We’ve been out and about in Derbyshire Lane West, asking how it’s going. As you can see below, you’ve been saying lots of good things about the area.
But there are things you’d like to see improved…
You don’t feel as safe as you deserve to feel.
This has been raised a few times. The police figures are not too bad, but they don’t tell the whole story. You’ve told us about drug dealing in alleys and instances of self-injecting in the open. The area is not far from well-publicised tragic events involving knives and there has been a lot of worry about an incident in Moss Park about a year ago.
I want to bring the police into this. I’d like to see some community engagement. I’m not sure police surgeries are the answer, but there are actions we need to consider.
It’s not good for anyone if we don’t feel safe enough to engage fully in community activity, particularly if that means children are denied the freedom granted to older generations.
Flytipping and graffiti
We need to do better at clearing flytipping. There’s graffiti on the back of the flats above the shops. People have told me it adds to the general sense of a neighbourhood that’s not looking after itself.
Decline of the road
The state of the speed-humps in particular has been raised. They’re by no means the worst, but I get that people expect better.
Subway under railway
The subway has received some attention lately but it needs major investment. Andy Burnham wants all Greater Manchester stations to be accessible. The condition of the Humphrey Park subway means it can not be said to be wheelchair accessible.
Actions
I’m going to talk to the police over the general perception of personal safety in the neighbourhood. I’m already talking to Trafford over graffiti.
Ideally, I’d like to improve general engagement with the area. The Friends of Moss Park is not currently active because people have left the area.
I almost live too close to the area, because it’s easy to take things for granted and I’d like us to improve our channels of communication with the area.
I’d really love for people to engage with the comments below and tell me how we need to respond. Should we be doing more in terms of litter picking for instance? I’d suggest public meetings but is there an appetite?
I’m intending to update the site on how we’re getting on. But please do comment below!