Trimming Bushes and Trees In Estate

Elena, our first Representative of the Residents Association, to the Council’s Consultative Committee Panel, has taken on the voluntary responsibility of looking after the condition of Fawcett Close (i.e. that path which is connected to Wye Street).

Thus for over a Year and a half, Elena has been constantly taking residents complaints about the over grown bushes and trees along the pavement, near the ‘Boris Johnson’s Bike Parking place’, to the Council, at various meetings and contacts with Councillors.

As a result the Estate Manager Patrick Byrne – sent workers from the “Surrey Environmental Group” to clear and tidy up the entrance, windows and pavement, from overgrown bushes, trees and foliage that were growing uncontrollably over the years.

Above you can see the difference this clearance has made. While residents are now relieved to walk on their pavements and enter their dwelling blocks in safety.

KERA Rubbish Strategy

At the Kambala Resident meeting, held on August 19, 2024, concerns were raised about the increased dumping of rubbish within the estate.

Several areas, including Fawcett Close, Coppock Close, Hicks Close, Mac Dermott Close, and Wolftencroft Close, have become regular dumping grounds for both residents and non-residents.

This dumping not only attracts vermin but also creates a ghetto-like atmosphere, affecting our community’s morale.

The key issue identified is the lack of adequate waste management facilities.

With no large bins for bigger items, residents are forced to dispose of waste improperly.

The immediate solution proposed was to provide large bins at strategic points across the estate, similar to the system used at the nearby Falcon Estate.

To tackle this issue in the long-term, a multifaceted approach was suggested, including:-

  • community engagement initiatives
  • CCTV deterrent & fines
  • public awareness campaigns
  • improved waste management services

By combining these efforts, our estate aims to create a cleaner and more liveable environment for all.

The Red dots on the map (above) show the areas proposed by KERA to put large silver bins to collect the extra residents bins when their tiny cupboard bins are full, and stop this negative culture of just dumping everything on the street.

Kambala Community Garden

When Tony Papard and his life-partner moved to McDermott Close forty years ago the area at the back of the block was a children’s playground with swings, etc. Then this equipment was removed by the council and the area became neglected and overgrown.

The Residents’ Association helped with council support to:

  • Cut back the bushes, 
  • Rebuilt the decaying walls around the raised flowerbeds, 
  • Erected six gates leading from the surrounding blocks into the garden and 
  • Keys to the padlocks (for these gates) were given to residents, via the association.

The Council also provided two tables and eight chairs for the garden and installed a tap for watering the beds,  together with lighting.

Several barbecues were held in the garden with musical entertainment. Residents from other blocks in Kambala were also invited, courtesy of the Residents Association.

Tony has now taken over the rental for the shed where the hosepipe and gardening tools are kept. He waters the beds in Summer and maintains a small plot, with rose bushes, in memorial for his deceased mother and life-partner.

In one of the gardens backing on to the Community Garden is a tree which bears lots of grapefruit. The area is quite sheltered, to allow them to grow to full size, and these are edible – if a little dry.

The Community Garden is a pleasant place to sit in the good weather, and for all residents of the surrounding blocks to have full access, the locks have now been removed from the gates by the council. If KERA decides to hold more barbecues or other events in the garden, invited residents (from other blocks) would need to have access via one of the Entry-phone doors, by ringing someone’s Smartphone to let them in.

During the pandemic residents were using the garden for exercising and to just sit out in the open air enjoying the environment. Recently the council collected all the rubbish in the garden and cut back the bushes. With the help of the council and KERA the garden should be a pleasant place for residents to enjoy, for years to come.

The Kambala joint estate Inspection

The Kambala joint Inspection took place on 27/02/2024 with 7 Officers from Wandsworth Council including Cllr Simon Hogg and John Thomson (Area Housing Manager) who were leading this inspection. The other attendants included:

The other attendants included:

  • The Resident Participation officer,
  • Senior Estate Manager,
  • Kambala Estate Manager (from12/02/24)
  • Estate Services officer
  • Officer from the Animals Welfare Department

Two KERA Committee members were also presented and they brought to the attention of the Officers, issues raised by Kambala residents, such as:

  • Dog Mess and CCTV images,
  • Uneven pavements
  • Leaf litter on our estate, especially due to trees in Fairchild Close (near Wye Street) urgently requiring pruning.

The inspection took more than 1 hour and was productive as representatives from the Council promised to progress the issues via officers within the Eastern Area Team (where possible).

Mega Skip Day

On Saturday 30th March 2024, Kambala Residents were invited to dispose of their unwanted household items (up to six) into the mega skip  – for free.

These included:

  • Electrical equipment
  • Household items like mattress and sofas.  
  • One bag of rubbish (counting as one item) and
  • One masonry item (e.g.  a garden slab etc.)

      The event was advertised to all the neighbouring estates as well, to encourage residents within the area to dispose of their excess/useless items in an environmentally friendly manner – without resorting to Fly-tipping.

      There was some initial confusion, within the Kambala Estate, as leaflets were received by residents giving the wrong date for this event. This matter was brought to the notice of the Council and they did their best to rectify the problem – via temporary posters – fixed to lamp-posts around the estate – with the correct date.

      The Mega Skip arrived late but remained on site for longer time.  By the end it was nearly full,  as residents from our and the surrounding estates in Battersea, took advantage of this event.

      However the Fly-tipping problem within our estate still remains.

      For more information visit: www.wandsworth.gov.uk/rubbish-and-recycling/mega-skip-days