There is money for alleygates, says council

Reporter: Richard Hooton
Date online: 15/06/2009

OLDHAM Council is re-prioritising its waiting list for alleygates and has dismissed fears that money for the crime-busting scheme has dried up.

Labour group leader Councillor Jim McMahon said when his colleagues had inquired about streets waiting for alleygates, or asking for them to go on the waiting list, council officers had said there was no money available.

But council chiefs say they are drawing up a new alleygating strategy to identify areas most in need and funding is available.

Sealing off alleyways at the backs of houses has become an important issue for Oldhamers after the scheme saw burglaries drop by 80 per cent in some areas as a result.

But many streets have been left out in the cold — such as residents in Merton Avenue, Hollinwood, who complained that their street had been left divided, with one side alleygated and the other not.

In March, the alleygating scheme celebrated installing 1,000 gates, at a cost of more than £1 million — with 10,000 homes benefiting.

Councillor McMahon was angry that Labour members had been told the scheme had stopped and said there were at least 300 bids on the waiting list.

“Alleygates are absolutely vital. They have cut domestic burglaries by 80 per cent and help residents create community garden areas where children can play safely.

“The council has a duty to provide clean and safe neighbourhoods and we aren’t doing that. The sheer number of people on the waiting list shows there’s demand in Oldham and the administration should make the money available.”

But Lib Dem councillor Rod Blyth, cabinet member for people and communities, said: “There is a new strategy set to go before cabinet. Prior to this there was no alleygating strategy, it was more of a ‘wish-list’.

“The officers have produced a new re-prioritised list for the proposed alleygating schemes. That has been based on factors, such as the number of incidents of anti-social behaviour.

“When last year’s budget was prepared, money was set aside for works such as these, so funding will be available to tackle projects identified in the strategy.”