Neighbours brighten up alleyway with carpets and artificial grass

A group of neighbours living on Bright Street in Meir, Staffordshire have decided that the street should reflect its name, and so they have transformed the alleyway between their homes with artificial grass, carpets, flowers, plants and benches.

The project started with resident Rachel Goodall, who weeded the alleyway behind her home. Her neighbours came to help her, and they then decided that the alleyway was in need of a makeover. Speaking to the Stoke Sentinel, Goodall said:

“We wanted somewhere a little bit bigger than our garden, somewhere in the sun, and something nice to look at. We did our part and then looked up and down and said ‘yeah let’s just do the rest of it’.”

Goodall added that making the alleyway look attractive has deterred anti-social behaviour in the neighbourhood. Previously, people had dumped rubbish in the alleyway, but now this has stopped as well.

The neighbours often sit out in the alley on garden chairs and benches, and they say that they’re now much better acquainted. Another resident, Carl Wilson, praised the project, saying that the alleyway was previously horrible, but it’s now a nice spot to relax in.

Most carpets in North Wales and Chester homes are not waterproof, so they’re not suitable for long-term outside use, unlike artificial grass, which is weatherproof. It’s better to use carpets inside, but you can get some carpets that are treated with a solution that makes them water resistant.