We reprint some of the letters received after our recent expose on the state of the Walton’s building in the heart of the Valley.
‘The whole area is just repulsive’
Dear Editor
Yes, this area definitely needs to be cleaned up – from St Paul’s Terrace to Wickham Street and then along Wickham Street to Ballow Street. If just this area could be brought back to cleanliness for a start and then work on other improvement and naturally the area through the walkway from the station to the escalators also needs cleaning.
Why is it that years ago when we were all supposed to be much less sophisticated, the Valley was the place to go just for a “window shop” or a Chinese meal and everything was so clean and safe? Now in the middle of the day you see people lying on the footpath – yelling at each other; drunk; asking for money, cigarettes, etc – as you walk down the street. And most days there will be police attending to some type of disturbance. I have to go through this area because of employment; otherwise, like most of my friends, I would never go there.
I have, in the past been involved in my own catering business so if there can be laws which allow inspections which are of that standard surely there can be laws to control exterior and interior of all business premises.
I remember we could not have A-frame signs on the footpath but yet people are now allowed to sleep on those same footpaths. I even see them sleeping there during the day with their bags, doonas, etc. For a while up on the corner of St Pauls Terrace near the Den when I was passing that way last year, there was an old leather couch in the doorway and at 8.30am you would see someone having a great old sleep. Now in Wickham Street from the escalators to the post office you see this same thing.
The whole area is just repulsive and for a start just stop people from sleeping all over the place. And naturally do something with the Walton’s building; perhaps get all of those buildings that have been made look so dingy with that black paint which seems to attract graffiti Get to work on the exterior of their buildings as well.
If people want the Valley to be looked on as an entertainment centre then make it attractive to entice people to come there. Please try to bring the Valley back to what it used to be.
Leonie Meskell
via email
Name owner of all this litter!
Dear Editor
What to do? There is just one thing you should do which you have not and that is name the owner of the building. There’s no shame for them or motivation to change if they are anonymous. Apart from that, keeping the building empty is obviously just a land-banking exercise which could be defeated by the introduction of a land tax.
Richard
via email 5 May
'Walkway a disgrace'
Dear Editor
Regarding Waltons – yes, we do think that laws should be in place to compel owners to keep property to an acceptable standard. And as for the walkway between Valley Metro and the next building. Walked through the area this morning and it was really a disgrace – litter everywhere! Picked up a copy of The Independent at least. Keep soldering on!
Ern & Marg. Ellaway.
via email March 30
