How Do You Solve A Problem Like Boscombe?

Nowhere in Bournemouth polarises opinion as much as the coastal suburb of Boscombe. It has struggled to shake off the negative images that have blighted it for so long. Classed as being in the bottom 2% of economically deprived areas in the UK and notorious for drugs and crime, you might be tempted to think that Bournemouth Borough Council's efforts to re-generate the area would be warmly received. The truth is, despite improvements, Boscombe continues to divide residents.

The latest bout of simpering from the Echo has followed recent accolades awarded to Boscombe. Having recently won the 'Pier of the Year' award, the council were given recognition for demonstrating an ability to outline a long-term vision for unlocking the area's potential. This secured them top spot at the Local Government Chronicle Awards. The Boscombe Spa Village Project is a major component in the award winning strategy. It includes introducing new housing stock besides developments along the sea front and the creation of Europe's first artificial surf reef. This vision has sought to revitalise Bournemouth's poorest relation.

In spite of these efforts, Boscombe still has its detractors and in some cases, with good reason. The cosmetic adjustments may have enhanced the area's aesthetic appeal however the jury is still out on whether the changes amount to something more substantial as deep-rooted problems remain. Cheap social housing catering for those on housing benefit, sometimes affected by various addictions, is still prevalent. The streets are still a great attraction to the insalubrious element of society.

Perhaps the council should be given more support. Renovating the beach huts so as to put them out of the price-range of the average resident wasn't the smartest of moves though there does appear to be a method behind such madness. This, coupled with the reef, has aimed to bring about a more bohemian atmosphere and well-heeled 'surf set', willing to both invest and spend disposable income.

There are aspects of the council's plans for Boscombe that are right to be lauded. Problems remain though and Bournemouth residents are starting to become irked by the constant stream of sycophantic, positive reporting from local media outlets. The issues affecting the everyday need to be addressed too in an attempt to heal divisions.

Bounemouth Needs Civically Minded Neighbours

Those of us in the know realise that Bournemouth is a hot-bed of sex, drugs and rock n' roll. This is probably the case in any town and we tend not to mind when it's kept out of sight, out of mind. What about when everyday annoyances build up or criminals begin to openly flaunt their wrongdoings? With all the talk of microchips in bins, increased CCTV, speed cameras and soforth, isn't what we need to tackle everyday problems a more civically minded set of neighbours rather than target driven bureaucrats, busybodies and one issue campaigners, oblivious to the whole range of the debate?

Naturally, reaching recycling targets in the borough represents an important measure of maintaining the council's environmental committment. On the other hand, some people feel fitting microchips to bins seems like unnecessary snooping. Many residents are more concerned with the everyday problems they encounter on the streets of the sprawling suburbs. In the pleasant environs of Winton, one idiot has decided to start shining a laser pen into people's windows. Meanwhile, like a scene out of Quadrophenia, gangs of teens ride their scooters up and down the Winton labyrinth late into the night. The noise of their lawnmower engines is incessant. Then again, I am easily annoyed. Still, as residents, aren't these the kind of issues we should all take an interest in to try and make all of our lives a little bit easier? Granted, we probably can't stop people driving certain vehicles but we could still perform our civic duty and have a moan.

I suppose what really gets on my nerves are the few who blatantly disregard the law. In my previous flat in Winton, I used to regularly see a guy dressed in tracksuit bottoms and a t-shirt traipse his way along at all times of the night or day. Perhaps he's a regular at the gym in Stokewood Road, I thought. Of course, there couldn't possibly be an innocent explanation. It was pointed out to me by a neighbour, months later, that our athletic friend was no more than a well-known local drug dealer. His hazy clients could apparently be seen on the corner of our road collecting their fixes in broad daylight. Now, he was no 'Scarface' but come on, what are the police doing to protect us from this kind of menace? Or, as I've tried to make the point throughout, should we as residents make a stand against the ills we see around us and not rely solely on the authorities? I'm not saying we should break into his house and seize his herbal remedies as there is the chance he could already be under surveillance, but surely, if it's obvious to the community that there is a problem, it will have come to the attention of the police too?

The majority of us law abiding folk probably don't want to see vigilante mobs taking matters into their own hands. Neighbourhood Watch stickers adorn windows and lamp-posts but are these groups all mouth and no action? There is also the danger that sometimes we can lose sight of the bigger picture and end up focusing our energies on specific tangents ('studentification' comes to mind). Whilst it's admirable to pursue solutions to these problems with a passionate zeal, let's ensure the debate encompasses all aspects of civic life.