Projects - North East

Below are the Operation Gate It projects for the North East of England. To view another region please return to the map and select a new region.

Sedgefield

Dean Bank Alleyway improvements

Insufficient lighting in a number of alleyways was a real worry for many residents in the Dean Bank area of Sedgefield. Overgrown shrubs also provided opportunities for people to hide and added to local people’s fear of crime.

With funding and support from Operation Gate It a small steering group of local residents was formed. They undertook an appraisal of the alleyways and identified improvements needed to 11 small roads and alleys. The group also worked with Groundwork East Durham who liased with Durham County Council’s street lighting section, the Dean Bank forum, the Dean Bank Residents Association and the police to ensure all local stakeholders were represented.

Permission was secured from Sedgefield Borough Council to replace overgrown shrubs and bollards and Durham County Council carried out an assessment of lighting requirements, which the residents association oversaw and approved. New lighting has subsequently been installed making the alleyways leading to the main Dean Bank corridor safer.

Joan Weston, Secretary of the Dean Bank Residents Association said the project had been a real success.

“Everyone has benefited from these improvements. The new lighting scheme has resulted in a more even distribution of light across the alleyways making them much safer.”