Project to renovate Ripley walkway

Officers from the Ripley Safer Neighbourhood Team have been working in partnership alongside local council members and volunteers from the Friends of the Greenway group to renovate the area.

Residents raised concerns to their local policing team about a tunnel on the Greenway in Ripley, that was dark; overgrown and often avoided as they felt unsafe using the walkway.

The tunnel has since been painted a light colour to help improve the visibility for local users and the litter has been picked up as part of the Community Pay Back scheme.

PC Rich Marshall from the Ripley Safer Neighbourhood Team said: “Residents raised their concerns with us about the tunnel and I began to work with the council to help resolve this issue.

“This project was a great opportunity for us to work alongside the council and volunteer group to help improve the area for local people. It really does look a lot better and I hope that people now feel safer to use the walkway.”

Mary Foster, Chair of the Friends of the Greenway, said “Before the tunnel was painted it was dark, you couldn’t see where you were walking and people were avoiding the area.

“Having had the tunnel painted has made a big improvement; more people are using the area rather than avoiding it. It’s been a successful project”.

The improvements were made to the Ripley tunnel using funds provided by a grant from the Derbyshire Clear Up scheme.

For more information on how to volunteer and help the Friends of the Greenway volunteer group, email [email protected].

To speak to the Ripley Safer Neighbourhood Team call 101, and follow the team on Twitter: @RipleySNT