It really does seem like a different lifetime, even when we look back at these photos ourselves. I think somewhere in a parallel universe, the original Ilford with all its streets intact still exists. Yes, hard to believe the new library is now pretty old!

you're right about that @SA-yb7mt So many streets had the compulsory purchase order imposed on them. But the strange things was, there was very little resistence at the time and I think this was because the plans had been in the offing for over 20 years by then, and people just wanted done with it. It was sold to them as something that would be beneficial to the town and I suppose when the time came and people had to move out, they just went. These days I think there'd be much more resistence, and the destruction of so many houses in one go simply wouldn't happen in today's dwelling crisis era.

Great to hear that @rajnirvan3336 Those were great and simpler times indeed.

@@IlfordRetro If only there was such thing as a time machine love to go back for 1 day and visit happier times

@@rajnirvan3336 I think many would like to join you on that visit

I never knew that about the synagogue on Clements Road, very interesting - is it where the City Gates church is now (on the corner)?. The evolution of Clements Road is so strange, because for nearly 100 years it was a simple north-south street mainly consisting of the post office and some houses. Now its rerouted identity has all manor of office and recreation buildings and few houses from Woodlands Road thrown in. Completely right about the cars. Back then car manufacturers had distinct identity, you knew a Ford from a Vauxhall. These days most manufacturers pick from a handful of designers and all come out with the same thing: a bubble on wheels!

@@IlfordRetro please forgive me, i meant coventry Road. I got confused . Unfortunately lately i am having issues with my brain and remembering stuff and getting confused about alsorts. Synagogue was Coventry Road and airlie Gardens was off Coventry Road too. However in a twist to the story, though Jewish i attended elim church on clements Road years later which is now city gates and run by the great Steven Derbyshire for many years. Sorry for getting my facts mixed up.

Not to worry @@storm3698 and easily done when thinking about all the places we remember about Ilford. Now I know where you mean on Coventry Road. Ah yes, Steven Derbyshire has been a mainstay at Elim/City Gates from what I've read and people speak very highly of him.

@@IlfordRetro yes lovely man with a heart for G-d and the community.

not wrong @@storm3698

Definitely. For this area, the yellow lines went down when people started paving their gardens and creating driveways. The council dropped the kerbs accordingly and painted yellow lines so people wouldn't get blocked in, plus its a bit of a revenue generator for the council to fine anyone parked on the lines. But generally it changed the look of the streets. For better or worse?

You're right that there were some lovely houses which were knocked down on Grosvenor during the development. 16-22 on the even side were demolished on Grosvenor - perhaps his was one of those? If not, 54 is still there and should be viewable on google Street View and similar in case you wish to see how it's changed.

It's a good question. I've not been able to find hard evidence of the compensation scheme or whether market value was even offered for properties. I fear that many who were the affected home owners of the time have since passed away, with their children and grandchildren (along with council workers of that era) none the wiser about any such recompense for the demolition of their former homes. Hopefully one day, someone who recalls what actually happened back then, will comment and provide some insight.

If good design, placemaking and community form the heart of plans for new housing and street infrastructure, they can make a positive impact. But often poor ideas overseen by just a few, poorly constructed homes in the face of speed, and an absence of how a neighbourhood works, lead to results which aren't helpful to anyone.