The St James’ Centre was packed full for a residents meeting
last Friday.
Councillor George Davies and I had invited Magenta to
address residents’ concerns about the condition of the Crossways Estate.
Magenta deserves credit for the way it has responded. Three
immediate steps were agreed at the meeting.
First, Magenta is to send in its Antisocial Behaviour
officers to patrol the area on a regular basis. This should prevent any trouble
occurring, and, in the event an incident does take place, it should ensure a
swift response.
A second welcome move being taken by Magenta is to mobilise
the Pest Control team over the coming weeks. Any Crossways residents who have
reported problems with mice and rats can expect a visit, with swift action to
follow.
Another major concern voiced by residents was the large
number of homes that had been allowed to sit empty for so long. Magenta
responded at the meeting by agreeing to let some of the empty three bedroom
properties.
Before we meet again in March, Magenta has committed itself
to talk with private developers and come up with some longer term plans on what
they can do with the empty properties, and other Crossways sites that have
fallen into disrepair.
There are some mega, deep-seated problems being reported by
Crossways residents. But these three immediate steps from Magenta, as well as
its longer term commitment, could well offer some welcome relief.