High-rise or not town needs image makeover
Chris Carter THE CLAIM this week that Pioneer Point will be a symbol of Ilford town centre s future (see page 4) will be greeted with horror by some. The 33-storey development on the site of the old Pioneer Market off Clements Road, is seen as the icing on the high-ri
Chris Carter
THE CLAIM this week that Pioneer Point will be a symbol of Ilford town centre's future (see page 4) will be greeted with horror by some.
The 33-storey development on the site of the old Pioneer Market off Clements Road, is seen as the icing on the high-rise cake which has seen numerous other tower blocks springing up.
Many see the developments as a new dawn, but the traditionalists are appalled and other more practical people fear the town's infrastructure will not cope.
But one thing is clear, whether the new buildings are high-rise or not, Ilford town centre needs an image makeover.
For the past few years many have avoided it at night, comparing it to the Wild West.
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Our front page this week will send shock waves around the borough and doubtless town centre bosses will cringe when they see it.
But this is a nettle that needs to be grasped.
It is not acceptable to have teenage yobs rampaging through the town at any time - but all the more terrifying in the middle of the afternoon.
It's hard to imagine families and older people having to scramble for safety back into the Kenneth More Theatre foyer and terrifying to consider what could have happened.
Town centre bosses are serious about improving the area and the statement from BID chairman Marc Myers is a step forward.
There is little doubt, though, that this latest incident is bad news and a major campaign to reclaim the town for law-abiding citizens of the borough must be launched.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? Email letters@ilfordrecorder.co.uk
