Save Hackney Marshes

Save Hackney Marshes

Raids, Rationing and Riots

To: Adrian.C.Stannard@btinternet.com

Evening launch event at Vestry House Museum View this email in your browser Raids, Rationing and Riots: Waltham Forest and the Great War Join us for a special late opening to celebrate the launch of Vestry House Museum’s new exhibition 26 September, 7-9pm Raids, Rationing and Riots commemorates the impact of the First World War on the people of Chingford, Walthamstow, Leyton and Leytonstone. Find out why there was a tank parked in the High Street and what caused a riot in Leytonstone. Be among the first to see the exhibition at this special launch event. Enjoy music and refreshments, meet the curator and browse new shop items inspired by the collections. Our learning team will also have information about our new First World War workshops for schools. All welcome, no need to RSVP Interested in how ordinary men and women experienced the Great War? On Sunday 14 September, Stowfest present an afternoon of songs, poetry and readings: Remembrance, Tales from the Trenches. The event is free and starts at 2pm. Find out more.

SLM WEEKLY DIGEST 5-9-14

This is the Weekly Digest of Save Lea Marshes - an open group of local people who care about the marshes and green spaces of the Lea Valley area past, present and future.  As the pressures for more building development grow, we battle to keep our current precious green space for the health of people, wildlife and the planet.  To keep up to date with our work and support us by buying merchandise sold to aid our funds, please visit www.saveleamarshes.org 

I'm going to start this week by highlighting the events where SLM will be this Saturday.  Our target this week is to get people aware of and signed up to the petitions concerning proposed car parks on the marshes - both the Hackney Pavilion and East Marsh.  We will be out with publicity materials and petitions you can sign at the Chatsworth Road Festival from mid-day onwards.  Look out for our Heron design T'shirts.  We will also be having a stall near Abney Park, Stoke Newington Church Street, with T'shirts and books on sale along with information.  SLM representatives will also be at the LVRPA's Walthamstow Site Management Workshop from 1-3 p.m. at the Waterworks Centre, off Lea Bridge Road (buses 48,55,56, stop nearby or you can walk across Hackney Marshes - over the red bridge and follow the signs to the right).  Alternatively, you can sign up on line via the www.change.org website and for Hackney residents go to www.hackney.gov.ukand go to petitions.  Basically we are asking that the building of a new sports pavilion should be on the existing footprint and not include a larger car park and that East Marsh should be returned as agreed post-Olympics, to green football pitch.  There is a letter in this week's "Hackney Gazette" on page 14 headed "So many spaces, too few facilities", by Tim Evans of HMUG (Hackney Marshes Users Group), which echoes our views.
 
Other news and discussions going on this week include:
 
THE TRIANGLE - also referred to as "King Alfred's Triangle" - being fenced off by Network Rail.  There has been further correspondence with planning officers at Waltham Forest as well as Stella Creasy MP and Waltham Forest Councillors, concerning the reasons given by Network Rail, which include: trespassers, illegal campers, dwellers and risks to cabling ..  We hear that the LVRPA are looking in to taking over some of the land on leasing it for public access.  
 
CRANE - as reported last week, a crane used to hoist vessels in and out of the Lee Valley Marina (on a regular basis), ended up in the hedgerow.  Gavin Johnson from the LVRPA has contacted SLM and stated that no nesting birds were damaged.  He also said that the driver would have had an escort, so this seems to have been a very unusual occurrence.  However, we still feel that further investigation needs to be considered.
 
HORSES ON THE MARSHES -  we've received a letter from Natural England, in response to enquiries about horse riders not obeying the rules concerning riding on the SSSI on Walthamstow Marsh.  The letter confirms that "during the winter months and in exceptional wet weather, riders should not be using the route along the SSSI and that this is advertised in a number of places.  Anyone seeing riders stray should inform the LVRPA rangers".
 
CANAL AND RIVER TRUST CONSULTATION - details of a survey carried out by CaRT on shared usage of canal paths reveals that 2,148 people responded to the survey and that there were three stakeholder workshops held.  There will be a full report on Towpath Code and Policy published later this autumn.  The site details information, mostly out of our local area but can be viewed on https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/consultations 
 
EVENTS
 
Hackney Green Drinks on 11 September at the Eastern Curve Garden, Dalston from 7-11 p.m. will be a chance for a first discussion on proposals for a "liveable neighbourhoods Strategy" for the next 10 years.  Sustainable Hackney will then be having a full public meeting on Monday 30 October from 7.30-9.30 at the nearby Arcola Theatre, Dalston.
 
"What I love about the marshes" - SLM's photo exhibition is now at the Vestry Museum, Walthamstow, as part of its continuing tour.
 
Hedge Herbs events:  LETS Forage, led by Transition, Leytonstone and Urban Harvest is responsible foraging talk and walk.  Meet by LVRPA Ice Centre at 2.00 p.m. for a two hour walk ending in a café.  Details from Rasheeqa 07784 506494; Permaculture within diverse communities taster day at The Mill on Saturday 25 October, details from Rasheeqa or go -to http://routesofwholeness.org/2014/07/24/permaculture-within-diverse-communities-taster-day or for a longer term course there is "Self Care with Food and Herbs Introductory Course - 5 Saturdays from 4 October to 1 November - cost includes materials and starter kit.  If you want to book and pay for this go towww.livingmedicine.org/projects/fbook-php?Pid=817   Again, further details from Rasheeqa.
 
Next SLM Meeting will be at 7.00 Monday 8 September at the Prince of Wales pub, Lea Bridge Road.  New people always welcome.
 

The Triangle

Dear Barry Buitakent

Thank you for your email dated 20 August about an area of land that appears to have been fenced off by Network Rail without notice or consultation. I have been unable to find any reference to the name “King Alfred’s Triangle”, but I believe that you were referring to a triangular-shaped piece of land completely surrounded by railway lines. The area of land shown in the attached jpeg. This is in High Street ward in Waltham Forest.

We have spoken to Network Rail and Lee Valley Regional Park Authority about this but have not yet received an explanation of the new fence or whether it is temporary or permanent.  What we have established is that Lee Valley Regional Park is currently in talks with Network Rail about a lease of this area of land to Lee Valley Park with  the intention of adding it to the land they currently own or licence in the area. Lee Valley Park plans to allow public access to the land subject to their rangers being happy that health and safety conditions are met. We are continuing to press Network Rail for an explanation of the reasons for the new fence and will write to you again when we have further information.

Regards

Tobias Newland

Transport Planner

Planning Policy and Regeneration

Waltham Forest Town Hall, Sycamore House (Room G08)

Forest Road
Walthamstow E17 4JF,

Tel: 020 8496 6780

Crane Crash

Dear All,

 

I am writing with an update on the incident last week on Walthamstow Marshes when a crane servicing Springfield Marina went into a ditch.  

 

The crane was used by Lee Valley Marina – Springfield to mobilise vessels in and out of the water and is a fundamental part of the operations at any marina. This type of vehicle is used once every two to three months.

 

Unfortunately, despite an escort being provided to guide the driver, an accident occurred resulting in the crane in a ditch; part of Walthamstow Marshes. We would like to assure people that the driver was unharmed and the area was cordoned off immediately to ensure the safety of passers-by. The safety of the local community and people working within Lee Valley Regional Park is our priority along with the preservation of the surrounding flora and fauna in the area.

 

The damaged area was checked for breeding birds - none of which were found – and no pollutants were recorded. We are currently in contact with Natural England and the Environment Agency who are satisfied that the situation is in hand.

 

To recover the vehicle a minimal amount of the surrounding fencing and shrubbery was necessary to remove; however work to reinstate this will begin immediately. The crane was removed over the weekend, and the new fencing will be in place within two weeks - if not sooner.

 

We would like to apologise for any inconvenience, which may have been caused and assure the local community that this situation is being dealt with as quickly as possible.

 

 

Best wishes

 

Gavin

 

Gavin Johnson - South Ranger
Parklands and VenuesDirect line: 020 8988 7565

 

Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
Myddleton House,Bullscross, Enfield, Middlesex EN2 9 HG
Telephone:01992717711 Fax:01992719937

Access closed by Network Rail

c: Briggs Hannah <Hannah.Briggs@networkrail.co.uk>, Belcher Adrian <Adrian.Belcher@networkrail.co.uk>

Subject: RE: URGENT REQUEST RE LAND ACCESS CLOSURE BY NETWORK RAIL

Dear Stella

Land Access Closure – Walthamstow Marshes

Thank you for your email below in respect of the above.

Our route crime team took the decision to lock the gates a couple of weeks ago on the ground of trespassers who have been trespassing on the land around the marshes.
Unfortunately we have suffered numerous incidents caused by trespassers which had direct implications on the safe running of the lines. Additionally our mobile operations managers have attended the sites on several occasions and found trespassers, illegal
camping, dwelling on the land and also some illegal activities around the land. Land Sheriffs (our security contractors) attended this site as well on frequent occasions, and found the risk of cable theft and illegal activities being too high and recommended
we close the gates.

As such we would not be comfortable unlocking the gates at this stage. I understand this can be a frustration for some of your constituents, however safety is
our number one priority as such the decision was made to lock the gates and restrict access to our land.

Whilst conducting a fence line walk at this location, we noticed that our newly erected signs on the triangle access had been vandalised. The vandalism consists
of graffiti on all signs, all of which being in black permanent marker and one sign had been ripped down (please see below photographs). These have now been replaced by our land sheriff team (final photograph).

I hope you find the above information useful.

Kind Regards


Fed Hussain
Community Relations Executive
Communications

www.networkrail.co.uk

From:
stellacreasy@gmail.com [mailto:stellacreasy@gmail.com]
On Behalf Of stella creasy

Sent: 25 August 2014 22:59

To: Belcher Adrian; Hussain Fadaia;
cllr.masood.ahmad@walthamforest.gov.uk;
cllr.yemi.osho@walthamforest.gov.uk

Subject: Fwd: URGENT REQUEST RE LAND ACCESS CLOSURE BY NETWORK RAIL


Hello Adrian and Fed,

Please see below for further correspondence on the access to the marshes Network Rail provides and a query one of the local councillors has passed to me- I'd appreciate your help getting them a response to this query that they can share
with Claire.

Masood/Yemi- hope this is helpful,

kind regards

Stella

---------- Forwarded message ----------

From: Cllr Masood Ahmad <Cllr.Masood.Ahmad@walthamforest.gov.uk>

Date: Thu, Aug 21, 2014 at 2:37 PM

Subject: Fwd: URGENT REQUEST RE LAND ACCESS CLOSURE BY NETWORK RAIL

To: Cllr Enquiries <Cllr.Enquiries@walthamforest.gov.uk>, Cllr Mohammed Asghar <Cllr.Mohammad.Asghar@walthamforest.gov.uk>, Cllr Yemi Osho
<Cllr.Yemi.Osho@walthamforest.gov.uk>, Mariam Ifzal <Mariam.Ifzal@walthamforest.gov.uk>

Cc: stella creasy <stella@workingforwalthamstow.org.uk>

Please forward this urgent enquiry to the relevant people for quick response.

Residents need to know what's happening around Marshes. I think enclosed email is quite self explanatory.

Regards

Cllr M Ahmad

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

From: Claire Weiss <claireweiss@hotmail.com>

Date: 20 August 2014 20:02:58 BST

To: cllr masood ahmad <cllr.masood.ahmad@walthamforest.gov.uk>, "cllr.mohammad.asghar@walthamforest.gov.uk"
<cllr.mohammad.asghar@walthamforest.gov.uk>, "cllr.yemi.osho@walthamforest.gov.uk" <cllr.yemi.osho@walthamforest.gov.uk>



Subject: URGENT REQUEST RE LAND ACCESS CLOSURE BY NETWORK RAIL

Dear Waltham Forest Lea Bridge Councillors

This is an urgent request to ask that Waltham Forest Council through yourselves takes steps to contact Network Rail immediately about the locking of an area of land on the Marshes in contravention of its open access
history and character. See the attached photograph.

A number of people from Waltham Forest and the Hackney side of the River Lea have expressed their extreme concern and I have agreed to approach you. I have copied in to this email Cllr Ian Rathbone from Lea Bridge Ward LB Hackney, and I do recommend that there
is some communication about this and other matters between the Councillors of both sides of the River.

You will be aware that I have already contacted you about TfL proposals re Cross Rail, and you will be aware that there has been talk of a tunnel portal on the Marshes in this connection. I suspect that none of this has been properly referred to Waltham Forest
Council let alone residents. This leads to suspicion as to the intentions of Network Rail in closing the access to this land. None of the current TfL proposals should merit the unilateral and immediate closing off of a part of the Marshes without warning or
consultation.

Please would you urgently ascertain from Network Rail what on earth they are doing, and explain to them the nature of this part of our valuable open space.

I hope to hear from you as soon as possible, and will be circulating any news to those interested.

Many thanks,

Claire Weiss

Dear Masood and Stella,

Many thanks for your actions in obtaining this response from Network Rail about their fencing off and locking of a piece of open-access land. I have already shared the response with others who are interested in protecting the Marshes, and a number of issues have arisen.

Firstly, of course the need to ensure the safety of railway lines is totally recognised by everyone I have been in correspondence with. Network Rail obviously have a responsibility for that. People also recognise that formal camping on the Marshes without permission is not allowed nor is taking up residence there. But many of us have had picnics there and spent time on the Marshes under pop-up shelters without feeling the heavy hand of the Land Sheriffs.

However the Network Rail letter alleges that there have been:

• trespassers who have been trespassing on the land around the Marshes
• numerous incidents caused by trespassers that had implications for the railway
• more trespassers
• illegal camping
• dwelling
• illegal activities
risk of cable theft and illegal activities
• graffitti on Network Rail signs and removal of one

I am puzzled by a) the vagueness of this and b) the apparent failure of Network Rail to point to their wider environmental responsibilities and duties of care. The Triangle land, while it is owned by Network Rail, is neither a station nor car park: it is an integral part of the Walthamstow Marshes SSSI. It is a protected wild environment that also offers a unique bit of semi-privacy, and its traditional use for informal enjoyment has been recognised locally for decades. With four mentions of trespassing and three mentions of illegal activities in the letter you might think that Network Rail were on to something important. But somehow they never quite say what's going on. Apart from the attaching of four photographs of graffitteed signs, they have provided no other evidence of the trespassing or illegal activities that they allege, nor have they named examples of what they claim to have found. And while they mention their security company there is no mention of any recourse to, or advice from, the British Transport Police.

I am left wondering to what extent their account can be substantiated. Specifically, I would like to know what they mean about:

• "trespassers who have been trespassing around the Marshes". The wording indicates that that Network Rail is not referring to people climbing onto the railway lines.  I am not aware that it is possible to be a trespasser on the Marshes and would like to know where, precisely, Network Rail regards a person as a 'trespasser around the Marshes'?
• "numerous incidents". How many, in what period of time, and what kind of incidents? What evidence have they collected? Have they reported any criminal activity to the Police? Have they challenged any alleged perpetrators of incidents face-to-face? What records do they keep about this?
• what precisely are the 'illegal activities' other than camping or dwelling?

Next, I believe there may be some wider social implications of this situation:
1. According to reports from local residents, the fencing off and locking of The Triangle appears to have had the possible knock-on effect of causing people's informal enjoyment of the Marshes (and here I mean people engaging in sexual activity) to be spread wider to more open areas and to become more visible. For some local residents this has become undesirable.

2. At the same time, there have been reports that vulnerable people who may have had to resort to a life in the open air were using The Triangle.  Where destruction such as unchecked campfires and the abandoning of rubbish accompanies these situations, of course most people recognise that there needs to be quick action for the sake of the environment. Nevertheless there are agencies with responsibilities for assisting those who sleep rough - and which should have the training and resources to deal with sensitive and harrowing situations. The Network Rail letter gives no indication of awareness of this.

3. According to a report on a social network, some fear has arisen (in the wake of an appalling attack on a woman jogger elsewhere in the Borough) that the Marshes are becoming less safe. This is unfortunate in itself, because nothing breeds fear more than fear itself, but also because I am witnessing an associated growing demonisation of some social groups (for instance homeless people, gay people) that may or may not be involved, and a resort to discriminatory assumptions about what is illegal.

In summary I am afraid that Network Rail, with its rather clumsy approach to the questions, is compounding the issues rather than solving them. Stella and Masood, do you agree that in connection with managing The Triangle land, Network Rail should be encouraged to collaborate with the LVRPA, the Environment Agency, local Councils, not least local residents and Marsh users, and pay more attention to their environmental responsibilities and duties of care, in addition to protecting the safety of the tracks?

Masood, as I have suggested in an earlier email, we desperately need to have a WF Lea Bridge Ward Community Forum  - none has been held since December 2013. Could we join up with other Ward Forums that cover Walthamstow Marsh and Leyton Marsh and invite Network Rail to come? You may be aware that there are parallel questions that need to be put to the Council in Leyton Ward - where large areas of natural habitat have been deliberately cut back and destroyed by the Council in the name of clearing rubbish and deterring unauthorised use. The Marshes are under attack from many angles.
Best regards,

Claire

SLM Photo Exhibition at the Vestry House Museum

Vestry House Museum


Hi all

A quick note to let you know that the SLM photo competition is now hanging at the Vestry House Museum in Walthamstow.

Best wishes

Abi