The Strategic Director of Place will submit Document “J” which seeks the Committee’s approval to allocate £3,500 towards a jointly funded traffic scheme promoted by Bradford East and Shipley Area Committees to address anti-social behaviour and road safety concerns on All Alone Road, Wrose.

Recommended –

(1)  That this Committee allocates £3500 as half the required outstanding contribution to promote a Public Spaces Protection Order allowing gates to be installed on All Alone Road.

(2)  That a report be presented to the Bradford East Area Committee, seeking that Committee’s approval to allocate the required £3500 shortfall necessary for a jointly funded Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO)promoted by Bradford East and this Committee to address anti-social behaviour on All Alone Road, Wrose.

(3)  That Wrose Parish Council be advised accordingly.

(Environment and Waste Management Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

(Simon D’Vali – 01274 432100)

The Strategic Director of Place submitted Document “J” which sought the Committee’s approval to allocate £3,500 towards a jointly funded traffic scheme promoted by the Bradford East and Shipley Area Committees to address anti-social behaviour and road safety concerns on All Alone Road, Wrose.

The Principal Engineer provided a summary of the report, during which he highlighted that the Council had, for some time, received complaints regarding anti-social behaviour (ASB) at the location. This included fly tipping, drug use, and using All Alone Road (between its junctions with Westfield Lane and Highfield Road) as a route to evade pursuing Police vehicles. He circulated photographs of fly tipping incidents that had taken place at the location.

He explained that, as part of the road was within the Bradford East area, a jointly funded scheme was being proposed which would introduce two gates at the provisional locations outlined in Appendix 1 of the report.  The proposed scheme was supported by the Parish Council and local residents.  The Parish Council had proposed to fund part of the scheme up to £2,000.  The scheme was estimated to cost £9,000 in total. 

He stated that the Public Spaces Protection Order was a new piece of legislation, used only once before in the district at City Park in Bradford city centre.

The Principal Engineer had undertaken discussions with the new owner of the former Newton’s Boiler Works which was located between the two provisionally proposed locations for the gates.  The new owner had stated that he was proposing to develop the land in future; if that occurred, there was a possibility that the road could be developed into a street scape, eliminating the need for the gates, which could be removed at that time if no longer required.

In response to Members’ questions, it was reported that:

·         He considered it unlikely that fly tipping would occur at the location of the gates; the area where the fly tipping occurred was very secluded.

·         There had previously been a fixed point CCTV camera placed at the location which had not been very successful in capturing footage of perpetrators.  Discussions were taking place with Council officers to explore the possibility of installing a better quality camera with a moving head.

·         Approximately 12 residents lived on All Alone Road (this excluded residents who lived in the nearby housing estate).

·         Residents would be consulted following approval of the scheme.

·         The cost of the scheme included the legal process, advertising, consultation and officer time.

·         Further information could be provided to Members on the fly tipping hot-spot areas in the constituency.

·         A list would be provided to a Member on the amount of money spent on unadopted highways in Baildon.

A Member, who was also a Ward Councillor for the Windhill and Wrose area, clarified that traditional gates were not proposed and they were more akin to barriers which would allow access for horses, wheelchairs and prams.  Their main purpose would be to stop vehicular access to tackle fly tipping.  She fully supported the scheme and considered it would have an immediate impact on saving time and money to clean up the regular fly tipping that was occurring.

A discussion took place about seeking alternative funding streams, particularly the West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner’s Safer Communities Fund, where grants of up to £5000 could be applied for.

A Member commented that the presence of an  officer to speak about enforcement would have been helpful to Members.  He raised concerns about the fly tipping problem being displaced elsewhere if the scheme was introduced.

A Member who was also a Ward Councillor for the Windhill and Wrose area stated that this had been a longstanding issue which had been discussed for some time with the Police.  He considered the proposal to be a necessary step.

A Wrose Parish Councillor circulated a document showing the design of the proposed barriers.  He addressed the Committee and stated that:

·         The report was accurate and comprehensive.

·         The proposed barriers were designed to allow free access to all, apart from vehicles. They were 5.5m wide with a passage width of 2.5m.

·         He had initiated the scheme over two years ago and it was supported by residents.

·         Residents living at the two properties near the gates (numbers 16 and 48, All Alone Road) had agreed to fund the CCTV cameras if the barriers were provided.  It was feasible to have mains powered CCTV cameras installed.

·         The new owner of the Boiler Works had erected 200m of metal fencing and had been consulting with the Parish Council about the installation of four poles with motion sensor lights to deter people from fly tipping.

·         A resident had indicated that they would be prepared to pay towards the cost of the scheme.  This could mean a reduced amount of £3000 being required from the two Area Committees.  This issue was due to be discussed at the Parish Council’s meeting tomorrow.

·         Signs would be required at either end of the gated path to indicate that it was a no through road to vehicles.

The Chair requested that the size of the barriers be checked to ensure they would be effective in not allowing vehicular access whilst allowing access for horses etc.

A resident of All Alone Road circulated photographs of the area and addressed the Committee.  He stated that:

·         There had been two arson attacks at the location within the last fortnight.

·         Fly tipping was a regular occurrence and Cleansing officers had been clearing the area again today.

·         The continuing cost to the Council to clear the fly tipping would exceed the cost of the scheme and therefore it was worthwhile to the Council to implement.

·         Stones had been placed at the proposed locations of the barriers (possibly by a local resident) and this had significantly reduced the amount of fly tipping temporarily for three months, until someone had removed them.  It was therefore evident that blocking the access to vehicles would work as a deterrent to fly tipping.

·         There had been a number of dangerous incidents involving speeding cars and needles left at the site.

·         All residents in the area supported the proposal.

·         There had been difficulties in catching fly tippers due to a blind spot.

·         Changes to the area proposed by the new owner of the Boiler Works could take years and action was needed now.

·         He thanked the Parish Council, Ward Councillors and the Principal Engineer for pursuing this matter.

Resolved –

(1)  That enforcement, now and in the future, be a priority on All Alone Road, Wrose.

(2)  That the Committee allocates half of the required outstanding contribution, up to £3500, to promote a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) allowing gates to be installed on All Alone Road.  Should the full funding become available, the Committee supports the process to proceed with the PSPO.

(3)  That alternative funding be investigated, such as the West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner’s Safer Communities Fund, to reduce the cost of the scheme to the local authority, Wrose Parish Council and residents.

(4)  That a report be presented to the Bradford East Area Committee, seeking that Committee’s approval to allocate the required £3500 shortfall necessary for a jointly funded PSPOpromoted by Bradford East and this Committee to address anti-social behaviour on All Alone Road, Wrose.

(5)  That Wrose Parish Council be advised accordingly.

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE: Environment and Waste Management

ACTION: Strategic Director, Place