Forest Gate Estate Residents Speak Out: Car Park Misused by Drug Dealers

Residents of an estate in Forest Gate, East London, have voiced their frustration over the persistent misuse of their car park, which they claim has become a hotspot for fly-tipping and drug-related activity.

The parking area, which serves flats in Moore Walk and Brooking Road, has reportedly seen a surge in anti-social behaviour since Newham Council introduced a broader parking zone in Forest Gate North. Locals argue that this change has allowed permit holders from across the area to park in spaces adjacent to the estate, attracting criminals and exacerbating the problem.

Residents Call for Urgent Action

For years, people living on the estate have called for tighter restrictions, including the installation of security cameras or a gated entry system to limit parking access to residents. Despite their repeated requests, they claim the council has failed to implement any effective measures.

While the estate is owned by Newham Council, it is managed by Sanctuary Housing Association. Recently, a metal gate was installed at the entrance of the car park, but residents remain uncertain about who was responsible for erecting it. Furthermore, they report that the latch has already been broken, rendering the gate ineffective.

Crime and Safety Concerns

Leah Stanca, a long-term resident of Moore Walk, described the crime-related issues stemming from unrestricted access to the car park.

“The worst part is the crime it attracts,” she explained. “When you have a lot of traffic coming and going, there are other issues that come with it – drug dealers operating from here and fly-tipping.”

Ms Stanca, who has lived in the area for 15 years, added that the lack of control over the parking situation has made life more dangerous for her and her family.

“I’ve got two young children. Once, I was walking with my daughter through the car park and a car came around the corner at speed and almost hit us,” she recalled. “Even the other night, my husband had to wait for an hour before he could find a parking space because there were no spots available.”

Another resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, criticised the council for failing to take action despite similar estates in the borough having restricted parking.

“Almost every other estate in Newham has a gated car park,” they said. “It feels like we’re being treated differently. People sit there, do drugs in their vehicles, and then drive off at speed. It’s attracting bad behaviour.”

They also pointed out that, before the introduction of the wider parking zone, parking on the estate was reserved exclusively for residents. They urged the council to reinstate these original arrangements to deter further criminal activity.

Council's Response and Residents' Frustration

In response to the concerns raised by residents, a spokesperson for Newham Council acknowledged the issues but suggested that similar problems persist in other gated areas within the borough.

“We appreciate the concerns raised, but it is important to note that gated estates continue to experience ongoing anti-social behaviour,” the spokesperson stated. “This includes frequent vandalism of gates, resulting in substantial maintenance costs, and the unauthorised use of parking spaces by non-residents, including businesses and abandoned vehicles.”

The council further mentioned that they are actively working on a borough-wide programme aimed at extending parking restrictions and enforcement measures across housing estates dealing with similar issues.

“This initiative seeks to extend parking enforcement with the goal of improving safety, accessibility, and overall parking management while addressing anti-social behaviour,” the spokesperson added.

Sanctuary Housing Pledges Support

Sanctuary Housing Association, which manages the estate, has acknowledged the residents’ grievances and assured them that they are committed to improving the situation.

“We are aware of the concerns raised by residents and remain committed to trying to help improve this situation,” a Sanctuary representative said.

Looking Ahead: What Can Be Done?

While both Newham Council and Sanctuary Housing have recognised the problem, residents are demanding concrete solutions. Many believe that simply acknowledging the issue without taking immediate action is not enough.

Potential solutions proposed by residents include:

• The immediate installation of functional security cameras to deter criminal activity
• Reinstating the estate’s former resident-only parking policy
• Repairing the newly installed but already broken gate to restrict unauthorised access
• Increased police and council enforcement to monitor illegal activities within the car park

Until these measures are taken, locals remain sceptical about the effectiveness of the council’s promises and continue to feel unsafe in their own neighbourhood.

The ongoing concerns at Forest Gate estate highlight the urgent need for stricter parking regulations and more robust crime prevention strategies. Without tangible improvements, residents fear that the issues of fly-tipping, reckless driving, and drug-related activity will continue to escalate.

With both Newham Council and Sanctuary Housing now under pressure to act, residents remain hopeful that they will finally see the meaningful changes they have been demanding for years.