NORTH Manchester's troubled residential area, Moston Lane, is to be given a major facelift as part of a city-wide clean-up of district centres across Manchester.
"Along with the police, we are cracking down on irresponsible residents and businesses in the area"
Thanks to an airport windfall, Manchester City Council are going to invest more than £122,000 from the Clean City fund, provided by its shareholding in Manchester Airport, into improving the appearance of the area.
Over the next six months, the money will pay for work on Moston Lane and the junctions of surrounding streets such as Worsley Avenue, Gill Street, Clough Road and Kenyon Lane.
Once dubbed part of the 'Worst Place in England' (Harpurhey) during a 2007 goverment study and 'alcohol alley' by councillors for the sheer number of off-licenses, making the Moston Lane area a safer and more welcoming one has become a priority for local residents and business owners.
Confidential recently examined Moston Lane's current state back in September, its difficulties with anti-social behaviour and whether it had potential to blossom into a food tourist spot with the growing number of African establisments on the 1.5 mile road.
At the time plans for future regeneration had seemed stifled.
African store on Moston Lane
Now, with the £122k investment, Moston will welcome the planting of trees along stretches of the road and the planting of bulbs on some of the grass verges.
Improvements will also be made to the area's Peace Gardens, with pathways resurfaced and new benches installed, while the nearby St Dunstan’s Green will also be cleaned.
Moston Lane and some surrounding streets will be given a 'deep clean' while old metal tree guards, which have become unsightly by trapping litter, will be removed.
New street signs will be put up, directing shoppers and other visitors to the district centre and to the area’s free car park, while new road markings will be painted on the street and new litter bins installed.
The council received the £14.5m airport dividend last year as a one-off, largely due to Manchester Airport Holdings Ltd’s purchase of Stansted Airport.
The money cannot be spent on projects which would create ongoing costs, such as hiring extra staff or supporting existing facilities, but must go to one-off investments which would make a lasting difference to improve the quality of the environment.
Meanwhile, the City Council is also working closely with businesses and residents in and around Moston Lane who want to work together to improve the area, by forming the Moston Lane Businesses Partnership.
The City Council also says it plans to tackle crime in the area head-on.
Councillor Rosa Battle, Manchester City Council’s executive member for culture and leisure, said: “We’ve been listening to what residents and businesses have said about the issues they are concerned about on Moston Lane.
“These improvements, paid for by our Clean City fund, will make a lasting and visible improvement to the area, but this is only one of the ways we are working to change Moston Lane for the better. Along with the police, we are cracking down on irresponsible residents and businesses in the area, while we are also working with individuals and small companies who want to make a positive difference.”
