For years now, residents around South Street have been dealing with persistent vehicle-based antisocial behaviour — first centred at the top of the street, and more recently drifting down the hill and onto Pat Midgley Lane. Despite increased police presence, countless reports from neighbours, and even arrests and car seizures, the problem hasn’t really shifted. Understandably, people have been calling out for something more lasting.

The idea of blocking off part of the triangle at the top of South Street isn’t new. Variations of it have appeared in PHRA newsletters over the years, through both the Green Group and Stand Up For Your Streets. But every time the suggestion reached the council, it hit a wall: not enough formal reports, worries from traffic planners, or the police feeling they didn’t have grounds for a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO).

That changed in early September, when a packed open meeting at The Pearl — joined by our local Labour councillor, who’s been brilliant on this and many other issues — took things in a new direction. She explained that to move forward, the council needed a clearer sense of what the space could be in the future. A spark of imagination, something that could build excitement and give the TRO a sense of purpose.

And that’s exactly what the community delivered. Within minutes, volunteers stepped up: one resident offering architectural concepts, resident illustrator Jane Smith offering to create visuals, Sam G. writing the words, and Jake H. designing and pulling the document together. In just three weeks — an incredible effort — a full proposal was ready. With time tight, it was shared around the community for last-minute feedback (which came back overwhelmingly positive) before being sent to Cllr. Laura.

The response? Better than anyone dared hope. Laura reported that council officers were genuinely excited by the vision — seeing how it could bring some of the same regeneration energy seen in the “Grey to Green” project to this side of the tracks. Creating a welcoming gateway for visitors using the station entrance here, and a safer, greener space for all of us. They’ve agreed to push ahead with a TRO to trial blocking the top of South Street using planters or blocks, while also beginning work on the longer-term transformation.

A “Friends of Skyeline Pocket Park” group has now been proposed to help shape what the space could become. An initial community consultation has already taken place, asking for views on closing part — or even all — of the top of South Street to stop regular vehicle access. The results were striking: 96% of respondents want action to make the space less attractive for vehicle gatherings.

The next step is a public meeting at Park Library in February (date to be announced soon) where residents can share ideas and officially launch the Friends group.

You can read the full proposal document and the consultation results here.