Our estate is deprived
Once again Highfields comes under undeserved attack. I have lived on this estate for more than 30 years and have found the majority of people to be respectable, honest, hardworking folk.
Highfields is the largest estate in Stafford, therefore it is almost certainly going to have more people of any one category - obese, low-paid, elderly etc - than any other area. By virtue of its geographical position it is more vulnerable to attack from professional criminals and visiting vandals.
HERaTAGE (Highfields Estate Residents and Tenants Association) was established three years ago to promote all tenants' and residents' rights; improve housing conditions, quality of life and the environment; and to assist in maintaining good relations betweenmembers of the community.
Highfields people have seen more police and police cars during the two day "Impact" campaign than we have seen in the past two years, but where are they now? Residents are still saying what's the use of phoning the police - nothing happens.
Castlechurch School has been asking for a crossing warden for many years but the Highways Department of Staffordshire County Council say the school does not meet the required criteria, although no one can tell us what those criteria are.
The road is considered far too busy and dangerous for the warden's safety!
An inoperative street lamp reported ten months ago is still inoperative. It has been reported to Clarence but he can't find it!
Yes, I have to agree, Highfields is a deprived estate - deprived of basic services by agencies that need to get their act together.
R P Knott, Chairman, HERaTAGE, Stafford.
