YOUTH PROJECT AIMS TO TACKLE ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR AT SLAITHWAITE STATION (Kirklees Liberal Democrats)

Kirklees Liberal Democrats <info@kirkleeslibdems.org.uk>

YOUTH PROJECT AIMS TO TACKLE ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR AT SLAITHWAITE STATION

April 3, 2009 9:03 PM

Slaithwaite Station

Part of two line approach to developing community ownership of platforms -

A youth project funded by Colne Valley Area Committee is being launched to address problems with anti-social behaviour at Slaithwaite Station.

At its meeting on Thursday 2nd April, members of the committee agreed to spend £5,700 funding the project which has been developed by the council and its partners, including British Transport Police and Network Rail. The project aims to engage with groups of young people at risk of being involved in anti-social behaviour and involve them activities and events during the summer that will contribute to altering their relationship with the station and the railway line.

The project will run from May until September.

The youth project is part of a two line approach to developing community ownership of the platforms. A community lead Station Adoption Group is also being developed to run in tandem with the youth project. Members will seek to lead and make improvements to the station as part of changing what it means to local people, reducing chances of further damage.

A meeting was attended by local people to discuss the creation of the Station Adoption Group on 25th March.

Cllr Nicola Turner - Lib Dem Chair of the Colne valley Area Committee - arranged the meeting and is now working with local people and partnership officers to set up the group.

Cllr Turner said:

"Anti social behaviour at Slaithwaite Station and in the surrounding area is a real concern for local people. We are approaching the problem from two sides. On one side we are engaging with the young people through the youth project to change the way they view and regard the platforms. On the other, we are encouraging the community to take ownership of the station. Evidence from other areas shows that the real way to make long lasting improvements is for the community to take charge and change what the station means locally. I will be writing out to people again shortly with information about the next steps in setting up the group."