Plans for the redevelopment of part of the former St Georges Hospital site, submitted by the North-East London NHS, have just been approved last night by Havering Council despite the concerns of local residents.
The plan includes a GP surgery for four doctors; a renal and frailty service relocated from Queens Hospital in central Romford; and an early diagnostic centre for cancer.
The North-East London Foundation Trust argued that healthcare needs in Havering required this new facility, which will will be able to accept at least 15,000 patients by 2023 and 20,000 patients by 2028.
At the meeting local ward Councillor Ray Morgon and Councillor Graham Williamson raised a lot of the same concerns, which related to local fears about noise, traffic, flooding, transport and parking. They were informed that most of these concerns had already been addressed by the report.
But the meeting agreed that one outstanding issue was the fact that only 44 of the 110 parking spaces currently available will remain for public use. The area is also poorly served by public transport. The 193 bus only runs every fifteen minutes, and the only alternative is a long walk from Hornchurch Station.
“We hope to see the facility operational by the early part of 2023,” said Cllr. Morgon, “and we need to look at transport and highways including bus services – including proposals for an area for buses to pull in. The Highways Engineer will be putting in proposals and conditions, as there is scope for further improvement, ensuring good and safe traffic flow and we will be looking at this during the period of development.”
The plans are credible as expansion of services is needed in the area. The Queens Hospital often suffers from overcrowding. But the location and lack of public transport access is a concern that has not been properly addressed; especially when one considers getting elderly or frail relatives to the site.
One hopes that Cllr. Morgon and the London Borough of Havering are able to deliver satisfactory transport solutions both for the site users and the local residents as the development moves forwards.
Picture Credit: Bryden Wood