Living in city’s ‘unique island’ housing estate
FORGOTTEN AREA SURROUNDED BY INDUSTRY
IT’S Hull’s forgotten estate where hundreds of people live closed in by roads and industrial sites. Every day, thousands of people pass by Delhi Street, off Hedon Road, but you would never know that homes are tucked away at the turn off.
Located within the Marfleet ward, the terrace homes are some of the most affordable properties around, with a two-bed currently on the market for £55,000. The street then runs on to Frodsham Street and then the more exotic sounding Cyprus and Egypt streets.
But what is it like for residents who live there, nestled in the middle of factories and traffic, isolated on their own little island?
Life on the estate
It is clear from turning into Delhi Street that the homes lining the start of the street, opposite to a cemetery, are well cared for, with freshly painted doors, hanging baskets in bloom and tidy mats on the doorstep.
Moving down the road, though, signs of wear and tear are evident on the outside of some houses, many with CCTV or digital cameras installed outside homes or placed in windows.
Instead of providing a sense of security, they brought on feelings of unease as to why people felt the need to guard their houses in this way.
Continuing down into Cyprus Street, there were three cameras looking down on high from a tower, obviously intended to prevent crime and catch fly-tippers in the act.
The need for such council cameras was obvious due to the amount of rubbish bags unceremoniously dumped on the street, with used nappies and dog dirt also soiling the paths.
Further along, at the end of the estate, is Egypt Street, where several houses stood empty, with a door boarded up outside one home after a break-in.
It was clear after speaking with some residents on the estate that those in Delhi Street were happier with their lot than those in Cyprus Street and Egypt Street – with crime and fly-tipping blamed for the gripes in the latter two streets.
‘Not everyone takes pride in the street’
Lee, who lives in Cyprus Street, told us his home was in the perfect location for his family, but there were issues with fly-tipping and dog foul.
He has lived there for more than three years, but says fly-tipping has recently become a problem.
“Location wise, it is ideal living here – my daughter is at school here and all my family are from the area,” said Lee. “It is straight onto Hedon Road to get to work and the industry doesn’t bother me, but the flytipping does.
“Despite how it looks, there is a good community spirit, but not everyone takes pride in the street.
“They throw nappies into our garden and overfill the bins and then go and dump more rubbish at the end of the street under the cover of darkness – that’s why cameras have been installed now, to catch them in the act.
“There’s dog mess everywhere as well, despite the signs all around telling people to clean it up.”
‘The smell takes your breath away’
Another man living in Cyprus
Street, who did not want to be named, echoed the issues with flytipping, which has brought rats to his door and garden.
He also said some neighbours play loud music until the early hours, which disturbs his sleep. Over the 20 years he has lived on the estate, he said it has changed dramatically and gone “downhill”.
“If I could, I would like to live in a nice bungalow in a nicer area, but it’s money isn’t it? I’m retired here and just stuck,” he said.
“Rubbish gets dumped. That brings out the rats and there are cars coming and going at all hours of the night and music blasting out, but you’ve just got to keep quiet and keep your head down.
“There are also terrible smells coming from the nearby factory – sometimes it takes my breath away as it’s that bad.”
‘I would pull all the houses down’
Further along in Egypt Street, which Cyprus Street backs onto, another resident expressed his displeasure with the estate.
“If I had my way, I would just pull all the houses down, as it’s a bad area now with lots of drugtaking and crime and the cops know dealing is going on, but don’t stop it,” he said.
“It’s Cyprus Street that needs sorting and the estate shouldn’t have been blocked in by the factory as it is an eyesore.
“I get on with my neighbours here, but there is still crime, with one of the doors being knocked in for a burglary recently and it’s now boarded up.”
There is a good community spirit, but not everyone takes pride in the street
Lee, Cyprus Street resident
‘The industry affects my health’
Also in Egypt Street, another resident of 21 years told us that the estate had gone “downhill” and that he believed the fumes from the nearby factories worsened his asthma.
“The estate has changed dramatically – it’s gone downhill in terms of crime and we have been blocked in by the factory, which also looks awful,” he said.
“All the industry affects my health and worsened my asthma and causes asthma attacks. I’m happy enough here though.”
‘We are a unique island of houses’
At the start of Delhi Street, other householders were much happier with their lot and would not dream of moving.
Sam, who has lived in her home for 19 years, said that the estate was a “unique island of houses” and a perfect spot for her family.
“We have no trouble, other than parking and with some people dumping rubbish down the tenfoot, but we all know each other and there is a great community spirit.
“We moved here because of the price point and to be near Craven Park as we are Rovers supporters.”
‘I wouldn’t live anywhere else’
Sharon Lane raised her family on the estate and now lives in Delhi Street, but has been in the same area since she married her husband in 1979, who was born on the estate.
“The house is quiet and out the way and I love it – we have double glazing so can’t hear the traffic and the industry doesn’t bother me,” she said.
“I brought up my family here and our son and daughter live in houses down the street.
“There are big gardens here and a lovely community. It is quite a unique place to live and I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”