South Gloucestershire | Archive | 2006 | February | 10
From the archive, first published Friday 10th Feb 2006.
COMMUNITY and civic leaders have joined forces in a bid to clean up a run down area of Yate.
Representatives from South Gloucestershire Council, the police and local community group leaders met last Tuesday to tour Cranleigh Court Road with the aim of taking active steps to improve the quality of life in the area.
Cllr Ian Blair (Yate West), chairman of Yate West Community Safety Group, said the exercise was all about making improvements to the area and tackling residents' complaints.
"There are a number of issues that can be improved here but it is a question of getting the funds to do it," he told the Gazette. "Lighting could be improved and there is also a problem with litter that a few new bins could help, which would certainly make the area look a lot nicer and provide an environment that people are happy to live in."
Cllr Blair said plans were being drawn up to provide children in the area with activities to keep them busy during February half term.
He added: "We will be offering children a range of activities to keep them occupied and off the streets. When children have nothing to do and are just hanging around they can be seen as a nuisance which can be a problem in this area."
Cranleigh Court Road was notorious for vandalism, petty crime and at one time drug dealing. Since various crime-busting groups have been set up, including Yate West Community Safety Group, the area has seen a reduction in criminal activity.
Beat manager for Yate West PC John Gillman and PCSO Jonathan Stiddard, who also patrols the area, joined the group for the walkabout. They told the Gazette that although they experienced a number of problems with anti-social behaviour, they were actively trying to clamp down on it through the use of fixed penalty notices.
Cath Langley, who has spearheaded Yate West Action Group (WAG) and has tirelessly campaigned to rid the streets of drugs for the past three years by setting up drop in centres and community schemes, was also at the event.
She is now hoping to build a community garden in Cranleigh Court Road to brighten the place up and give residents some pride in the area.
She said the walkabout was a good way for people to see what is going on and added: "It is also good for those in authority to see first hand what needs to be improved."
After braving the cold for a few hours the group finally retired to analyse the findings of the day.
Cllr Blair said: "There are certain problems in this area but there are channels within the authority that we can go through to tackle these. The day was a positive thing to do and was a success for all involved."
© Newsquest Media Group 2008