These trees won't be here next Autumn!

The end is nigh for these trees - inbetween Hamlets Way and Treby Street

Enjoy these trees now - because it's the very last time you'll see their glorious colour in Autumn.

They won't be here next year. They're being cut down by Telford Homes as part of the "improvements" to the Eric & Treby Estate (Open Space 6)

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Ennerdale House: Emergency Exit/Access Ignored

Ennerdale House: EMERGENCY EXIT OBSTRUCTED for people living in 90 flats

Telford Homes, its contractors and Site Manager are yet again ignoring the health and safety of local residents.

This photograph show the current obstruction to the EMERGENCY EXIT for people living in 90 flats in Ennerdale House.  In our view, the fences, bins and barriers also obstruct and prevent speedy access to the building by the Emergency Services in the event of an emergency.

This used to be a wide open space in front of a very tall block of 90 flats and 200+ residents.

A link to this blog post will be emailed this afternoon to:

• Health and Safety Executive
• Considerate Contractor Scheme
• Local Fire Brigade
• Local Ambulance Service
• Project Manager, East End Homes
• Owen Whalley, Head of Planning, Tower Hamlets Council
• Development Control, Tower Hamlets Council
• local Councillors

Collectively, Telford Homes, its contractors and Site Manager are being extremely negligent in failing to maintain an adequate emergency exit from Ennerdale House - a tower block of 90 flats and approx. 200+ residents.

Instead the Site Manager and the contractors are placing obstructions in the way of anybody needing to enter or exit this tower block because priority is being given to site traffic movements.

The scope to break left and right easily and quickly on exit is obstructed and prevented by high screens.  The opportunity to move forwards and away from the building is obstructed by refuse bins and large barriers.  It's a dangerous environment in the event of an emergency occurring in the building and a lot of residents needing or wishing to leave.

In addition, all of the above obstructions impede access to the building by the local Fire Brigade and other emergency services.

Telford Homes have a documented track record in completely failing to make adequate provision for emergency exits for residents and access by emergency access.  See 

• Telford Homes's Traffic Access Plan for Mile End
• Telford Homes ignore Emergency Access requirements
• Access to Eric Street flats improves but NOT resolved

What we want to see happen

The urgent and immediate priority is to make sure people are safe.

Telford Homes needs to ensure that:

• there are no obstructions in the area of the emergency exit which might lead to delayed access or exit and injuries or worse to residents if there was an accident or serious fire or other emergency requiring people in any or all of the 90 flats to leave Ennerdale House this afternoon
• there are no obstructions in the area of the entrance to the building which prevent speedy access by emergency services in the event of an emergency

We have asked ALL the above organisations and individuals listed at the top of this post to do whatever they can to ensure that a SAFE environment is in place ASAP for all the residents of Ennerdale House.  We will report back on how they respond.

UPDATE:

Response from Tower Hamlets Council - Development Control 27th October 2011

This would appear to me to not be a planning related matter and may be best resolved by speaking directly with Telfords or taking it up with the Health and Safety Executive.

It appears that Tower Hamlets Planning is saying, in effect, that it has no absolutely no interest in making it a planning condition or implementing any other action that requires contractors to keep emergency exits clear at all times during the course of a development on a housing estate.  


Will it take a nasty accident to establish that this is a very blinkered approach to the safety of local residents?


Response from Telford Project Manager - REFUSAL to speak to MERA about this matter


Response from Councillors - none to date


Response from Health and Safety Executive - none to date


Response from Considerate Contractor Scheme - none to date

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Rubbish problems continue for Eric/Treby & Bow Trinity

Last week these were the problems with waste management and street cleanliness on and around EastendHomes' Eric and Treby Estate - which in turn surrounds the new Bow Trinity development.

The following were reported by Mile End Residents Association to Fix My Street this week.

Rubbish bins overflowing outside Ennerdale House

AGAIN!

• Rubbish overflowing and flytipping outside Ennerdale House 
• Rubbish overflowing and flytipping in Hamlets Way
• Rubbish overflowing and flytipping near to the"Let it Today" flat rental agency on corner of Hamlets Way and Burdett Road.

We shall continue to post about the waste management problems in this area until there are no problems to post about!

The role of EastendHomes

EastendHomes are responsible for making sure that, in relation to ALL estate properties, there are never any unsightly problems with overflowing rubbish bins on the Eric & Treby Estate and rubbish being left on the streets or pavements because:

• there are enough rubbish bins of an appropriate type 
• the bins are situated in a place which means they do not spoil the appearance of people's homes (eg in a bin store) 
• the frequency of collection is adequate for the avoidance of any unsightly mess
• tenants and leaseholders are educated as to what is recycling rubbish and what is normal rubbish and how/where to dispose of larger items
• they monitor the state of the bins and the streets and take appropriate action

MERA has seen very little evidence of the above to date - although there have been some efforts to educate people about recycling.

The role of Tower Hamlets Council 

This is how the reporting process works:

• ANYBODY can contact the Council however they choose to notify problem with non-collection of waste or the state of the streets due to overflowing waste bins and/or flytipping
• MERA reports all problems via FixMyStreet we find as this provides online documentation of the reported problem and whether/when it is fixed
• Tower Hamlets Council (LBTH) is notified by Fix My Street straight after being contacted by MERA.  
• LBTH then contact Veolia - the waste management contractors whose job it is to get the rubbish cleared within the standards laid down by the contract.  
• LBTH must meet standards for waste management - The Council is also responsible for ensuring that the contractor meets the contract standards.

In the right hand column we've got a new section - WASTE MANAGEMENT AND STREET CARE relating to the contact points for 

• FixMyStreet
• Tower Hamlets Waste Management and Street Cleansing

If you'd like to try using FixMyStreet for yourself and would like some guidance get in touch with MERA (see side panel) and we'll show you how you can report dumped rubbish on the street online.  However you do need your own access to the Internet to do this.

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Why fly tipping on Eric & Treby is unhealthy and hazardous

MERA is very hot on reporting fly tipping in the Mile End area and in particular on the Eric and Treby Estate (which includes Bow Trinity) where it gets very bad at times.  

We report dumped rubbish by using the website FixMyStreet.  We've found that this tends to produce the fastest and most effective response by the waste collection contractors employed by Tower Hamlets Council.  That could be because the response is monitored on a website which is accessible to all and where the complaint gets updated as to whether or not it's been fixed - for all to see!

Primary problems relating to fly tipping on or near the Eric and Treby Estate are:

• FIRE - dumped and flammable rubbish becomes a magnet for those "little boys" who like to play with matches.  It can potentially cause a very real hazard to people's homes
• RATS - rats and other animals congregate around rubbish which includes dumped food left out in bags

Yesterday we had an example outside Windermere House of why fly tipping is so dangerous if not reported and addressed very promptly.

Large amount of rubbish dumped at the entrance of Windermere House on an EastendHomes Estate in E3.
Yesterday evening Friday) firemen were called to extinguish fire here.

FixMyStreet - Reported in the Refuse collection category by Mile End Residents at 12:07, Saturday 8 October 2011

Prior to this last week we saw some very poor practice in relation to commercial premises at the top end of Eric Street which had every prospect of attracting rats to an area which is adjacent to residential properties and an old people's residential care home.

Pile of dumped rubbish rotting in the sun at 568a Eric Street - between the BT exchange and the betting shop.

Fix My Street - Reported in the Dumped rubbish category by Mile End Residents at 16:58, Monday 3 October 2011

This was fixed by Tuesday morning.

More reports about dumped rubbish and overflowing bins

Other reports on Fix My Street relating to rubbish and reported by MERA include the following.  Note that they have all been fixed!

• Fly tipping Eric Street - Mile End 12:07, 8 Oct 2011
• Refuse at Burdett Rd/Hamlets Way 10:01, 3 Oct 2011
• Yet more rubbish problems in E3 21:55, 29 Aug 2011
• Rubbish problem Treby/Eric Street E3 21:52, 29 Aug 2011
• Moer overflowing bins on Eric & Treby E3 21:48, 29 Aug 2011
• Rubbish Ennerdale House E3 15:48, 29 Aug 2011

If you'd like to try using FixMyStreet for yourself and would like some guidance get in touch with mERA (see side panel) and we'll show you how you can report dumped rubbish on the street online.  You need your own access to the Internet to do this.

It's a Bow Trinity problem too!

We invite Telford Homes and those trying to sell the new private accommodation in Bow Trinity to also help local residents address this problem - because otherwise Bow Trinity will become associated with rampant waste management problems in the area!  It all looks a bit different to their website!

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The Proposed "Eric and Treby Residents Association"

If you live on the Eric, Treby and Brokesley Estate you may have seen this handout (right click to open in a new tab and see a larger image)

Why not come along to a meeting of the residents association?

MERA wishes to make it clear that this is nothing to do with the Mile End Residents Association which up until now has been the ONLY active and effective residents association covering the Eric and Treby Estate - and continues to be the only residents association in the Mile End area which uses proper processes.

Next week, the "Eric and Treby Residents Association" is to hold its first meeting.

MERA has always anticipated that some blocks, streets or estates within the MERA area might want to set up their own residents associations and we have absolutely no problem with that whatsoever. People can of course belong to two associations if they choose.

We initially thought the intention of this new association was to do the same sort of things as MERA had to do when our residents association was set up over two years ago.

In fact, the MERA Chair has been helping out by advising on the proper processes required to set up a new Residents Association. Although it might seem longwinded, it is ESSENTIAL for any residents association trying to be openly democratic, representative and accountable to the people it aims to serve to:

• give people adequate notice of meetings (normally about two weeks)
• ask for nominations for officers

However it rather looks as if the Eric andTreby RA wants to get started fast and

• has called the first meeting with less than a week's notice
• elected its officers BEFORE announcing its existence to residents of the Estate and calling for nominations

Having said that we wish the new association well in making progress towards becoming a proper and representative organisation, We know only too well that starting an effective new residents association takes a lot of hard work and lots of time and effort on the part of those involved.

Setting up the new association

Meeting: This meeting will be held on Wednesday 28 September 2011 at 5 Wager Street, off Bow Common Lane starting at 6pm.

Notification of residents: We understand that all EastendHomes residents will be notified by a leaflet drop which started to arrive on Saturday.

Status and Independence of the RA in relation to EastendHomes (EEH): One question that people have been asking us is how independent this new residents association will be given the nature of the relationship between EEH and the new RA.

• Will the new RA be dependent on EEH for financial help and other support?
• Will it be wholly independent of EEH or will it become part of their formal framework for engagement with tenants?
• Will it stand up for the rights of all local residents - including challenging the actions of EEH as and when required?

Note in particular that EastendHomes have provided the group with a suggested draft constitution.

• CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE CONSTITUTION RECOMMENDED BY EASTENDHOMES.
• You might like to compare it to the Constitution of Local Boards see the EastendHomes website
• Ask yourselves also where does this leave the Mile End Estate Management Board.
• Do all revisions to the Constitution need to be agreed with EEH? (see wording "in negotiation with EastendHomes (the landlord)")
• Note that
• EEH has been trying to rationalise its liaison and dialogue with other EastendHomes Estates' Residents associations in order to reduce the level of officer time spent at their meetings.
• EEH now wants one framework and everybody working to the same rules - and also recognises that it needs to address the problems experienced in relation to the Eric and Treby Estate - as highlighted by MERA!

• We suggest you have a good read and bring your feedback to the meeting.

Please also note that the proposed constitution is very DIFFERENT to the constitution of the Mile End Residents Association which was

• written after we researched best practice employed elsewhere
• was made available on the MERA website for two weeks prior to the first AGM
• was (and is) made available on request to anybody who wanted a paper copy
• approved by local residents after formal consultation.

The role of the Mile End Residents Association

For the record, and in case of any doubt, the Mile End Residents Association (MERA) is wholly independent of East End Homes. We were created because of actions relating to the redevelopment of the Estate by EEH but we do not exist solely because of EEH.

• MERA will remain independent for the foreseeable future - which means, if necessary, we are able to voice your concerns and challenge what EEH does or proposes to do as our funding and existence are in no way dependent on EEH
• MERA will represent the interests of ALL the people living in the MERA area to the best of our ability - including ALL the people who live on the Eric, Treby and Brokesley Estate. Our members will continue to be our members.
• MERA will always focus on ALL matters affecting the quality of life of people living in the MERA area. We do NOT limit our activities or interests to those of a social housing landlord. So if you are concerned about housing matters (irrespective of who your landlord is), the rubbish, anti-social behaviour, green space in the area, the education of your kids and any other local services then MERA is always interested to hear from you. We will endeavour to help you or provide you with the information as to the individual or organisation best able to help you. Our experience in the past has been that this is NOT the organisation set up as the nominal representative of tenants of the Estate ie the Mile End Estate Management Board.
• MERA will raise concerns about matters relating to Eastendhomes and their contractors which are seen or thought to have a negative repercussions for any local residents in the way we see fit - and not the way EEH would like us to - eg through the Mile End Estate Management Board which has failed to act in a credible manner to address issues which needed prompt action. If, after trying to get action at a local level, we get no satisfaction and MERA wants to raise matters direct with Council Officers, Councillors, MPs, local newspapers etc then that is what we will continue to do. One of the reasons being that it's very fast and very effective - and that means we make things happen!

The successes we have had - as documented on our website and this blog - speak for themselves.

Just a reminder of what it says at the top of the right hand column of this blog.

MERA's activities include:

• emphasising quality of life issues relating to Mile End Residents
• scrutiny of all regeneration and development in Mile End and affecting Mile End - in particular matters relating to planning and licensing
• scrutiny of anything/everything which affects the look and wellbeing and safety of the place we live in: social housing performance, waste management, local green / open spaces, health and safety issues associated with street and traffic management and crime reduction issues and initiatives associated with safe neighbourhoods.
• campaigning on all matters which have an adverse impact on the safety and residential amenity of our neighbourhood in Mile End.
• promoting the positive aspects of and activities within Mile End eg community events for people living in our area.

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Serious public disorder in Mile End and Stepney Green

Yesterday evening - after the demonstrations in Whitechapel and Aldgate - there was a considerable amount of public disorder between Stepney Green Station and Mile End Station. This was due to a coach of EDL members stopping on the Mile End Road at Stepney Green - very close to the Mile End Mosque.  The coach was subsequently attacked by those in the area - presumably because they felt threatened.  

Serious public disorder involving riot police continued  into Mile End Park with "hundreds" of young men being chased. Some of them were subsequently detained by Police.  Mile End Road was also closed for a period of time and all travel was seriously disrupted.

The scene at Mile End on 3rd September - the road is closed

It perhaps goes without saying that such serious disorder and the noises associated with it (lots of loud police sirens etc) so soon after the riots was extremely frightening for some local residents living in Mile End and Stepney even if others were less bothered by it.

If this public disorder was preventable then somebody needs to do a very good job of explaining to people living locally why this did not happen - and apologise.  

Both Police, community leaders and stewards did a very good job earlier in the day of containing the worst excesses of the hotheads.  So what went wrong? The whole point of swamping the borough with Police was to contain public disorder - and, at the end of the day, that now appears to have been unsuccessful.

Were Police and community leaders caught off guard by the actions of the EDL and what happened in the early evening?  Did the tensions of the day boil over - and might that have been better anticipated?  Could the chances of the EDL getting close to a mosque and offending the sensitivities of those who attend it have been better prevented?

Facts are a little garbled still.  Below is a narrative of what we think happened based on personal observations and studying different accounts.  The following narrative includes tweets and observations by

• the Metropolitan Police Public Disorder Group 
• reporters Mark Townsend, the Home Affairs Editor for the Observer ) and Paraic O'Brien (BBC) - who had been following events all day
• and local residents.
• Updates include links to BBC reports of the incident and the photoreport via Demotix - EDL coach attacked near mosque - London

You can see more more photos and videos on the post on our MERA website Mile End Park - Saturday 3rd September 

[Update - this is the BBC report on the incident English Defence League coach attacked in east London (04.09.11) which confirms a lot of what is indicated below]

What happened?

• an EDL coach (coaches?) was allowed to travel along the Mile End Road (or the Police failed to prevent it).  According to the Police a coach carrying EDL members 'broke down' outside Stepney Green Tube Station [UPDATE:  the breakdown occurred two doors from the Mile End Mosque, right opposite the Ocean Estate 

CO11MetPolice Metropolitan Police
A coach broke down outside #Stepney Green Tube Stn. Police have now moved the passengers out of Tower Hamlets #mileend #towerhamlets

• we understand a second EDL coach (or the same coach?) stopped outside or near to the Mile End Mosque a little further up the road at 241-243 Mile End Road and EDL members got out  (or the Mosque was considered to be a target and under threat from EDL members by the Bengali youth living locally - due to its proximity to the coach and EDL members?) [UPDATE - same coach - see above]
• all those present on the coach (coaches?) were subsequently arrested.  According to the BBC 44 people from the coach were held on suspicion of violent disorder.
• the presence of the EDL coach actually IN TOWER HAMLETS and very near to a mosque incensed local Bengali youths and very many assembled in the area (this is within the context of a day where "they shall not pass" had become the chant of the day to those opposed to the EDL ie the EDL had only got as far as the boundary of Tower Hamlets) 
• SEE VIDEO of the situation it created - video by BBC reporter @paraicobrien
• see Demotix - EDL coach attacked near mosque - London for pictures of what happened 
• and this video of the transfer of EDL supporters from coach to TFL red double decker]
• we understand that 
• the coach was initially protected by a line of police
• however a tense situation boiled over and became nasty.  The coach was attacked and missiles were hurled by those present in the area and three windows were broken.  It eventually left the area, escorted by Police Riot Vans
• a line of riot police formed a barricade outside the Co-Op at Stepney Green 
• more riot police lined up across the road between Queen Mary College and the Ocean Estate (a large housing estate) - SEE VIDEO of the situation it created - video by BBC reporter @paraicobrien

paraicobrien Paraic O'Brien #edl bus being attacked in Tower Hamlets. Large no.s police. Turning nasty 

paraicobrien Paraic O'Brien Getting v tense here. Asian youths in scuffles with lots of police yfrog.us/j3do6yz 

paraicobrien Paraic O'Brien #edl coach stalls on mile end rd. Some passengers get out. A fight with youth. 100s then arrive. smash windows. 100s police arrive. calmish 

paraicobrien About 25 riot vans and hundreds of police trying to get #edl bus along mile end road #edl yfrog.com/0aps6z

paraicobrien Paraic O'Brien Shafiur Rahman, Islamic Forum Europe: allowing #edl bus thru Tower Hamlets was security boo boo that could have resulted in major incident 

Police vans in Burdett Road - next to Mile End Park

• Mark Townsend, the Home Affairs Editor for the Observer reports that hundreds of Bengali youths subsequently ran along Burdett Road and through Mile End Park and were chased by Riot Police with shields and batons.  Local residents also observed this and tweeted the same message.  Youths were forcibly detained.  It's unclear whether any were arrested.  Four youths were seen on the ground and under heavy restraint by the police.  
• The following are tweets by a local resident who photographed what he could see.  Hamlets Way goes through the middle of the MERA area and is a densely populated residential area full of families - the Eric and Treby Estate.

Five vans just went down Hamlets Way off Burdett Road. 20 police still holding group in #mileend park. Tense. (photograph)c_Dangerfield 

@c_dangerfield
 Too dark to photograph but suddenly about 100 policemen in #mileend park, searching detainees with torches. Lots of standing around too.

• Travel was also severely disrupted
• Mile End Road was closed at the junction with Burdett Road
• buses were diverted.  Passengers also had to leave buses and were left to walk along the pavement without advice as to what was happening
• Mile End Tube Station was closed
• west-bound traffic came to a virtual standstill on the Mile End Road
• a very large number of police vans repeatedly screamed down Mile End Road - on the wrong side of the road - causing considerable alarm amongst both the local community and the car drivers so soon after the riots elsewhere in London.
• very many drivers turned their cars round quickly as they began to realise they were driving into an area of serious public disorder
• a helicopter maintained a presence over the area for about two hours

CO11MetPolice Metropolitan Police All passengers from the coach have been arrested. #uafeastend #uaf #towerhamlets #edl

CO11MetPolice Metropolitan Police There are no EDL members outside Mile End mosque. Those from the coach have been removed from the borough of Tower Hamlets #uafeastend #uaf

Questions which need an answer

We would like a full explanation from ALL the relevant authorities and leaders of ALL the reasons for the public disorder which occurred in our area and which upset our local community in Mile End.

Our questions all stem from:

• one basic fact:  Mile End is a residential area with a lot of families and children
• two basic questions:  
• Why did significant public disorder requiring riot police in full gear occur in this area? 
• How might it have been prevented?

Below are a number of specific questions which we would like to see answered

1. Why were coaches carrying EDL members ever allowed to move along the Whitechapel / Mile End Road - a road on which there are two mosques - and which the EDL had been prevented from entering by the Police earlier in the day?
2. Why were the police not escorting the EDL coach along a road which was NOT used as a route for today's demonstrations and which did NOT have any mosques?
3. Why was public disorder allowed to occur at all?  Especially when this was so predictable if EDL members ever came into close/provocative contact with members of the local Islamic community?  (ie the potential for public disorder was the reason why the ban on marches was granted by the Home Secretary)
4. Why were Mile End Road and Mile End Underground Station closed?
5. Why was no public safety advice offered to pedestrians, those asked to leave buses and those in cars moving towards the area of the public disorder?
6. Why were vans of riot police parked in Burdett Road immediately adjacent to the area we represent - which is an area of largely family housing?
7. Specifically in relation to Mile End Park - and within the context of how matters were handled earlier in the day
• why were hundreds of Bengali youths running in the park?
• why were police with riot shields and truncheons/batons chasing and detaining them?
8. What mistakes were made that led to this serious public disorder? Would this have happened if a police escort had escorted the EDL visitors out of the borough and ensured that the EDL coach had taken a different route?
9. Could what happened been prevented from happening?
10. What actions will now be taken to prevent it from ever happening again?

Can we also suggest that, the next time EDL or any similar group (or opposition group) wants to demonstrate in Tower Hamlets, they are required to assemble for their static demonstration and exercise of free speech outside Tower Hamlets Town Hall at Clove Crescent.  This is an appropriate location (well away from local residential communities and mosques), which is close to good transport links and has facilities for parking coaches.  Let the politicians take the strain next time!


No groups wishing to demonstrate in this type of provocative context should ever be allowed to move through residential areas in Tower Hamlets again.   


The right to free speech does not include the right to terrorise local communities.


(Note: Thanks to c_dangerfield for the use of his photographs)

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Eric & Treby: Telford Drivers breach law yet again

It is against the law to use a mobile phone while driving ANY vehicle.  Nevertheless the drivers employed by Telford Homes appear to think they are exempt from the law and other construction/health and safety regulations which prevents them driving within the Eric and Treby Estate without paying due care and attention to other road users and pedestrians - and observing the law!

Telford Homes Driver on mobile phone
in front of Ennerdale House - a high traffic area
while driving a JCB 535 125 Telescopic Handler and moving supplies
around the Eric and Treby Estate

Recently residents witnessed the Return of dangerous vehicle manoeuvres by Telford Homes - which also involved the driver of this yellow vehicle performing dangerous manouvres on the public highway (Hamlets Way).

Telford Homes driver photographed driving while using a mobile phone
at 9.28am on Friday 20th May 2011

The vehicle in question is a JCB 535 125 Telescopic Handler supplied by B&T Plant Hire

B&T Planthire Ltd, Surrey (Head Office). 71-75 Amenity Way (off Garth Road) Morden, Surrey SM4 4AX
Tel: 020 8335 3477 Fax: 020 8330 1330
E-mail: sales@bandtplanthire.co.uk


B&T Planthire Ltd, Kent. Thames Side Terminal, Salt Lane, Cliffe, Kent, ME3 7TA
Tel: 01634 221 496 Fax: 01634 222 539


All machines comply fully with HSE Regulations.

It was driven by a driver wearing a Telford Homes jacket who was not complying fully with all relevant HSE regulations.

A link to this post and the previous post about poor driving on the Eric & Treby Estate is now going to be sent to

• Tower Hamlets Council Planning Enforcement 
• the Health and Safety Executive 
• the Considerate Contractor Scheme, 
• B&T Plant Hire, 
• the Project Manager for East End Homes and 
• the corporate head office of Telford Homes - as clearly the project manager for Telford Homes is not doing his job properly
• local ward Councillors who are on the East End Homes Board - Councillor Rachael Saunders and Councillor Motin Uz-Zaman 

It is OUTRAGEOUS AND UNLAWFUL for ANY driver of ANY PLANT to drive at ANY TIME on public highways or in any highway area used by the public in a dangerous manner or without due care and attention and which breaches relevant traffic safety law and ALL regulations relating to construction sites and health and safety.  

• There can be no exceptions.  
• This is a densely populated housing estate with lots of small children.

The next time we see this happen we will also report Telford Homes and the driver to the Metropolitan Police.

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Return of dangerous vehicle manoeuvres by Telford Homes

Today we will be writing, yet again, to the Enforcement section of Tower Hamlets Planning Department - because, yet again, we are seeing very poor driving behaviour by the drivers of construction vehicles on the roads of the Eric & Treby Estate.

In the past we have had cause to highlight numerous offences by the drivers employed by the Telford Homes contractors.  There is a Traffic Access Plan and a Construction Management Plan which govern what should happen on in terms of how vehicles move around the Estate.  When this is ignored by drivers we will report offences.

U turn by a yellow construction vehicle in Hamlets Way

A member of our residents association yesterday rang us to report having seen a very large and very yellow construction vehicle (which has been working on the various constructions sites) doing a speedy U turn at the junction of Hamlets Way and Eric Street just before 4pm when the children are coming home from school.  There was no banksman in sight.

This is NOT permitted as part of the Traffic Access Plan.  It's a risky manoeuvre for an ordinary car at that time of day never mind a vehicle which is three times the size of a car.

It's time to get the cameras out again.  Next time we will be reporting the vehicle and its registration plate to the Police for dangerous driving.

If you see a construction vehicle doing something dangerous, get the registration plate details, take a photo and telephone us on 07932 626340 with details of what you saw.  We will then report it to the Planning Department, the Police and the Considerate Contractor Scheme as appropriate

Let's keep the roads safe for the children

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Eric Street Residents host Royal Wedding Party

Tania and the ladies from Eric Street are hosting a "Bring and Share" food party to celebrate the Royal Wedding on Friday 29th April.

All neighbours living on the Eric & Treby Estate are welcome to attend.

The party starts at 1.00pm and will continue until 6.00pm.  The venue is the Recipe Tree Garden in Eric Street.

The residents of Eric Street have been holding street parties for local residents in Eric Street for many years.

There are flyers around the Estate with details of the event and Tania's phone number if you need more details.  Basically the idea behind a "bring and share" party is that people attending the party need to bring some food to share with other party goers.

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Look at the mess AFTER the rubbish collection!

The Ennerdale Rubbish Saga continues.

BELOW This was the situation on Sunday 9th January 2010.

Sunday 9th January - overflowing waste bins and large items left out for collection

BELOW This was the situation on this morning AFTER the rubbish had been collected.

Not enough bins means overflowing bins and an unsightly mess - which is made even worse by Veolia!

This is what was left after Veolia had emptied the bins.
Not nice and a very long way from an acceptable standard of service delivery!

Residents and visitors walk right past here on entering and leaving Ennerdale House.  This standard of service delivery is hugely disrespectful of the people who live in the building.

We're also very unclear as how this complies with the Tidy Street standards required for rubbish collection by Veolia?

After all the reason why there is a lot of mess is on the floor is because an inadequate number of bins have been provided and/or the the collection is not frequent enough for the bins provided.

So why don't Veolia just start collecting every day until they work out how often the collection needs to be for the bins provided?

We're currently wondering whether EastendHomes or Telford Homes have worked out how many extra paladins are going to be required when residents have to stop using the chute because the Veolia truck cannot access the skip at the rear.

If this is the sort of mess which is going to be created then we're now thinking that  a temporary structure is required to keep all of the bins completely out of sight during the construction period.

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Ennerdale House - the rubbish problem continues

After a period of improvement the Ennerdale House rubbish situation takes a nose dive.

On the up side the recycle bins are all "non contaminated".

However with no further space in the general bins how long will this last?

Sat 8th Jan 2011 09.40 

Two months plus and counting........

It's fair to say that the residents of Ennerdale House have been doing their bit. Now the additional non-recycling bins have been provided the rubbish which can't be recycled is being put in those bins and only the recycling rubbish is going in the purple bins

Which rather proves the point that it was the absence of adequate rubbish collection facilities and adequate communication which has been causing the problme - NOT the residents.

However - the the numbers of non-recycling bins are still inadequate and/or the frequency of the collection needs to be increased because unsightly rubbish spilling out of bins is still occurring.

All 3 general waste bins are full to overflowing

These and other discarded rubbish is in full view of residents of visitors to Ennerdale House

Sat 8th Jan 2011 09.40

Another report to Fix My Street has been made!

MERA's complaint about this problem was first reported to the Council on 31st October 2010 after Telford Homes blocked off the access to the rubbish skip at the rear of Ennerdale House without any prior notice or communication with the residents.

Two months later the problem is still as bad as ever.  There is no solution and, whichever way you count the number of days, it's very clear to us that this problem is in the final stages of the complaints process prior to moving on to the Local Government Ombudsman

It is totally unsatisfactory that the problems with the collection / storage and disposal of residents rubbish - within the context of the regeneration scheme - should take so long to be resolved.

Links to previous posts about the Ennerdale waste management problem

• Ennerdale Rubbish Problem - it's better BUT it's not a solution
• Ennerdale House Rubbish Problem: Day 54
• Ennerdale rubbish problem: DAY 53 and counting......
• Ennerdale House Rubbish problem continues
• Veolia needs to clean up its act in Mile End
• Tower Hamlets Council: 20 days to clear waste management problem!
• Ennerdale House: refuse collection update
• Ennerdale Rufuse Mess due to Telford Homes & EastendHomes

Implications for the planning condition relating to waste collection

Monday is the final day for consultation on the planning condition relating to the revised waste collection arrangements.  MERA will be detailing all the problems which have occurred to date with the temporary arrangements and why reliance on the proposed method of collection cannot be supported.

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Access to Eric Street flats improves but NOT resolved

Telford Homes have tried to "resolve" the problems with emergency access which MERA identified in relation to access to the flats on Eric Street whose front doors are at the rear.

 See Telford Homes ignore Emergency Access requirements.

They removed part of the railings!

BEFORE the limited access prevents the use of an ambulance trolley
It also creates a pinch point for residents trying to exit quickly in the event of an emergency

AFTER the railing has been removed.

However The access on the left is still less than the width of one paving slab

The width of the access to the flat is still less than the width of a paving slab.  
So what was the problem with moving the hoarding to the left?

Now - for some more questions:

• If there's a fire and the flammable painted hoarding catches fire - how does that work in terms of the health and safety of the residents trying to leave their flats for their own safekeeping?
• Does the width left for access comply with the amount of space required to facilitate disabled access for residents and their friends and family - or is Telford Homes ignoring disabled people?

Residents can be assured that they at least have access to a verifiable public record of the extent to which Telford Homes have demonstrated the level of their concern about protecting residents' health and safety and the access of disabled people.

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Ennerdale House suffers power cut in the middle of a blizzard

Yet again the residents of the 90 flats in Ennerdale House have suffered the repercussions of yet another power cut.  This knocked out:

• the lifts (for everybody)
• the central heating (for everybody)
• the hot water (for everybody)

All of this from early this morning - right the way through the blizzard and the bitterly cold temperatures of Saturday 18th December.

Ennerdale House :

barely visible in the Blizzard 

at 1pm on 18.12.10.

EDF were called by Lene Milaa the MERA Secretary at 8.30am and turned up as promised by 12.00 to sort out the Phase which had "blown a fuse" or whatever caused the power cut.

In the meantime Mark Taylor, the MERA Chair - now a veteran of the power cut scenario  and the problems is causes for heating and hot water in the block - turned his attention to the fact that the pump would need to be restarted to get the hot water back on.  

As it was a Saturday morning Mark Taylor approached Bernie Cameron, Chair of the Mile End Estate Management Board for help.  Fortunately he was able to contact the people who fix the pumps and the hot water was coming back for some flats by the middle of the afternoon - although the lifts were still not working and neither was the heating.

More updates later.

[UPDATE:  Everything was up and running by 15.00. Lift - Water pumps etc - heating took till about 17.00 to build itself up to reasonable strength]

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Demolition - the movie (aka Telford Homes breaches planning conditions yet again!)

I don't think we need to explain this one too much.  Telford Homes plc are obliged to use appropriate controls to keep dust on the Eric & Treby Construction/Regeneration Site to a minimum

We don't see any controls at all.  Do you?

So that's another email from MERA to:

• Andy Osbourne - the EastendHomes Project Manager
• Jen Taylor and Okey Nkoka at LBTH Environmental Health (re environmental / health and safety concerns)
• Richard Murrell and Thomas Doyle at LBTH Planning (re breach of planning conditions) 
• Paul Hems at the HSE (re quality control of the site from health and safety perspective)
• Edward Hardy at the Considerate Contractor Scheme. (re a complaint about this site)
• Mile End East ward councillors - who are also members of EastendHomes Board - whose duty is to look after the interests of local residents

It will contain a link to this blog post and YouTube video.

Keep an eye on the new Flickr set in which we will be putting all the photos we take of breaches of planning conditions on site 15.

Tomorrow - the story of the demolition of site 10.  Finally the contractors realise they've been photographed for the last two weeks.........

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Veolia needs to clean up its act in Mile End

Mile End Residents Association is making a point of reporting all uncollected rubbish which is on the street and visible AND all bulk containers which are overflowing with rubbish.

We report all uncollected rubbish and overflowing contaoners to FixMyStreet because:

• it creates a public record for all to see and
• enables people to pinpoint the location on a map and attach a photo of the rubbish (or other problem in the street)
• enables us to monitor just how long it takes to get a problem fixed
• enables us to monitor whether the overall level of service is improving or declining

The situation on waste collection is not improving and recent events would suggest the quality of service delivered is actually declining.
 

Veolia in Mile End

Veolia Environmental Services has the contract to collect domestic rubbish, trade rubbish, recycling rubbish and to clean the streets in Tower Hamlets

The target for refuse collection is 88 per 100,000. It should be noted that 80% of the properties in Tower Hamlets are high-rise and serviced by bulk containers. Each bulk container if missed is counted as five missed collections in our calculations agreed with the Council.

Veolia

Performance in collecting bulk containers reported on the Veolia website relates to 2007!!!

Tower Hamlets Council Waste Management Service has the responsibility for monitoring Veolia's performance and exercising quality controls over the way in which the Veolia contract is executed.

Thus when as local residents we find rubbish is not being collected, this is a joint responsibility of both Veolia and Tower Hamlets Council's Waste Management service.

This is the current map of recent incidents reported to FixMyStreet.

Places where MERA and local residents have reported rubbish problems

This is just the rubbish problems!  As you can see quite a few have still not been reported as being fixed.

• Ongoing Ennerdale Hse refuse neglect
• Overfull recycling bins
• Overloaded and contaminated recycle bin - end of Treby St.
• Green Sofa dumped by household
• Incompetent site management by Eastendhomes contractors resulting in H&S issues
• Access to recycle bins and general waste bins denied by developers
• Recycle bin - overflowing 36-66 Eric Street (fixed)
• Overflowing bin on Wager Street E3
• E3 Mile End - yet more overflowing bins
• Derwent House - overflowing recycle bin
• Recycle bins overflowing & fly tipping
• Over flowing recycle bin (fixed)
• Al fresco bedroom - take 2 (fixed)
• More over flowing recycle bins (fixed)
• More over flowing recycle bins (fixed)
• Yet more fly tipping on Treby Street E3 (fixed)
• Fly tipping on Treby Street E3 (fixed)
• Overflowing bins (repeat offender) (fixed)
• Overflowing recycle bins (fixed)
• Recycle bin overflowing and fly tipping (fixed)
• Overflowing bins and fly tipping (fixed)
• Advance warning - another recycle bin problem (fixed)
• Yet another overflowing recycle bin on Eric Estate E3 (fixed)
• Another recycling bin in Eric Street (fixed)
• Overflowing recycle bins (fixed)
• Door left on street (fixed)

Feedback to Veolia

You can tell Veolia what you think of their service

We welcome your feedback on the services we offer. Please contact us on the number below for assistance. Call: 020 7812 5000

Veolia

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Another report to the Health and Safety Executive

Yet again MERA are about to report Telford Homes to:

• the Health and Safety Executive (construction sites)
• Tower Hamlets Council Planning Enforcement Team 
• Tower Hamlets Environmental Health Team

This is because they still have totally inadequate controls over the movement of construction traffic on EastendHomes' Eric & Treby Estate.

UNSAFE!!!  MERA is still finding far too many examples of trucks breaching health and safety rules by moving in ways which they are not allowed to do according to the Traffic Management Plan for the Eric & Treby development.  They do NOT have appropriate safety precautions in place - such as the use of banksmen for all reversing procedures on streets - most especially at times when kids are going to and coming home from school.

Here is a video of a truck reversing the whole length of Eric Street - without a banksmen anywhere in sight.

Monday 22nd November 2010: Video of truck reversing from Hamlets Way north up Eric Street

Children are going to school and there is no banksman in sight

and here is a photo of a different truck on the same day doing exactly the same thing in Eric Street coming the other way

Monday 22nd November 2010 (8:05am): Truck reversing without a banksman in Eric Street - north to south
This breaches agreed health and safety rules for this development

We'll also be asking local ward Councillor Rachael Saunders and Councillor Motin Uz-Zaman - who are also Board Members of EastendHomes - what they are doing to make sure the contractors employed by EastendHomes implement the traffic access management plan which has been agreed for the Eric & treby Estate

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Telford Homes ignore Emergency Access requirements

We inspected progress being made in constructing hoarding around Open Space 5 (behind Eric Street) last Saturday.  Below you can see the view of the hoarding being erected beyond the tunnel.

Does anybody managing this project actually understand that:

• all exits and entrances from buildings MUST meet requirements for emergency exits in the event of fire or other emergency
• residents need to be able to get out quickly in the event of a fire - and their exit should surely not involve inflammable or combustible material - like wood hoardings!
• an ambulance needs to be able to get a trolley for somebody in need of an ambulance around this corner.........

Saturday 20th November 2011:  Stakes indicate where hoarding is going to go

The hoarding has now been erected - see below.  

Monday 22nd November 20100: this is supposed to qualify as an emergency exit?

On the right you can see how much room is allowed for an ambulance trolley or residents exiting from a fire.

Interestingly the hoarding for Open Space 5 cannot be found anywhere on the Hoardings Plans.

MERA will now be reporting this hoarding to:

• the Health and Safety Executive (construction sites)
• Tower Hamlets Planning (Development Control and the Enforcement Team)
• Tower Hamlets Environmental Health 
• The Emergency Services

In the meantime we shall be asking (1) our local Councillors who are Board Members of EastendHomes and (2) Telford Homes about the health and safety qualifications of their respective project managers.

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