I took part in a street walkabout this morning in Station Town, the latest in a planned series of public engagement events designed to take a closer look at some of the issues in our communities alongside the safer communities team, neighbourhood wardens, the empty homes office, the local parish council and others.
The main purpose of today’s event was to collate details of a number of empty properties in the village and to see what could be done to reduce their impact on the local community in terms of blight, anti-social behaviour and fly-tipping. We also reported a few other local issues, including damaged fencing, potholes and vehicles trespassing on open public spaces. Perhaps the most important part of these sessions though is the opportunity we have as we walk through the streets to stop and have a chat with local residents about some of the issues affecting them and their village.
All the issues we covered in today’s event are now being dealt with by officers in the relevant department and the council and its partner agencies.
The next street walkabout is scheduled to take place in Blackhall Colliery next month, with another due to take place shortly afterwards in Hesleden. I’ll update on progress with the outcome of today’s walkabout and I’ll post advance notification of forthcoming events planned for the other villages in the Blackhalls ward.
In the meantime, if you have any issues you would like me to know about please get in touch at: rob.crute@durham.gov.uk
