The Big Picture Picture by: Nina Lenton
The Big Picture is a showcase for local photographic talent. Please email pictures for consideration, along with some details about them, to jamesp@baylismedia.co.uk
Among the numerous observations I've made, it's disheartening to report the prevalence of illicit drug deals and drug use occurring within the car park.
It's evident that this space has become a hotspot for such illegal activities.
Young children (sometimes groups of kids as young as 10) and teenagers frequently visit the top floor of the car park unsupervised, where I’ve observed them engaging in highly dangerous behaviour, such as climbing the side rails and climbing onto the roof of the stairwells.
These individuals are not only putting themselves at risk but also endangering motorists and pedestrians below by throwing objects from the roof of the stairwell.
There’s a disturbing trend of vandalism directed towards the car park's alarm system.
With individuals finding entertainment in repeatedly tampering with the alarms, setting them off without regard for the consequences or the disturbance it causes to nearby residents.
Often groups of children will repeatedly kick stairwell doors or try to prise open electric panels.
As I write this, there’s currently a permanent resident who lives on the top floor – a young man living quite happily from his camper van – he’s a regular visitor and often appears parked on the top floor sometimes for considerably long periods of time, and seems quite content with the living arrangements due to the proximity to the shops and how quiet and unmonitored the carpark is – he certainly appears to be harmless and keeps the area clean when he’s about.
Not all is bad, with the empty space sometimes used by individuals for golden hour photography, friendly car meets, a location for a recurring roller-skating club, and parents teaching their children to drive.
Considering these troubling observations, I urge local authorities to take proactive measures to address the misuse of the Vicus Way car park and ensure the safety and well-being of residents and visitors alike.
Increased surveillance, enforcement of regulations, and initiatives to provide support for vulnerable individuals are crucial steps toward reclaiming this space for its intended purpose and fostering a safer environment for all.
Clearly, the construction of this car park (and the huge expense that this entailed to
the taxpayer), was an error of judgement from our local council; but we must now be mindful not to neglect this space and let it run into disrepair or to be used for these antisocial activities.
It is only a matter of time until there’s a fatal accident from children climbing the fences and roofs, to frequent drug usage.
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