'Dangerous' alley fixed after locals raise £2,000

People from Far Cotton raised £2,100 to pay for paving repairs in an alleyway

A group of people who live near a "dangerous" alleyway have raised £2,100 for it to be resurfaced.

Residents in Far Cotton, Northampton, started a fundraising campaign last year to repair a deteriorating path between Gloucester Avenue and Friars Crescent.

West Northamptonshire Council declared the alleyway was an unadopted route and so would not fix it.

Chris Antoniou, 85, spearheaded the initiative and said "no-one believed" he would be able to get the work done.

Chris Antoniou donated nearly £700 himself to get the paving repaired

The pathway, which previously had deep cracks in the tarmac, had been the site of several reported "bad accidents", particularly at night.

Mr Antoniou had been told that it would cost £3,000 to repair the surface and another £100 to deliver the materials.

The alleyway’s official reopening ceremony featured a ribbon-cutting event, which was attended by many residents.

Mr Antoniou expressed his relief at seeing his neighbours walk safely through the newly resurfaced alley. "I’m very glad," he said.

'Determined to get it done'

Julie Davenport, a councillor for the Delapre and Rushmere on West Northamptonshire Council, and who attended the ceremony, said: "It's amazing [Chris] was determined to get it done. And he did."

Another resident Tony Bloor who walks through the alleyway to get a daily paper said: "It's absolutely marvellous, it's far safer now.

"What Chris has done is absolutely amazing."

Mr Antoniou added: "[Far Cotton] will remember me [for the repairs] after I'm gone!"

There was an official reopening of the alleyway with the ribbon cut by Chris Antoniou and Mike Davey from Aspers Casino