As the new year kicks in, residents living in Newham, Tower Hamlets Barking and Dagenham will see several big changes in their boroughs over the next 12 months.
From a ‘state-of-the-art’ £12.8million sports centre in Dagenham to more festivals in Victoria Park and a borough-wide 20mph speed limit, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) has put together a list of the biggest changes coming to these three East London boroughs for 2024.
Newham: Future of London’s ‘cheapest market’ to be decided
In early 2024, Newham Council is expected to decide on its preferred option for the regeneration of Queen’s Market in Upton Park, which is one of the cheapest markets in London.
The council is looking at two key options that would involve ‘retaining and modernising’ the market and the buildings around it.
The first option could see a new health centre, library and community centre built but this would be within the ‘confines’ of current buildings including the market and Hamara Ghar, which provides sheltered housing for Newham’s elderly and vulnerable residents.
The second option also includes a new health centre, library and community centre but this would be built on ‘surrounding land’ while new homes could be built above the market to tackle the council’s housing shortage and temporary accommodation crisis.
However, the regeneration plans have been met with concerns from campaigners from Friends of Queen’s Market because they are worried there is a ‘hidden development plan to pile on tall towers and luxury flats’.
The council previously told the LDRS that Queen’s Market is ‘here to stay’ and is ‘absolutely committed to making it the best it can be’.
Newham: 20mph borough-wide zones
The very first phase of a borough-wide 20mph speed limit is expected to be rolled out in Newham in spring 2024.
Following cabinet approval in 2023, the council is proceeding with plans to introduce a 20mph speed limit on all roads apart from the A13 Newham Way, the A1020 Royal Docks Road, the Lower Lea Crossing and any private streets that aren’t managed by the council.
The council hopes it will reduce traffic accidents and will make roads safer and quieter for residents.
Phase one will see new signs and road markings introduced in areas around the northern part of the borough including Maryland, Stratford, Pudding Mill Lane DLR station, Manor Park and Forest Gate to inform drivers and residents of the changes.
The scheme has been split into five phases and is expected to be completed by 2025.
Tower Hamlets: More major event days coming to Victoria Park
Tower Hamlets Council is increasing the number of major event days as well as the minimum capacity threshold for these events at Victoria Park after it was approved by the cabinet in November 2023.
From June 2024, the park will see the number of event days increase from 10 to 12 and the capacity threshold for these events jump from 5,000 people to 20,000.
Tower Hamlets mayor, Lutfur Rahman said the council had ‘no choice’ but to hire out the park as another way of making money for the borough.
Victoria Park has hosted a number of popular music festivals over the years including Lovebox and All Points East, which saw the likes of Stormzy, The Strokes and Aphex Twin perform earlier this summer.
Mr Rahman said last year: “We have no choice but to explore all opportunities and we are doing this for Victoria Park While we very much want to protect our residents, we want to take advantage of the opportunities that our assets give us.”
However, campaigners from Victoria Park Friends said the plans will have a ‘detrimental’ impact on both park users and residents as major events are ‘noisy’ and will cause ‘significant distress’ to people.
Tower Hamlets: £5m boost planned for waste services
As part of the council’s draft budget which was published in December 2023, Mr Rahman wants to spend £5m on investing back into waste services for 2024/25.
The money plans to be spent on recruiting 72 additional people to work as drivers, sweepers loaders and new vehicles to keep on top of the borough’s waste.
Last year the borough saw huge piles of rotting rubbish spill out onto the streets after refuse workers and street cleaners took part in strike action because of a pay dispute with the council.
Just over a week later a pay deal was negotiated between the council and its workers, who secured an extra £750 as part of their pay deal.
Barking and Dagenham: Free parking extended
Meanwhile in Barking and Dagenham, residents and visitors of the borough will continue to benefit from one-hour free parking in council-owned car parks and on-street locations.
The plans came into force in December 2023 and mean drivers will be able to park at secondary shopping parades at existing and future Pay-by-Phone locations for free for up to one hour.
Labour councillor Syed Ghani, who is cabinet member for enforcement and community safety said: “We know times are hard with the cost of living crisis, so I’m delighted that we’re able to offer this free parking for longer.”
Barking and Dagenham: New £12m sports centre and reopening of old tennis courts
At the end of last year, the borough welcomed a brand new £12.8m sports centre at Parsloes Park in Dagenham.
Named after Barking’s very own World Cup champion, Bobby Moore, the sports centre offers 16 grass pitches, two 3G pitches and a third National League stadia pitch with seating for people who want to watch.
The Bobby Moore Sports Hub also boasts a gym, a fitness studio, a café and meeting rooms for hire as well as there being free parking on the site.
Barking and Dagenham Council’s Labour leader, Darren Rodwell said: “It’s an honour to name the hub after our borough’s very own football legend, Bobby Moore.
“Having grown up in the borough, Parsloes Park was Bobby Moore’s old stomping ground back in the 1950s and it’s brilliant to think future generations of budding talent can use this fantastic, kitted-out space and take steps to follow their own dreams.”
