Councillors are moving forward with plans to close and restrict access to a number of crime-ridden alleyways across Ashfield.
This includes restricting public access to the controversial service road behind Outram Street (nicknamed Mucky Alley), and the closure of walk throughs accessing Bramley Court, Portland Close, Sutton, Rockwood Walk, Hucknall and 3 alleyways on the Coxmoor Estate, Kirkby.
District Councillors for these areas have been working closely with the council’s Head of Community Safety, Antonio Taylor and Policing Inspector Jon Hewitt to develop the plans under a new Public Spaces Protection Order.
The closures are part of Ashfield District Council’s Safer Street’s agenda. Councillor Helen-Ann Smith, the Council’s Deputy Leader and Executive Lead Member for Community Safety and Crime Reduction made the announcement at last week’s Full Meeting of Ashfield District Council.
Gated areas:
- 4 access points – Bramley Court – Sutton Lawn, Sutton
- Service Road – Rear of Outram St, Sutton
- Rockwood Walk, Hucknall
- Beacon Drive to Spruce Grove, Kirkby
- Spruce Drive – Ashwood Drive, Kirkby
- Rosewood Drive – Kirkby
- Portland Close – Welbeck Street – Sutton.
Timeline for completion
- 1st Report PSPO – Cabinet 8th Nov 2022
- Public Consultation/Statutory Consultees – 2nd November – 14th December 202
- 2nd report – Cabinet 24th Jan 2023
- Ratification of PSPO (Full Council) 24th Jan 2023
Councillor Smith told the Council:
“We are pleased to announce more alleyway closures and are now going through the legal process to formally close the alleys and gate them off.
“We have identified seven alleyways where we can provide the evidential base to gate them.
“These alleyways have caused misery for residents and has been an hotspot for crime and anti-social behaviour.
“We will be further consulting with local residents and statutory consultees to formalise the closure of these alleys and will undergo formal ratification at the Council Meeting on January 24th – with the alleys gated soon after.”
The closures have been welcomed by Councillor Samantha Deakin, Councillor for Central Sutton and New Cross.
She said:
“The access road adjacent to Outram Street has been a nightmare for years. It has been a haven for fly-tippers and I am so pleased it will be shut from one end to restrict footfall in this area – with fixed CCTV protecting the other side.
“We wanted to gate the whole thing off but due to multiple access issues this was impossible.
“We have done the next best thing.
“The alley was almost like a drive-thru for fly-tippers.
“We were determined to sort this alleyway out and I am delighted that by the start of February it will be.”
Councillor David Hennigan, told last week’s Full Council meeting:
“This is something we have been working on for four years.
“We are doing things that protect residents and make their lives better.
“All these alleyways have been the bane of people’s lives. The four alleyways off Bramley Court have been particularly bad – with evidence of drug dealing and criminal damage.
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“The closure of one side of the access road behind Outram Street and the new CCTV will do a lot to protect residents on Russell Street whose properties back on to the worst alleyway in Nottinghamshire.
“No-one likes to block access for residents – but in our fight to reduce crime and combat fly-tipping – it is exactly the right thing to do.”
