London Borough of Redbridge
Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use British English Template:Infobox settlement
The London Borough of Redbridge is a London borough established in 1965.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The borough shares boundaries with the Epping Forest District and the ceremonial county of Essex to the north, with the London Borough of Waltham Forest to the west, the London Borough of Havering to the east, the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham in the south east, and the London Borough of Newham to the south west.
The principal settlements in the borough are Ilford, Wanstead and Woodford.
Etymology
[edit]The name comes from a bridge over the River Roding which was demolished in 1921. The bridge was made of red brick, unlike other bridges in the area made of white stone. The name had first been applied to the Redbridge area and Redbridge tube station was opened in 1947. It was earlier known as Hocklee's Bridge.<ref name=mills>Mills, A., Dictionary of London Place Names, (2001)</ref>
History
[edit]The borough was formed in 1965 under the London Government Act 1963, covering the whole of the former municipal boroughs of Ilford and Wanstead and Woodford, plus smaller areas from the Municipal Borough of Dagenham and Chigwell Urban District, which were included to unite in one borough the Hainault area which had previously straddled Ilford, Dagenham and Chigwell.<ref>Template:Cite vob</ref> The area was transferred from Essex to Greater London to become one of the 32 London Boroughs.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Following a review by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, minor changes were made on 1 April 1994 to the boundary with Barking & Dagenham<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Newham.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Further changes were made on 1 April 1995 to the boundary with Waltham Forest<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Epping Forest District.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> The latter change transferred an area around Grange Hill and Roding Valley tube stations from Essex to Greater London.<ref name=":0" />
Geography
[edit]Parks and open spaces
[edit]Template:See also Redbridge has more than 35 parks, playgrounds and open spaces. These include Hainault Forest Country Park, with 300 acres of countryside including adventure play areas, cafe and petting zoo; Roding Valley Park, a wildlife sanctuary with a range of flora and fauna and woodland areas; Valentines Park, including Valentines Mansion, ornamental gardens, bowling green and outdoor gym; and Claybury Woods and Park, a conservation area that features an ancient area of oak and hornbeam woodland, meadows and wildlife ponds.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Arts and culture
[edit]Valentines Mansion is a Georgian country house and gardens in the grounds of Valentines Park, Ilford.<ref>Template:NHLE</ref>
Kenneth More Theatre in Oakfield Road, Ilford opened in 1975.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Redbridge Museum, which opened in 2000, is situated on the second floor of Redbridge Central Library, Clements Road, Ilford, along with the Redbridge Heritage Centre.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Embassy Cinema is an Art Deco former cinema in Chadwell Heath. It opened in 1934 and closed in 1966, but is currently the focus of a major restoration project.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Libraries
[edit]Redbridge has 11 libraries across the borough. This includes the Redbridge Central Library, in Clements Road, Ilford, which had a major refurbishment in 2012. The libraries offer a number of services including reading clubs, story time sessions, study areas and learning resources. The libraries in Redbridge are operated by Vision Redbridge Culture & Leisure, a Charitable Trust established by Redbridge Council and now operating independently.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Div-col
- Aldersbrook Library
- Fullwell Cross Library
- Gants Hill Library
- Goodmayes Library
- Hainault Library
- Redbridge Central Library (in Ilford town centre)
- Keith Axon Library (in Chadwell Heath)
- Seven Kings Library
- South Woodford Library & Gym
- Wanstead Library
- Woodford Green Library & Gym
Governance
[edit]
The local authority is Redbridge Council, which meets at Redbridge Town Hall (formerly Ilford Town Hall) and has its main offices at the nearby Lynton House.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Greater London representation
[edit]Since 2000, for elections to the London Assembly, the borough forms part of the Havering and Redbridge constituency.
Demographics
[edit]
In 2011 the population of Redbridge was recorded at 278,970.<ref name="2011censusONS">Template:Cite web</ref> In common with the other London boroughs this continues a period of growth; between the 1991 and 2001 censuses the increase was 7.5%<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> with a further rise of 15.3% by 2011.<ref name="2011censusONS" /> Redbridge has the third highest proportion of children and a higher-than-average proportion of older adults while the proportion of working age adults is slightly lower than average.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The population density was last recorded at 4,945 residents per km2 (the London regional density is 5,199, far higher than the England and Wales figure of 371).<ref name="2011censusONS" />
The healthy life expectancy (HLE) at birth for Redbridge residents stands at 65.5 years for males and 62.4 years for females (the England average HLE is 63.4 for males and 64.1 for females).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Redbridge is one of the most ethnically diverse local authority areas in the UK. 34% of respondents to the 2011 census stated that they were born outside the UK and 65.5% identified as belonging to an ethnic group other than white British.<ref name="redbridgeipopulation">Template:Cite web</ref> Redbridge's largest ethnic group is White British (34.5%), followed by Indian (16.4%),<ref name="redbridgeipopulation" /> and Pakistani (Redbridge has the highest proportion of Pakistani residents of any London borough).<ref name="redbridgeipopulation" />
Template:Historical populations
Ethnic and religious change
[edit]In common with many London boroughs, the 2011 census showed notable ethnic and religious population mobility in Redbridge. Ethnic groups whose proportions fell in Redbridge were White British (-23% of the borough's total), Irish (-0.9%), and Caribbean (-0.6%). Ethnic groups whose proportions rose include Pakistani (+4.9%), other Asians (+4.4%), Bangladeshis (+3.9%), and other White (+2.9%). Religious groups whose proportions fell in Redbridge were Christian (-13.9%) and Jews (-2.5%). For Jews this represented a fall of over 50% of their number in some wards. Religious groups whose proportions rose include Muslims (+11.4%) followed by Hindu (+3.6%).<ref name="redbridgeipopulation" />
Ethnicity
[edit]
| Ethnic Group | Year | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 estimations<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 1981 estimations<ref name=":02">Template:Cite book</ref> | 1991 census<ref name=":03">Template:Cite book</ref> | 2001 census<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 2011 census<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 2021 census<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |||||||
| Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | |
| White: Total | – | 96.3% | 199,984 | 88% | 181,134 | 78.3% | 151,587 | 63.5% | 118,646 | 42.6% | 107,974 | 34.9% |
| White: British | – | – | – | – | – | – | 137,097 | 57.5% | 96,253 | 34.5% | 71,844 | 23.2% |
| White: Irish | – | – | – | – | – | – | 5,559 | 2.3% | 3,900 | 1.4% | 3,092 | 1.0% |
| White: Gypsy or Irish Traveller | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 140 | 0.1% | 185 | 0.1% |
| White: Roma | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1,104 | 0.4% |
| White: Other | – | – | – | – | – | – | 8,931 | 3.7% | 18,353 | 6.6% | 31,749 | 10.2% |
| Asian or Asian British: Total | – | – | 19,451 | 8.5% | 37,177 | 16.1% | 61,585 | 25.8% | 116,503 | 41.7% | 146,833 | 47.3% |
| Asian or Asian British: Indian | – | – | 13130 | 24078 | 33,304 | 14.0% | 45,660 | 16.4% | 51,183 | 16.5% | ||
| Asian or Asian British: Pakistani | – | – | 3475 | 6552 | 14,888 | 6.2% | 31,051 | 11.1% | 44,000 | 14.2% | ||
| Asian or Asian British: Bangladeshi | – | – | 702 | 1976 | 4,224 | 1.8% | 16,011 | 5.7% | 31,895 | 10.3% | ||
| Asian or Asian British: Chinese | – | – | 873 | 1574 | 1,962 | 0.8% | 3,000 | 1.1% | 2,918 | 0.9% | ||
| Asian or Asian British: Other Asian | – | – | 1271 | 2997 | 7,207 | 3.0% | 20,781 | 7.4% | 16,837 | 5.4% | ||
| Black or Black British: Total | – | – | 5,877 | 2.6% | 9,863 | 4.2% | 18,112 | 7.6% | 24,845 | 8.8% | 26,096 | 8.4% |
| Black or Black British: African | – | – | 1410 | 2545 | 7,827 | 3.3% | 12,357 | 4.4% | 14,573 | 4.7% | ||
| Black or Black British: Caribbean | – | – | 3372 | 5691 | 9,126 | 3.8% | 9,064 | 3.2% | 8,452 | 2.7% | ||
| Black or Black British: Other Black | – | – | 1095 | 1627 | 1,159 | 0.5% | 3,424 | 1.2% | 3,071 | 1.0% | ||
| Mixed or British Mixed: Total | – | – | – | – | – | – | 5,831 | 4.2% | 11,456 | 4.1% | 12,736 | 4.2% |
| Mixed: White and Black Caribbean | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1,884 | 1.5% | 3,204 | 1.1% | 3,154 | 1.0% |
| Mixed: White and Black African | – | – | – | – | – | – | 742 | 0.8% | 1,692 | 0.6% | 1,717 | 0.6% |
| Mixed: White and Asian | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1,853 | 0.8% | 3,251 | 1.2% | 3,577 | 1.2% |
| Mixed: Other Mixed | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1,352 | 2.5% | 3,309 | 1.2% | 4,288 | 1.4% |
| Other: Total | – | – | 1837 | 3025 | 1,520 | 0.6% | 7,520 | 2.7% | 16,622 | 5.3% | ||
| Other: Arab | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1,551 | 0.6% | 2,263 | 0.7% |
| Other: Any other ethnic group | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1,520 | 0.6% | 5,969 | 2.1% | 14,359 | 4.6% |
| Ethnic minority: Total | – | 3.7% | 27,165 | 11.9% | 50,065 | 21.7% | 87,048 | 36.5% | 160,324 | 57.3% | 202,287 | 65.1% |
| Total | – | 100% | 227,149 | 100% | 231,199 | 100% | 238,635 | 100.00% | 278,970 | 100.00% | 310,261 | 100% |
Religion
[edit]
According to the 2021 Census, the largest religious groupings are Muslims (31.3 per cent), followed by Christians (30.4 per cent), those of no religion (12.6 per cent), Hindus (11.1 per cent) no response (5.7 per cent), Sikhs (5.7 per cent), Jews (2.1 per cent), Buddhists (0.5 per cent) and other religions at (0.7 per cent).
The proportion of Christians residing in Redbridge in 2011 ranked fourth lowest in England and Wales, and 12 per cent below the London average of 48.4%. The number of Muslims in Redbridge has more than doubled since 2001.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
| Religion | 1995 estimates<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
|---|---|---|
| Number | % | |
| Christian | – | – |
| No religion | – | – |
| Muslim | – | – |
| Religion not stated | – | – |
| Hindu | – | – |
| Jewish | 16,000 | 7.1% |
| Sikh | – | – |
| Other religion | – | – |
| Buddhist | – | – |
| Total | – | 100% |
Transport
[edit]Walking and cycling
[edit]The Roding Valley Way is a designated walking and cycling route between Woodford and Ilford.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Elizabeth line
[edit]Template:Fairlop Loop (Hainault Loop)
| Route | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Shenfield to London Liverpool Street | 6 trains per hour |
| Station | Image | Opened<ref name=rose>Template:Cite book</ref> | Notes<ref name=rose/> |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ilford | File:Ilford station building2.JPG | Template:Dts | |
| Seven Kings Template:Access icon | File:Seven Kings stn building.JPG | Template:Dts | |
| Goodmayes | File:Goodmayes station building.JPG | Template:Dts | |
| Chadwell Heath Template:Access icon | File:Chadwell Heath stn building.JPG | Template:Dts |
These services serving these stations were rebranded from TfL Rail to Elizabeth line in 2022.
London Underground
[edit]Central line: Epping Branch.
| Station | Image | Opened<ref name="rose"/> | Notes<ref name=rose/> |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snaresbrook | File:Snaresbrook station building.JPG | Template:Dts | First opened by the Eastern Counties Railway in 1856 |
| South Woodford Template:Access icon | File:South Woodford entrance east.JPG | Template:Dts | First opened by the Eastern Counties Railway as South Woodford (George Lane) in 1856; renamed 1947 |
| Woodford Template:Access icon | File:Woodford Station.jpg | Template:Dts | First opened by the Eastern Counties Railway in 1856. Terminus of Hainault Loop |
Central line: Hainault Loop (follows the route of the A12 from Wanstead to Newbury Park)
| Station | Image | Opened<ref name="rose"/> | Notes<ref name=rose/> |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wanstead | File:Wanstead station building northwest.JPG | Template:Dts | |
| Redbridge | File:Redbridge station entrance east.JPG | Template:Dts | |
| Gants Hill | File:Gants Hill stn southwest entrance.JPG | Template:Dts | |
| Newbury Park Template:Access icon | File:Newbury Park Tube station.jpg | Template:Dts | First opened by the Great Eastern Railway in 1903 |
| Barkingside | File:Barkingside station building.JPG | Template:Dts | First opened by the Great Eastern Railway in 1903 |
| Fairlop | File:Fairlop station building.JPG | Template:Dts | First opened by the Great Eastern Railway in 1903 |
| Hainault Template:Access icon | File:Hainault stn building.JPG | Template:Dts | First opened by the Great Eastern Railway in 1903. Closed 1908 to 1930. |
| Grange Hill | File:Grange Hill stn entr.JPG | Template:Dts | First opened by the Great Eastern Railway in 1903 |
| Roding Valley | File:Roding Valley stn building.JPG | Template:Dts | First opened by the London & North Eastern Railway in 1936 |
Buses
[edit]
Numerous London buses run through and within the borough.
Travel to work
[edit]In March 2011, the main forms of transport that residents used to travel to work were: driving a car or van, 23.5% all residents aged 16–74; underground, metro, light rail, tram, 18.4%; train, 6.2%; bus, minibus or coach, 4.6%; on foot, 3.7%; work mainly at or from home, 2.6%; passenger in a car or van, 1.5%.<ref>Template:Cite web Percentages are of all residents aged 16-74 including those not in employment. Respondents could only pick one mode, specified as the journey’s longest part by distance.</ref>
Education
[edit]Template:Main Redbridge Council is the Local Education Authority. The Borough has the accolade of sending more young people to university than any other borough in the country in both 2011 and 2012. GCSE and A Level results are consistently higher than the Country's average. A 2017 report by Trust for London and the New Policy Institute found that Redbridge has the highest proportion of 19 year olds with Level 3 qualifications (equivalent to an A Level) of any London borough.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
All schools in the borough take part in the Redbridge Schools Choral Festival, a bi-annual music festival held in the Royal Albert Hall in Knightsbridge.<ref>Redbridge Music Service - Redbridge Schools' Choral Festival</ref>
Sport and leisure facilities
[edit]Redbridge has a number of sports and leisure facilities including the road and off-road cycling tracks at Redbridge Cycling Centre.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
There are two local football teams both playing in the Isthmian League Division One: Redbridge F.C. (not to be confused with Dagenham & Redbridge) and Ilford FC. In addition there is fellow Non-League football club Barkingside F.C. who play at The Oakside stadium.<ref>History Of Barkingside FC Barkingside F.C.</ref>
Valentines Park in Ilford acted as one of Essex County Cricket Club's home grounds in 1923-4 and from 1935 until 2002, when the club stopped playing there due to financial constraints.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Notable people
[edit]Gallery
[edit]-
Exchange shopping centre, Ilford
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Fullwell Cross library, Barkingside
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Gants Hill roundabout and station, Gants Hill
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Newbury Park station, Newbury Park
