File:Alley redumped - Update 19 February 2009.jpg

English: 31 January 2009. A second photo showing more detail of the dumping at this corner.

The paved path runs though a small green. It links Pulford Road and Seven Sisters Road, Tottenham N15. The silver bollards on the right of the photo are the start of a short cobbled alley running between shops at 521-523 Seven Sisters Road.

§ Google Maps view of the alley from Seven Sisters Road. § And Google Maps aerial view.

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I'm asked: "Why do you nag about this alleyway, Alan? It's not even in your ward".

A major reason is because this small area brings together several issues which fascinate me.* Solutions here may apply to many other places.

Look at the photo and imagine yourself there. Would you feel comfortable taking a short-cut to the local shops or the bus along this path?

A lot of effort, imagination, time and public money has gone into improving both the alley and the pathway/green area. And while it’s better; it is not good enough. Too many people – probably nearby traders and local residents – don’t seem to own those improvements. There’s still regular dumping and littering.

And too many people behave as if these problems are solely the responsibility of Haringey Council or its waste contractor. (Formerly Haringey Enterprise; from April 2011, Veolia.) As if the solution is simply for these agencies to be quicker in removing dumped garbage. It’s not seen as a responsibility of every resident and trader to help keep the area clear and clean.

Is this naively idealistic? Do I expect everyone to behave altruistically - as good citizens? No, I don't.

Or am I asking people who are going through hard times, to support environmental issues; which to them may seem far removed from caring for and feeding their families; and keeping their businesses afloat? No I’m not.

Yes, I'd like to see the people who use the alley and path - and those who now abuse it – treating its upkeep as part of their responsibility. And if they are motivated by civic duty or environmental commitment, great.

But I have no objection to people behaving selfishly. Once they grasp that keeping this alleyway clean and safe is also in their basic self-interest.

In other words, there's a virtuous circle of selfishness, when as many people as possible value their own and everyone's else's freedom to walk through a pleasant, safe short-cut to the bus and the station; or to shop in the small local stores. ___________________________

• Links

§ Click here to see the first photo. § Click to view Alleyway! The Musical.

§ Yes, we promised you a rose garden.