Finsbury Park began its road to revival when the Spotlight Finsbury Park action week kicked off on Monday ( 14 November). <br><br>The week saw the start of a coordinated programme of action to mount a special clean-up operation, during which the council and other agencies took action on general environmental improvements such as deep cleansing, extra sweeping and graffiti removal.<br><br>As part of this operation, the Seven Sisters exit at Finsbury Park tube received a facelift in response to businesses and residents commenting on its unappealing nature and security issues. <br><br>The council is working with local stakeholders to erect an innovative hoarding to cover the wall of the Seven Sisters Bridge opposite the station. This will serve to transform the area’s run down image, giving an inviting, light and vibrant feel to the immediate area.<br><br>Councillor Bridget Fox, Executive member for sustainability, said: “We’ve listened to the suggestions of residents and businesses about environmental improvements for the area, and now we’re taking action. The council will be working with FinFuture to develop and enhance Finsbury Park, which is a vibrant area with great potential.” <br><br>The council is responding to the improvements suggested at workshops attended by businesses and residents in early October. <br><br>Action week runs from 14 - 20 November, the launch took place on 14 November at the Wells Terrace exit to Finsbury Park tube station.<br><br>~ENDS~<br><br>Notes to Editor:<br><br>1: At the October workshops traders, predominantly from the Fonthill Road area, highlighted the following as priorities: street cleaning and dog mess; a revamp of the area under the bridges; more recycling facilities for business and better recycling facilities in Wells Terrace.<br><br>Local residents and community groups prioritised the following issues: installation of CCTV for the area; drug dealing in the area (Moray Rd/Abbeney Rd); and revamping the area under the bridges.<br><br><br>2: Spotlight Aims and Objectives<br><br>The Spotlight Project was created to achieve the following aims and objectives:<br><br>· To identify and target environmentally poor areas within the borough. <br>· To engage with all key stakeholders within the area to determine what they perceive to be the main environmental problems and their causes<br>· Develop lasting relationships with these stakeholders.<br>· To get all teams in the Environment and Regeneration Department working together to create a holistic approach to the way we work.<br>· To enhance the reputation of the Council and achieve the One Islington vision.<br>· To make a visible and where possible, sustained impact. <br>· Deliver co-ordinated and high profile action weeks in which different departments address the problems identified / raised within particular area.<br>· To improve the quality of life for all users of the targeted area.<br>· To measure the impact and publicise<br><br>3: Background<br><br>Spotlight was born out of a desire by the Director for Environment and Regeneration to find a way of improving the links with the community and to create a more holistic approach to the way the Department works. <br><br>Spotlight is an initiative designed to identify and tackle issues in key areas that are perceived to be environmentally poor. The aim is to empower residents, businesses and other stakeholders within the identified areas by providing them with a forum to express their issues and ideas to us. Representatives from all the key areas within the Environment and Regeneration Department attend the forums to make sure that any questions raised can be addressed quickly and by the correct people. We are then able to act on their concerns, working together to create a cleaner, greener Islington.<br><br>The desired outcome of this scheme is that, as well as building positive links with the community, we create an area for residents to be proud of which will encourage the local community to sustain that improvement.
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009