Leytonstone residents and businesses call for 2012 improvement funding for High Road

3:45pm Tuesday 9th March 2010

By Mhairi Macfarlane

A MASSIVE pot of money to carry out improvements to south Leytonstone ahead of the Olympics will not be spent on the area which needs it most, according to High Street traders and residents.

Waltham Forest Council has been handed £9 million to improve streets, access to the Olympic Park, business, skills and ‘inspire the community ahead of the 2012 games.

But it has emerged that money has not been secured to improve the High Street area of south Leytonstone, which borders Stratford has suffered from a long-term lack of investment.

A total of £1.75 million has been allocated to improve Cann Hall Road and Crownfield Road and while business owners and residents welcome the investment, they say the High Road must be addressed.

Simon Watkinson is the manager of Rivetts motorcycle supplies, which has traded in Leytonstone High Road for 112 years.

But the shop will close on Saturday and the 41-year-old blames a lack of investment in the area.

He said: “It used to be a nice area, but it is horrible now. With the history and heritage of the shop in the area, it is a shame to go.

"Crime is a problem and the area could be improved if it was kept cleaner. I am not surprised they don't have the money for the High Road. But it is too late for us.”

Jina Eze, 39, manager of First Choice Hair in the High Road, said: “They need to invest. They need to tidy it up to make people feel safer.”

The funding was announced by Keith Henshaw, council director of public realm, at Leytonstone Community Council on Monday.

He agreed that the High Road needs investment, saying a bid had gone in for money to improve the Thatched House junction area.

The improvements in Cann Hall Road and Crownfield Road will see roads and pavements re-surfaced, the removal of road-narrowing chicanes, street lights replaced and refurbishing railway bridge areas.

Jane Sterland, of Davies Road, in Leytonstone, told Mr Hanshaw at the meeting: “You are making fantastic improvements to these particular roads and if it goes ahead it will probably be spectacular.

“But it will be futile if people have to go from there through the High Road, which is run down and has a ridiculous one-way system. I wish you well in getting more funding, but that funding needs to be got.”