Should the alley way between Hurricane Grove and Summer bank be closed?

its alright getting alleyways closed, but all it will do is move the problem elsewhere. and possibly cause more problems actually on the estate

There is now a petition going around calling for the closure of this alleyway. I noticed that most of the people who are signing it have very little need to use the alleyway and therefore it wouldn't make any difference to them. Please everyone, spare a thought for those of us who DO need to use that route to get our children to school. My daughter already has to walk nearly a mile to get from Hurricane Grove to her school by Tunstall Park - if the alleyway were to close it would mean adding another half a mile to that just to get back to the top of our own street! She's only 5 and that's a long way on little legs! Not to mention the fact we would have to leave the house a heck of a lot earlier in the mornings.

Besides, I don't think the closure of the alleyway would mean crime would go away from the street. I have a lot of respect for the person who has initiated this petition, but unfortunately I think the bigger picture needs to be considered. The alleyway has been there for years and yes, there are issues, but surely if the alleyway were gone, these issues would just be replaced with new ones?

Had noticed the way the poll had been going so wasn't overly concerned until this petition started going around. Like I said, I think most people probably don't use the alley, so are just signing it thinking it will improve security on the Estate. I just don't believe this will be the case. If someone wants to come around the Estate trying car doors, they will, whether it's via the alley, the openspace or RMW! Likewise if someone wants to steal plant pots, will closing the alley put them off?

Will certainly be looking into how to object to closing the alleyway. The thought of walking a 5yr old and 3yr old everywhere via the openspace during the dark morning/dark evenings is not a prospect I look forward to. Get the feeling it may make me unpopular with my neighbours tho!

My hubby will be coming to the NHW meeting armed with all my concerns! Am off now to write them all down for him.................!!!

One of the residents of Hurricane Grove who lives near to the alleyway was going around with it yesterday collecting signatures. Not sure how far around the Estates she went.

i agree with Lisa, shutting it would be a bit of a problem for me 2!
Would shutting the alley way be any benefit? If there are problems is it due to the alley way? They will just find another way in!

If the alley way is closed something then needs to be done about the other entrances to the estate. The one next to the park and the warehouse is horrid. Loads of dog muck, broken glass and also as some one else said, dark nights and early mornings, not a nice place to be really!

Yes the petition had come to me tonight, i didn't sign it but there were lots of signatures on it.

One of us will be at the NHW meeting

I have emailed the council today to ask how I lodge an official objection to the closure of the alleyway. Will let you know the reply. Was disturbed to hear that the person circulating the petition has stated that "the alleyway WILL be closed"! Do they know something we don't? If the Hurricane Grove alley were closed, where does that leave the other access paths? Will another petition go round to close them too? The people who live by these won't be impressed by the increased footflow past their homes!

As Katy said, closing the alleyway is rather selfish. Maybe these people who want to close it will give me and my children a lift to school on the dark mornings being as they are so concerned about making the estate a safer place?

You will need to find out if it has been adopted as a public right of way first and if not then submit application to register it to regeneration@stoke.gov.uk but if your highways are not yet adopted then doubt it is registered and just a private access which has lower protection. Good Luck

Just to clarify

There has been no official application made to or discussion had with the City Council to close the alleyway at Hurricane Grove . It is one option to resolve some issues experienced by the residents living adjacent to it. In order for an application to be successful there has to be evidence of high incidences of Reported Anti Social Behaviour and fly tipping etc. It may be that the new fencing will help resolve some of the problems it may not.

This is a legal process and is not done lightly. There s alot of consultation carried out by the Council so everyone will officially have their chance should this prove to be a justified request, to have their views considered, and to our knowledge no one has said that the alleyway will deffinatly close.

If residents want to discuss this or find out what the procedure is then the Neighbourhood Watch Meeting on Monday 11th May is an ideal opportunity. We would hate to see a community become divided over a suggestion which is all it is at this point.

We are trying to build a Neighbourhood Watch that is transparent and fair and need all residents to be part of it so we work together with the Police and Council to resolve problems for everyone. We want the Police and Council Officers to come to the meetings to discuss such options with us so no one is left wondering.

So please come along