The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Street revamp to put end to ‘living hell’
A LONG-AWAITED regeneration scheme for an area of Peterborough plagued by crime and antisocial behaviour will become a reality.
Residents of Fellowes Gardens, in Fletton, will see a major revamp of their street thanks to a joint investment of more than £700,000 by Peterborough City Council and Cross Keys Homes.
For many years now the estate has been a hotspot for crime and the layout of the area, comprising of 63 houses and two blocks of flats, has been blamed for creating an environment of “poor natural surveillance”.
Those living on the estate have previously described the crime problems as creating a “living hell”, with cars and bins set on fire, bricks thrown through windows, walls damaged and kids climbing over fences onto the nearby railway tracks.
A community effort over the last 12 months led by the Fellowes Gardens Residents’ Association has seen things improve, but it is hoped the regeneration of the estate will all but eradicate crime and anti-social behaviour.
The work, which is expected to begin soon with the funding secured, will look to remove the secluded areas which encourage crime through the demolition and replacement of garages, improved parking areas, new fencing and new lighting throughout the housing areas.
There will also be an upgrade to the communal and play areas on the estate.
Alan Clark, chairman of the residents’ association, has said work on the estate is long overdue and hopes it can start as soon as possible.
He said: “It’s been a long wait. We have had this fencing here for the last 20 years.
“Touch wood, things have quietened down over the last year and to be fair to Cross Keys, the council and the police have been making the effort down here.”
Ward councillors Matthew Lee and Lucia Serluca paid tribute to the work Mr Clark has done in his neighbourhood and are delighted that funding for the project has finally been approved.
Cllr Lee said: “We are delighted that after a number of years in the offing we have been able to find the funding to do this. It will make a real difference to lo- cal people, particularly getting rid of some of the garages to create some good views and reduce anti-social behaviour.”
Cllr Serluca added: “The residents have really been behind this work and the city council and Cross Keys Homes would not have been able to do this without their input.
“In particular we would like to thank Alan Clark for all of his work.”