The Wall is Safe

The wall that made up part of the old stone bridge at the entrance to Langley Park, sitting just beneath Dean Street, is a cause for concern for many locals.

We can be reassured by Andy Niven - Head of DCC Countryside Service - who wrote:

"I am aware of this bit of wall - it is part of the former bridge and an engineer inspected it for me about a month ago. He is confident it needs no immediate work but advises, if we aren't going to undertake any works in the foreseeable future, that we re-point it. As the wall will be part of the work we hope to do at this location to create an entrance feature and improve the Railway Path crossing, I don't propose to undertake any immediate works. However, Mark Oliphant is keeping a professional eye on the situation and we will carry out any necessary work if the situation changes."

Stobilee Wetlands

Just as you head over the road bridge leaving Langley Park along Kaysburn Rd there is a tiny path entrance. 
Go down it!
It takes you past a series of small lakes and ponds filled with wildlife - including an otter - then through the woods before bringing you out at Diggerland.

We went down there last night and took just one bin bag of cans away from the woods. We hope to return over the weekend to clear away the rest.

We have to get this pathway signposted - from the main road and the railway line.

Why do we like to keep these amazing beauty spots so well hidden?

Path Cleared - and kept clear

If you have ever been down the path running from Quebec Street to the Allotments via the side of the Sport Ground you will remember how it was always strewn with litter.

Well no more.

This is part of Gary's patch - and even on a random Thursday evening it was still clean and tidy.

Welcome Jo

Jo from Railway St has just joined up - here's what she says about herself:

"art practitioner, keen gardener, interest in space / place design, user design and sustainability in the broadest sense. Have worked with community groups as a practitioner, but as a fairly nomadic person, have never belonged to one .. its about time.
Happy to dig, build, plant, prune, litter pick, talk and make brews. "

Great to have you on board Jo.

cg

Renewed Sense of Community Sweeps Railway Street

The Railway Street entrance to Langley Park is about to get a make-over - which is great!

But not as great as the sense of ownership residents now feel over their local environment.

Legal issues notwithstanding over who actually owns the various pieces of land, the residents agreed that they would come together on the first Sunday in July to create a place they can be proud of, and jointly maintain.

In a meeting called by Kristy-Jo at No1, and chaired by her, concerns and ideas were raised and dealt with in a manner that left everyone motivated and enthused.

Residents working together,and taking responsibility for their own enviornment means we can all look forward to Railway Street becoming, and remaining, a clean, green and pleasant place to live and visit.

Green - but not Clean

The main entrance to Langley Park village centre, from the Railway Line, is an overgrown wasteland, covered in cans, bottles and dog mess.

No doubt it is also a haven for wildlife - like mice.

So although it is inviting to animals, it is not at all welcoming to humans passing by from Lanchester to Durham.

It may be green - but it is not clean, or pleasant.

The residents of Railway Street and Logan Street are being invited to a meeting on Saturday to discuss what to do with it and who is going to do it.

Leaflets will be put through everyone's door with the time and location.

See you there.
cg

Railway Street Resident getting mow-tivated

The idea that "if everyone looked after their own land, everywhere would be lovely" just doesn't work in the real world.

Some people can't look after their own land - either through disability or infirmity; or because they are not present and rely on their tenants.
Some people won't look after their own land - and while it is easy to judge them, we must remember that for some people it just isn't a priority.  Indeed, for some, getting up and going to work isn't a priority; so expecting them to maintain their own street frontage is perhaps a wish too far.

Then there are pieces of land that simply aren't owned, or for which the Council is nominally responsible.
To expect the Council to maintain the myriad pieces of street and land to the standard we want will cost a small fortune - on top of what we already pay (and in Langley Park, this is already at £2.5 million per year).

The only way we can live in the village we want, is for those of us that want it to be clean and green and pleasant to do it ourselves.

Which is why I was thrilled that a resident in Railway Street is taking on responsibility for clearing the triangular piece of waste land that backs on to the Railway Line - using his own time, sweat and mower.

Cheers

cg