Media centre

Tuesday 7 Feb 2006

PHOTOCALL: MAKING TRACKS IN COLWYN BAY

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Wales & Western

Date:                 Friday 10 February Time:                1:30pm Location:          Colwyn Bay Station – Unit 1, The Railway Station, Princess Drive, Colwyn   Bay, Conwy, LL29 8DF Event:               ‘Making Tracks’ launch with Eleanor Burnham AM Media Contact: Project Co-ordinator - 01766 590480 A new £450,000 initiative to address anti-social behaviour over the next five years in the Colwyn Bay area is being launched at Colwyn Bay Station called ‘Making Tracks’ – aimed at encouraging young offenders to take part in horticultural, conservation and environmental activities. Youths that have committed anti-social behaviour in the area will have the opportunity to look after green spaces in Colwyn Bay and will be involved in the production, care and maintenance of plant material and equipment at these locations.  This will not only encourage them to take ownership of their work but will benefit the local community in improving the local environment and help reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour and railway crime.  Richard Woollatt, Making Tracks Project Co-ordinator, said: "Providing an opportunity for individuals to engage in useful and rewarding environmental activities within their local communities, can play a significant part in helping to reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour and re-offending.  “Arriva Trains Wales and Network Rail, in partnership with many other statutory and voluntary organisations, have supported 'Making Tracks' from the start and continue to demonstrate their commitment to social change and regeneration by participating actively in management meetings, offering sound advice and financial support. Their continued involvement combined with funding provided by Enfys, Environment Wales and the Social Risk Fund, will ensure the overall success of the scheme." The aim is to support between 40-60 young people per week, aged 16 - 25, with those subject to Community Service Orders occupying the majority of places, with others referred through appropriate judicial channels.  Those attending will be supported by volunteers and mentors from their community - people who can relate to the attendees and encourage them to change their lives.  Not only will they have the chance to participate in gardening and environmental activities, but they can also take part in a structured training programme with qualified trainers through the ‘Volunteer and Mentoring Project’. Eleanor Burnham, AM for North Wales, concluded: “I am delighted as Chair, former Magistrate, Worker with vulnerable youths and passionate rail traveller to be involved with this wonderful project that is starting to flourish. “I am also delighted that ‘Making Tracks’ is a formidable growth area for importantly productive partnerships between myself, local councils, Arriva Trains Wales, Network Rail, British Transport Police, the Probation Services, Cultivations and the Welsh College of Horticulture which will be a beacon of best practice for the rest of the region of North Wales. “Through Richard Woollatt’s hard endeavours I am absolutely delighted and determined to raise the profile of this invaluable partnership and to help not only vulnerable youths, but to ensure a better quality of environment for the patient rail travellers of Colwyn Bay”. The development of Making Tracks has involved over 30 local organisations and agencies