Residents of an historical Devonshire neighbourhood have welcomed plans to revitalise the area.

The Government promised a “master plan” in the Throne Speech to address longstanding infrastructure problems in Mary Victoria Road, Cedar Park and Alexandra Road.

Julieann Moore, 61, welcomed the commitment as a much needed chance to improve safety in the area.

“I’m just hoping something gets done,” the Alexandra Road resident said. “I am really hoping that they will do something, especially with the lighting.

“You have a lot of seniors out here who want to sit outside and they should have good lighting.

“Some people go for walks around 4 o’clock or 5 o’clock in the morning and you want to make sure that they have good lighting.”

Ms Moore said that plumbing was also a big concern because the water in the system often ran out.

The neighbourhood used to house police officers who worked at a nearby station.

But many officers moved away after the Devonshire station was closed.

During his Speech from the Throne last Friday, Andrew Murdoch, the Governor, addressed the problems that have plagued the neighbourhood for years.

Delivering remarks on behalf of the Government, he noted that residents there had been “forced into a ‘band-aid’ existence”.

Mr Murdoch added: “This unique and proud area cannot be adequately served in this ongoing, piecemeal way.

“Therefore, the Government will develop a master plan for these areas to address long-running issues, including water and sewage, lighting and general home improvement.”

The promise also came with planned amendments to the Private Roads (Improvement) Act 1969 and Private Roads (Lighting) Act 1984 to allow the minister responsible for public works to add traffic controls to residential areas in the interest of safety.

Shirley Wilkinson, 22, said that waste management was a big problem in the neighbourhood, explaining that pests such as chickens and rats were attracted there.

She added that more consistent clean-ups, combined with better hedge care and repainting houses, would give the area “some type of life”.

Ms Wilkinson said that the neighbourhood was quiet and friendly, although people had left over time and vacant properties were sometimes unfilled.

She added that, if the neighbourhood was made to look nicer, others might be willing to move in.

Jeanel Wolffe echoed the sentiment. She said that many homes in the area needed repairs, regardless of whether or not they were occupied.

The 38-year-old, who moved into the neighbourhood last November, said public housing in the area was not consistently maintained.

She added that some people had contacted the Government about repairs but nothing had been done.

Ms Wolffe said: “They don’t really have money for renovations.

“I would like them to set up a rent-to-buy programme or work with the people on the housing list and work out some sort of rent where they can maybe do the cosmetic work themselves.”

Ms Wolffe said that she lived in the area as a child before moving on as an adult.

She returned with her two daughters, aged 14 and 16, to stay with her parents, but realised there was not much for her own children and others in the neighbourhood to do.

Ms Wolffe said that reviving a neighbourhood playground, which had been abandoned years ago, would bring recreational activities for the children who lived there.

Maria Rawlins, 77, welcomed the Government’s plan but reminded the administration to “keep your promise”.

She said: “Don’t say what you’ll do and not keep it. If you can’t keep the promise, don’t make it.”

Ms Rawlins has lived in the neighbourhood for 45 years and remembered when the area housed police officers.

She said that the police presence helped the neighbourhood feel like a community — something she hoped would return with better care.

“They used to have Easter for the children and Good Friday,” Ms Rawlins noted.

“After the Government moved all the police, everything stopped.

“Maybe if we make the place look nicer, people will want to see each other more.”