Burnley Council is to carry out a comprehensive review of alleygating schemes across the borough to ensure they operate as effectively as possible.
The alleygating programme was launched almost 20 years ago and there are currently 177 schemes across the borough affecting around 5,000 properties.
The six-month review will look at how effective each scheme is and its impact on improving community safety and environmental issues.
Meanwhile the council is about to launch six new schemes. Residents in the areas identified have been consulted with and the gates are currently being manufactured. The new schemes are in the wards of Burnley Wood with Rosehill, Daneshouse with Stoneyholme, Gawthorpe, Queensgate, and Trinity
Councillor Shah Hussain, the council’s executive member for community and environmental services, said: “Alleygating scheme were introduced to help improve the quality of life for residents by providing security and helping to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, including fly-tipping and dog fouling.
“Any alleygating scheme is only as good as residents make it. The majority work very well but there are some that aren’t working due to lack of support from residents.
“We’ll look at every scheme in the borough and consult with residents before any decision is made but it could result in some alleygates being removed and being placed elsewhere.
“There’s certainly high demand out there for alleygating and a waiting list of areas that want gates. In some cases it makes complete sense to move gates from where they aren’t being used properly to where they are wanted. It’s about making the best use of our resources.
“Again, no decision will be made until residents are consulted but it’s a ‘use them properly or lose them’ message to neighbourhoods. The main issue is gates being left unlocked which is a sure sign that the scheme isn’t as effective as it should be.”
Post expires at 9:56am on Friday June 30th, 2023