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Cllr Bill Risby

Residents on Kirkby Avenue were worried that cars parked on the road hampered fire engines, ambulances and bin wagons and created a danger to pedestrians.

Money had been spent on creating ramps in nearby St George's Drive to encourage people to park cars in their own driveways and householders in Kirkby Avenue requested a similar scheme.

Local councillor Bill Risby put their request to the North Manchester Environment Strategy Meeting and the following day contacted the residents to tell them it was under consideration.

By the time the phone conversation was over, to the amazement of residents and, Bill admits, the councillors themselves, workmen were on site preparing the ground.

One resident Brian Crook said: "As soon as I put the phone down, I looked out of the window to see a man measuring and marking driveways.

"I quickly went to my friend so we could both speak to this chap who was from operational services and he confirmed that the job was in hand.

"Another neighbour has an electric wheelchair and he will also get improved access. Excellent service."

Bill was delighted by the record response and hoped the work would make life easier for people in the area.

He said: "There was about ?30,000 spend on St George's Street using grants that come through North Manchester Regeneration. There was a bit of money left over so they agreed to spend it here.

"Even I was surprised things moved so fast. It's an indication of a change in attitude to environmental improvements. Kirkby Avenue is a popular area and we're working on sustaining these areas instead of just trying to deal with areas when they're on their uppers."