SOUTH Leytonstone is a forgotten part of Waltham Forest which urgently needs investment, it has been claimed.
Cllr Ed Northover, who will try and win the Leyton & Wanstead seat for the Conservatives at the next election, believes there is a growing divide in Leytonstone, with the area south of the railway bridge severely neglected.
Cllr Northover, who lives in Ranelagh Road, south Leytonstone, is now seeking cross-party support for a business forum in the area to try and boost trade. He cited a number of examples which he believes proves south Leytonstone is missing out.
The E11 Business Improvement District (BID), which sees businesses contribute towards improvements to the area, does not extend south.
He said the area has not been included in the North Olympic Fringe masterplan, which aims to transform areas close to the Olympic Park in the next 25 years.
The newly-lit Christmas lights do not extend to the area and the bridge over High Road stating “Welcome to Leytonstone” is, according to Cllr Northover, a “deliberate psychological barrier” designed to separate the south of Leytonstone from its town centre.
He said: “It is as if the council has decided south Leytonstone is a crime-ridden part of Newham and is not worth bothering with.
“But the area has a lot of potential, it could become a great little shopping area.
“There are lots of university graduates and professional people living here who do not choose to spend their money here, we need to change that.”
Cllr Northover said the mismanagement of regeneration funds by the council has also meant the area has not benefited as it should have done.
He added that the Crossrail link to Maryland station will provide a regeneration opportunity.
Sue Burns, 48, has lived in south Leytonstone all her life.
Mrs Burns, a trustee of the South Leytonstone Area Development Association, said: “I love this area, there are wonderful people trying to do things but it needs money being put into it.”
A private meeting between Cllr Northover, Lib Dem councillors Milton Martin and Keith Rayner will take place next week to discuss the business forum idea.
What do you think? Is south Leytonstone missing out? Leave a comment below.
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