Agenda item

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Environment and Economy which outlined the anti-social behaviour to the rear of Montgomery Road, Widnes.    

 

The Board was advised that between Montgomery Road/Cunningham Road and Chilton Avenue / Netherfield Road, there was a linear greenway. Over the last 12 months there had been a considerable amount of anti-social behaviour with 27 incidents being recorded by the police. St Georges Court (operated by Riverside RSL) and 23 Montgomery Road had been particularly affected. There was a non adopted alley to the greenway by these properties and local councillors had identified this as a key access point for the people who were causing the anti-social behaviour. This alley also provided access to the council allotments and was well used by the public as a route to the town centre, schools and places of work.

 

The Board was further advised that there had been a number of meetings regarding the issues in this area and that the Tasking and Coordination Group had considered this location on a number of occasions. An action plan had also been put in place as follows:- 

 

• Investigate the deployment of CCTV to try and identify who is throwing stones at the rear of St Georges Court;

 

• Police Tasking Vehicle to be used in the area;

 

• The turning area of the access road to the allotments will be resurfaced (This is breaking up and loose stones are used for throwing);

 

• The Vroom vehicle was in the area on Friday the 16th and Saturday 17^th July 2010 – assess what impact this had;

 

• Contact Addaction in relation to the mobile Muga and see if we are able to get this resource into the area;

 

• Contact Ashley House in relation to supporting local drug users and encourage access to services;

 

• PCSO’s increased foot patrol;

 

• To continue to provide support to victims of ASB within the area.;

 

• Contact the Community Centre – targeting information about the effect that stone throwing has on others;

 

• Contact Cheshire Fire and Rescue and see if they are operating in the area and establish whether or not they are able to assist in terms of engaging with the local youths; and

 

• Community Development is currently in the process of supporting the local residents in developing plans for a community house, Muga and a play builder scheme to be situated in Tedder Square.

 

The Board was further advised that these actions were now in the process of implementation and the impact would be monitored and assessed. There was local support to close the alley adjacent to 23 Montgomery Road. Whilst the alley was not adopted it was established as a right of way and a gating order would be required. Consultation would be undertaken, particularly with the allotment holders as part of the gating order process. It was noted that this would restrict access to the greenway (though there are a number of other accesses in the vicinity) and the police and community safety were not convinced this would significantly reduce the anti-social behaviour in the area.

 

Councillor Wallace and a representative of Ditton West Community Group attended the meeting to highlight the anti social behaviour in the area and to support the Gating Order and the establishment of an alleygate.  Photographs and a map of the area was circulated at the meeting.

 

Councillor Wallace highlighted that there were 27 incidents reported last year and numerous others that had not been reported.  These incidents included fly tipping, graffiti, pellets being fired at windows, damage to the residents windows and arson.  It was reported that if alley gates were erected and the action plan in place it would eradicate the problem and not displace the youths into other areas.  In response to the comments set out in paragraph 6.1 of the report regarding the allegate may require young people to detour around the closure and walk along busy roads, this fact was disputed and it was highlighted that there was quicker alternative routes available.

 

The following points arose from the discussion:-

 

·        It was noted that the footpath had not been adopted and because of the continual use it was established as a Right of Way.  It was agreed that clarity should be sought from the Legal Department and Highways and Transportation on the appropriate way forward to establish an alleygate in Montgomery Road;

 

·        It was noted that previously the methodology of establishing alley gates had been discussed and it had been agreed that a flow chart outlining the steps /procedure to installing alleygates would be produced but to date the Board had not received it; and

 

·        The Chairman recommended that a specific working group be established for a short period (maximum of six meetings) to consider how to proceed with alley gating.  To consider  what is happening now, what could happen in the future and the best way of getting there.  The following Councillors agreed to be part of the working group which would be led by Councillor Wallace – Osborne, J Gerrard, M Ratcliffe and Thompson.

 

RESOLVED: That

 

(1)         the action plan for addressing the anti social behaviour to the rear of Montgomery Road, Widnes be supported; and

 

(2)         a short term working group be established to look at the procedure for Alleygates with the recommendations being presented to the Executive Board for adoption;

 

(3)         Councillors J Gerrard, Osborne, M Ratcliffe and Thompson be part of the Working Group with Councillor Wallace being Lead Member.