ALLEYS in the Sudell area of Darwen could soon be gated to stop yobs and fly-tippers.

The alleys running at the back of adjacent rows of terraces have become hotbeds of crime and anti-social behaviour, according to police and the borough council.

Now council bosses are in the process of identifying areas to become pilots for the first alley gates scheme.

The lockable gate at the entrance to an alley, or walk-way, would restrict access to householders who have a key.

Coun Roy Davies is campaigning for them to be installed in his Sudell ward.

He said: “A sum of £100,000 was allocated for this scheme in the last budget but, until now, that hasn’t been spent.

“I want the pilot scheme put in the Sudell ward for a number of reasons.

“We have quite a few problems in the area, with bins left about and rubbish all over the place.

“I’m hoping that alley gates will lead to more responsi-bility being taken by resid-ents, and maybe we can get back to how it was 30 or 40 years ago when people hung their washing out in back alleys.

“I hope we can get back the community feeling.

“I’m also hoping to get boxes of flowers in them, making them nicer and safer places to be. Places where you are not afraid to let children go out and play.”

The Blackburn with Darw-en community gating project was set up following a reco-mmendation by councillors to address concerns about domestic burglaries, anti-social behaviour, deliberate fire setting, as well as sign-ificant fly-tipping in some areas of the borough. Local councils have been given powers to make “gating orders” where it can be shown that problems of persistent crime and anti- social behaviour are made worse by a right of way remaining open.

A 28-day statutory consult-ation will be held and residents directly affected by the scheme will also be contacted, before a final decision is made.

All householders affected by the scheme are entitled to a key at a cost of £10.