London Borough of Redbridge | |
|---|---|
 Coat of arms  Council logo | |
| Motto(s): In unity, progress | |
 Redbridge shown withinGreater London | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Constituent country | England |
| Region | London |
| Ceremonial county | Greater London |
| Created | 1 April 1965 |
| Admin HQ | Ilford |
| Government | |
| • Type | London borough council |
| • Body | Redbridge London Borough Council |
| • London Assembly | Keith Prince (CON) AM forHavering and Redbridge |
| • MPs | Calvin Bailey (LAB) Iain Duncan Smith (CON) Jas Athwal (LAB) Wes Streeting (LAB) |
| Area | |
• Total | 21.78 sq mi (56.41 km2) |
| • Rank | 236th(of 296) |
| Population (2024) | |
• Total | 321,231 |
| • Rank | 42nd(of 296) |
| • Density | 14,750/sq mi (5,695/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC (GMT) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+1 (BST) |
| Postcodes | |
| Area code | 020 |
| ISO 3166 code | GB-RDB |
| ONS code | 00BC |
| GSS code | E09000026 |
| Police | Metropolitan Police |
| Website | https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/ |
TheLondon Borough of Redbridge is aLondon borough established in 1965.[1]
The borough shares boundaries with theEpping Forest District in the county ofEssex to the north, theLondon Borough of Waltham Forest to the west, theLondon Borough of Havering to the east, theLondon Borough of Barking and Dagenham in the south east, and theLondon Borough of Newham to the south west.
The principal settlements in the borough areIlford,Wanstead andWoodford.
The name comes from a bridge over theRiver Roding which was demolished in 1921. The bridge was made of red brick, unlike other bridges in the area made of white stone. The name had first been applied to theRedbridge area andRedbridge tube station was opened in 1947. It was earlier known as Hocklee's Bridge.[2]
The borough was formed in 1965 under theLondon Government Act 1963, covering the whole of the formermunicipal boroughs ofIlford andWanstead and Woodford, plus smaller areas from theMunicipal Borough of Dagenham andChigwell Urban District, which were included to unite in one borough theHainault area which had previously straddled Ilford, Dagenham and Chigwell.[3] The area was transferred fromEssex to Greater London to become one of the 32 London Boroughs.[4]
Following a review by theLocal Government Boundary Commission for England, minor changes were made on 1 April 1994 to the boundary withBarking & Dagenham[5] andNewham.[6] Further changes were made on 1 April 1995 to the boundary withWaltham Forest[7] andEpping Forest District.[8] The latter change transferred an area aroundGrange Hill andRoding Valleytube stations from Essex to Greater London.[8]
Redbridge has more than 35 parks, playgrounds and open spaces. These includeHainault Forest Country Park, with 300 acres of countryside including adventure play areas, cafe and petting zoo; Roding Valley Park, a wildlife sanctuary with a range of flora and fauna and woodland areas;Valentines Park, includingValentines Mansion, ornamental gardens, bowling green and outdoor gym; and Claybury Woods and Park, a conservation area that features an ancient area of oak and hornbeam woodland, meadows and wildlife ponds.[9]
Valentines Mansion is a Georgian country house and gardens in the grounds of Valentines Park, Ilford.[10]
Kenneth More Theatre in Oakfield Road,Ilford opened in 1975.[11]
Redbridge Museum, which opened in 2000, is situated on the second floor of Redbridge Central Library, Clements Road,Ilford, along with the Redbridge Heritage Centre.[12][13]
TheEmbassy Cinema is anArt Deco former cinema inChadwell Heath. It opened in 1934 and closed in 1966, but is currently the focus of a majorrestoration project.[14]
Redbridge has 11 libraries across the borough. This includes the Redbridge Central Library, in Clements Road,Ilford, which had a major refurbishment in 2012. The libraries offer a number of services including reading clubs, story time sessions, study areas and learning resources. The libraries in Redbridge are operated by Vision Redbridge Culture & Leisure, a Charitable Trust established by Redbridge Council and now operating independently.[15]
The local authority is Redbridge Council, which meets atRedbridge Town Hall (formerly Ilford Town Hall) and has its main offices at the nearby Lynton House.[16]
Since 2000, for elections to theLondon Assembly, the borough forms part of theHavering and Redbridge constituency.
In 2011 the population of Redbridge was recorded at 278,970.[17] In common with the other London boroughs this continues a period of growth; between the 1991 and 2001 censuses the increase was 7.5%[18] with a further rise of 15.3% by 2011.[17] Redbridge has the third highest proportion of children and a higher-than-average proportion of older adults while the proportion of working age adults is slightly lower than average.[19] The population density was last recorded at 4,945 residents per km2(the London regional density is 5,199, far higher than the England and Wales figure of 371).[17]
The healthy life expectancy (HLE) at birth for Redbridge residents stands at 65.5 years for males and 62.4 years for females (the England average HLE is 63.4 for males and 64.1 for females).[20]
Redbridge is one of the most ethnically diverse local authority areas in the UK. 34% of respondents to the 2011 census stated that they were born outside the UK and 65.5% identified as belonging to an ethnic group other than white British.[21] Redbridge's largest ethnic group is White British (34.5%), followed by Indian (16.4%),[21] and Pakistani (Redbridge has the highest proportion of Pakistani residents of any London borough).[21]
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1801 | 4,909 | — |
| 1811 | 6,317 | +28.7% |
| 1821 | 7,829 | +23.9% |
| 1831 | 8,572 | +9.5% |
| 1841 | 9,290 | +8.4% |
| 1851 | 9,921 | +6.8% |
| 1861 | 16,409 | +65.4% |
| 1871 | 22,897 | +39.5% |
| 1881 | 29,385 | +28.3% |
| 1891 | 51,250 | +74.4% |
| 1901 | 77,621 | +51.5% |
| 1911 | 117,735 | +51.7% |
| 1921 | 152,209 | +29.3% |
| 1931 | 196,790 | +29.3% |
| 1941 | 230,876 | +17.3% |
| 1951 | 270,876 | +17.3% |
| 1961 | 254,605 | −6.0% |
| 1971 | 239,337 | −6.0% |
| 1981 | 224,724 | −6.1% |
| 1991 | 231,198 | +2.9% |
| 2001 | 238,628 | +3.2% |
| 2011 | 278,970 | +16.9% |
| 2021 | 310,261 | +11.2% |
| Note:[22] | ||
In common with many London boroughs, the 2011 census showed notable ethnic and religious population mobility in Redbridge. Ethnic groups whose proportions fell in Redbridge were White British (-23% of the borough's total), Irish (-0.9%), and Caribbean (-0.6%). Ethnic groups whose proportions rose include Pakistani (+4.9%), other Asians (+4.4%), Bangladeshis (+3.9%), and other White (+2.9%). Religious groups whose proportions fell in Redbridge were Christian (-13.9%) and Jews (-2.5%). For Jews this represented a fall of over 50% of their number in some wards. Religious groups whose proportions rose include Muslims (+11.4%) followed by Hindu (+3.6%).[21]
| Ethnic Group | Year | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 estimations[23] | 1981 estimations[24] | 1991 census[25] | 2001 census[26] | 2011 census[27] | 2021 census[28] | |||||||
| Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | |
| White: Total | – | 96.3% | 199,984 | 88% | 181,134 | 78.3% | 151,587 | 63.5% | 118,646 | 42.6% | 107,974 | 34.9% |
| White:British | – | – | – | – | – | – | 137,097 | 57.5% | 96,253 | 34.5% | 71,844 | 23.2% |
| White:Irish | – | – | – | – | – | – | 5,559 | 2.3% | 3,900 | 1.4% | 3,092 | 1.0% |
| White:Gypsy or Irish Traveller | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 140 | 0.1% | 185 | 0.1% |
| White: Roma | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1,104 | 0.4% |
| White:Other | – | – | – | – | – | – | 8,931 | 3.7% | 18,353 | 6.6% | 31,749 | 10.2% |
| Asian or Asian British: Total | – | – | 19,451 | 8.5% | 37,177 | 16.1% | 61,585 | 25.8% | 116,503 | 41.7% | 146,833 | 47.3% |
| Asian or Asian British:Indian | – | – | 13,130 | 24,078 | 33,304 | 14.0% | 45,660 | 16.4% | 51,183 | 16.5% | ||
| Asian or Asian British:Pakistani | – | – | 3,475 | 6,552 | 14,888 | 6.2% | 31,051 | 11.1% | 44,000 | 14.2% | ||
| Asian or Asian British:Bangladeshi | – | – | 702 | 1,976 | 4,224 | 1.8% | 16,011 | 5.7% | 31,895 | 10.3% | ||
| Asian or Asian British:Chinese | – | – | 873 | 1,574 | 1,962 | 0.8% | 3,000 | 1.1% | 2,918 | 0.9% | ||
| Asian or Asian British: Other Asian | – | – | 1,271 | 2,997 | 7,207 | 3.0% | 20,781 | 7.4% | 16,837 | 5.4% | ||
| Black or Black British: Total | – | – | 5,877 | 2.6% | 9,863 | 4.2% | 18,112 | 7.6% | 24,845 | 8.8% | 26,096 | 8.4% |
| Black or Black British:African | – | – | 1,410 | 2,545 | 7,827 | 3.3% | 12,357 | 4.4% | 14,573 | 4.7% | ||
| Black or Black British:Caribbean | – | – | 3,372 | 5,691 | 9,126 | 3.8% | 9,064 | 3.2% | 8,452 | 2.7% | ||
| Black or Black British:Other Black | – | – | 1,095 | 1,627 | 1,159 | 0.5% | 3,424 | 1.2% | 3,071 | 1.0% | ||
| Mixed or British Mixed: Total | – | – | – | – | – | – | 5,831 | 4.2% | 11,456 | 4.1% | 12,736 | 4.2% |
| Mixed: White and Black Caribbean | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1,884 | 1.5% | 3,204 | 1.1% | 3,154 | 1.0% |
| Mixed: White and Black African | – | – | – | – | – | – | 742 | 0.8% | 1,692 | 0.6% | 1,717 | 0.6% |
| Mixed: White and Asian | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1,853 | 0.8% | 3,251 | 1.2% | 3,577 | 1.2% |
| Mixed: Other Mixed | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1,352 | 2.5% | 3,309 | 1.2% | 4,288 | 1.4% |
| Other: Total | – | – | 1,837 | 3,025 | 1,520 | 0.6% | 7,520 | 2.7% | 16,622 | 5.3% | ||
| Other: Arab | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1,551 | 0.6% | 2,263 | 0.7% |
| Other: Any other ethnic group | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1,520 | 0.6% | 5,969 | 2.1% | 14,359 | 4.6% |
| Ethnic minority: Total | – | 3.7% | 27,165 | 11.9% | 50,065 | 21.7% | 87,048 | 36.5% | 160,324 | 57.3% | 202,287 | 65.1% |
| Total | – | 100% | 227,149 | 100% | 231,199 | 100% | 238,635 | 100.00% | 278,970 | 100.00% | 310,261 | 100% |
| Religion | Per cent(%) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muslim | 31.3% | |||
| Christian | 30.4% | |||
| No religion | 12.6% | |||
| Hindu | 11.1% | |||
| Undeclared | 5.7% | |||
| Sikh | 5.7% | |||
| Jewish | 2.1% | |||
| Other | 0.7% | |||
| Buddhist | 0.5% | |||
According to the2021 Census, the largest religious groupings areMuslims (31.3 per cent), followed byChristians (30.4 per cent), those ofno religion (12.6 per cent),Hindus (11.1 per cent) no response (5.7 per cent),Sikhs (5.7 per cent),Jews (2.1 per cent),Buddhists (0.5 per cent) and other religions at (0.7 per cent).
The proportion of Christians residing in Redbridge in 2011 ranked fourth lowest in England and Wales, and 12 per cent below the London average of 48.4%. The number of Muslims in Redbridge has more than doubled since 2001.[30]
| Religion | 1995 estimates[31] | |
|---|---|---|
| Number | % | |
| Christian | – | – |
| No religion | – | – |
| Muslim | – | – |
| Religion not stated | – | – |
| Hindu | – | – |
| Jewish | 16,000 | 7.1% |
| Sikh | – | – |
| Other religion | – | – |
| Buddhist | – | – |
| Total | – | 100% |
The Roding Valley Way is a designated walking and cycling route betweenWoodford andIlford.[32]
Hainault Loop | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Route | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Shenfield toLondon Liverpool Street | 6 trains per hour |
| Station | Image | Opened[33] | Notes[33] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ilford |  | 20 June 1839 | |
Seven Kings |  | 1 April 1899 | |
| Goodmayes |  | 18 February 1901 | |
| Chadwell Heath |  | 11 January 1864 |
These services serving these stations were rebranded fromTfL Rail toElizabeth line in 2022.
Central line: Epping Branch.
| Station | Image | Opened[33] | Notes[33] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snaresbrook |  | 14 December 1947 | First opened by theEastern Counties Railway in 1856 |
| South Woodford |  | 14 December 1947 | First opened by theEastern Counties Railway as South Woodford (George Lane) in 1856; renamed 1947 |
| Woodford |  | 14 December 1947 | First opened by theEastern Counties Railway in 1856.Terminus of Hainault Loop |
Central line: Hainault Loop (follows the route of theA12 from Wanstead to Newbury Park)
| Station | Image | Opened[33] | Notes[33] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wanstead |  | 14 December 1947 | |
| Redbridge |  | 14 December 1947 | |
| Gants Hill |  | 14 December 1947 | |
| Newbury Park |  | 14 December 1947 | First opened by theGreat Eastern Railway in 1903 |
| Barkingside |  | 31 May 1948 | First opened by theGreat Eastern Railway in 1903 |
| Fairlop |  | 31 May 1948 | First opened by theGreat Eastern Railway in 1903 |
| Hainault |  | 31 May 1948 | First opened by theGreat Eastern Railway in 1903. Closed 1908 to 1930. |
| Grange Hill |  | 21 November 1948 | First opened by theGreat Eastern Railway in 1903 |
| Roding Valley |  | 21 November 1948 | First opened by theLondon & North Eastern Railway in 1936 |
Numerous London buses run through and within the borough.
In March 2011, the main forms of transport that residents used to travel to work were: driving a car or van, 23.5% all residents aged 16–74; underground, metro, light rail, tram, 18.4%; train, 6.2%; bus, minibus or coach, 4.6%; on foot, 3.7%; work mainly at or from home, 2.6%; passenger in a car or van, 1.5%.[34]
Redbridge Council is the Local Education Authority. The Borough has the accolade of sending more young people to university than any other borough in the country in both 2011 and 2012. GCSE and A Level results are consistently higher than the Country's average. A 2017 report byTrust for London and theNew Policy Institute found that Redbridge has the highest proportion of 19 year olds with Level 3 qualifications (equivalent to an A Level) of any London borough.[35]
All schools in the borough take part in the Redbridge Schools Choral Festival, a bi-annual music festival held in theRoyal Albert Hall inKnightsbridge.[36]
Redbridge has a number of sports and leisure facilities including the road and off-road cycling tracks atRedbridge Cycling Centre.[37]
There are two local football teams both playing in theIsthmian LeagueDivision One:Redbridge F.C. (not to be confused withDagenham & Redbridge) andIlford FC. In addition there is fellowNon-League football clubBarkingside F.C. who play at The Oakside stadium.[38]
Valentines Park in Ilford acted as one ofEssex County Cricket Club's home grounds in 1923-4 and from 1935 until 2002, when the club stopped playing there due to financial constraints.[39]
The local newspaper is theIlford Recorder.
Time 107.5 FM was a commercial radio station broadcasting nearby in Romford, to the local area, Time FM closed on 1 August 2025 becoming part ofNation Radio.[40]
Bedrock Radio is a local community radio service based in the nearbyQueen's Hospital inRomford.
The firstHospital Radio service In Redbridge was founded in 1975 asGoodmayes Hospital Radio Association with studios located within the old Goodmayes Hospital building. In 1993, the station expanded its coverage serving the neighbouring King George Hospital. In 2004 the station changed its on-air name toThe Jumbo Sound, as it began broadcasting online to sever other locations operated byNEFLT NHS Trust. In 2015, while the station celebrated its 40th anniversary, a burst radiator caused a flood in the studio, forcing the station off-air, and volunteers agreed to merge withBedrock Radio. The merge was completed In April 2016, creating a unified hospital radio service covering North East London.[41]
Today,Bedrock Radio serves the local community by broadcasting online and served local hospitals ofQueen's,King George &Goodmayes, Plus units and clinics locally. The station features information about the Hospitals,NHS services, promotes charitable and community organisations and has an extensive local events guide featuring community & non-profit events. Bedrock Radio also provides local news on-air covering East London and South Essex, the station has announced it will launch on a local DAB+ later in 2025.
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