A Merseyside estate is "being left to ruin," according to those living there. From petty antisocial behaviour to gang violence, Wirral's Woodchurch Estate faces a number of challenges, but some feel more could be done to improve the area.
After having lived on the estate for over seven decades, Lenny Fowler said "the place just seems to be dying." Lenny showed the ECHO around the Woodchurch, pointing out issues including litter, broken streetlights, uneven footpaths, overflowing bins, and dangerous broken fences. "The whole place is just ridiculous," he said.
Resident's daily tidy-up
While walking around the estate with Lenny we bumped into neighbour Simon Johnson who dedicates hours of his time everyday to making the estate tidier by picking up litter. Simon's been tidying up the area for around six months. When asked why, he said: "I was getting fed up of seeing rubbish. I hate seeing it, and I've got a bit of spare time."
On Carr Bridge Road, Lenny pointed out a number of sharp, rusty pieces of metal sticking up from broken fences. "Imagine if someone fell on that," Lenny said, adding: "Nothing gets fixed here."
£20m Government funding
It is not all bad news for the area. Woodchurch has been named among hundreds of neighbourhoods across the country that are to receive £20m from the Government to restore pride and a sense of community amongst locals.
Announced under Keir Starmer's premiership, the Pride in Place programme will inject £20m into countless communities over the next ten years. At the time of its announcement, the Starmer Government said it will support "improvements people can see on their doorstep, champion local leadership, foster community engagement, and strengthen social cohesion."
Upon being approached by the ECHO with Lenny's concerns, Matthew Patrick, Member of Parliament for Wirral West, pointed to the Pride in Place funding. He said: "I refuse to see the Woodchurch written off and held back. That is why I fought for and secured £20 million in Government funding for the area as part of Labour’s Pride in Place programme."
"Through our chair, Jenny Allinson, backed by a board drawn from the local community, the future of the Woodchurch is in the Woodchurch’s hands. I'm looking forward to supporting real change driven by the community for the community."
"Our board is now up and running, and I was delighted to see the community come together for our launch event on Hoole Road in May. I look forward to driving the real change that residents expect and deserve."
Community 'turning a corner'
The three local councillors, Stephen Bennett, Jean Robinson, and Jerry Williams, who represent the Upton ward, have also celebrated Woodchurch's inclusion in the Pride in Place programme. In a statement the councillors told the ECHO the estate is "turning a corner."
They added: "From community-led investment and grassroots action to safer streets and new opportunities, Woodchurch is showing what can happen when residents, organisations and partners work together towards a shared vision for the future."
Wirral Council itself was also given the opportunity to provide a comment on the concerns raised about the estate.
