The response from residents in the Leeds Road area of Shipley to an appeal for improvement ideas has been very encouraging. Councillor Phil Thornton, who is spearheading the project, points out that the normal response rate to questionnaires is around ten per cent, but in this case more than half of those asked for their views had replied within the first eight days.

That shows a remarkable degree of interest among the people of that area of Shipley in their local environment. They have suggested improvements to grass verges, highway safety and litter collection, and have pointed out the need for more pedestrian crossings, refuges and litter bins.

It remains to be seen, of course, how much of this initial interest is converted into the sort of active involvement in the improvement schemes that Councillor Thornton would like to see. But it does demonstrate a heartening amount of local pride among the people of Shipley and lower Windhill.

Although there is obviously room for improvement, this is not one of the shabbiest parts of Bradford district by any means. There are many areas which are much, much worse. As we have to report time and again in news stories, and as readers point out in their letters to the T&A, the litter-strewn state of some areas is disgraceful and brings shame on the city.

It would be nice to think that the people who live in those districts could follow the example of the residents of Leeds Road, Shipley, and involve themselves in plans to clean up and improve the places where they live.

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