Leader's update - Friday 18 September 2026

Published: 18 September 2026

Dear neighbours,

I wanted to start this week with some really good news for Redbridge. We’ve secured £7.5 million of government funding to support our modernisation programme.

This is a real vote of confidence in the direction we’re taking. Our modernisation programme is about making sure the council is financially resilient, delivers value for money and, just as importantly, helps us continually improve the services residents rely on. That work is already underway, and this funding will help us go further and faster.

On Wednesday, I was at The London Real Estate Forum, where I joined a panel discussing how we attract the right kind of investment into Redbridge. For me, that means delivering the homes people need alongside the infrastructure and services that make somewhere a great place to live. With London facing a serious housing crisis, getting that balance right matters enormously.

Elsewhere, preparations are continuing for the Broadmead Road Bridge project while we await the Government’s decision on our funding bid. Today, the council met with allotment holders at Horn Lane to explain what the project will mean for them. The site will be needed as part of the construction site, so we will be supporting plot holders to move to another site. We know this is a significant change for those affected, and we’ll continue to work closely with them and the wider community as the project progresses. 

It was also lovely to be invited to the VHP Mandir for Raksha Bandhan celebrations and to spend time with members of the community. I had a really enjoyable day, and it was a great way to begin the build-up to Navratri and Diwali over the coming weeks.

And finally, many of us were excited to see Antiques Roadshow filming in Valentines Park earlier this year. I’m pleased to say we don’t have much longer to wait to see the result, with the episode airing this Sunday at 8pm on BBC One. I’ll certainly be tuning in, and it will be great to see such a historic and much-loved part of our borough showcased to the rest of the country.

Enjoy watching, and have a great weekend.

 

Cllr Kam Rai
Leader of Redbridge Council