With the glorious weather this weekend, large numbers of people flocked to Hollow Pond for an afternoon out. Now, I wasn’t one of them, but driving along Whipps Cross Road around 4pm on Sunday I did notice that there were 4, yes 4!!! traffic wardens dishing out parking tickets. While the cars parked along the road weren’t causing any noticable problem, I guess there may have been concerns about ambulances getting through to the hospital. Surely a bit of forethought, maybe putting out police “no parking” cones for example, would be better than sending the vultures out to circle and hit everyone with a fine?

I knew the re-opening of the Blackwall Tunnel ahead of schedule after Sunday’s fire was too good to be true, some loon has decided to park himself on the roof of the 491 Gallery in Leytonstone, prompting the police to close Grove Green Road and the northbound carriageway of the A12!!!

Quite why they needed to close the A12 is unclear – presumably they reckon he could leap onto the road from the roof. Unless he’s a combination of spiderman and Carl Lewis, it seems a bit unlikely. Better safe than sorry I guess

491 Gallery from the A12

Leytonstone Councillors are proposing that a sports cage be built in Church Lane car park in reponse to young people telling them there’s nothing to do in the town. Good idea or bad idea? Respond to the poll in our sidebar or you can submit your comments to the council on their website.

Unfortunately it seems the long awaited and much needed refurb of Leytonstone Underground Station has been delayed. Quote from Leytonstone Labour’s October 2009 Residents’ Report…

As some of you may know Leytonstone Tube Station was due shortly to have a much needed and significant refurbishment programme totalling some £5m plus. What you may not know is that buried within the announcements by the Mayor of London – Boris Johnson – regarding his fare hikes, was an announcement postponing refurbishment works to a number of tube stations including Leytonstone.

The works were due to include the replacement of customer information systems such as the PA system, Help Points and lighting and potentially also some other work to improve the appearance and access of the station.

We intend to write to Boris Johnson, expressing our disappointment at this turn of affairs and seek assurances that this much needed investment into Leytonstone’s well used infrastructure is not lost
indefinitely.

Slightly outside E11, but…

One of the best kept secrets in Chingford is the 2 model train tracks at the back of Ridgeway Park, Peel Close, off Old Church Road, Chingford (just after the Green Man pub near the top of Chingford Mount). Alternative entrances off Endlebury Road and Chingford Avenue, E4.

Every Sunday and Bank Holiday afternoon between 2pm and 5:30pm during the summer (up to the end of September) train rides are available at 50p or £1 depending on the train track in use. During the school summer holidays,
rides are also available on Wednesday afternoons. Private hire events can also be arranged.

The Chingford & District Model Engineering Club, formed in 1945, run the trains, tracks and rides. There is a 1000 foot long 5″ raised level track and a 3000 foot long 7¼” ground level track. The respective rides are 50p and £1 per person per ride.

For further information: see http://www.chingford-model-engineering.com/diary.htm#public for running days or http://www.chingford-model-engineering.com/index.htm for the home page.

This year the Chingford Day at the park on 5th July will be celebrated by the use of both tracks. Something not to be missed!

Many (grand) parents would probably love to take their children along for a lovely Sunday (Bank Holiday) afternoon out, but just don’t know about it.