We need to crack down on the ‘grot spots’ letting our town down, which is why I'm calling on residents to report eyesores in their local area, ranging from run-down buildings to litter, fly-tipping and graffiti.

Towards the end of 2015, we saw a really positive win for Cheltenham as work was carried out by the County Council to fix broken and bent railings across town.

I have been lobbying the County Council over several months on this issue as part of my ‘grot spot’ campaign, in which I aime to tackle urban eyesores in our town. The investment in new railings follows a successful campaign in the summer of 2015 to have the worn lamp posts in Montpellier repainted.

The Highways team at Shire Hall have replaced broken railings in a number of prominent locations, including the junction of Clarence Street and Ambrose Street, the junction of Bayshill Road and St George's Road, the lower High Street, Tewkesbury Road and Gloucester Road. Fixing Cheltenham's eyesores was a key part of my election campaign, so I am delighted with the progress we have made and that we are starting to see the benefits. 

Cheltenham is a beautiful place to live and work. But there are parts of town that need attention and investment. I have campaigned hard on the railings issue because broken and buckled ironwork creates a particularly unpleasant urban eyesore. That’s why I’m delighted the County Council have listened to my concerns and acted decisively.  There’s more to do. From tarmac infills to uneven pavements and derelict buildings like Springbank shopping centre, I will continue to do everything I can to help Cheltenham look its best.