WREXHAM MP Sarah Atherton has expressed her disappointment in the council's decision to reject community payback plans. 

In August 2022, Member of Parliament for Wrexham, Sarah Atherton, submitted a request to Wrexham Council to repair and repaint the railings on Jeffreys Road and Smithy Lane as part of the Community Payback Scheme in junction with His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service – HMP Berwyn.  

Large sections of the railings on Jeffreys Road and Smithy Lane are bent, rusted and in dire need of repair. The railings are unsightly, as well as being a hazard for the children who play nearby.  

Following more than year of discussion, Mrs Atherton recently received confirmation from Wrexham Council that they are not in a position to supply the paint for the project on Smithy Lane, let alone straighten or replace missing railings.

Following a great deal of ‘back and forth’ between Wrexham Council, Acton Community Council and Mrs Atherton’s office, Mrs Atherton has publicly expressed her disappointment with the news.  

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Regarding the railings on Jeffreys Road, it was recently confirmed that Acton Community Council is now working with Wrexham Council on a ‘plan’. As such, the offer of Community Payback has been declined.

If Borras residents would like an update on the plan for the railings on Jeffrey’s Road between Bryn Gryffydd and the Cunliffe Arms, Mrs Atherton has suggested contacting the community council.  

Mrs Atherton MP said: “It is incredibly disappointing for Borras residents as council bureaucracy has prevented any action being taken. Even more so as the Community Payback team were willing to repaint the railings free of charge – with the council only having to supply the paint.

"However, as a result of me sitting on the HMP Berwyn Employment Board, the Community Payback team have kindly offered to undertake another project in Wrexham.

"So, if you have any ideas for a Community Payback Project, for example, removing graffiti or clearing wasteland, which does not require council permission please get in touch with my office by emailing sarah.atherton.mp@parliament.uk.” 

A spokesman for Wrexham Council said: “These are old specification railings that are nearing the end of their shelf-life, and as a result, we can’t support their repair or retention in the long-term.

"However, as always we’ll continue to liaise with the community council and other stakeholders on all street scene matters.”