Mount Place makeover

Repaving Mount Place, the area next to the canal bridge, has made it a much more welcoming area. Now residents want to keep it tidy, planted, secure – and well used.

Older residents might remember the previous upgrade in 2010, following a number of onsite meetings with residents. At that time, Brookes University students offered many imaginative options – from bird houses, to arboretums, to a sheet of water coming down the side of the Whitworth Place flats. The ensuing changes prove less ambitious. The area was repaved, the brick wall was revealed and cleaned, and the wall alongside the canal was removed. There were also more benches and a ‘Welcome to Jericho’ plaque.

Over the years, however, the space became rather neglected. The paving stones were eventually pushed up by the tree roots. The benches next to the canal were popular for passers-by, but the one in the darker corner was occasionally used for drug dealing or use. During the recent works some of this activity moved to the west side of St Barnabas Church car park.

The centrepiece of the latest upgrade is repaving with rather more robust and brighter York Stone. The main planting of shrubs will take place in the autumn. The Council designed the layout and planting in conjunction with Greening Jericho – a local group which has been keeping an eye on little corners of Jericho. Their most recent project was the planting opposite the Bookbinders where car parking has been replaced by new bike racks. The group have confirmed they are happy to keep an eye on the plants in Mount Place and give them more care and attention than the Council team may be able to offer.

Sue Hughes of Greening Jericho says: “The best way of ensuring that Mount Place prospers is if we – the whole variety of community groups and individuals – actually use it on a regular basis. Gardening together is an obvious start, but it could be more…a coffee together place? a book share stall? plant share stall? birdsong identification evenings? an info point about the plants on the square and how to care for them with an invitation to join in at certain times? Something that will make people stop and want to explore. We will having a social afternoon including a tidy up alongside the wall, every Thursday between 3 pm and 5 pm. Everyone is welcome to drop by for a chat.”

Councillor Susanna Pressel says. “There is still work for the Council to do. There will be more benches and I am pressing for better lighting. I have also asked them if at least some of the plants can be put in sooner, if we promise to water them when necessary. I have asked the local police to continue to keep an eye on the square. I have also enlisted the services of the residents who overlook it and the Mount Street neighbourhood watch scheme. If they or anyone else sees anti-social behaviour, please phone 101 (or 999 if there is a crime in progress) or report here on-line.”

JCA Chair Charlotte Christie says: “Although Mount Place remains the responsibility of the City Council, it is a public space and by using it we can keep it attractive for all of us. Some neighbours have suggested that it is a good space to go and meet friends and maintain a social distance on one of the three benches. You may already have your own ideas. If so, please let us know at admin@jerichocentre.co.uk. We will maintain a list of potential activities and publish them on Jericho Online. If you need tables you can borrow them from the Community Centre.”

Note, My Jericho will also be discussing Mount Place on June 24. And there is a Greening Jericho social afternoon/gardening tidy-up every Thursday between 3 pm and 5 pm.