100 Days turns grot spots into great spots

Five years since Manchester City Council first launched the 100 days campaign, two grot spots have been transformed into great spots.

A piece of wasteland in Newton Heath and an abandoned play area in Gorton were targeted for clean-up operations when the campaign first began in 2004.

And both areas have now continued to blossom, while involving members of the local community in their continued development and improvement.

An unregistered piece of land off Laing Road in Newton Heath had become overgrown with grass, weeds and bushes, and attracted anti-social louts.

Now, the area is landscaped with grass, flowers and trees, and thanks to consultations with residents has spread to another nearby area.

Another grot spot that has been turned into a colourful garden is an area off Friendship Avenue in Gorton.

Five years ago, the garden was a rundown play area with broken tarmac and weeds which had become a hang-out for undesirables, but thanks to the 100 Days campaign and hard work by members of the local community all that has changed.

Councillor Paul Andrews, Manchester City Council's Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services said: "It's very encouraging to see the community becoming involved in projects like this.

"We recognise there's still more grot spots across the city, but these are two excellent examples of how the City Council and the local community can work together to make Manchester a better place for everyone."

Rose Cusack, Chair of Debdale and Woodlands Association and one the Gorton site's garden organisers, said: "The area has gone from being used for anti-social behaviour and being a complete mess, to one were everyone can come and enjoy it. The difference is amazing and it all started off with the 100 Days campaign."

Manchester City Council launched Challenge Manchester - 100 Days to a cleaner, greener city 2008 on February 14 2008 at Manchester Town Hall.

The campaign will run until 24 May 2008, featuring 100 days of intense activity all over Manchester with the first 50 days focussing on green issues - primarily waste minimisation, recycling and climate change - and the next 50 days focussing on community clean-ups, local environmental improvements and planting schemes.

The council will also be asking residents and businesses about what they want the council to do to help them minimise waste and recycle more.

Challenge Manchester began in 2004 with "Challenge Manchester: 100 Days to a Clean City", and in its fifth successful year the campaign returns to its core aim to "clean up" the city.

More information about Challenge Manchester and how you can participate appears on our website www.challengemanchester.co.uk You can also e-mail campaigns.team@notes.manchester.gov.uk or telephone 0161 954 9000.

Media contact:

Conrad Astley, tel: 0161 234 4027.