Opening the door to alleygates plan

Alleygates will be installed near the Lord Lane post office in Failsworth after new funds were found.

Gates have already gone up around council houses managed by First Choice Homes Oldham.

But the area behind the post office did not meet council criteria, according to Cabinet member for people and communities, Councillor Rod Blyth.

He said: “The council has worked with the post office owner as well as other local businesses and identified additional funding that will now be used to install gates.

“It is right that there is a standard process when looking at installing alleygates that takes into account crime figures and also considers the willingness of residents, as there must be a minimum of 80 per cent in agreement if gates are to be put in. However, this does not mean that people cannot put forward a case for gates in other areas. If they can show support and evidence of how it would improve the quality of life then the council will look at what can be done.”

The head of Community Safety Services, Supt Chris Sykes, added: “Alleygates need people and businesses to agree to their fitting and use them correctly or they are worthless.

The Lord Lane gates will be installed in the next couple of weeks.