Greater Manchester Probation Trust

Offenders scrubbed subway in Community Payback scheme

A well-used subway in the town centre has been overhauled after being voted the winner in Bolton’s Community Payback scheme.

Members of the public were asked to vote on five different schemes and the Churchgate Subway came out the clear winner.

Voters could register their favourite scheme either by ringing a dedicated telephone number or online, and chose from the subway; Farnworth old burial area; the railway area off Pennington Road; the public walkway off Chorley New Road and Seven Acres Country Park.

The are has now been cleared up around both entrances to the subway and inside the structure. The work was carried out by offenders on the Community Payback programme.

They spent three days on the project in June, cutting back bushes, picking up litter, removing graffiti and clearing pathways.

Bolton is one of six Neighbourhood Crime and Justice Pioneer Areas across Greater Manchester that took part in the voting scheme which gives the public a say on the work offenders carry out as part of their punishment, and is part of the Government’s Justice Seen, Justice Done campaign.

Executive member for Cleaner, Greener, Safer, Councillor Sufrana Bashir-Ismail, said: “The Community Payback voting scheme was really well received and I would like to thank everyone who took the time to vote. Churchgate Subway is a particularly well-used thoroughfare by local residents, town centre workers and shoppers and is a worthy winner.

“Many people think that offenders get an easy ride on Community Payback, which is not the case, so I hope people are pleased with this high profile project and the results of their hard work.”

Beverley Phillips, Bolton’s Community Payback Manager for the Greater Manchester Probation Trust, said: “I am really pleased that so many voted in the scheme and that it is helping to generate greater participation in the criminal justice system. We are already hearing from lots of people who are recommending projects to us that offenders will hopefully be tackling in the future.

"It is vital that justice is seen to be done and this project is helping to make that a reality."