YEARS of persistence have paid-off for Pocket Nook people who are eager to smarten up derelict land and have gates installed at each end of a problem alley near their homes.

The eyesore open site on Pocket Nook Street, between Pitt Street and Farnworth Street, has attracted fly tippers, muggers and drug users but that’s about to change.

Town centre ward Councillor Jo-Ann Willmitt told the Star this week: “For the past two years I’ve been working with local people to try to get this sorted. People are fed-up with anti-social behaviour, drug users’ needles and the fly-tipping, which the council has had to clear away.

“Now we have been in touch with the landowners and we are going to create a community garden which locals of all ages can enjoy and help create. If they ever want it for development then the garden would have to go to be replaced by buildings, but until then it is up to locals to decide what they want.

”This is what can happen when communities show their concern about something. Maybe others would like to follow suit?”

The plan is to fence the site on the Pocket Nook Street frontage leaving access for residents of Farnworth Street and Pitt Street via the rear of their homes.

The alleyway between Farnworth Street and Pitt Street is being gated and workmen were busy erecting steel posts on Monday. The gates will close-off the rear of empty property on Pocket Nook Street helping allay security fears raised by nearby residents after a window was smashed.

Builder and Pitt Street home owner Steve Davies said: “Jo deserves a big thank you for all her help. It is four years since I got involved and what we’ve proved is that if you don’t agree with something, don’t just sit back and moan, make your voice heard and it will get done.”