What young people think about Tranmere

This a quote from a new strategy document from Together. It is from the proposed CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE’S PLAN FOR TRANMERE AND ROCK FERRY 2007 - 2011.

If you want the full document - 18 pages long but actually quite interesting - email me on jameslkay@ntlworld.com and I will send it to you. After some chilling statistics about the high levels of deprivation that affect the 5,500 children and young people aged between 0-19 who live in the Tranmere/Rock Ferry area, the report goes on to document what some of these children have themselves told the researchers.

" Children have told us that they like living in the area and generally find people in the area friendly. They like being near the shops in Birkenhead and they use the local facilities, especially the swimming pools and the football cages. Children in the Bedford Drive area appreciated the local parks (Victoria and Mersey) and are aware of attractions further afield, eg the museums in Wirral and Liverpool. Many of them used local clubs and activities. They feel safe in the area during the day and when they are with their parents but they do not feel safe in the evenings.


Most of their immediate concerns revolve around not feeling safe in the evenings and about the rubbish including broken glass left lying in public places and the parks; about drug dealing in the area (primary age children reported that they had seen this happening); about being bullied; and about teenagers being drunk and behaving in a threatening manner. Young Moslem children felt particularly intimidated by young men who called them names and threw stones. In a survey of young people in Victoria and Mersey parks in 2006, two-thirds said that the streets are dangerous and 7 out of 10 felt that young people hanging around drinking alcohol is a serious problem in Tranmere. They are also concerned about cars speeding on the main roads although they appreciated the traffic calming measures in the side roads. Teenagers are concerned that the police are interpreting their Section 30 powers too rigidly and breaking up small groups of young people who are doing no harm.

They are aware of what is meant by a healthy lifestyle and healthy food. They are concerned that healthy food often appears to be more expensive than less healthy alternatives. They enjoy games and sports and would like more opportunities to play football, netball, badminton, skateboarding and so on, and to take part in dance and drama activities. They asked for toilets in Mersey and Victoria Parks.

They would like to see the area cleaner with fewer outlets for the sale of alcohol; more security (specifically more police and CCTV) and better lighting; and more sports facilities close to the area. Teenagers asked for an attractive and stylish coffee shop preferably with internet facilities."

quote ends ...