Council to adopt thoroughfare hit by antisocial behaviour

City of York Council looks set to agree to adopt Dead Man's Alley, off Clifton Green, paving the way for regular maintenance.

The alleyway has long been blighted by antisocial behaviour and vandalism but, because it was not on the council's list of streets, little was done to keep it in a good state of repair.

But following complaints from dozens of residents, the council is now to formally adopt the path, which has been seen on maps from as early as 1852.

Alison Newbould, public rights of way officer for the council, said the lane appeared to have simply been missed off the list, and should be added on.

Local councillor Helen Douglas, who has led the campaign for adoption, said: "It's great. I am glad, as it's an historic path that has been there a long time and it has suffered a lot from antisocial behaviour.

"If it is a better environment, then more people will walk up and down it and fewer people will do what they shouldn't.

"Getting the council to adopt it will mean the council has to take responsibility for it, which they have not up until now."

The issue will be considered by the council's city strategy panel at Guildhall next Monday.

At the same meeting, councillors are also set to approve for another alley, in Dringhouses, to be gated in the evening in an attempt to curb crime.

The lane, leading from Mayfield Grove to St Helen's Grove, will be sealed off overnight, but left open through the day.

More than 100 residents signed a petition in late 2006, requesting the lane be closed overnight but the council did not then have powers to introduce temporary closures. New legislation has since changed that.

Local councillor Ann Reid said: "There was a high level of crime and antisocial behaviour shown in the original report and the only reason it was not proceeded with then was that we did not have the legislation.

"Now we do, I hope councillors will support this to make residents in that area feel more secure."