EC1 – "a great place to live"

Now, more than ever, EC1 is a great place to live according to the results of the latest independent MORI household survey.

Most residents are satisfied with the area and think it has improved over recent years. Day-to-day concerns that have an impact on the quality of life are less prevalent and more people feel like they are part of the local community.

The household survey is completed in EC1 every two years. The most recent 2008 survey shows clear improvements from 2002, when the EC1 New Deal for Communities (NDC) programme started, suggesting a direct correlation between the investment in the area and perceived improvements.

Matthew Humphreys, chair of the EC1 NDC board, said:

"These results are very encouraging. We've invested around £32 million over the past eight years which has included funding activities for young people, improving security on estates, turning our parks around and funding community events like the EC1 Summer Festival and so it’s great to see we’re making a difference."

The results show people feel safer after dark and are less worried about being burgled, mugged or robbed and teenagers hanging around on the streets is seen as less of a problem.

People very/fairly worried about burglary:
2002 - 56%, 2008 - 32%
People fairly worried about being mugged or robbed:
2002 - 59%, 2008 - 42%
People think teenagers hanging around on the streets is a serious problem:
2002 - 47%, 2008 - 23%

Perceptions of the quality of the outdoor environment are markedly improved with litter and rubbish in the streets being less of a concern which is equally so for the quality of local parks and open spaces.

People think area much/slightly worse than two years ago:
2002 - 31%, 2008 - 14%
People think litter and rubbish in the streets is a serious problem:
2002 - 35%, 2008- 17%
People think poor quality parks etc is a serious problem
2002 - 56%, 2008 - 25%

EC1 resident Nicola Cumiskey who lives on the Chadworth Estate off Lever Street has seen a distinct improvement to the area and said:

“A year or so ago, I didn’t really like going out of my flat. I felt unsafe and my estate looked a bit like a prison exercise yard. Now, thanks to all the work that has been done, particularly on my estate, I feel a lot happier and proud to live here.”

The EC1 NDC programme continues until March 2011 and the survey results will provide a focus for its final years such as issues surrounding employment.

Read the headline data from EC1's MORI household survey 2008 here.