NWLF Partner Programme Update
The first year local environmental quality (LEQ) surveys and resident perception studies have been completed and the results have been fed back to all of the North West Liveability partners.
Each partner has chosen a designated area which will be the focus of activity for the three years of the programme. During this time the LEQ surveys will be repeated each year in each of these areas, measuring differences in the local environment. At the end of the third year, the perception studies will be repeated to ascertain if there has been an improvement in perceptions since the start of the programme.
How did it go?
In spite of the cold weather, all of the LEQ surveys were completed throughout November and December 2008 by Keep Britain Tidy qualified surveyors.
The surveys highlighted a number of common themes across the areas surveyed. For instance;
Litter and graffiti were highlighted as being an issue in five out of the six areas;
Issues with litter bin conditions and degree of fill were highlighted in three out of the six areas surveyed.
The first year resident perception studies took place throughout December 2008 and January 2009. The studies highlighted a number of common themes that residents of the area perceived as being problematic. For instance;
General litter and dog fouling were considered high priority issues in five out of the six areas;
Vandalism was considered a high priority issue in four out of the six areas;
Bin bags left in alleyways was noted as a problematic issue in three out of the six areas.
Year long Action Plans based on the results of the LEQ surveys, the perception studies and discussions with each of the partners have been drawn up, which involve short, medium and long term actions to address the most pressing issues highlighted by the results.