Meadow Well has been “written off” for “too long”, say community leaders, as organisations, charities, the police, and the council seek to champion the area following a Day of Action on 13 July 2026.
The event saw North Tyneside Council’s environment squad tidy streets, conduct on-the-spot bulky waste collections, and address fly-tipping, while the housing team engaged with council tenants. Residents were invited to The Cedarwood Trust on Avon Avenue to raise concerns with council workers and partner agencies.
Key Figures Speak Out
Solomon Lennox, CEO of Cedarwood Trust, said: “For too long, this area has been written off, especially during the riots of the 1990s. There are good people in the estate, and we should tell those stories.” He added: “We need to change that, otherwise it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.”
Karyn Ainsley, Chief Officer of The Meadows community centre on Waterville Road, highlighted the centre’s three-and-a-half acres of green space maintained by three part-time workers and volunteers. “Our oldest volunteer is 96, and she has been with us for years. It is an incredibly popular resource,” she said. On negative perceptions, she noted: “That gets frustrating for the residents when the only thing getting published is negative when there are so many positives.”
Government Funding and Partnership Work
Council officials highlighted the government’s £20 million Pride of Place funding allocated to North Tyneside over 10 years, focused on Percy Main, which can enhance pavements, high streets, culture, and green spaces. The Day of Action also promoted the Meadow Well Community Partnership Group, which brings together the council, housing providers, community groups, and local organisations to improve quality of life.
Coun Hannah Johnson, North Tyneside Council’s cabinet member for neighbourhoods and councillor for Chirton and Percy Main, said: “We are working with the police and our community partners to really listen to what residents want. We have got litter pickers out, the housing team helping with gardens, and we are working on anti-social behaviour and criminal behaviour. We know there is a lot of work that needs doing and this is the start.”
