A NEW residents' association is preparing to champion the needs of people living in and around the Greville estate in Winsford.

Colin Murray, of Lodge Drive, decided to set up the group to fight the problems that have begun to blight community life in parts of Wharton.

Members will campaign for better roads, parking, lighting and improved living conditions for the elderly in an area covering Greville Drive, Ledward Street, Birch Avenue, Princes Street, part of Crook Lane and areas in between.

Following a big leaflet drop across the area, the group - which has yet to be named - holds its first meeting at 6.30pm tonight, Wednesday, at Christchurch in Crook Lane, and Mr Murray is hoping for a good turnout.

Mr Murray said: "The condition of the roads here is absolutely terrible - it's like Beirut High Street.

"The authorities just come around and put down a bit of asphalt, bang it in with a shovel and a couple of days later the problems are there again.

"There are lighting problems too and we need off-road parking. Years ago you would have just a few cars parked on the road but now there is at least one in every drive and many in the road too.

"Off-road parking areas could be the answer to this and that's the kind of thing we are looking at."

Vale Royal borough councillor Brian Clarke has helped Mr Murray to get the group going and Weaver Vale Housing Trust has also offered support.

Mr Murray added that anti-social behaviour was not as much of a problem as in other parts of the town. He said: "Some youngsters can get a bit noisy but I don't think they are causing any real problems on the estate."

Mike Kennedy, chairman of the Cheshire Federation of Residents' Associations, said it was excellent news that someone had decided to start up another residents' association in Winsford.

rfraser@guardiangrp.co.uk