The Campaign Team
Priorities of Mile Cross
The estate of Mile Cross was built in the 1920s, planned as a garden suburb and was one of the first housing estates in Norwich. It was part of the “Homes for Heroes” after World War One and originally housed families relocated after slum clearance from the city centre yards. The estate was developed as a community and included schools, churches, shops, pubs, community centres, allotments and public open spaces. The estate has been added to with 3 tower blocks and other flats in the 1960s. The original part of the estate has been designated a conservation area.
The ward consists of the council estate of Mile Cross as well as older areas of terraced streets closer to the city centre, and broadly encompasses the area from the ring road between the river Wensum and Aylsham Road. The ward is well served with green spaces, encompassing Waterloo Park, Wensum Park and Slough Bottom Park.
Mile Cross Ward has a population of 11200 (2021 census), thats 4673 households, 40% of whom live in rented accommodation, 32% have no access to a car or van, and 38.5% live in fuel poverty. The ward has one of the highest levels of deprivation in the country.
Labour council in fire door safety blunder again
Hundreds of fire doors in tower blocks have been found to be unsafe
t has come to light that due to shoddy work of council contractors and a lack of accountability from the Labour administration, fire doors in the city’s tower blocks, including those in Mile Cross, are not fit for purpose. All
affected residents have been contacted by the council but access will be required to properties in order to carry out any work.
Green Party campaigner in Mile Cross, Simon Allen said, “After missing thousands of essential safety checks in social housing just last year costing £2 million, we were assured this would not happen again. With news that some doors may not perform as required in the event of a fire, enough is enough. We need to keep people safe“.
Green councillors have been shining a light on this issue and pushing the Labour administration to learn
lessons so this never happens again. They have also asked how much public money will now be lost as a
result of this blunder but the Labour council have refused to say.
Pavement problems
Here is how to report issues:
Since Autumn, pavements have become increasingly hazardous though fallen leaf build up, especially when icy. This can lead to slips and falls adding more pressure to our health service. Report accumulation of leaves to the City Council on norwich.gov.uk/reportastreetissue.
Grit Bins
You may have noticed that there are very few grit bins in Mile Cross that can be used by the public when icy. We shall be campaigning for more. Meanwhile report any problems with them at www.norfolk.gov.uk/roads-and-transport.
A breath of fresh air for Wensum park
Green councillor helps to secure new play equipment for Wensum Park
Your Mile Cross Green Party team care about our wonderful green spaces. Green Party councillor, Sandra Bogelein has successfully fought for new equipment for Wensum Park. The missing slide will now be replaced and play area revitalised ready for children to enjoy all year round.
Mile Cross Green party campaigner Simon Allen commented “This a fantastic achievement by neighbouring Green Party councillor Sandra Bogelein. We also know there has been concern expressed about the state of the toilets and also antisocial behaviour. We will continue to
push for upgraded facilities for everyone”.
Green Party campaigners in Mile Cross continue to report fly-tipping and other street issues. If you are aware of litter, fly-tipping or any antisocial behaviour blighting our fantastic green spaces or streets you can easily report it to Norwich City Council at norwich.gov.uk/reportastreetissue
Sloughbottom park misses out on funding
No “levelling up” money for one of the country’s most deprived wards
We were are thrilled to hear that the Greater Norwich Growth Board has selected Sloughbottom Park as one of nine projects to benefit from development levies. £850,000 has been allocated towards an £8.5m scheme to breathe new life in the Park.
Unfortunately the government’s levelling up find has not been allocated to Sloughbottom Park. The bid, backed by Chloe Smith, has failed to deliver for Mile Cross,one of the most deprived wards in the country.
Simon and your Mile Cross Green team understand the importance of recreational facilities and will continue to press for a fair deal for our parks
Nature recovery
let’s improve our nature habitats in Mile Cross
Local residents Simon Allen and Debbie Pegg have been talking to residents around Lefroy Road/Bowers Avenue about their green spaces. Lee Cozens from Norfolk Wildlife Simon has been Trust is heading up a Nextdoor Nature project which aims to create new habitats for nature recovery.
Simon and Debbie have been in touch with Lee and are encouraging residents to have their say about
what they would like to see in the area around the flats. You can get in touch with Lee by emailing
leec@norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk