"Two sides to Boscombe story", say readers (From Bournemouth Echo)

"Two sides to Boscombe story", say readers

8:22am Wednesday 8th July 2009 in

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A FIERCE debate has been sparked on the Daily Echo website following our story about the two sides of Boscombe.

We reported yesterday how millions of pounds was being poured into the surf reef and Overstrand development while, just streets away, a man was left fighting for his life after a vicious attack in an alleyway.

Readers at bournemouthecho. co.uk appear divided about whether the regeneration project will really benefit Boscombe.

Ferret38, from Bournemouth said: “Boscombe seafront and garden project has really come up trumps. The only problem with Boscombe centre is that there are too many drug treatment projects going on. This, in turn, brings all the dolelites, junkies, and beggars drunks and thieves to the area.”

Mediclogan5, from Bournemouth, said: “Some years ago Britain boasted itself a classless society, so throwing vast amount of cash into Boscombe to attract a more ‘affluent’ community and spend lavish amounts of capital into a sport complex for the minority.”

Cooperman, from Bournemouth, said: “You can’t just improve parts of the area and think the rest will follow when the place is riddled with rehab hostels, low standard accommodation and is a magnet for 'those in the know' looking for whatever their 'fix' might be.

“To find someone has been stabbed or near-on kicked to death is no big surprise to those who know what this area is really like.”

Nigel24, from Bournemouth, said: “I was a Boscombe resident board member of the Neighbourhood Management Board. Boscombe has a great divide, south of Christchurch Road which is enjoying prosperity and the north of Christchurch Road, which is being left to deteriorate.

“Has it got worse, yes I think so. Has Boscombe a future, yes it has, but only when councillors take a hard look and start engaging with those who endure the problems 24/7 like I did in Palmerston Road.”

Some residents were more sympathetic to the problems.

Cantique, from Bournemouth, said: “Boscombe may be a magnet for drunks and druggies, but do you really think that they want to be like that?

“Their way of life is all they now know, and there is no real hope or help available for them to improve themselves.”

Aviewoneverything, from Bournemouth, said: “Bournemouth, and Boscombe in particular, has a huge number of drug/alcohol rehab centres which draws people suffering with these addictions from all over the country.

“After all, who wouldn’t want to spend their rehab in a seaside resort rather than, say, Liverpool. The problem is that when these people fall off the wagon, and many of them do, they stay here. They do not go back to where they came from.

“As such, this town is simply a breeding ground for this type of problem. The best way to improve the area would be to move the rehab centres away. The dealers would follow their clients, leaving Boscombe to once again become the lovely place it once was.” Others were more positive about the regeneration project.

Peggy Babcock, from Poole, said: “The bottom line is the re-development is a step in the right direction. Rome wasn’t built in a day, so give it time.”

BourneRed, from Bournemouth, said: “Boscombe has improved, the redevelopments with new property, etc, has just moved the low-lives, as people call them.”

Magicmonkey, from Bournemouth, said: “Have lived in Boscombe for eight years (Chessel Avenue) through choice – clifftop and gardens at one end of the road, high street the other. Park and tennis courts opposite.

“Quiet, leafy avenue, no noise, no trouble, never been threatened and I am very happy there – wouldn’t want to live anywhere else in Bournemouth.”