GLASGOW residents are being helped to improve the condition of their back lane with a new council grant.
Glasgow City Council (GCC) has allocated a budget of £700,000 for the Private Lane Improvement Fund, with grants for community groups of up to £20,000 each.
The grant supports homeowners in fixing up their back lanes and dealing with problems such as overgrown greenery, surface water and drainage issues, and anti-social behaviour.
The fund is part of a greater plan to encourage locals to take more responsibility of the lanes, of which there are over 900 outside the city centre.
Now groups and associations across the city have formed in a dedicated bid to ensure the lanes are properly maintained.
Mandy Evans Ewing has been working with her neighbours on Hampden Lane, and agrees that the grant has helped community spirit to flourish as people come together to work on the lane.
There are now 70 members in their group in regular contact about the maintenance of the lane.
Mandy, from Mount Florida, said: “It’s been great to see the transformation in the lane since we started working together. We have a What’s App group and that’s really helped improve communication when an issue comes up that needs attention.
"The difference in community spirit has been fantastic.”
Councillor Anna Richardson, City Convener for Sustainability and Carbon Reduction, hopes that the newfound support for improving the lanes will also benefit the environment.
Cllr Richardson said: “The condition of privately-owned back lanes has been a concern for some time but there are clear signs that more and more owners are stepping up to improve their property.
"Neglected lanes become increasingly difficult to access for key services such as cleansing but can also attract fly-tipping and other kinds of anti-social behaviour.
“Having owners willing to take charge of their lanes will lead directly to environmental improvements that benefit residents in their everyday life. But we’ve also found the people coming together to deal with a shared concern has been great for community cohesion.
"People getting to know one another better and work alongside one another for a common purpose has been a great experience for those involved.
“The private lane fund is about building on the good work of owners that already exists and giving them financial backing to keep improving their environments.
"Our new neighbourhood coordinators are also working in every council ward across the city to provide residents with support and guidance on tackling issues that affect their local area.”
Grants available through the fund range from £1000 to £20,000 and can be used to buy equipment, cover repairs and other maintenance or develop the lanes for communal use.
Groups seeking grants must be formally constituted and proposed work requires agreement among owners to be eligible for a grant.
More details are available on the council’s website.
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