Graham reports back from Friends of Scholes Park meeting
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by Lib Dem Team on 4 January, 2017
Following concern from residents on Frances Street about anti-social behaviour, the Lib Dems have been asking for overgrown shrubs to be thinned out and removed: they acted as a magnet for groups of young people who often caused trouble.
We’re very pleased that the Council is acting on this. Here’s what we’ve been told by the Council officer:
2 CommentsOur contractor will this week begin to remove aged and overgrown shrubs and hedges from the above site.
During and immediately after the work the park will look a bit of a state.
However once the spring comes along and the park greens up again it will look a whole lot better.
The work we are doing will improve sight lines into and across the park which in turn should increase the perception of safety among site users and those who live directly opposite the park. Also it is hoped that without so many places to hide the level of anti-social behaviour in the park will also decrease.
If you’re not sure how successful this kind of work can be take a stroll in the adjacent cemetery. The clearance of sight lines and removal of shrubs has made a massive impact on the visitor experience.
As for the impact on wildlife… there will be one. We mitigate this through the planting of more suitable species in the cemetery, and the site is primarily for people.
Having seen the tidying up work performed in the cemetery and the resurfacing of the main thoroughfare I would like to thank you, however, when are the grave stones that have been blown or knocked over going to be re-positioned. For example about 6 months ago I saw that a grave stone had been placed down on the floor whilst a grave near to it was being dug. Once the burial had been performed I expected to see the grave stone re-positioned but to date it still lies on the floor! One further point when are the public who allow their dogs to run around off their leads going to be stopped. They are allowed to foul in the cemetery and their owners in many cases do not see or try to remove their waste. Their are also owners who throw balls for their dogs to chase surely this requires stopping! I have been told that the dog warden makes many checks and I understand that they cannot be everywhere at the same time but I have seen council workers taking no action when owners dogs are running free.
By the by, I’ve been to Bredbury cemetery today in connection with some research. Bearing in mind it is now closed to new burials (except in a “woodland burial” section), it was impressive how neat and tidy everything was. Really well maintained.