A ROW of derelict garages in Rudheath that have been a magnet for arsonists, vandals and fly-tippers has finally been demolished.

The abandoned asbestos garages at the bottom of Liverpool Street, tucked away behind James Street, have caused residents’ problems for years.

Fly-tippers regularly dumped rubbish at the site and in July 2015, residents’ homes were evacuated after three of the derelict buildings were set on fire.

Cllr Val Armstrong, Witton and Rudheath ward councillor for Cheshire West and Chester (CWaC), said: “Residents kept asking us if anything could be done about it. The garages had stood abandoned for years and they were all absolutely full of rubbish. It was a complete eyesore.”

Cllr Armstrong and fellow ward councillor Tony Lawrenson have been working together for the past 12 months to address the problem. Thanks to funding from their members’ budgets, Northwich Town Council, and the Rudheath and Witton Together partnership, the buildings were finally knocked down on Monday.

She said: “There isn’t a lot of green space around there so we hope residents will be pleased that the eyesore is gone and that there’s more open space.

“The next important thing will be making sure that they once the area is fully cleared up we can keep it clean and tidy. We are hoping that residents will get together and do some further improvements."

Cllr Armstrong spoke with residents ahead of the demolition and said they already had lots of ideas for the plot.

She said: “There was some talk of creating a community garden, or a peaceful place for children to play or adults to sit and relax outdoors. It’s such a big area so could make a lovely facility that they can be proud of and feel safe in.

“Once the site is fully cleared we’ll get the residents together, ask them what they would like to see done with the space. We can help them form a residents’ group and apply for funding to improve the area. There is so much potential there – it will hopefully make a lovely community space.”