The entrance to bridle way 93 from Oaks Lane with huge puddles in winter

Potholes are thing of the past thanks to works on Aldborough Hatch bridleway

Alistair Kleebauer, Senior reporter Thursday, February 21, 2013
3:37 PM

»Dog walkers, people on their way to work and others rushing to catch the morning train will have an easier job of it now an Aldborough Hatch bridleway has been restored.

The entrance to bridle way 93 from Oaks Lane after Redbridge Council repaired the roadway with tarmac and laid down gravel

The footpath, bridleway 93, had become waterlogged and pothole-ridden during the winter between St Peter’s Church in Aldborough Hatch and Oaks Lane, Newbury Park.

It is regularly used by people on their way to Barkingside but could only be tackled by donning wellington boots and braving the mud and water, according to Ron Jeffries, chairman of residents’ group Aldborough Hatch Defence Association.

Mr Jeffries, 79, of Spearpoint Gardens, Aldborough Hatch, said: “There were huge potholes.”

He called on Redbridge Council to repair the works, but was originally told a tenant farmer in Aldborough Hatch Farm was responsible for its upkeep.

However, Mr Jeffries said the council did then agree to repair the damaged section, which runs for about 500 yards, and works took place earlier this month. He said: “There was a lot of rutted Tarmac on to Oaks Lane.

“They refilled a lot of the pot holes.

“They’ve done a reasonably good job.

“If it’s necessary for gravel to be put down and rolled, I will make sure they do it.”

The keen walker has since spoken with fellow travellers along the pathway and has been told by many that it is “so much better”.

The total length of the track runs from St Peter’s Church, through Aldborough Hatch Farm, on to Fairlop Waters and ends at Barkingside Tube station in Station Road, Barkingside.