• Working together improves community walking routes

     

    Location: Blackburn  

     

    Tanya Gallagher, the neighbourhood manager for South West Blackburn had been receiving complaints about a street in the area. Wanting to support the neighbourhood, she decided to approach ‘Fitter For Walking’ coordinator Bernard Kennedy. ‘Fitter for Walking’ is designed to help residents create streets they can be proud of – that feel safe, look attractive, and are well used by local walkers.

     
    Bernard visited the area and spoke to the people at the nearby children’s centre to see what the problems were. They told him that they had avoided the area because of poor lighting and anti social behaviour. One staff member told him that she avoided the route and sought other ways to get to work. Local residents Eileen & Bernard Johnson said “it is very creepy, even during the day.”
     
    The next step was inviting community members to take part in a street audit. As Blackburn with Darwen is a highly ethnically diverse area, getting people involved in working together is very important. Bernard compiled a report on the area with the group, and will be acting as an advocate for the group to the council to get changes made. The aim was to open up a walking route between the communities of Galligreaves and Hollins Street; a new route that should encourage users of the children’s centre to walk. It was seen as important to do this in order to get young children into the walking habit early, in what is a deprived area of the North West.
     
    Bernard found that by speaking to local residents and acting as an intermediary between them and the council, the residents have taken a much bigger interest in their area. The spare land around the area has been chosen by the group for a community clean up day, and local voluntary street ambassador, Carol Walsh, was keen to offer her support. Residents highlighted the fact that they have tried to get changes made before to the area but never got a reply. They were very appreciative of being taken seriously and having someone at grass roots level listening to them and acting on their behalf.
     
    The project is still in progress, but it has already radically changed how residents feel about their local walking links – and has laid the foundations for much more work in the future.




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