The traffic in and around Redbridge roundabout has certainly become worse. It can sometimes take over 45 minutes for me just to reach the roundabout from my home in Mighell Avenue, which is only 300 meters away.

During rush hours both in the morning and late afternoon/evening traffic is often stationary discharging exhaust fumes into the atmosphere which affect the health of our residents, including children walking in the streets nearby.

Pollution kills 153 people every year in Redbridge, according to a new report. The study, by the Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) and commissioned by London mayor Boris Johnson, estimates that poor air quality is shortening life expectancy across the borough's population, including a representative 41 early deaths in Wanstead and Woodford alone.

Is Boris responsible for making my residents ill?

Is Boris responsible for breathing problems in Redbridge?

Is Boris responsible for the growing health conditions associated with air pollution?

The problem is mainly due to traffic from Redbridge Lane East not being able to safely get onto Redbridge Roundabout as this is the only junction without traffic lights. It can take over 30 minutes to get out of Redbridge Lane East.

A simple and cost effective solution would be to change the existing traffic light phasing so that there is a gap thereby enabling 5 or more cars being able to get onto the roundabout each time the lights change.

Yet, Tfl wrongly claims that there is plenty of time for vehicles in Redbridge Lane East to enter the roundabout. Local drivers who use the roundabout everyday know the truth. Often there is no time even for one vehicle to enter and at most one or two. This creates a serious traffic problem as vehicles cannot get into the roundabout.

Does the mayor care about the residents of Clayhall/Redbridge who voted for him? Redbridge resident’s health is not important to him as it appears he cares more about the traffic on A406.

I am seeking your support to raise awareness and to get a petition to put pressure on the Mayor to act now. Are you willing to sign a petition? If so, send me an email supporting the petition or contact me to sign on a hard copy.

We need to raise awareness of the impact and make Boris listen to our concerns. There has been no action by Tfl for over 18 months.

The local authority can carry out a traffic management study to see if a different traffic plan is possible to reduce the impact around Redbridge roundabout.

Councillor Gurdial Bhamra, Member for Clayhall.

Gurdial.Bhamra@redbridge.gov.uk