Golftyn residents unite to transform neglected alleyways
Residents in Golftyn Ward have come together to transform neglected alleyways behind their homes, turning previously fly-tipped spaces into clean, welcoming community areas.
While most alleyways are privately owned and fall outside Flintshire County Council’s adopted highway network, meaning Streetscene is not legally responsible for their upkeep, local people are stepping up to make a visible difference.
A recent project in Golftyn saw neighbours and volunteers join forces to clear not just one alleyway but another across the road, showing what can be achieved when residents unite with a shared purpose.
The clean-up became a community event, with one household providing tea, coffee, and biscuits, another baking a cake, and local councillor David Franko Richardson supplying sandwiches for volunteers.
“Everyone brings something different to the table,” said Keep Wales Tidy Officer for Flintshire, Carolyne Prew. “Not everyone needs to lift bags — helping can mean anything from making drinks, sharing information, and using their connections, to simply showing up in support.”
The Golftyn project will also see CCTV installed in the alleyways, funded by Cllr Richardson through the Golftyn Residents Fund. Similar installations in Connah’s Quay and Mold have helped eliminate fly-tipping altogether once residents began working together and communicating openly.
Each clean-up is supported by awareness materials on waste disposal, Duty of Care, and reporting fly-tipping. Over time, many areas become self-policing, with new residents welcomed by letters explaining the group’s values and expectations.
In previous projects, even limited CCTV coverage has made a noticeable difference. In one case, after a group approached a household responsible for fly-tipping, the waste was removed within an hour.
These community-led efforts have changed the dynamic in many areas where illegal dumping was once the norm. Beyond cleaning up, the projects help strengthen community ties, prevent environmental damage, and foster local pride.
Keep Wales Tidy works alongside Flintshire County Council’s Streetscene department and local councillors to support these initiatives, covering waste removal costs in areas that fall outside direct council responsibility. Each project is adapted to local needs, depending on the residents’ level of engagement and commitment.
For more information on how to take part in future clean-ups or to start a project, residents can contact [email protected]
.
Check live fuel prices near you before you set off.
Spotted something? Got a story? Email news (@) deeside.com
NEW: Add Deeside.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Latest News
