Community Wardens in Upper Stoke

Community Wardens have been operating in other parts of the city for some time, where residents have recognised they have helped to tackle anti- social behaviour in the absence of police.

Cllr's Derek Benefield & Russell Field with Community Wardens for Upper Stoke

Over the years when the Labour party ran the Council, Liberal Democrat Councillors asked for the service to be extended into Upper Stoke where there were areas suffering badly from anti-social behaviour and they refused.

Despite Labour Party opposition a new Neighbourhood Management Policy was brought in with Liberal Democrats support.

Cll Russell Field says:

"We campaigned of the need for Community Wardens in this area and I am pleased that it has now been recognised by the Police and the Council that crime has moved into Upper Stoke from other areas, such as prostitution from Hillfields.. At present the wardens will only cover the roads around Ball Hill, Clay Lane and Stoke Heath, but your Lib-Dem Councillors will campaign for the scheme to cover the whole area."

Road and Lighting Improvements

A number of road and lighting schemes will be completed this year in Upper Stoke. This is a result of an additional £10 million being spent on roads and lighting by the Council which was advocated and supported by Liberal Democrats. The Labour Councillors are still totally opposed to these improvements complaining this money should not be spent and residents should continue to suffer the dreadful state of our Highways caused by Labour's many years of neglect.

Road works are scheduled for 2005/6 in Upper Stoke, Stoke Row, Wyken Grange Road and Sewall Highway. Also Sullivan Road and Wykley Road, which were scheduled 2003 and cut by the Labour Council, will be completed. Replacement Lighting schemes are scheduled for 2005/06 in the Wyken Green Area and a number of other streets. Lighting upgrading in Redruth Close and Pendennis Close scheduled for 2003 and cut by the Labour Council will also be completed this year.

A further £10million is to be invested in roads this year and will include Blackberry Lane, Clay Lane and Valley Road, which are roads your Lib Dem councillors have been asking to receive long overdue attention.

The Focus Team have been asking for years for action to stop cars endangering pedestrians and to demolish garden walls at the junction of Shakespeare St. and Coventry St.

Finally the council have put up a barrier after we insisted that a proper safety inspection be done following the latest accident.

Local residents have also complained about the Shakespeare St., North St. and Alliance Way Junction. The Focus Team are backing requests for a ‘stop’ sign to be erected.

If you want us to support a local meeting, help sort a problem in your neighbourhood or assist you forming a residents association, please contact one of our Councillors.

After eight years of campaigning by the Focus team the Council has finally finished the hard surfacing on Sewall Highway’s grass verges and the paving near the roundabouts.

The focus team are pleased that effective parking has been provided whilst retaining some grass and the trees.

Cllr. Derek Benefield said: "After so many years campaigning it is good that something has been achieved. We will continue to lobby for Blackberry Lane to receive similar treatment."

After years of campaigning and presenting several petitions this eyesore already showing signs of improvements thanks to the new owner. As a result of pressure from residents and the Focus Team, the property has been sold to a new owner who is anxious to engage in the community and refurbish the buildings and have them occupied.

Following a bid for funding for regeneration of the shopping area by your Liberal Democrat councillors £260,000 has been allocated. Residents are to be fully involved and there will be regular updates of progress at the Wyken Green residents meetings.

Cllr. Russell Field said:

"It is fantastic news for residents and the Focus Team that their efforts are at last showing results."

The Focus Team attend, support and help residents associations in Alpha House, Longfield House, Morris Common, Stoke Village and Wyken Green.

Having a residents association can give you access to funding to improve your area. If you want us to support a local meeting, help sort a problem in your neighbourhood or assist you forming a residents association or Neighbourhood Watch, please contact one of our Councillors.