Upton Alleyways

 

 

 

Alleyway, Upton

 

Alleyways such as this one in Upton are some of the oldest routes in town, with some of the surrounding housing dating back to at least the 1830s, and while trawling through local history books you’ll find that some even have names. These days they function primarily as handy, if less than salubrious, short-cuts which can shave a good five or six minutes off your journey time across certain routes. They are also public spaces, sheltered not only from traffic and noise but also from sight– little wonder then, that they now enjoy a reputation for muggers, molesters, druggies and street-pissers (the tell-tale signs of which, that particular green moss, are evident all the way up in this shot).

 

So is there any use these days for fetid, graffiti-tagged, piss-soaked, dangerous thoroughfares? Most modern estates eschew them altogether, either by twisting every street-strand round so that they eventually share a pavement, or by simply having all pedestrian paths follow the car-oriented road route, or by simply writing off the pedestrian’s needs completely– just walk round the whole block, lazy-o! Healthier, wider and better-maintained routes will increase the footfall which should in turn decrease the naughty behaviour, but the larger facts– the lack of alternative public space, the feeling of exposure everywhere in the urban realm, the urban anticipation of crime– will remain, and until then alleyways will continue to be avoided by young women walking at night, old people on pension day, people with sensitive noses and anybody of a nervous disposition generally.