ALMOST three-quarters of Glossopdale residents now believe Glossop town centre is 'attractive' or 'very attractive' following major investment of more than £2.9 million to boost the local environment.
And 77 per cent of people interviewed earlier this year declared they were 'satisfied' or 'very satisfied' with the improvements – funded thanks to a successful bid for government regeneration cash by High Peak Borough Council and carried out in part
nership with Glossop Vision.
Following the extensive work – which included extending stone paving on the High Street and other key areas of the town centre, and improving the appearance of the area around the railway station and its pedestrian link to Norfolk Square – 73 per cent of residents said they were impressed by the town's smart new look.
In 2005, only 50 per cent found the town centre 'attractive' or 'very attractive. Last year, only 58 per cent of residents described it as such.
Glossop Vision conducted a survey of 5,000 people to seek their views on the town centre improvement scheme, how issues such as litter and street cleanliness affected the area where they live and which issues were most important to them.
The number of people 'very satisfied' or 'fairly satisfied' with street cleaning was 66 per cent, compared with 53 per cent in 2005, while those 'very satisfied' or 'fairly satisfied' with the way public areas are kept free of litter was 56 per cent, compared with 44 per cent in 2005. The percentage of residents reporting dog fouling in parks fell from 71 per cent in 2005 to 52 per cent this year.
Key issues pinpointed by residents as of most concern were street cleanliness (82 per cent), dog fouling (61 per cent), highway maintenance (60 per cent) and gully emptying (49 per cent).
"We are delighted by this positive reaction to the recent improvement work that has been carried out in Glossop town centre – it's an encouraging vote of confidence and evidence that all the hard work and inevitable disruption was worth it," said John Haken, Executive Councillor for the Environment.
"This project is just part of the Borough Council's long-term commitment to investing in Glossopdale – including refurbishment work in Manor Park, the new all-weather sports pitch at Hadfield and new play facilities planned in Simmondley.
"The Glossop Vision survey also highlighted other issues of local concern, and we will make sure that further improvements are achieved in priority areas identified by residents."
A full copy of the survey's findings can be accessed at www.highpeak.gov.uk.
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