A pioneering pilot project, which aims to help communities feel empowered in their neighbourhoods, has been hailed “fantastic” by councillors.

Blackburn with Darwen Council teamed up with Together Housing to clear up the Ashworth Estate and allow residents to get the best out of services and feel pride where they live under the 'Brushing up the Borough' project.

The Neighbourhood and Environmental Services teams from Together Housing worked with the Council’s Highways and Environment teams to do jobs such as grass cutting, fence repairs, painting the play area, litter picking, street cleaning, grounds maintenance, drainage and gully cleansing and street light repairs.

Stemming from deputy council leader and Wensley Fold ward Councillor Quesir Mahmood, the scheme wants to create a partnership between the council and the housing association to address resident queries and help residents take care of their area going forward.

Councillor Phil Riley, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “I’m so pleased to see this partnership between the council and Together Housing come to fruition.

“We as councillors are passionate about helping residents, and what an excellent way to kick off the project by being able to help the residents of Wensley Fold where my deputy Quesir Mahmood is ward councillor.

“There was an evident change in the overall look of Ashworth Estate before and after the project, and I do hope that residents found it beneficial and can continue to maintain the estate with its new look.

“I look forward to seeing ‘Brushing up the Borough’ taking place in other areas in the borough soon.”

The pilot proved to be very successful, with evidential changes to the area.

Street lighting teams replaced three light columns and changed the photocells on several others around the estate.

These photocells control when lights come on and off due to the daylight received, making them more energy efficient.

Mowing all the grass verges and clearing a large row of brambles, the green spaces team made a huge difference to the look of the area, whilst the cleansing team litter-picked and swept roads.

Drainage teams also attended to ensure gullies and drains were clear of debris, whilst the fly-tipping team removed bulk items and any abandoned bins.

Michelle Allott, executive director of operations at Together Housing, said: “It’s been fantastic to see how useful this week has been in making communities better for residents and we are eager to turn this pilot project into a regular way of working in and around the borough.

“Taking pride in our community is something all residents should feel, and ‘Brushing Up the Borough’ has provided another way of making that happen.  

“The simple act of bringing together two organisations to work in one place at one time has already strengthened the long-standing relationship we have with Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council.”

Residents from the Ashworth Estate will now be surveyed to understand what they found to be most beneficial, and the hope is the learnings will be used in other ‘Brushing up the Borough’ projects going forward.

The council and Together Housing will continue to work together to identify other areas that could benefit from the project long term.