Broughton Street Lane benefited from a 2-day clean-up on 14–15 June.
The Council Task Force and Specialist Services Team joined young people in repainting damaged areas, removing litter, and using chemicals and power washers to blast away graffiti.
The sixteen 16-18 year-olds involved attend the Right Track Project, a Broughton-based organisation which helps young people get to grips with social/behavioural or educational difficulties and prepares them for employment or further education.
Organisers thought smartening up the area would help build participants' self-esteem, give them some work experience, and provide material for their CVs.
The Lane's gable ends, fire exits and garage doors now look significantly better than on Monday morning, and Right Track's request for materials to tackle any future recurrence of the mess was granted.
Gerry Imrie, a life-skills trainer at Right Track, said it was definitely a worthwhile experience. 'Everyone took part willingly, and it's great that – while addressing their own issues – they volunteered to contribute time and labour to the community.'
Locals who use the lane and now see the improvement have good reason to be grateful.