Gating Order Approval will increase local security for
residents
0143/ir
28 July 2008
The Local Joint Highways Committee for Crewe and
Nantwich meeting on the 21st July unanimously gave the
go-ahead for gating Orders to be sought on alleyways in St Johns,
Valley and Alexandra Wards in Crewe.
The orders are being sought by the Crewe &
Nantwich Safer Communities Partnership and the Borough Council as
part of a large alley-gating programme in the urban areas of
Crewe.
The areas to be gated have been identified by
analysing crime and disorder associated with alleys over a number
of years. The areas identified have consistently had crime
and disorder levels over twice the Borough average and contain the
types of housing where alley-gating is most effective in reducing
nuisance to residents, burglary and increasing their feelings of
safety.
Gating a passageway is not always an option or
even, in some circumstances, the best option. Crewe and
Nantwich Borough Council and the local Safer Communities
Partnership have considered the options available for crime and
disorder reduction in each case and have only applied for a gating
order as the most expedient manner of reducing the crime, disorder
or anti-social behaviour associated with the alleyways.
The alleyways are in an area where gating has been successfully
carried out and, as such, could compromise the effectiveness of the
whole scheme if not included. The gating of these alleys will
contribute to the improved safety and feelings of safety of the
residents affected.
A survey to determine the appropriateness of
gating these alleys was carried out and alternate options
considered. The alley ways have been assessed as suitable for
gating, and this is considered the most efficient, sustainable and
cost effective intervention.
Stopping off or diverting the 'highway' is not
considered appropriate as the 'highways' are not through routes for
vehicles, but provide access to the rear of properties.
Commenting on the proposed scheme, Crewe &
Nantwich Borough Councillor Rachel Bailey, Portfolio Holder for
Safer Communities said: “We are delighted at the decision of
the Committee, with County and Borough Councillors, from across the
political parties, supporting the proposed gating orders. This is a
major investment by the Borough Council aimed at improving the
quality of life for residents in areas that are most affected by
crime and nuisance behaviour.”
The Chair of the Safer Communities
Partnership, Councillor Maureen Grant, said: “This is good
news. The alley-gate scheme has been progressing over the
last few years and we have seen improvements in the levels of crime
and disorder and peoples feelings of safety in the areas that have
been gated. “
Recent official government crime statistics
show that Crewe and Nantwich saw an overall reduction in crime of
15% last year, with reductions across all main crime types.
The reduction in violent crime in Crewe and Nantwich (16%) was the
biggest reduction in Cheshire, and crime rates are the lowest in
Crewe for over four years.
Notes for
Editors-
1. The alleyways
affected are in the following areas:
St Johnsand
Valley Ward:
Buchan Grove, Kingsway, Gainsborough Road,
Ruskin Road, Alton Street, Clifton Avenue, Myrtle St, Electricity
Street, Lawton St, Brooklyn St and Camm St.
Alexandra Ward:
Bedford St, Chambers St, South St, Gresty
Road, St Clair St, Laura St, Barker St, Herbert Swindell Drive.
2. Applications for
schemes associated with Buchan Grove /Gainsborough Road and the
block bounded by Smallman Road, Nantwich Road, Tynedale Avenue,
Lunt Avenue and Ruskin Avenue need to be resubmitted to the next
Committee in October due to issues with primary access
3. C&N Safer
Communities Partnership is the statutory Crime and Disorder
Reduction Partnership for the borough of Crewe & Nantwich.
It brings together the Borough Council, Social
Housing Providers, Primary Care Trust, Probation Services, County
Council Services, Police and Fire and Rescue Service to address
issues of crime, disorder, anti social behaviour and substance
misuse in the area.
4. The Borough Council
has approved over £463,000 to finance gating in these areas over
the coming year.
5. The gating process
is managed jointly by Borough, County and Police and is based on
evidence from mapping crime levels over the past 3 to 5 years.
6. Feelings of safety
amongst residents of areas where alley gates have been installed
has been shown to increase, and there is evidence of positive
impacts on community feeling and health. Research by Professor
Hirschfield and the University of Liverpool has shown the positive
health benefits due to a reduction in stress and feelings of
fear.
7. Gating Orders are
subject to a statutory 28 day consultation period which will be
carried out by the Highways Authority.
Gating on these alleys can only be carried out
after this consultation and when the orders have been made by
County Council.
The partnership anticipates that the first
orders will be made towards the end of September and gating will
proceed as soon as possible after that.
In the mean time gating continues across these
wards on alleys that do not require orders.
COUNCIL CONTACT
–
David Burns – Safer Communities Manager
TELEPHONE
–
01270 537602
EMAIL
–
david.burns@crewe-nantwich.gov.uk
For Media enquiries
contact: Ian
Richardson
TELEPHONE
–
01270 537018
EMAIL
– ian.richardson@crewe-nantwich.gov.uk
or http://www.crewe-nantwich.gov.uk/