Alleygates ‘not the answer’

Oldham Council report

FIGHTING crime is not only about gating alleyways, according to Cabinet member, Councillor Rod Blyth.

Some councillors expressed concerns that the budget for providing and maintaining alleygates would be slashed next year despite the need increasing.

Each ward currently gets £14,500 for Clean, Safe and Green initiatives, which alleygating comes under. This will be slashed to £10,000 per ward in 2010/11 with the Community Safety Unit also contributing money.

Money is also set aside for the maintenance and upkeep of the gates to ensure that those projects which do go ahead are fully functional.

Councillor Blyth said: “Some people’s lives are blighted by anti-social behaviour. These gates can seriously improve their quality of life. I believe that if we continue in this way, one day all the alleyways in Oldham will be gated — but this is not the answer.

“We need to think about things like better street-lighting and improved security. If you block off a criminal’s access the back way, they will only move round the front.”

JIM WILLIAMS’ council survey - see reviews section