The Nelson Village Partnership, with support from Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Community Regeneration team, has been given funding to help tackle antisocial behaviour and disorder.
The funding, which was secured through the Welsh Assembly Government’s Community Cohesion fund and Gwent Criminal Justice Board’s Community Cashback initiative, has been used on two separate projects.
The first is an access barrier with ‘crocodile teeth’ which has been installed at the entrance to the Wern Woodland Park car park to stop vehicles entering the car park in the evenings.
In the past the area has had problems with youngsters gathering in the evenings to play loud music, drink and rev car engines.
A local artist was also commissioned to work alongside local people to create an impressive artwork design for the park’s pavilion.
Youngsters, together with members of the Nelson Cavaliers Football Club were involved in the project, and created poems and a rap song about Nelson, which formed the basis of the artwork design.
The pavilion has also suffered vandalism in the past, with roof tiles being smashed, guttering, lights and doors damaged, and graffiti written on the pavilion walls.
Councillor Lyn Ackerman, cabinet member for the environment, said: “Both the Community Cashback and Community Cohesion initiatives are excellent in that they really do help benefit worthwhile community projects, while at the same time helping to reduce levels of antisocial behaviour and youth annoyance in our communities.
“I am delighted that the local Nelson community has been able to benefit from receiving some of the seized ill-gotten gains of criminals for such a worthwhile project.”
It is hoped the improvements could help the park secure Green Flag status.