Woodford has been badly let down by Labour run Redbridge Council with the continued closure of Broadmead Bridge since 2023. The closure of the bridge has created an inconvenience for Woodford residents. It has divided our community, made the surrounding roads less safe through displaced traffic, pushed increased fuel costs onto families and hindered our local economy.
Despite the continuous disruption to our area the Labour Council has failed to deliver a concrete plan to repair, replace or reopen OUR bridge. The Redbridge Council Cabinet has set out its preferred option to replace the bridge, but there is no budget and no timetable for when work will start. Indeed at a public meeting on 30 June 2025 the Council admitted that the bridge could be out of action for as long as 10 years. Such contempt for Woodford is unacceptable.
When it comes to Labour's priorities such as building the Ilford Lido swimming pool, the Ilford climbing wall and the Ilford food market, they are quick to find money. Meanwhile Woodford is neglected even when it comes to such critical infrastructure as Broadmead Bridge. Woodford residents have the right to ask if this bridge had been in Ilford would Labour have allowed it to remain closed for so long?
Woodford Conservatives have consistently pressured the Labour Council to take action to fix Broadmead Bridge. Labour have failed to do this. They have no plan to solve this problem despite having been told about issues with the bridge back in 2014! In February, when the Council set its budget for the coming year, shamefully no provision was made for bridge repairs to provide even a temporary solution to improve access given that they claim replacement will take 10 years. Do they seriously expect us to do without this bridge for a decade? This is unacceptable and cannot be allowed to continue. Residents must show that our area is united so that Redbridge Labour can no longer ignore us.
Standing together we can shame the Council into taking action. So please play your part by completing the Broadmead Bridge survey below