Mike Hamilton and Jhons Ramirez set out to walk around the Victoria ward to see whether the area is being maintained properly by the Labour councillors and by Labour bosses at the civic centre.

The clean-up organised by Maindee Action Group cleared the path from Corporation Road to Maindee Primary School. It was a great example of community spirit, but three weeks later the footpath was as bad as ever and there were still hypodermic needles in the undergrowth. This is by a path used by schoolchildren. Needles used by drug users are regarded as a major health issue,

Greenhill Construction, the company which had applied for permission to build houses at The Glebelands, south of the Glan Usk School, is reported to be in administration. Nevertheless, the application is going ahead, for 248 homes, including flats and houses.

Linc Cymru, owners of the former Durham Road School site, say their plans for a care home have been delayed. Linc wrote to residents before Christmas to say they would be ready to start work after appointing contractors.

RESIDENTS in Old Barn are demanding to know when planned improvements to blocks of flats in the area will be carried out.