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Ropewalks Regeneration to be Stepped Up
MOVES to
ensure the regeneration of the Ropewalks area of Liverpool city
centre continues to have an impact are under consideration.
Ropewalks is an area with a concentration of 19th century warehouses
and merchants houses. Much of the street pattern is the same today
as it was 200 years ago.
Over the last 10 years a regeneration programme has seen the
development of many creative industries, a number of high profile
schemes, new public spaces and improved public realm. The area also
pioneered the revival of city centre living. A total of £40m of
public sector funding has levered in £150m of private investment
into the area.
However, a report to the city council’s Executive Board says unless
action is taken the revival of the area could be under threat as the
pace of regeneration has slowed and there are still areas of
under-investment and dereliction. Many historic buildings
remain vacant and there is an air of dereliction and neglect about
some of them. Although some properties have planning
permission there are concerns that these are not being implemented
and some seem to have been acquired simply to increase property
values.
There is concern that at the current rate of development it will be
several decades before many buildings are restored with further
deterioration taking place in the meantime. The report also
notes that while the night-time economy is booming in Ropewalks
there needs to be more use of the area during the day and that its
public realm needs to be better managed.
It recommends that
· Timetables to deliver improvements to properties be agreed with
owners
· Urgent works and
other notices be used to improve the structure and appearance of
buildings
· If existing owners
cannot or will not implement improvements within an agreed timescale
then compulsory purchase orders should be used
· Further reports should be compiled looking at ways in which more
diverse, day time and night economic activity can be implemented
Cllr Mike Storey, Executive Member for Regeneration, said;-
“Ropewalks is one of the city’s success stories in the last decade.
When you consider what it was like in the early 1990s to what it
looks and feels like now there is no comparison. But we have
to build on that success. We want this to be an area which retains
its unique character- an area where creative industries can
flourish, where people want to visit , live in and work in.
There is a danger, however, that some property owners in Ropewalks
are, intentionally or not, hampering its continued regeneration.
Unless they set out clear timetables for when they are going to
bring buildings back into use and start to implement developments we
will have no hesitation in starting CPO proceedings.
The alternative is to allow historic buildings to remain derelict
and vacant, throw away the immense strides we have made in the last
10 years or let Ropewalks lose its unique character. We are not
prepared to do that.” |
New
Survey highlights burden of disease
RESULTS from a
new survey conducted by the Raynaud’s & Scleroderma Association (RSA)
of people with scleroderma (systemic sclerosis), have revealed the
everyday plight suffered by those living with this deadly disease.
The results mark the start of Scleroderma Awareness Week 5-11
November 2007.
The survey of more than 1,000 patients in the UK asked respondents
to consider the everyday tasks that many people take for granted,
and assess the impact they have on their lives. 78% of patients felt
that living with the condition had impacted significantly on their
overall quality of life. At least 7,000 people in the UK live
with scleroderma – which is a disease of the immune system, blood
vessels and connective tissue affecting the major organs of the
body. In almost all patients the skin, usually on the hands and
feet, becomes stiff, tight and shiny. Scleroderma is the most deadly
of the connective tissue diseases with the worst complications
having a death rate similar to that of lung cancer.
More than 50% of patients living with scleroderma commented that
their inability to complete every day tasks such as walking,
cooking, housework and gardening had some or major impact on their
daily lives. Over half of patients were also unable to continue with
hobbies, social activities and holidays.
A quote from one respondent sums up the feelings of so many:-
"It has completely changed my life over the years. My confidence has
gone, being unable to do so many things that most people take for
granted".
Almost a 3rd of respondents have given up their jobs as a result of
the disease with a further 9% having reduced their hours or moved to
part time employment. 53% of patients also felt that their
self esteem has been damaged since being diagnosed with scleroderma.
Professor Chris Denton from the Royal Free Hospital in London
states:- "Although most doctors realise that scleroderma can
be life-threatening by damaging the lungs, heart or kidneys they may
not appreciate the potentially devastating impact of the disease on
almost all aspects of a daily life. This survey provides valuable
insight from those that know best - scleroderma patients. It also
highlights the need for better and more consistent high quality
education and treatment from healthcare professionals."
Anne Mawdsley MBE, Chief Executive of the Raynaud's & Scleroderma
Association said:- “There is an overwhelming need for more
research in order to improve the quality and quantity of life for
those patients affected by this dreadful condition. There is no cure
for scleroderma and although some newer drugs are available to help
improve the effects of scleroderma and its complications, our
members do not always have access to these treatments.”
The results also highlighted the need for greater support for
patients from health care professionals with almost a 3rd of
respondents stating they were not aware of the type of scleroderma
they have. The deadly nature of scleroderma means that it is crucial
for patients to have a good understanding of the disease they are
forced to live with day to day. Many patients who took part in
the new survey shared their experiences in the hope that more people
will be diagnosed and treated quickly.
For a free information pack on Raynaud’s and Scleroderma call the
RSA on freephone:- 0800 917 2494 or visit
www.scleroderma.org.uk. Please help us to highlight
the plight of those affected with the condition |
