Whilst most components of the Safer Streets programme completed within the timeframe of the programme (which ended in East Marsh in August 2023), Safer Streets was also able to kick start a number of more ambitious, long-term projects which hopefully will ultimately benefit the residents in East Marsh.
The Railway Bridge
The Mariners Pub
The Grafton Street Pocket Park
The Railway Bridge
This project was taken on by East Marsh Involve (EMI) who wanted to address the condition and safety of the pedestrian bridge crossing the railway line that divides East Marsh from nearby retail parks. The concern was about safety at night and in particular, safety for women and girls.
The bridge is Council owned and, as well as addressing security, needed repair and visual improvements. EMI planned to work with the Council about lighting, CCTV and safety improvements and get permission to paint the bridge (urban art) to make it more attractive and foster more of a sense of ownership from the community.
The graffiti art ended up being delayed as a plan evolved for the Council to paint the bridge first, so the artwork had to wait. But later on, an assessment of the bridge during 2023 by the Council has determined now that much more needs to be done to the bridge than expected. Perhaps major renovation. Perhaps even a replacement bridge. The plans from EMI are therefore ‘on hold’.
However, the positive outcome is that this bridge is now being focused on by the Council and will hopefully, over the next 12+ months be improved from a safety and appearance perspective. EMI remain ready to work with the Council later on to ensure the bridge serves the community better for the future.
For up to date information, visit the EMI Facebook page here.
Mariners Pub
Mariners pub, in the heart of East Marsh, had a good life, but in mid 2023 it lay empty and neglected. East Marsh United (EMU) have a vision to take on the building as a community venue and bring it back into community use.
Safer Streets contributed to some upfront costs to help EMU investigate and progress taking over the building. At the end of the Safer Streets programme, leases were being agreed for EMU to take possession of the building and get started renovating it.
This will be a long term project for the community with volunteers from EMU fundraising and working on the building themselves. Spaces will hopefully become available for a variety of community uses from as early as Autumn 2023.
Follow the progress on the project via the EMU website here: www.eastmarshunited.org or Facebook page www.facebook.com/eastmarshunited
The Grafton Street community park
Lincolnshire Housing Partnership (LHP) demolished a tower block in the heart of East Marsh many years ago, and the piece of land where it once stood is an unused open space with grass, weeds, flytipping and more.
But the location sits between Sunderland Park and the heart of East Marsh surrounded by other residential blocks and garage units and is ideal for the community and local people to take on as a community garden.
So with support from Safer Streets and partners, East Marsh United (EMU) will hopefully also be taking on management of this plot of land from late 2023 to develop for the benefit of the community.
But the location was first identified by the Police and residents as a ASB and flytipping hotspot, so under the Safer Streets programme additional street lighting, CCTV cameras and signage has been put up around the area with the aim of improving the safety for the residents.
This improvement all happened before the idea of using the space itself for a community ‘micro park’ arose. EMU is leading the park project and working with WEA who have an interest in fostering community engagement in projects. VANEL are supporting the ‘neighbourhood networking’ aspects that the project will provide. Humberside Conservation Volunteers (HCV) did an initial site survey and will be providing on site services as requested to help with ‘green’ activities.
But this will be a long-term initiative. LHP are working to handover the lease of the space to EMU and also have provided garage space nearby for storage of equipment. Residents will need to be engaged and brought on board and many volunteer hours will be needed to get the space prepared and then used.
Plans are at a very early stage to decide how to clear and landscape the site and what can/will be grown and prepared there.
There is already a prime example of this type of community park in East Marsh with the gardens at the rear of Your Place community centre. Here the large open space has developed into gardens; growing food; community spaces and volunteering opportunities; plant sales and more. The team at Your Place have taken many years to develop this community garden, but this is an example for the new park to follow.
EMU are leading this project, so visit their website to find out the latest updates.