This is the letter that all residents of Curnock Estate have received on 30th July 2007 regarding the improvements (see diagram) that Camden Council will do to the Estate:

Dear Resident,

Curnock Street Environmental Improvements

Following discussion of a number of possible improvements with residents, we are now in a position to implement a number of improvements to the external areas of Curnock Street estate.

We propose to carry out the works in two phases:

Phase 1 is shown on the drawing enclosed and consists of:

– Paving replacement and repairs – these have been identified through inspections with the caretakers
– Replacement of some areas of damaged paving slabs with bound gravel -this type of surface has already been used between Warmsworth and Billingley
– Providing new railings and planting around the two ramps leading up to Goldthorpe and Conisbrough
– Closing up the disused stairwell close to the main steps to Mexborough
– Brighter lighting to block entrances and fixing defective lighting columns

These works should be carried out within the next few months.

Phase 2 will require further consultation with residents and will take longer to implement, but should happen towards the end of this year / beginning of 2008. There is a fixed budget for this programme of works and the choice of which items to carry out will depend on residents’ priorities. So far we are considering the following:

– Car park access stairs (cages) to be made secure (or removed where possible)
– Removing unused paths and paving areas and replacing them with soft landscape, making them more usable for residents and less likely to cause nuisance
– Improving the area around the trees between The Marr and Goldthorpe so that it looks better and discourages loitering;
– Relocating an existing gate and adding new gates so that outsiders are less likely to loiter or cause nuisance
– Rearranging the area at the front of Mexborough to improve its appearance and discourage people from wandering through off the street
– Improving ramped access to some blocks

The consultant dealing with the project is Shepheard Epstein Hunter. Drawings of the draft proposals for Phase 2 will be available in the next few weeks for you to view at The Marr and two drop-in sessions will be arranged so that you can discuss the ideas with the consultant and Camden officers. The dates will be announced shortly.

Yours sincerely,

Kuldip Bhamra
Programme Manager