A UK town dubbed ‘tent city’ with bouncers patrolling the streets is set for a £23.7 million revamp.
Once one of the world’s richest mining towns, the area has been battered by poverty and drug abuse in recent years.
News Group Newspapers LtdThe once bustling high street now has many boarded up shops[/caption]
Neil HopeThe town has been dubbed ‘tent city’[/caption]
However, things look like they’re on the up for Cambourne in Cornwall, thanks to a multi-million pound investment.
The cash boost is part of the Town Investment Plan, which was awarded £23.7 million in 2021.
The final plans for the project, which will boost the town’s appearance and accessibility, have now been approved, with work expected to begin in October.
In a huge boost for the area, paving repairs will take place in Commercial Square, enhanced lighting and CCTV will be installed as will cycle parking.
The amount of free on-street parking will also be extended, a new zebra crossing will be installed and there will be more seating on Trelowarren Street and Commercial Square.
Tent city
Residents have complained that Cambourne has been neglected in recent years, whilst nearby St Ives thrives.
The churchyard of the medieval St Martin and St Meriadoc’s Church is now overrun with rough sleepers, dubbed tent city.
Once a bustling high street with thriving businesses is now home to a handful of shops where alcohol and drug abusers congregate, claim locals.
Tracey Rail, 60, a lifelong resident told The Sun: “I think it’s sad what’s happened to Camborne, it’s pretty rough and desolate now.
“Lots of shops are closed down, all we have is charity shops, estate agents and betting shops. I don’t think there’s a lot for young people to do.
“I’ve heard tales of how it’s not safe to walk around Camborne in the night time but I’ve not done it myself for that reason.
“Employment is one of the major problems, we used to have the industry from mining, now it’s basically just retail and a lot of the employment opportunities are temporary because they’re holiday industries.
“It’s definitely got worse in the last couple of years, lots of the shops are empty and there are homeless people sleeping in the doorways.
“It’s not comfortable to walk up through Camborne sometimes because of the number of homeless.
“The fact they are homeless is shocking and dreadful and terrible.
“I walk through the churchyard to access the town and the amount of tents is quite uncomfortable that people have to live like that.
“But the question is where are the services?”
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