Work has begun on a derelict estate plagued by anti-social behaviour.
Primrose Court in Huyton has faced a number of issues and has fallen victim to crime and fly tipping in recent years. People were shocked to see so many empty homes when a video of the estate was shared millions of times on TikTok at the start of 2022.
The problems first started on Primrose Court when it was built over 15 years ago. With two developers associated with the scheme going bust before construction was even completed, key parts of the street furniture, including kerbs and lighting were never installed. The road was not adopted either, which meant responsibility for its upkeep fell to the residents rather than the council.
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Residents living in the area said they had feared for their safety and claimed gangs torched houses and set fires in the street. A number of the houses were left derelict and were targets for antisocial behaviour.
Knowsley Council said work has now started at Primrose Court to make it safer following concerns raised by people living there. The local authority said the work marks the start of a series of measures including a new road surface, street lighting, new CCTV, boundary fences and security devices for homes on the estate, all of which are aimed at preventing anti-social behaviour and making residents feel more secure in their homes.
A spokesperson added these improvements are alongside work already taking place in the area, including police high visibility patrols and clean-up operations to remove hot spots of fly tipping and graffiti. New children’s play equipment at Hillside Community Centre is also set to be installed, as well as improvement works to the surrounding green spaces.
Knowsley Council said this is a "long-term approach to improving community safety" and will continue throughout 2023 and beyond. The works, totalling £367,000, are funded by the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund, which was secured by Merseyside’s Police Commissioner.
The local authority said the majority of work will be completed by April 2023 and once complete Knowsley Council will formally adopt the highway and lighting and secure its long-term maintenance.
Councillor Shelley Powell, Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods said: “We know crime and anti-social behaviour in Primrose Court has been an issue and one we and our community safety partners including Merseyside Police and the Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner have been addressing for some time.
“I’m delighted work has started to make the improvements needed to improve the area and address a number of priority issues for local residents so that we can create long-term change and rejuvenate the area to create an even healthier environment for residents. What’s most important is that we are working closely with our communities to do this work and ensuring they are at the heart of decisions made and the work we do.”
Merseyside’s Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell said: “It’s fantastic to see Safer Streets work has now started in Primrose Court. No-one should feel unsafe in their home or the area where they live and I’m proud that by securing this major cash investment we can focus on putting a stop to the issues which have historically afflicted people living in this area of Knowsley.
“By doing so we can bring about real, positive change, creating a safer, cleaner, healthier environment for the local community.”
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