A SENIOR politician has called for the break up of Redbridge.

Ilford South MP Mike Gapes has suggested that if a referendum was held before the creation of the London Borough of Redbridge in 1964, there would be support on both sides against joining Wanstead and Woodford with Ilford.

In an interview last week, Mr Gapes said: “Perhaps it is time to break up Redbridge and go back to the time before 1964, when Ilford had its own council and decisions about Ilford were taken by councillors from Ilford.”

His sentiments echo the those of some residents who feel there is a north-south divide in the borough.