Lib Dem Councillors Fight to Preserve Streetscape

11.29.32pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 18th Oct 2004

Liberal Democrat Councillor Brian Jennings (Weetwood) is leading a campaign to improve the streetscape in some of the most attractive districts of Leeds. While other parts of Leeds have been heavily criticised by organisations such as English Heritage, Cllr Jennings is determined to protect the leafy streets of West Park and Far Headingley from unsightly street furniture such as street benches, bollards and signs, and from unsatisfactory highway maintenance.

To help tackle the problem local Councillors have allocated a £5,000 'Streetscape Fund' to ensure that streets are brought back up to their original standard after repairs. The scheme will concentrate on two areas; the corridor running from West Park to Woodhouse Moor, and Kirkstall.

Councillor Jennings said "We have some very attractive residential streets, a feature of which is the high quality of the stone kerbing and pavements. These areas are under threat from 'street clutter' such as signs, bollards and similar items in places where they're not really needed, and from poor quality highways repair work that doesn't bring streets back up to their original standard."

"I have invited Officers from the Area Committee to spend an afternoon with me in the area between Headingley and West Park in order that I can show them some examples of this kind of clutter and get something done about it".

"Because the Council has inherited a £60m backlog of highways maintenance from the previous administration, the Highways Department just doesn't have the funds to bring some of our better quality streets back up to their former standard after essential maintenance. That's why the local Councillors have allocated extra money to make sure that repairs are of a satisfactory standard".

Cllr Martin Hamilton (Lib Dem, Headingley), Chairman of the North West Inner Area Committee added "The local Councillors feel very strongly that we should protect the quality of the local environment. As the Highways Department's budget is fully stretched, we're using some of our discretionary spending powers to ensure that the best possible materials are used for road and footpath repairs."