Back street dumping ground transformed into town’s first ‘green alley’

Fed up residents took action after being labelled the 'worst back street' for fly-tipping

After being told the litter and weed-strewn area behind their homes one of the worst in the neighbourhood, a group of residents rolled their sleeves up to create a small, green oasis.

Tired of the area outside their homes being used as a dumping ground, many of those living on Rock Avenue and Raimond Street in Halliwell, Bolton decided to make a change.

Inspired by similar developments in Manchester, residents now believe it’s one of the first, if not the first ‘green alley’ in Bolton.

Resident Susan Jones said: “Over the last six to eight months more and more residents have joined in to make the street a pleasant place to spend some time.

“We’ve been planting garden tubs, recycling containers and watering shrubs, fruit trees, bulbs and plants.

“Residents in nearby areas regularly walk through the back street to watch the progress.”

Another volunteer, Gwyneth Bailey, is a member of Halliwell Community Alliance.

She said the ‘green alley’ was part of the of a number of improvements across Halliwell supported by the alliance, where those living there are driving forward improvements in green spaces.

She, said: “Residents in nearby Avoncliff Close are working to improve a small, neglected park space where they go to exercise and hold regular picnics for all the neighbours and two local churches, St Joseph’s and the Church of the Nazarene have developed community gardens which will be open to the public in the near future.

“There’s a community garden at Harpers Lane, transforming former derelict land into a welcoming space for local residents.

“The Halfway youth group and children from Taiyabah Mosque have been tending ten trough planters installed on arterial roads this last year, watering the plants, keeping them free of weeds and planting winter bulbs and plants.

“This initiative has been very popular with local residents.”

These groups have been supported by ward councillors giving access to ‘Growing the Good Work’ funding and/or small grants from Bolton Green Umbrella network.

Coun Richard Silvester, Bolton Council’s cabinet member for climate change and environment visited the Rock Avenue and Raimond Street improvements. Coun Silvester said: “It was a fantastic and inspiring visit, and I was given a warm Bolton welcome.

“The wonderful work which the residents adjoining this back street have done and are doing to keep it clean and tidy, full of plants, flowers, colours and provide biodiversity is an example of what can be achieved in back streets everywhere when residents come together to take care of their environment.”