Successful Streets

Fed up with getting nowhere with its previous attempts to draw attention to the poor condition of the public realm in our High Street, the Civic Society’s Successful Streets Group (SSG) is upping the ante this year.

This year, SSG saw little point in updating its two-year-old list of 253 issues of concern such as broken paving, grubby bins, cluttered signage and street furniture only to see few – if any – improvements.

Proactive approach

So, SSG is adopting a new, more proactive approach to working with both councils (Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucestershire County Council that between them control the streetscape), and the various private companies that can help to improve matters (Ubico, BT, Virgin, etc.).

The group’s three-fold focus in 2020 will be to: highlight the categories of problem items; identify and engage constructively with the person or team in the council or company who has responsibility for these; and follow up to see tasks carried out or, if not possible, to develop new ways to somehow get the jobs done.

‘Yes we can!’

SSG points out that a significant number of the issues could be sorted quickly and at minimum cost. Despite this, the councils will too often say ‘No’ to something due to lack of budget. But then they often follow that with a second ‘No’ to alternative constructive suggestions. In future, SSG wants to hear ‘Yes, we can’!

SSG is keen to start getting things done at pace, so is building a database of volunteers. If you can lend us your practical skills and know-how – whether with a pen, a paintbrush or a keyboard – and have the enthusiasm to move mountains, SSG wants to hear from you.

To get involved, please email us at: ssg@cheltcivicsoc.org