Council to revisit alley gating scheme

Rochdale Township Committee has agreed to look again at a proposed alley gating scheme in the Milkstone and Deeplish area after residents complained that it had been withdrawn.

The scheme relating to Tweedale Street, Mere Street and King Street East, was given planning permission in October 2010 but not implemented because crime statistics did not highlight the need for the gates.

Shahid Mohammed, speaking on behalf of the residents at the Township meeting on Wednesday night (6 July) urged councillors to re-consider the decision and reinstate the scheme.

He said: “The alleyways affected lead to an area known as Bridlington Square and has been acknowledged as a PACT priority for alley gating by Greater Manchester Police supported by senior police officers, PCSOs and Council Officers.

“We have been plagued by anti-social behaviour in this area over many years and we have regularly reported the problems to the relevant authorities including the police and the PCSOs.”

Mr Mohammed added: “I would again urge the council to reconsider its decision and allow the alley gates to be erected.”

However, Assistant Township Manager, Val White, said that the scheme wasn’t withdrawn but because the stats didn’t show any crime in the area the Council legally couldn’t proceed in implanting the scheme.

Councillor Shah Wazir, said Councillors should support the decision, he added: “They are not out of order, or asking for something they are not entitled to.

“The Council should look at the request and ensure the scheme takes place.”

Councillor Mohammed Sharif added: “I don’t understand why the Council want more statistics.”

Councillor Dale Mulgrew said that whilst the alley gating scheme has been successful the problems with the scheme is that the criteria is “incredibly strict.”

He suggested that the Council come up with an alterative system to alley gating for the times when alley gating can not be implemented because the criteria is not met.

Councillors concluded that the scheme would be revisited to see if the necessary statistics were now available.