By Victoria Brenan

Last updated 12:58, Thursday, 07 August 2008

Eight new sets of alley gates are to go up across back lanes in Carlisle.

Alley gates already in Carlisle

The gates, which aim to cut fly-tipping and antisocial behaviour, have been given the thumbs up by residents following a three-month consultation.

They are earmarked for streets off Botchergate, Denton Holme and in Currock and were first introduced in St Aidan’s last year.

City lanes which will get the latest round of gates are; Blackwell Road/Gloucester Road; Alexander Street to Brook Street; Howe Street to Bowman Street; Linton Street to Sybil Street; Orchard Street to Flower Street; St James Road/Clifton Street; Clifton Street/Nelson Street and Harrison Street back lane.

More than 90 per cent of residents backed proposals for the gates, which will cost around £35,000.

Residents – and the emergency services – are given keycodes to operate them.

Gates were also proposed for Currock Road/Thirlmere Street and Edward Street/Brook Street, but not enough residents supported the scheme so they have been rejected.

The county and city councils, who run the scheme, set aside £15,000 for the new gates and a bid for further funding is to go to the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership this month.

Residents in the areas said were they delighted with the idea.

Josephine Murphy, of Howe Street in the Botchergate area, said the lane running near to her house was an “absolute mess”.

“I think [the gates] are a good idea,” she said.

“Our lane is covered in dog mess and fly-tipping is common.

“I would very much like to see a coded gate. I am sure the whole street would work together.”

Babeo Jally, 31, lives in Grey Street, which backs onto Flower Street in the same area. He lives next to the worst affected alleyway, filled with broken furniture, rubbish and discarded computers.

“Alley gates are a great idea because a lot of the schoolkids come and smash up the rubbish that has already been dumped in the alley,” he said.

“The bin men cannot keep up with the rubbish.

“They come on Thursday morning but the discarded goods and rubbish bags pile back up straight away.”

Since gates were introduced in the Flower Street area last year, more than a third of residents questioned by the council said the area had “improved significantly”.

They cited cleaner alleyways, reduced noise and less antisocial behaviour.

Inspector Andy Shaddock said the introduction of alley gates had been of great benefit.

“We have already seen good examples of areas previously blighted with fly-tipping, antisocial behaviour and other types of low-level disorder which have been turned around,” he said.

“The gates are a great tool because they bring communities together by encouraging residents to work together to take responsibility for their street or neighbourhood.

“If everyone follows the rules that go with the gates they can really improve the area and make the streets safer for everyone.”