‘The New Deal for Burngreave’

yours, Janet Stracey

What New Deal? I had always understood that the expression meant the intention to invest in an area, to make life more pleasant for its inhabitants, to raise standards of living and to improve living conditions. So far?? I can find no evidence of any improvements, only rather a lot of meetings for different 'communities'.

I suggest that we need to think about only one community, the Burngreave community, the people who live in the area. We could start by cleaning up the streets. Persuade those few who dump their rubbish to clean up. Remove abandoned cars straight away. Lobby the local authority and local councillors until they take steps to ensure that the place is cleaned up.

Let us demand that the law is enforced. Let the policing be so strong that no one feels afraid to walk in any street in the area. Let everyone co-operate with the police, even if it means inconvenience from time to time. Let us celebrate the fact that Burngreave has a lot to offer. It is within easy walking distance of the City centre, it has what could be a very pleasant park. 

I have tried to give some idea of what I think a 'New Deal' could be about. I am angered and saddened to think that 'New Deal' is just a talking shop and that no practical improvements will be made to this important part of Sheffield.