Local elections profile: Redbridge

6 hours ago

Adriana ElguetaLondon

News image — Gants Hill Underground station was designed in the 1930s and its tunnels were used as an air‑raid shelter and munitions factory during World War Two

Getty A street-level view of the London Underground sign for Gants Hill station, featuring the red and blue roundel against a bright blue sky with scattered clouds. Surrounding the sign are multi‑storey brick and modern buildings, including shops with colourful signage along the street. — Gants Hill Underground station was designed in the 1930s and its tunnels were used as an air‑raid shelter and munitions factory during World War Two

Ahead of the local elections on Thursday 7 May, we have produced short guides to London's 32 boroughs.

Where is it? The London Borough of Redbridge is in north-east London. It is bordered by Epping Forest District (Essex) to the north, Waltham Forest to the west, Havering to the east, Barking and Dagenham to the south east, and Newham to the south west.

What's it like? Redbridge is a leafy and predominantly residential borough, with Central line connections to the city. Popular with families and commuters, it is known for high-performing schools, affordable housing compared to central London and green spaces like Hainault Forest.

Neighbourhoods: Recognisable areas in Redbridge include Ilford, Wanstead, Woodford, Gants Hill, Newbury Park, South Woodford, Barkingside, Seven Kings, Goodmayes, Fairlop, Hainault, Grange Hill, and Roding Valley.

Places of interest: Valentines Park,Hainault Forest Country Park, Fairlop Waters Country Park, Redbridge Central Library and Museum, Kenneth More Theatre.

Pub quiz fact: Redbridge is named after a literal red brick bridge, a 17th Century crossing over the River Roding in Ilford. It was demolished in the 1920s.

Population: (2024 estimate) 321,231

Demographics: According to the latest Office of National Statistics (ONS) figures, Redbridge's ethnic breakdown is: Asian: 47.3%, white: 34.8%, black: 8.4%, mixed: 4.1% and other ethnic groups: 5.4%.

Average property price: According to the ONS, the average house price in Redbridge in December 2025 was £495,000.

Average monthly rent: ONS data shows the average monthly rent in January 2026 was £1,714.

Council tax: The Band D council tax rate for Redbridge in 2026/27 is £2,294.58.

Transport: According to Transport for London, Redbridge contains 10 Tube stations (all on the Central line), four Elizabeth line stations and around 510 bus stops.

Getty A busy pedestrian Ilford high street lined with a mix of modern and older buildings, including a historic stone building on the left. People walk along the wide paved walkway, some carrying bags, while market stalls and shopfronts line the right side. Leafless trees and a bright blue sky complete the scene. — Ilford High Street is home to the Grade II listed Redbridge Town Hall, opened in 1901, a late‑Victorian civic building

Local history: Redbridge's history stretches back centuries, with its roots in the ancient parish of Barking in Essex, before later becoming part of the civil parish of Ilford in 1888.

The borough as known today was created in 1965 under the London Government Act, merging Ilford with Wanstead and Woodford, along with parts of Dagenham and Chigwell, forming one of London's 32 new boroughs.

Its name derives from a distinctive red‑brick bridge that once crossed the River Roding, demolished in 1921 but influential enough to give the new borough its identity.

The area also has notable heritage links, including Ilford's prehistoric mammoth finds and its role in early photographic manufacturing.

Getty Hainault Forest Country Park at sunset with the sun glowing orange behind a line of distant trees and low hills. In the foreground, three children move across the open space: one running on foot, one riding a bicycle, and another sitting beside a bicycle. The sky is filled with soft, layered clouds reflecting warm evening light, while a few distant buildings and a parking area sit at the far edge of the landscape. — Hainault Forest Country Park at sunset in summer

Who is in charge? Redbridge Council historically swung between Conservative control and periods of no overall control, until the Labour Party won its first majority in 2014. The party has controlled the council since then.

What happened in 2022? The turnout was 33.4% and there was a 1% swing from the Conservatives to Labour.

Labour: 58 seats (+7)

Conservatives: 5 seats (-7)

Since the election, the Ilford Independent group won a by-election seat from Labour, while two Labour councillors quit and another Labour councillor was suspended.

Election expert Tony Travers on what might happen in Redbridge

What might happen in Redbridge?

Professor Tony Travers of the London School of Economics said Redbridge has been a Conservative/Labour marginal for much of its existence and there's still a Conservative MP in the north of the borough.

In the General Election in 2024, Wes Streeting, the Labour MP, was pushed into nearly losing in Ilford North.

It looks as if Independents and possibly Greens could well win seats from Labour, pushing the borough towards - if not to - no overall control.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected]