A STREET once hailed the ‘Best in Britain’ has since become beseiged by rodents, yobs and rampant litter.
Locals in Goldthorpe, South Yorkshire say their area is a far cry from the proud community it once was.
In 1971, Main Street was named the best in the country by The Mirror.
But now, the road is lined with litter and rats are often sighted scampering around and homes and local businesses are boarded up.
Joanne Tate, 54, has lived in the area for half a century and has slammed what the street has become.
She said: “Going back years it used to be busy, we had lots of shops and markets, but now it is just all run down houses.
“There are a lot of people doing drugs, knife crime goes on, it’s not good.
“When the mines shut, there were no jobs going so people were unemployed or they left to try and find another.
“The place has lost its community spirit, they used to have parties for the Queen‘s jubilees for instance on Main Street but not anymore.
“Pubs have shut down too, you used to be able to have a good night on Friday or Saturday.
“I’m looking to move out – I used to know a lot of people around here but now I don’t know anybody as they’ve moved on.
Another local, mum Louise Clarke, says she worries every time her 15-year-old son leaves the house.
She fumed: “Kids are out with knives, he constantly just gets pushed off his bike.
“It makes me scared and it makes me want to get out of here.”
For years families worked the four surrounding local coal pits but by 1994 they had all closed and the area “lost its heart” and slowly fell apart.
Barnsley Council have since introduced a housing plan which involves demolishing 30 terraced homes on Co-operative Street and Victoria Street and replacing them with nine new council houses to revive the crumbling road.
The properties are touted to be finished by the summer, with councillors hoping the move will promote a “safe living environment with reduced levels of antisocial behaviour, fly-tipping, and crime”.
Councillors have since defended the plans after they came under scrutiny for spending £3 million on buying and demolishing houses.
Resident Natasha Thomas, 31, says she supports the plan.
She said: “I’ve lived here for the past four years and if they knock down the houses, it could make the area better.
“It’s in my favour for them to do that as I don’t want to be here – it might stop kids from messing about in them.
“I can’t see it being possible for the place to be regenerated.”
Another local reported seeing rodents in her back garden.
She revealed: ” “We often see big rats in our back garden, you can’t go out there because of them.
“One time they jumped out of the bin when I was taking rubbish out with my sister.
“I’ve lived here for the past two years and I don’t feel safe.
“I’ll be asking the council to move when I get the chance.”
Councillor Robin Franklin, Cabinet spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture, said: “We have a long-term vision for Goldthorpe, and are investing more than £23.1 million through the Towns Fund to regenerate, renew and revitalise the area.
“This is welcome, however we must continue to push for more continued and sustained long term funding to tackle historic challenges in communities like Goldthorpe.
“As part of the Towns Fund investment, the Goldthorpe Housing Project is ongoing and will deliver high-quality, affordable, and environmentally friendly homes that meet the needs of local people, now and for generations to come.
“This has involved the council taking on deteriorating privately owned housing to tackle long-standing issues like empty homes, poor housing quality, fly-tipping, and anti-social behaviour. This process is ongoing but it takes time and cannot be delivered overnight.
“Phase one is underway, which we hope will be complete next summer, delivering new-build homes, new public realm and improvements to rear boundaries and alleyways.
“Phase two includes proposals for the demolition of up to 60 properties to create space for developers to provide a more diverse and aspirational housing offer.
“Police and council neighbourhood resources are working together from the Police Station in the heart of Goldthorpe. We’ve invested heavily in security measures in the area, including extensive CCTV and dedicated resources trying to address environmental crime and poor housing conditions.
“Our Love Where You Live Housing and Environmental Task Force will be spending a full week in Goldthorpe to tackle the areas which require immediate work.
“We’ve already completed work on several major projects, including a new public square, and transforming the Dearne Playhouse into a modern, accessible hub offering memorable heritage and cultural experiences.
“A new employment site as part of this plan will create more than 3,000 new full-time jobs which is crucial for the long-term future of the area.
“There’s a lot of positive activity happening in Goldthorpe and we’ll continue to work together to develop the thriving community everyone wants to see.”
