Bearpark village plan launched (From The Northern Echo)

Bearpark village plan launched

11:44am Tuesday 20th April 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

A VILLAGE plan has been launched, aimed at improving transport, safety and leisure in a former mining community.

The Bearpark Village Plan, which has been two years in the making, was unveiled at a launch night held in Bearpark community centre on Monday.

It is hoped the document will help Bearpark Parish Council lobby the city's MP and Durham County Council and attract extra funding for village projects.

On transport, the plan's priorities include: cutting speeding through the village, improving parking and securing better bus services.

Meanwhile, on crime, reducing anti-social and nuisance behaviour is a target. Some residents called for extra street lights and security lights to deter criminals.

On leisure, community leaders hope to secure more activities for teenagers.

Public meetings were held to allow residents to air their views, a questionnaire was sent to every household and a survey was conducted among youths in the village.

Fifteen per cent of residents said crime and safety was the most important issue in the village, followed by health services (13 per cent) and the environment (11 per cent).

Marion Wilson, who chairs Bearpark Parish Council and has lived in the village all her life, said: "We hope we will be able to improve on the services that we have in the village.

"This is just the start, and we'll now take these issues forward.

"For example, speeding is a big issue in the village and that's something we can do something about."

Steering groups will be set up to work on each priority area.

Bearpark, which lies two miles west of Durham City, has a population of about 2,000.

It was a small agricultural settlement until 1869, when a colliery was established. By the early 20th century, up to 900 people worked at the pit.

However, it closed in April 1984 - the second last pit to close in the western Durham coalfield, outlived only by Sacriston.

In March, planning permission was granted for the construction of 21 new council houses - the first time a local authority has been allowed to build social housing in County Durham for 30 years.