I spent almost all of yesterday in either Blackhall, Blackhall Rocks or Station Town meeting residents and talking about their local problems and concerns.
The day began early with my usual weekly visit to the coffee morning at the Blackhall Rocks Residents Association at Kasko House. I later moved on to the Station Town Neighbourhood Group coffee morning at the chapel in Millbank Terrace where I spoke to residents about the general condition of some of the private sector housing in the village, in particular those empty properties owned by absent landlords. I heard about a number of reported incidents of anti-social behaviour in these areas, despite the attention of neighbourhood wardens. I have contacted the private sector initiatives section at county hall with a request that these landlords are traced and held responsible for the condition of their properties. This approach has met with considerable success in other parts of my ward and I intend to pursue it in Station Town for the benefit of residents there.
Later in the day I also received further complaints about the flooding problem at Rodridge Hall in Hutton Henry (see other posts on this site for background details). The highways engineers have confirmed that further investigatory works are to be carried out in this location later this week following additional information received from a local farmer which may identify a cause of the flooding. I am assured that I will receive regular updates on developments as they arise and I will post these on this site. Acknowledging that this is long running problem for residents, I am determined to find a solution.
Yesterday evening saw a return to the Residents Association meeting at Kasko House in Blackhall Rocks. Along with following up on the usual day-to-day issues I have requested a replacement litter bin at the bus shelter at Coast View and issued requests for pot hole repairs in a number of streets, including the one directly outside St Joseph's church in Blackhall Colliery.
