On Friday I joined other members of the North Whitley Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG) to do an Environmental Visual Audit (EVA) of the Hexham Road Estate.
The North Whitley NAG comprises local residents, councillors, council officers and officers from the North Whitley Neighbourhood Police Team.
I was really pleased that Hexham estate was one of the first to receive attention. Due to Police shortages in the Thames Valley in recent years crime issues in South Reading have been neglected over the years.
EVAs are basically a posh title for what Kirsten, Gareth and Lib Dem councillors do all the time, namely walking around a neighbourhood and the identifying problems and picking up issues large and small.
On Friday, we covered Hexham Road and all the roads round and about, including flat blocks and Cintra Park. EVAs are best done on foot so that you don't miss anything. It was useful that officers from Streetcare attended as grafitti and fly tipping was one of the main problems we came across. As I've said before, I feel sure that the Council's policy of charging for bulky waste collection has led to a rise in dumping around Reading.
There is no doubt that the whole estate is in need of urgent regeneration. With the Council's focus on meeting the government's target on decent homes, it's hard to know where the investment will come from. It's certainly something I will continue to campaign for as much as I can, as I think decent neighbourhoods are as important as decent homes.
As we we walked round we noticed that there was evidence of vandalism inside the flat blocks on Hexham Road, but thankfully less of the graffiti that had been a problem last year. It seems too easy for yobs to get into the flats, break glass and do damage inside the blocks. The Council's attitude seems to be "there's no point repairing things as they will just get damaged again' I don't think this is the right thing to do by local residents who have to live in the blocks. Everyone deserves to live in a pleasant environment - particularly if the accommodation is owned by the local council.
It was handy to have Nuisance officers from RBC with us on the EVA. The Nuisance Team at RBC has worked wonders identifying trouble makers and working with their families to reduce problems for them and their neighbours. Residents have told me that they have noticed a definite reduction in the amount of asb on the estate, and a lot of this is down to the work of Nuisance officers.
Local residents who attended told me afterwards they really appreciated being able to talk to Inspector Kevin Sinfield and his team directly about crime issues such as drug dealing and car crime.
Issues that were highlighted will now be written up and given to members of the NAG for action. I hope the NAG will put pressure on the Council and the Police to deal with all matters raised promptly.
The NAG does need more members so if you want to get involved please contact me
The next meeting of the North Whitley NAG is 3 March. Meetings are held at monthly the South Reading Youth & Community Centre @ 7pm.
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