Shared spaces in NR2 Norwich left in a mess by city council

What were once welcoming outdoor areas are looking more like dumping grounds and some say this is due to being overlooked by Norwich City Council.

Canterbury Place is said not have been regularly cleaned or looked after for about 10 years (Image: Newsquest)
Jennifer White has lived in Canterbury Place, near Barn Road just outside the city centre, for 45 years and says the area "used to be quite nice".

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The 73-year-old said: "The last five years it's really gone downhill and the council doesn't seem to want to know about it.

"There's been a lack of upkeep and the pathways around the area here are also terrible.

Jennifer White has lived in Canterbury Place for 45 years and said the area has really gone downhill (Image: Newsquest)
"Included as part of the service charge should be the upkeep of gardens but that's not been done.

"We care about where we live and would like to see some return on what we pay for."

Bryan Shaw also lives in Canterbury Place and added: "The place hasn't been regularly cleaned for about 10 years.

"The last time it was even weeded was September last year.

Part of the communal green space in Canterbury Place (Image: Newsquest)
"Frankly it's heartbreaking because gradually over the years the area has seriously deteriorated and the council has neglected its responsibility." 

The city council were contacted by this newspaper but declined to comment.

Another contentious area is Langley Walk, which joins Derby Street and Devonshire Street in Heigham Grove.

Max Logan lives in Langley Walk and said: "It's not well maintained at all.

Jennifer White said that part of the service charge neighbours pay to the council should include the upkeep of the gardens (Image: Newsquest)
"It's all overgrown and needs to be better kept by the council.

"We pay our council tax so it should look better."

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Ade Adedji moved to the area last month and added: "It's a danger to anyone travelling down here.

Max Logan lives in Langley Walk and said the area is not well maintained (Image: Newsquest)
"I'm all for helping nature but the grass and bushes haven't been cut for a long time and the area is all overgrown.

"It just looks ugly."

People living in Langley Walk say the area is overgrown and looks ugly (Image: Newsquest)

Norwich's neglected nature

City folk have regularly contacted this newspaper about their shabby neighbourhoods this year.

In March, Josephine Pye, 85, from Windsor Road, Hellesdon was concerned that a path next to the 40mph Mile Cross Lane, was too narrow for people to pass each other safely and called for the bush to be cut back to create a safe passing point.

Langley Walk acts as a walkway between Derby Street and Devonshire Street, in Heigham Grove (Image: Newsquest)
In June, Michael Stewart-Watling, who lives in Cherry Close in Lakenham, said the city council has refused to trim his bushes despite the fact he is unable to do so himself due to a hernia.

Earlier this month, a community near Eaton Park came together to clear a neglected pathway after councils failed to act due to bickering over who should take responsibility for it.

Green Party councillor Alex Catt decided to clear an overgrown NR3 alleyway, from Silver Road to Marlborough Road, saying: "We get endless feedback from people that our area is being neglected by our city and county council."

Ade Adedji said that walkway in Langley Walk is a danger for anyone walking down there (Image: Newsquest)