FRIENDS OF ORCHARD WALK MEETING
SATURDAY MARCH 7th, 2026
Will Wilson – Chairman
Helen Brennan – Secretary
Paul Concannon
Councillor Anne Owen
Apologies – Paul Cotton, Neil Davies
We were fortunate to welcome Councillor Anne Owen who was able to update us on our key concerns.
CCTV
Following the visit to Orchard walk by the Superintendent of Police, Josh Loughton and MP Sarah Olney, Anne reported that we are looking likely to get CCTV on Orchard Walk. She is waiting for CCTV contact Chris Begley to come back to her.
Railway Tunnel
Following the reduction in numbers of the rangers team the graffiti has not been removed for some months.
Led by Paul, we are keen as a group to paint over the graffiti ourselves. Anne is facilitating the purchase of paint.
It was agreed that this approach is preferable to a mural which would never be to everyone’s taste.
Future CCTV will hopefully cut down the incidences of graffiti and other anti-social behaviour.
We will also aim to improve the white wall at the Clifton Road end of Orchard Walk.
Railway Embankment/Fence
Following pressure from this group and Councillor Owen the railway embankment fence (Clifton Road side) was finally replaced.
Although this looks much better, it still attracts littering and fly-tipping.
Some of the Orchard Cottage residents recently cleared the rubbish and we would urge everyone to join in to keep the area rubbish free.
A longer term plan is to plant shrubs along the inside of the fence to form a hedge. This would first require Network Rail to clear an area behind the fence. Councillor Owen will speak to her contact at Network Rail.
Response to the garden, which has been transformed by the residents of Orchard Cottages, continues to be positive and supports the view that caring for the local environment has a positive effect on how people treat it.
Crime
Residents will be pleased to hear that crime figures in ‘Kingston Gate’ are still very low. However it is important to report crime if you witness it.
There is an Anti-Social Behaviour team at the Council doing good work in the borough. A recent course on being an ‘Active Bystander’ was a great success and further courses will be held.
There are also regular Police Panels held in the borough to which the the public are invited.