By Andrew Topping, Local Democracy Reporter
The Ashfield councillor behind a decision to close off eight crime-hit alleyways says her “door is always open” for suggestions of other routes which could be shut.
Ashfield District Council has officially approved the new public spaces protection order (PSPO) – a legal tool used by councils to target anti-social behaviour.
It means the eight alleys labelled as “magnets for crime” will be officially shut off to public access from next month.
The order will be in place for three years and follows overwhelming public support for the closures.
Concerns have been raised about general anti-social behaviour, with some of the alleys described as “hotspots” for crime.
Other issues include littering and fly-tipping, off-road motorbikes and other ‘nuisance vehicles’, large groups of people gathering, drug dealing and residents “feeling unsafe”.
Three of the alleys are in Kirkby’s Coxmoor estate, including land next to 40 Rosewood Drive and the two alleys connecting Spruce Grove to Poplar Avenue and Beacon Drive.
Speaking as councillors approved the order on Thursday (February 2), Councillor Andy Meakin (Ash Ind), who represents Coxmoor’s Abbey Hill ward, welcomed the move.
He said: “I totally and fully support these proposals.
“Three of these alleyways are in my ward and they’ve been a blight. There are a lot more alleys I wish we could close but we are making a start.
“I’m so proud we’re actually getting somewhere.”
Four of the alleys are around the New Cross area of Sutton.
This includes a service road behind Outram Street – connecting Downing Street to North Street – known locally as ‘mucky alley’.
This route had already seen CCTV installed after being described by councillors as a “drive-thru for fly-tippers”.
The order also includes two public rights of way connecting Bramley Court to Bentinck Street and Sutton Lawn, as well as the passage between Welbeck Street and Portland Close.
Cllr Dave Hennigan (Ind), who represents Sutton Central and New Cross, said in the meeting: “Residents’ lives have been hell. They’ve had fence panels smashed in, and spotted drug dealers left, right and centre.
“This is a last resort but I’ve spoken to residents and they are delighted we’ve listened to their concerns and found a way.
“There were more than 800 incidents reported in these alleyways in the last year and this will help people who live near them.”
The eighth alleyway is behind 34-37 Rockwood Walk, in Hucknall, which will be closed off from March after councillors unanimously approved the PSPO.
Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Helen-Ann Smith (Ash Ind), cabinet member for community safety, said the order is “just the start”.
She revealed plans and discussions are under way to begin targeting other alleys and areas, encouraging councillors to let her know of any hotspots.
She said: “This is just the start and we’re looking at others in places like Carsic and Stanton Hill.
“I’ve told councillors that my door is always open to other suggestions of locations for closures.
“Doing our bit to make residents’ lives safer is a massive priority for us.”
