A council has united with its partners and residents to smarten up a County Durham village.
Durham County Council’s neighbourhood wardens joined forces with Durham Constabulary and a team of local volunteers to tidy up Langley Park.
On their regular walks around the village, the council’s neighbourhood wardens and Durham Constabulary’s police community support officers received regular feedback about the poor state of the pathways around Logan Street, Durham Street, Railway Street and George Street.
To improve the areas, the council and police organised two days of action, inviting local residents to help them clean up.
Elizabeth Howe, local resident, said: “It’s brilliant everyone is being so enthusiastic about neighbourhood activities.”
Jim Smith, local resident, said: “We’ve always done a lot of community work and we want to inspire more people around here to join in.”
Volunteers from the local community joined the two teams to tackle a number of issues, including removing litter and cutting back trees and bushes.
The council’s Clean and Green Team also leant their support, providing transport to remove several truck-loads of waste. Now residents with wheelchairs and push chairs can access the streets more easily, without having to navigate past the overgrown foliage.
Staff at the local Miners Institute helped to boost the teams’ spirits and energy levels by serving refreshments.
Cllr Brian Stephens, Durham County Council Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships, said: “This was a fantastic result, the pathways look completely transformed. It’s been amazing to see such great team spirit. I’d like to thank all our partner agencies and volunteers for supporting us to respond to residents’ concerns.”
Jacki Metcalfe, police community support officer, said: “We are always pleased to join forces with partners and local volunteers so we can work together to improve the community.”
