Public space protection orders (PSPOs)

The 2014 Act gives councils the authority to draft and implement public spaces protection orders (PSPOs) in response to the particular issues affecting local communities, providing certain criteria and legal tests are met.

Gating public spaces protection orders (PSPOs)

We can restrict access to public rights of way, including alleyways, in order to tackle persistent crime and antisocial behaviour by installing lockable gates at either end of the alleyways.

We have the power to restrict access to a public right of way, by installing alley-gates for example, under the Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 Act's public spaces protection order provisions.

In doing so, we have to ensure:

  • the antisocial behaviour activities it seeks to tackle justify the restrictions being imposed;
  • whether it can restrict access;
  • the impact the restriction will have on access between two places;
  • and whether reasonably convenient alternative routes exist.

When looking at making a public space protection order (including an order to restrict access to a public right of way, including alleyways) we are required to consult with the following:

  • The local police, including the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Community Safety Partnership;
  • Any landowners or occupiers, i.e. any residents including home-owners, tenants, landlords and property owners directly affected by the proposal.

Current alley gating PSPOs

The Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council (Lord Street, Charlotte Street, Charles Street Redcar) Public Spaces Protection Order 2017 places restrictions on public access at the following location:

  • Lord Street, Charlotte Street, Charles Street, Redcar

You can find details of restrictions in place at this location by viewing the PSPO document below:

Having complied with consultation requirements and secured significant support for its proposals to do so,  the council has now exercised its powers, under section 60 of the Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing (2014) Act, to extend the Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council (Lord Street, Charlotte Street, Charles Street Redcar) Public Spaces Protection Order 2017 for a further three years (until 28 February 2026)

You can view the extension order here:

The Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council (Gates) Public Spaces Protection Order 2017 places restrictions on public access at the following locations:

  • Pathway linking St George's Terrace and St Cuthbert's Walk, Liverton Mines (as schedule 1)
  • Hillside Close and Turnberry Drive, New Marske (as schedule 2)
  • Tawney Close and Church Lane, Teesville (as schedule 3)
  • Rear of Rothwell Mews, Eston (as schedule 4)
  • Various back streets at Lambton Street, Eston (as schedule 5)
  • Alfred and Muriel Street, Redcar (as schedule 6)
  • Blank (schedule 7) Britannia Place and The Fleet, Dormanstown discharged 1 November 2021
  • Church Lane and Snowden Street, Eston (as schedule 8)
  • Albert Road and Snowden Street, Eston (as schedule 9)
  • 47-79 Bolckow Road, Grangetown (as schedule 10)
  • 58-86 Thames Road, Redcar (as schedule 11)
  • Charlotte Street, Alfred Street, and Lord Street, Redcar (as schedule 12)
  • France Street, Charles Street, and Lord Street, Redcar (as schedule 13)
  • Pathway between Learning Lane and Lime Road which traverses the council owned allotment gardens, Learning Lane, Teesville (as schedule 14)
  • Pathway between Churchill Road and Westminster Close, Eston (as schedule 15)

You can find details of restrictions in place at these locations by viewing the PSPO documents below:

Recent variations to the Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council (Gates) Public Spaces Protection Order 2017

Having complied with consultation and notification requirements, the council has now exercised its powers, under sections  60, 61 and 64 of the Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing (2014) Act, to extend the Redcar & Cleveland public spaces protection order 2016 for a further three years – until 19 October 2026  – with the following variations:

  • to totally restrict access to the [Schedule 3] “Pathway linking Tawney Close and Church Lane, Teesville”, retaining the existing lockable gates, the only exceptions being for occupiers of adjoining or adjacent properties and emergency services, and statutory undertakers and utility providers, as was originally proposed in 2007
  • to add [as schedule 14] the public right of way between Learning Lane and Lime Road which traverses the council owned allotment gardens, Learning Lane, Teesville
  • to add [as schedule 15] the Pathway between Churchill Road and Westminster Close, Eston, at Lodge Farm allotment gardens

Alley-gating

Alley-gates can reduce crime and antisocial behaviour near alleyways, including:

  • Burglaries
  • Arson
  • Nuisance
  • Fly-tipping

Alley gates can also help:

  • reduce worry and fear about crime and antisocial behaviour;
  • increase residents' satisfaction;
  • increase neighbourliness and community spirit;
  • improve the appearance of alleyways where they're installed.

Alley-greening

Alley greening involves bringing residents together to plan and implement improvements to back alleys, transforming alleyways into safe green spaces where neighbours can spend time and children play.

The council believes alley greening can offer additional benefits to those achieved through installing lockable gates:

  • residents' access to alleys enhanced
  • increased community involvement and volunteering
  • improved communication between residents and with police contributing to positive perceptions of safety
  • older people feel productive, share their skills and build social networks
  • increased pride in neighbourhood

There are many successful examples of alley-greening schemes, including Longford Street, Middlesbrough; Barton alleyway, Manchester; Cecil Street, Liverpool, and Wildflower alley, Belfast.

Examples of successful alley-gating and alley-greening

During 2015-17 the council piloted the combining of alley-gating alongside alley-greening at two locations Charles Street, Redcar, and South Street, Eston and supported residents at a third location Edward Street, South Bank where alley-gates are already in place, to develop an alley-greening vision.

Following the success of the pilot, the council has been rolling out a programme combining alley-gating and alley-greening at additional locations across the borough during 2017/21.

The council will apply the following criteria in selecting schemes for inclusion within the alley-gating and alley-greening programme:

  • Evidence there's a significant volume of activities persistently or continually occurring, like antisocial behaviour, crime, dog fouling, fly-tipping, public nuisance etc., that's unreasonable, has, or is likely to have, a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those living here, and justifies the council in installing alley gates here;

    Engineering and highways sections assessment of suitability of location for alley gating;
  • Value for money;
  • Residents demonstrate commitment to get involved in planning and making improvements (alley-greening) to their back alleys by transforming them into safe green spaces, including by making financial and non-financial commitments.

The council will continue to keep under review the selection of potential alley-gating schemes for inclusion in the programme.

Request an alley-gate in your area

Contact the council's safer communities and streetscene service to request alley-gates.

The team will log your request and they will advise you concerning the current status of the alley-gating programme.

Report an alley gate problem

If you experience any problems or faults please contact us quoting the gate location.

Is the gate being left open? Remind your neighbours that it's everyone's responsibility to lock the gate.

Request a key for an alley gate

If your property is adjoining or adjacent to an alleyway that has gates fitted, you will be entitled to a key(s) to operate the lock. Please contact us for further details.