evening alone, because I do not feel safe.
"One way to improve the quality of life is to crack down on crime."
Alexanda Bartlett, 36, of Leyton, said: "Waltham Forest has a large gang population, for example three years ago, six people were killed in Leytonstone.
"The problems in Waltham Forest are; drugs, alcohol-abuse, mental health, unemployment and the lack of respect from youths.
"Residents would be happier if there was an anti-gang culture."
Tony Harris, 34, a road sweeper, of Chingford mount, said: "There is a bad gang culture, I work here everyday (Walthamstow market) and all I see is drunks and nothing is being done about it."
But not everybody is negative about Waltham Forest.
Usmaan Ali, 17, a student, of Wood Street, Walthamstow, said: "I think it's an excellent area, because you can do what you want.
"The only reason people think it's particularly bad is because of crime, but you get crime everywhere."
Seyi Newell, 20, student, of Chingford hatch, said: "I'm quite shocked, I know Waltham Forest is not great, but I though it would not be the worst.
"Maybe people are not happy because of the behaviour of some kids.
"I have friends that live within Waltham Forest and they all seem to be happy, and I know a lot of people that want to move to Waltham Forest.
"I can't think of London in this day and age where crime does not happen."
What do you think? Is Waltham Forest really that bad?
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