ePetition details

The Service Road, has been a persistent and long-standing source of complaints by residents, businesses, shop owners and workers. The complicating factor for the public is its apparent status as a private or part public road. Complainants must overcome the never-ending debate about where it happened, who owns or manages that piece of land and who should take action. Residents, shop keepers and businesses are told time and time again, ‘there is nothing that can be done, it is private property’. This results in frustration, anger and loss of confidence in the Council, leading to lack of reporting and a deteriorating environment.
Health, safety and well-being in the road is an issue with restaurants, food shops, noise, fumes. Regular and efficient provision and collection of waste containers is of paramount importance whether private or council. It needs to be made clear where waste containers are stored, who is responsible for each one and how often it will be emptied. Currently, there are often overflowing waste containers which would indicate that there is a lack of waste containers provided or requested or there is a lack of knowledge or compliance about where household waste should be deposited causing some waste containers to be misused or overused.

Waste management and Fly tipping blight the service road. Not only is this dangerous and depressing to look at it causes vermin, with rats being frequently seen, filth which attracts further fly tipping, all close to food shops. It is unhealthy and hazardous. Food, alcohol bottles, cans, furniture, tyres, chairs, etc are littered along the road and damage the fence to Gore Court a council owned property.

The uncontrolled location of waste containers, out buildings and parked vehicles results in them being placed where they could impede the emergency escape measures from adjoining flats and businesses. This should be reviewed in the whole road and possible emergency escape exists clearly marked as not to be obstructed.

There are overflows and down pipes from buildings that are persistently leaking foul water, from height, that collects in the roadways and potholes that stagnate and smells all add to the depressing and unhealthy environment. Poor maintenance and regular cleaning means that dirt, filth and residue build up and remain uncollected blocking and polluting drainage channels.

Parked and abandoned cars, manoeuvring vans and lorries together with the poorly maintained uneven road surfaces and the many obstacles, plus lack of adequate street lighting, are all health and safety risks to residents and workers.
Signage. There is no signage in the Service Road indicating what is private property, council property or unregistered land and no boundary markers. No conditions for entry are displayed, parking is mostly uncontrolled with no enforcement, no access routes for pedestrians exist on the road or at the entrance and exits.
Traffic management and parking control. Lorries, cars and vans with legitimate access are often delayed or are obstructed as a result of vehicles parked inconsiderately without any controls effecting businesses and residents. Large waste containers obstruct the road, entrances and exits potentially impeding emergency vehicles and on some occasions resulting in private refuse contractors leaving waste uncollected causing overflowing containers.

Part of the road has double yellow lines on one side extending from Fryent Way. Another part from Valley Drive has double yellow lines along the whole length, with poles spaced out with signage indicating ‘no loading’ and ‘unloading’ at different points, but as this is single vehicular road one vehicle stopped obstructs all. At Valley Drive entrance are two ‘one way’ signs and at the public car park there are ‘no entry’ signs, all of which would suggest this road is ‘adopted’ as a one-way road but we are informed the signs or lines on the road are not enforceable as it is a private road.
Anti-social behaviour and criminality. These service roads are a magnate for criminality involving drug taking and dealing. Anti-social behaviour that encompasses groups consuming alcohol in the road, leaving their cans and bottles, creating noise and disorder. Defecating and urinating in stairwells, doorways and spaces that have to be used by residents and this includes children. These incidents are witnessed regularly by those living and working there. Can we encourage responsible partners to introduce measures such as CCTV, gates, improve site lines, improve lighting thereby designing out dark areas.

Started by: John Bunn (Valley Farm Residents Association)

This ePetition ran from 05/11/2024 to 16/12/2024 and has now finished.

113 people signed this ePetition.