On Friday 28th March Jon Cruddas, Member of Parliament for Dagenham and Rainham Incorporating South Hornchurch and Elm Park, took part in a public meeting at the Mardyke Community Centre to discuss the ongoing regeneration project at Orchard Village.
Jon Cruddas MP has been contacted by many people living in Orchard Village who are concerned about how the project is moving forward and the disruption it is causing to residents. Residents have reported that roads, pavements and parking spaces are in a poor condition, that there are not enough car parking spaces on site as it is and there are proposals to build over a car park in the near future, pedestrian walkways are not clearly marked and buses are struggling to get through the roads due to the contractors parking on site. Residents also reported how they felt crime was getting worse on the estate since the development started.
Jon Cruddas MP has raised all of these issues with the London Borough of Havering, Old Ford Housing Association and Wilmot Dixon, the construction company behind the project.
Jon Cruddas MP will also be meeting with the Police Borough Commander for Havering to discuss the level of crime in the area, as well as other agencies.
Jon Cruddas MP said "Residents feel like they are not being listened too. Many of the residents have supported the regeneration project from the start but now feel they have been sidelined. I have raised all the points made at the public meeting with Havering Council, Old Ford and Wilmot Dixon. I hope the companies can find a better way to communicate with residents and resolve the problems raised at the meeting."
As developments proceed we will have further updates via this website.