Belfield residents work together to improve area

Date published: 04 January 2022

A group of Belfield locals have banded together to improve their local community, which was branded a “cesspit” last year.

Read more: Belfield branded “cesspit” by resident due to “constant” fly-tippingPublished: 23 October 2021

Around sixty residents have joined together to form the Belfield Neighbourhood group, tackling fly-tipping and speeding, cleaning up grot-spots and highway signs, and weeding overgrown public areas. The group largely consists of Belfield Lane residents and those who live on the surrounding streets.

The Belfield Neighbourhood group was started last year by resident, Ryan Lakin, who has lived in the area for 10 years. He started the group after the birth of his son, Oliver, two.

He said: “Becoming a father for the first time made me feel compelled to bring the community together. In 2020, I set up the Facebook group, printed off some leaflets, strapped a six-month-old Oliver to my back and leaflet-dropped to everyone on Belfield Lane. That day, the Belfield Neighbour Group was born.”

Over the last 18 months, the residents have installed new signs, installed CCTV and held weekly litter picks to improve the area. Jackie Seymour Williams is the “litter picker champion” who tackles the streets every Sunday morning.

“Alongside this has been Fred, he works for the council and is part of our community group,” added Ryan.

Belfield Lane has benefited from CCTV signs and litter prevention signs, whilst the CCTV – 4K quality – was installed around 18 months ago. The grass at the bottom of the lane has been cut for children to enjoy and play on, the forest area cleared and the path to the primary school cleared.

Wildflowers have also been planted in some areas along the lane, bringing a burst of colour.

Ryan has been liaising with the council on some of the problematic issues, adding: “As every community – with the children who live on the lane – we would love to see lower traffic volumes and we have asked the council to support by upgrading the speed bumps on the lane.”

Local residents can join the Facebook group, Belfield Neighbourhood, here.