It has been a busy start to the year for Old Trafford Labour councillors!

Litter picking – and the ongoing work to tackle the problem

Emma, Waseem, and Sophie began the year with a litter pick and a meeting with enforcement officers from Trafford Council to discuss new ways of tackling the persistent problems of littering and fly- tipping in the neighbourhood.

Thank you to everyone who attended – it was wonderful to see so many passionate residents.

We can absolutely understand everyone’s frustration at those people who ruin our fantastic community.

Council officers are working extremely hard and putting most of their resources into Old Trafford. There have been hundreds of fines issued for fly-tipping, and these are going to be increased from £150 to £400.

Money raised from fines is going to be reinvested the area – Trafford have invested in leaflets explaining how to dispose of and recycle their rubbish which have been delivered in fly tipping hotspots.

We will also be having posters around the area featuring residents, saying exactly why people should respect our area. This has been done in Gorse Hill and had a very positive effect on the behaviour of football fans. If you would like to feature on one of these posters do let Emma, Waseem or Sophie know.

There is currently an active CCTV presence which will be increased, including the use of covert cameras. Residents are also going to be encouraged to report people we know are fly tipping via a hotline.

It can feel uncomfortable reporting your neighbours, but the only way we are going to tackle this issue is to all share our knowledge. When one person leaves a bag of rubbish in an alleyway, others follow, stopping that first dump of bags or furniture can make a huge difference.

We also did a litter pick and used this time to report quite a few issues – uneven paving slabs in Prestage Street, and fly tipping that has now been removed.

You can report fly tipping and other hazards directly to Trafford here:

https://www.trafford.gov.uk/residents/report-it.aspx or you can email Emma, Sophie or Waseem directly: emma.hirst@trafford.gov.uk, waseem.hassan@trafford.gov.uk, sophie.taylor@trafford.gov.uk.

Seymour Park Primary School Streets

Seymour Park Primary School Streets in Old Trafford has launched!

The School Street is operating on Thursdays and Fridays in term time, 8.15-9am and 3.00-3.45pm.  The affected section of road is Northumberland Road between Ayres Road and Lilian Street.

While the School Street is operating, the road is open for walking, wheeling, cycling and scooting and closed to motor vehicles (with some exemptions for residents within the closure zone on Northumberland Road, Blue Badge holders and emergency services).

The School Street aims to:

– Improve safety outside the school

– improve the air quality in and around the school

– Improve health by making it easier for families to walk, wheel, scoot or cycle

– Create a safer, healthier, more pleasant environment for everyone

What a difference it is making already – it is wonderful to see families enjoying the street safely!

The School Street scheme relies on volunteers, who work in pairs to put out the closure signs and stand beside them to chat to people about the School Street and help re-direct cars. Anyone can volunteer, and training and support is provided.  You can give as much or as little time as you like – it doesn’t need to be a regular commitment. If you would like to find out more about volunteering on the Seymour Park School Street, please contact Hannah: hannah@traffordcollective.org.uk/

07535 319 333 or for a chat about the role contact your Labour ward councillor, Emma Hirst: emma.hirst@trafford.gov.uk who volunteers regularly for the school.

Local news

Thank you!

Thanks to everyone who joined us on our recent litter pick.

#Beresponsible #lovetraffordhatelitter

Latest news from Cllr Waseem Hassan

Your local councillor Waseem Hassan has been instrumental in organising the Muslim burial area at Dunham Lawn Cemetery.  Cllr Hassan would like to thank everyone who has supported this very important project.

Cllr Waseem Hassan also welcomed hundreds of Muslims to Seymour Park in April last year, to open Eid Prayers. Again, Cllr Hassan worked alongside community leaders to arrange the special event that is marked across the world. Cllr Hassan wanted to thank everyone who gave their support.

He also attended the book launch of MURAQBA: The Art and Science of Sufi Meditation hosted by the Azeemia Foundation – and held at Limelight, Old Trafford.

Cllrs Waseem Hassan and Emma Hirst also recently met with Trafford’s Chief Superintendent, Collette Rose, and Amnar Salim to highlight concerns within Old Trafford ward.

Dates for the diary

Surgeries

Emma, Waseem, and Sophie hold their monthly surgery on the 2nd Saturday of every month – next one is March 8th -11-12.30. Please call in for a cuppa and a chat.

Public meeting to discuss Ayres Road

Emma, Waseem, and Sophie will be holding a public meeting for residents to discuss the issues along Ayres Road.  The meeting will take place on Saturday, 24 February at 2-3pm, at the Limelight Centre. Everyone is welcome.

Old Trafford Sports Barn

Your Labour councillors have held several meetings with Trafford Council officers regarding the future of Old Trafford Sports Barn, located on Seymour Park. A further public consultation is currently being arrange, with more updates to follow.

Old Trafford litter campaign
The environmental improvement team at Trafford Council is organising a fantastic initiative encouraging residents to feature on anti-litter posters with the aim of displaying them around Old Trafford.  The key message is to tell people about the negative impact fly-tipping and littering has on the area.

Further details to follow.

For regular updates from Emma, Waseem, and Sophie, visit their Facebook page: Old Trafford Councillors or Twitter: @EmmaLHirst, @WHassanLabour, @Sophiertw