Mardyke regeneration

The ballot result triggered investment of over £80 million on the total redevelopment of the estate over five years and has enabled a regeneration programme to take place that will revitalise the local area.

Managing Director of Old Ford, June Morton, said, “Over the years, the 550 flats on the Mardyke estate had become increasingly dilapidated and it was a place that few people wanted to live, despite long housing waiting lists in the borough. Mardyke earned a notorious reputation for its crime levels, incidences of anti social behaviour and increasing drug problems.”

Circle Anglia was awarded the management contract for the Mardyke Estate in 2005. It quickly sought to establish a presence on the estate, making itself accessible to tenants with housing issues and consulting the resident steering group on how they wanted to improve services for tenants.

June continued, “We attended tenant meetings to answer questions about the management of the estate and estate days designed to tackle bulk refuse collection and repairs on the estates were organised. We sent out a regular Mardyke News newsletter to keep tenants up to date with the services that Circle Anglia could offer and relay news about the estate.”

To further raise its profile on the estate, Circle Anglia also worked with Newtons Primary School to ensure that pupils in Mardyke could continue to enjoy healthy breakfasts by funding its well used Breakfast Club.

Two years on and the regeneration of Mardyke is well underway. Families have begun to move out of flats to enable the demolition work to commence. A vibrant community development programme continues to ensure all residents get involved with events on the estate and there is an active tenants association. The residents are even being asked to choose a new name for the estate.

“The future of the estate is looking incredibly positive,” said Mick Fury, chairman of the Mardyke Tenants Association, “The whole area will be hugely improved by this regeneration.”

18/05/09 09:16