Why Has It Taken Havering Council So Long to Act on Launders Lane? Resident Furious at Lack of Action.

Kathy, a lifelong Rainham resident and member of the Launders Lane steering group, says she is outraged at Havering Council over the long-running Launders Lane crisis. She told the Havering Daily: “Residents have been left to suffer for years while the council failed to take meaningful action.

“From my perspective, it feels like residents have been suffering for years while little was done to resolve the problem,” Kathy continued.

She has also criticised the council for what she states is misleading residents about government support. “Two to three years ago Havering Council told residents that they had approached central government for help to clear the site at Arnold’s Field, Launders Lane. When questioned about this by the steering group, they had to admit that they hadn’t approached the government, it was the Mayor,” she said.

Kathy said she finds it unacceptable that other sites are receiving funding while Launders Lane continues to be ignored. “Whilst I appreciate the leader’s anger that other sites are receiving help, and that in itself is disgraceful, I have to question why it has taken so long for Havering Council to act,” she said.

She did not hold back in her criticism of the council’s overall approach. “Councillor Morgon questions why Havering isn’t being supported. I believe the answer lies in what I’ve said above. In my view, the council failed in its duty of care to residents and now complain when they effectively ignored the problem.”

Kathy confirmed that the steering group is now taking further action. “We have approached Margaret Mullane to question the Environment Agency about why Launders Lane isn’t being treated as a priority, especially as the fires are continuing to impact residents in Rainham,” she said.

Her comments reflect the deep frustration and anger felt by residents who want immediate action and answers from the council over the Launders Lane site..

Kathy is an incredible community champion who has been fighting to get help for Rainham residents for ten years. Last year saw her rushed to hospital with such a severe case of pneumonia that she was nearly induced into a coma and her life was hanging in the balance. She is truly remarkable lady.

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