Date: 17/10/2007
Residents are responding well to actions taken by High Peak Borough Council and New Mills Town Partnership to improve the physical appearance of New Mills as part of the Big Derbyshire Clean Up.
The work is funded through the Big Derbyshire Clean-Up and High Peak Borough Council's 'Going Local' initiative, which forms part of the Area Forum Programme covering the whole of the High Peak. Each forum area has been allocated an improvement fund of £10,000 for local, community led projects to be completed with a focus on cleaner, greener and safer themes.
Improvements to New Mills so far include:
Further improvements next week will bring in new signage for the town. Graffiti removal specialists will also be on site, using a special environmentally friendly system that doesn't damage the ecosystem. Local children will be involved in planting schemes around the wall memorial in High Lea Park.
Works to remove the tree canopy between the Torrs and Hyde Bank Road are now nearly completed and are a huge improvement to the area.
Steve Lewis, the Parks Manager for New Mills Town Council said: "A large number of people have been telling us how much better it is - even the kids on their way from school which is very gratifying. One lady said she seldom came through and usually walked all the way round, but from now on she would have no hesitation walking through to the doctor's surgery and back."
Councillor David Lomax, Chair of the Central Area Forum said: "It's clear that people care about the footpaths and walks around their town and don't like to see them covered in litter - I hope the improvements through the Going Local projects will make people feel safer and more positive about the place they live. I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank the volunteers who were involved in the New Mills Community Festival and Lantern procession for their clean-up efforts after the event."
A complete schedule of works is available online at www.highpeak.gov.uk/neighbourhood.