Residential Streets of Redbridge

Most London streets look a bit like this, but town planners and architects don’t always pay them much attention

A typical street in Goodmayes (and London (and maybe... a town near you?))
Flytipping is one of the council's issues to tackle in the period 2017-2022
There is a visible sense of suspicion between neighbours
DIY security measures are a common sight

First impressions suggest that a sense of care and neighbourliness in these streets has been all but forgotten

Meanwhile, there are signs that the council doesn’t have enough money to look after the public parts of the street properly

hostile signage is the council's only attempt at aesthetic or idealogical intervention in the public parts of the street
fines are a way for the council to generate income in the face of perpetual budget cuts from central government
There is a thriving culture of DIY among homeowners

When you look at the properties themselves, it becomes clear that caring for space is still very much in fashion

 
Renovations and extensions to houses mirror the shifting family units of the occupants
Many front gardens are well looked after (most with hard landscaping)
Personalities, hobbies and religions of residents are on display for the passer-by

but often that line of caring stops as soon as you get to the street…

Does it have to?
error: copyright © Kate McAleer 2020