Havering campaign groups have taken their battle to make the borough’s streets and parks more accessible for disabled people and cyclists to the Ombudsman. 

Better Streets for Havering, in collaboration with Havering Cyclists, escalated the complaint after months of wrangling with Havering Council to remove a range of physical barriers located across the borough. 

The groups sent two letters to the council’s chief executive, Andrew Blake-Herbert, calling for the removal of a range of obstacles in public spaces. 

These included narrow gates, such as that at the Lodge Farm Park Main Road entrance, and locations without dropped kerbs, as between Northolt Way and Morecambe Close, 

Mr Blake-Herbert responded on both occasions, noting reasons including limited Transport for London (TfL) funding as affecting progress. 

Mr Blake-Herbert also said: “Whilst the council will make every effort to ensure that entrances to the borough’s parks and open spaces are fully accessible for all users, it is important that parks are not abused by people with motorbikes, quad bikes or other vehicles.  

“Whilst I do understand the concerns you have raised, any barriers that have been installed have been to seek to avoid anti-social behaviour occurring in parks and ultimately ensure members of the public are safe when using these spaces.” 

Romford Recorder: The groups highlighted the Albany Road entrance to Harrow Lodge Park as one area where improvement is required, noting it is 'physically impossible to access' for 'anyone who cannot dismount from many non-standard cycles'The groups highlighted the Albany Road entrance to Harrow Lodge Park as one area where improvement is required, noting it is 'physically impossible to access' for 'anyone who cannot dismount from many non-standard cycles' (Image: Google)

However, Better Streets for Havering and Havering Cyclists deemed Mr Blake-Herbert's responses to be inadequate, and so, after having their latest complaint rejected by the council, took it to the Local Government Ombudsman. 

A spokesperson for the Ombudsman said it could not confirm whether a complaint had been received, and that it would be undertaking a series of checks before deciding whether to investigate any potential cases. 

Mark Philpotts, co-ordinator for Better Streets for Havering, said: “Other local authorities in the UK are proactively working on eliminating barriers to walking, wheeling and cycling and we think Havering should do so too so that all citizens can participate in community life.  

“We're not asking for immediate change, but we think a programme of work needs to be put into operation along with the staff training we mention. It's not as if the council cannot do it right because we have identified some good practice.” 

A Havering Council spokesperson said: “We’re aware that Better Streets have contacted the Ombudsman and we await the findings.” 

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