Middlesbrough really is the worst place to live: Damning verdict of Location, Location, Location

 

By Paul Revoir

Last updated at 2:06 AM on 04th August 2009

 

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Middlesbrough's objections to being labelled the worst place to live in Britain were

dismissed by watchdogs.

 

The town’s mayor had complained to Ofcom over the humiliating verdict on the Channel 4 show, Location, Location, Location. But the watchdog ruled yesterday that the programme had used reliable statistics to back up its claims.

 

Kirstie Allsopp, one of the show’s presenters, told viewers that Middlesbrough had ‘critical health levels, double the English average of drug abuse, 8 per cent more smokers than the English average and over a quarter of inhabitants admitted to binge drinking’.

 

 

Worst place to live: Middlesbrough's heavy industry and housing

 

 

Her co-presenter Phil Spencer said: ‘Ninety per cent of the residents never exercise and few eat healthily . . .robbery, burglary, sexual assault, violent crimes and car theft are all more than twice the UK average.’

 

The programme’s website also stated the town had ‘smog in excess’. The show, which aired in October 2007, included live interviews with residents who defended their home town.

 

Ofcom said it had not been unfair to include details about smoking, drug misuse and physical exercise and images of obese people in the show.

 

It also said it was not unfair to have filmed derelict buildings to illustrate the programme’s claims about the state of the town.

 

Ofcom also backed the reference to binge drink were ing. The mayor, Ray Mallon, was so outraged he boycotted Channel 4 over the worst town label.

 

The former police chief, who championed a zero tolerance approach to crime, said his town had been misrepresented in the programme.

 

But the Ofcom adjudication panel said: ‘Ofcom found that no unfairness had resulted to either the community of Middlesbrough or Middlesbrough Council from the selection of the criteria for determining the best and worst places to live.’

 

The show’s presenters highlighted positive changes in Middlesbrough with Mr Spencer telling viewers about the city installing the first ever talking CCTV system.

 

Miss Allsopp: ‘It’s had a positive effect on street side drinking and fighting.’

 

Ofcom agreed with Mr Mallon that the programme contained a number of inaccuracies but ruled they did not cause ‘unfairness’ to the town.

 

Mr Mallon said: ‘I have been overwhelmed by the response from the public on this issue, I was inundated with calls of support for the stance we took.’

 

Edinburgh was voted the best place to live in the programme, broadcast in 2007, and Middlesbrough was ranked the worst, beneath Hull and Newham in East London.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1204127/Middlesbrough-really-worst-place-live.html#ixzz0NAn70qNt

I had to spend a day there once, it's fucking shit.

Aww, comeone, it can't be that bad! There's...plenty of refining to be done, the air is cleaner than Los Angeles', and there's plenty of green space in the middle.. or, is that a river down there??:stunned: Well, it's picturesque, and there seems to be work available - something sorely lacking in parts of the US these days.. (median home price in Akron is $80,000 - a steal of a deal! Unfortunately, not much rubber hitting the road in Akron these days..)

I had to spend a day there once, it's fucking shit.

 

And after you rolled into town, it was even worse!!:lol:

And after you rolled into town, it was even worse!!:lol:

 

OH, LOL!

OH, LOL!

 

http://www.instantrimshot.com/

http://www.instantrimshot.com/

 

Well done Mark, repost an unfunny joke site posted by other people. Your comedic talent is astounding.

dp

dp

 

http://www.instantrimshot.com/

 

:rolleyes:

Well, it's picturesque, and there seems to be work available - something sorely lacking in parts of the US these days..

 

Middlesbrough, picturesque? You clearly haven't visited the place.

Middlesbrough, picturesque? You clearly haven't visited the place.

 

While you clearly have!:P

So do you have anything to add??:rolleyes:

Yeah I lived near Middlesbrough for a little while.

 

It's a very boring place, it's got no character. It also has a very high teen pregnancy rate and a shit football team.

Yeah I lived near Middlesbrough for a little while.

 

It's a very boring place, it's got no character. It also has a very high teen pregnancy rate and a shit football team.

 

And apart from that??:P

Lies!

Lies!

 

I think you'll find there's more than enough evidence.;)

Is that in england,or out of the whole world?