Your article 'City moves to close crime alley” got right up my nose. This alleyway is a direct route for all those in Eversham Road and its environs and for others to say 'Well they've only got to walk past another five houses and use the traffic lights misses the point. Hasn't Council's planning over the years said that they want a city that is easy to get around. I read that Council's Graffiti removal contractor had visited the alley 27 times. Whoop dee doo. Once a fortnight.
There are walkways all over the city. You can't close them all because of a bit of graffiti.
And as for the broken glass pictured, I have been down with my trusty dustpan and brush often over the last 22 years to clean it up. My husband and I regularly pick up the rubbish as do others.
Years ago I asked why Council didn't put a street light in there and I was told that street lights are for road safety not for walkways. So that put paid to that request.
So then what happens to the land if it is closed. Does it go up for tender or is it sold to the neighbours. That will make a bigger piece of land for development seeing that all the houses there are mainly rentals.
So who is pushing whose buttons?
Joye Adams, Mount Maunganui.