PATROLS to tackle street drinking, jet-washing and graffiti removal are set to help make Archway a better place for local people.
Last September Islington Council asked residents what they thought about Archway Town Centre, attracting 923 responses, and the results have now been released.
Best-liked were particular shops and services (48 per cent), transport links (25 per cent) and the convenience of having local shops (19 per cent).
Least popular were the look and feel of Archway Tower/Archway Mall (33 per cent), cleanliness, especially around the station and mall (24 per cent) and traffic, especially the gyratory system (20 per cent).
Now the council and police are responding to comments from the survey with a campaign to improve the area.
Cllr Lucy Watt, Islington Council's Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Business, said: "It's clear from the huge number of responses that people in Archway care deeply about where they live, and like many things about the area, particularly the local shops.
"We've listened to people's suggestions for how the area could be improved and are acting on their ideas and comments.
"We're determined to invest time and money to make Archway even better for local people, businesses and visitors."
Sergeant Andy Sibley from Junction Safer Neighbourhoods Team said: “With our partners, we are here to listen to and respond to the concerns of the local community.
"This is all about promoting our presence and encouraging people to tell us their worries so that we’re better equipped to deal with the things that matter to them."
Key new measures for Archway include:
* Patrols over 10 weeks from the council, police and Pilion Trust charity to tackle the cause and effects of street drinking and begging in Archway, starting in early February.
* Deep clean/jet washing of main trading areas and residential hotspots, and graffiti removal, in early March.
* More council flowers and planters for the Junction Road area (in response to a request for more trees and plants from 19 per cent of respondents.)
* More work with landowners of the Mall and Archway Station to make sure the area is kept clean and free of rubbish.
* Extra patrols by police and council officers at school end and start times to tackle any anti-social behaviour around the large number of young people who travel through Archway to/from school.
* Islington Council continuing to lobby for the removal of Archway's unpopular gyratory system.
Financial support for the council and police's work in Archway has come from agencies including the Home Office.
Page Last Updated: 12 June 2009