Mar 15 2006 By Herald And Post
The last residents of an estate under demolition say they have been abandoned by the council.
Only a dozen residents are left on Richmond Street in St Hilda's in Middlesbrough as the bulldozers flatten the area as part of the Middlehaven regeneration.
They claim Middlesbrough Council has left them without essential amenities while the work is being carried out.
Catherine Rozevskis, who is standing as an independent in next week's Middlehaven by-election, led a candlelit vigil joined by the residents and councillor Ken Walker and his wife Pat who grew up in the area.
The protest highlighted the fact there is currently no street lighting in the area.
Ms Rozevskis said: "The council is not looking after the facilities, the lights were reported months ago.
"They came yesterday to collect rubbish because of all the complaints but they haven't been getting black bin bags or anything like that.
"Nobody seems to care about them. They pay council tax so they should have the facilities.
"There are a few elderly people, and they get scared to go out in the dark because they are frightened they will fall.
"People in Middlesbrough don't see what it happening there because of where it is."
Councillor David Budd, executive member for regeneration, said: "It is simply not true to suggest services have been scaled down in any way. In fact, extra services are being provided to try to do all we can to give people a decent quality of life.
"For example, in recent months we have carried out three major clean-ups in St Hilda's removing fly tips and rubbish and generally tidying up the area. Extra cleaning will take place every month.
"In addition, our public protection, street warden and enforcement teams have been very active."