Gated alleyways to stay

At Ashfield District Council’s Full Council meeting it was agreed that eight alleyways would remain gated for the next three years. 

Eight alleyways were originally gated off in 2023 under a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) which was due to expire on 1 March 2026, however it has now been extended until 2029, coming into effect from 1 March 2026. 

Figures show that since being gated, anti-social behaviour has fallen by 34% around those areas. During a consultation on whether to keep them in place 1900 residents responded with 1600 in favour of keeping the gates in place. Since being installed residents have commented that they feel safer in those areas and have noticed less fly tipping. 

The gates are located:

  1. Between Bentinck Street and Bramley Court, Sutton
  2. Between Downing Street and North Street, Sutton
  3. Between Welbeck Street and Portland Close, Sutton
  4. Between Bramley Court and Sutton Lawn, Sutton
  5. Rear of 34-37 Rockwood Walk, Hucknall
  6. Between Spruce Grove and Beacon Drive, Kirkby
  7. Adjacent 40 Rosewood Drive, Kirkby
  8. Between Spruce Grove and Poplar Avenue, Kirkby

Cllr John Wilmott, Executive Lead Member for Community Safety said:

“Gating off the alleyways has had a huge positive impact on the lives of the residents who live near these former anti-social behaviour hotspots. We are pleased to be able to keep them in place to continue to stop these areas becoming problems again. 
“By extending the PSPO we are showing our commitment to stamping out anti-social and nuisance behaviour. One of our top priorities is tackling these unwanted behaviours in Ashfield to ensure that residents and visitors feel safe here”. 

The gating order is just part of the wider tools that the Council have implemented to tackle anti-social behaviour and improve feelings of safety across the District. Over the past few years innovative Safe Point cameras have been installed in all three town centres that allow users to speak directly to the police control room, and ultra high-definition CCTV cameras have been mounted across Ashfield under the Safer Streets scheme. Businesses throughout town centres signed up to become Safe Spaces, meaning they were kitted out with CCTV cameras, lights and training to offer sanctuary for anyone who needs it.

Posted on 05 February 2026