Right up their street

Sunday, 29 July 2012

Community spirit: Garden City and Manns Road residents

Second batch of residents join ‘adoption’ scheme

By Anna Temkin

A SECOND street has been “adopted” by its
residents as part of a borough-wide scheme to make neighbourhoods look more attractive.

Households in Garden City and Manns Road, Edgware, were officially handed ownership of their street’s look and feel last Wednesday as part of Barnet Council’s Adopt-a-street initiative.

The scheme encourages volunteers to carry out work in their area including planting, gardening and litter sweeps.

The council sent out initial requests to residents in ten streets to participate in the scheme. Ravensdale Avenue in North Finchley became the first to join up in June last year.

Residents in Edgware decided to sign up after an increase in antisocial behaviour in the area.

When they adopt their street through the
council’s Pledgebank website, people are provided with equipment including litter pickers, shovels and rubbish sacks.

Before winter sets in, adopted streets also receive a delivery of grit and equipment to remove snow from their pavements.

Dean Cohen, cabinet member for environment, said: “I look forward to seeing how the residents will make improvements to the look and feel of the area.

Maxine Weber, the Garden City street co-ordinator, said: “Our road, like many across London, has seen a big population change over the past few years. Our postman has always said Garden City was one of the few true communities left in the capital with neighbours drinking tea together in the street at every opportunity.

“It was heartening to read about the Adopt-a-street scheme and the chance to encourage residents and landlords to take pride in the street and return a real community spirit to the area.”

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