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Expensive cigarette butt

A motorist threw a cigarette butt out of the car window while waiting in front of a traffic light in Barking and Dagenham and was seen by a city employee. This first resulted in a £230 penalty notice. But the man tried excuses and let the matter go to court. It didn’t help that it was a non-smoking rental car and that the driver said he only smoked e-cigarettes. The judge added £825 in city costs and £92 in fees on top of the fine. In addition to his total costs of £1147, the caught driver has the annoyance of being called by his full name in public.

Highest praise: “best in England

Building permits and conversion plans are processed faster in Barking and Dagenham than in any other municipality in England. This is not just a question of the many large projects in our twin town, but the responsible ministry expressly praises the fact that decisions on small projects are also made promptly. This can also be expressed in figures: A decision is made on 96 percent of all applications within eight weeks.

Traditional pub disappears

“The White Horse” in Dagenham is not exactly an internationally recognised architectural monument, but it has at least made it onto the city’s list of buildings worth preserving. Nevertheless, the pub is now to disappear and make way for 104 new flats. The only point of contention is how many of them will be designated as social housing. The investor wants to offer 10 %, the city is demanding 35 %.

30 safe spaces, especially for women

The city has set up 30 “safe havens”, spaces that offer protection to people who feel threatened at the moment. These can be women who feel that someone is following them. Or women or men who feel threatened in their homes. In these shelters there are helpers who, for example, inform friends or relatives, there is information about buses and trains or the police can also be informed.

Fit through social commitment

Emdad Rahman has two passions: he likes cycling and he reads a lot. He combined both for his company “Bookbike”, which brings reading to people by bike. In the meantime, the 13,000th book has been delivered. The action started at the Barking Learning centre with a book from his father and a friend’s borrowed bike.

£30 million for hospitals

Two hospitals in East London, Barking Community Hospital and Mile End Hospital, are being given £30 million by the National Health Service to build modern diagnostic centres. Waiting times for tests will be reduced and patients will be able to access treatment more quickly. Both hospitals are already well-equipped, according to information from the health service. The aim is to find and treat the causes of diseases more quickly.

Gathering place for artists

Barking and Dagenham has been chosen to provide housing and work opportunities for artists who have been displaced by rapidly rising rents in other areas of London. A centre with studios has already been built at the old harbour in Barking, and a new building is now being constructed in the centre of town, Linton road, at a cost of around £3.5 million, with studios, exhibition spaces and flats for a further twelve artists.

Award for Valence House

Barking and Dagenham’s only surviving Manor House has won an award for the best presentation of local history. The National Tourism Organisation praised the creative way in which it tells the story of what has shaped people’s lives since the house was built in the 13th century.

Food Saviours

Two students from Barking and Dagenham have won an award with their business idea to save unsaleable food. It is mainly about apples that have grown crookedly or whose size does not fit the trade. The two buy them and make chips out of them with the help of air dryers. With the addition of chocolate or salted caramel, the taste is enhanced.

Overground for Riverside

The Overground line from Barking Riverside to Barking is due to start running this summer. An exact date for the first scheduled trains has not yet been set. Trains are currently running on a trial basis and training drivers for the new route.