A ‘NATURAL community’ must not be divided by new Parliamentary boundaries, residents and politicians insist.
Tory councillors will tonight (Thursday) call on the council to challenge a plan to separate the electorate in Chingford from those in Highams Park.
The Boundary Commission wants to create a new seat by uniting Edmonton, Higham Hill in Walthamstow, and Chingford.
Highams Park and Hale End ward will move into the Walthamstow constituency under the proposal.
Politicians have questioned the logic of the move.
Some claim the democratic process would be damaged as the areas have no traditional links, while others even believe Highams Park and Higham Hill have been confused with each other.
The Tory group has put forward a motion to be discussed at tonight’s meeting of the full council.
It calls on the town hall chief executive to oppose the plans in a letter to the Boundary Commission, and says Highams Park and Chingford form a “distinct natural community” which extends into Hatch Lane and Larkswood wards.
The Commission claims the A406 North Circular road provides a link between Edmonton and Chingford.
But the Tory motion points out that this does not explain the inclusion of Higham Hill, which is south of the road, in favour of Highams Park.
Hale End and Highams Park councillor Darshan Singh Sunger said: “A lot of residents have expressed grave disappointment about the proposals, which will split up the area.
“I don’t see any sense in splitting up the community. Most of the people who live in this ward use services in Chingford, so there is a natural tie.
“I think a mistake has been made somewhere and Higham Hill has been confused with Highams Park.”
Andrew Golds, of the Highams Park Society, said: “We are one community and want to stay as one community.
“It makes no sense to put Hale end and Highams Park in PAGE 5 Walthamstow, anymore than it makes any sense to put Higham Hill into Chingford. There is just no connection.
“We don’t want to be split and then represented by two different MPs of two possible opposing parties.”
Robert Richier, landlord of the Warrant Officer pub in Higham Hill Road and Chairman of Walthamstow branch of the Royal British Legion, is also against the proposal.
He said: “There is a natural boundary that exists between Higham Hill and Chingford, so it makes no sense joining us up.”
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