Post by admin on Nov 27, 2006 13:11:57 GMT 1
Street booze ban a step closer
A BAN on street drinking in Bacup town centre has moved another step forward.
Rossendale Council has advertised the area where it wants to control the consumption of alcohol in public places and is inviting comments to be sent in by 13 December.
Community safety officer Trish Ellins, from Rossendale Council, first announced the plan at a Lancashire Police Authority meeting in June.
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It follows scores of complaints from traders and shoppers about problems in the town centre, mainly during the day, when people are seen drinking on the benches, hurling abuse at shoppers and urinating in public.
As an interim measure police, with council backing, introduced a dispersal zone in the town centre to control problems and give police more powers to move people on or face possible prosecution. This has been extended until 31 December.
Last Saturday police arrested a 15-year-old local youth who refused to leave the area. He has been given a final warning.
Ward Councillor Janet Farquharson said: ‘I think it is a brilliant idea, long overdue. It doesn’t look good for visitors to shop in a town centre and see people drinking cans on the street. It doesn't encourage them to spend their money or return to shop in Bacup on a regular basis.’
Streetscene and liveability cabinet member Councillor Judith Driver said: ‘We have listened to local residents and traders and feel that the time is now right to consider introducing an outdoor drinking ban in Bacup.
‘We have been monitoring the problems caused by alcohol related anti social behaviour in Bacup for some time and following a series of problems in the summer we have decided to introduce the ban. It is important to remember that the vast majority of people in Bacup drink sensibly and responsibly but it is a small minority who let everyone down and cause problems. It is a shame that we are having to introduce this ban but it is the right thing to do in the circumstances.’
The area being considered is bounded by Manor Street, Market Street from Rockliffe Road to Manor Street, Bank Street, Dale Street, Ash Street, Alder Street, Albert Terrace, Burnley Road from Albert Terrace to Gordon Street, Gordon Street, Blackthorn Lane, Lane Head Lane, Earnshaw Road, Todmorden Road from Earnshaw Road to Tong Lane, Tong Lane, South Street, Gladstone Street, Alma Street, Rochdale Road from Alma Street to Allen Street, Allen Street and Rockliffe Road.
It is hoped, subject to a positive response to the advertised location plan, to have a ban in place before the end of the year.
Catherine Smyth
First published by the Rossendale Free Press
A BAN on street drinking in Bacup town centre has moved another step forward.
Rossendale Council has advertised the area where it wants to control the consumption of alcohol in public places and is inviting comments to be sent in by 13 December.
Community safety officer Trish Ellins, from Rossendale Council, first announced the plan at a Lancashire Police Authority meeting in June.
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It follows scores of complaints from traders and shoppers about problems in the town centre, mainly during the day, when people are seen drinking on the benches, hurling abuse at shoppers and urinating in public.
As an interim measure police, with council backing, introduced a dispersal zone in the town centre to control problems and give police more powers to move people on or face possible prosecution. This has been extended until 31 December.
Last Saturday police arrested a 15-year-old local youth who refused to leave the area. He has been given a final warning.
Ward Councillor Janet Farquharson said: ‘I think it is a brilliant idea, long overdue. It doesn’t look good for visitors to shop in a town centre and see people drinking cans on the street. It doesn't encourage them to spend their money or return to shop in Bacup on a regular basis.’
Streetscene and liveability cabinet member Councillor Judith Driver said: ‘We have listened to local residents and traders and feel that the time is now right to consider introducing an outdoor drinking ban in Bacup.
‘We have been monitoring the problems caused by alcohol related anti social behaviour in Bacup for some time and following a series of problems in the summer we have decided to introduce the ban. It is important to remember that the vast majority of people in Bacup drink sensibly and responsibly but it is a small minority who let everyone down and cause problems. It is a shame that we are having to introduce this ban but it is the right thing to do in the circumstances.’
The area being considered is bounded by Manor Street, Market Street from Rockliffe Road to Manor Street, Bank Street, Dale Street, Ash Street, Alder Street, Albert Terrace, Burnley Road from Albert Terrace to Gordon Street, Gordon Street, Blackthorn Lane, Lane Head Lane, Earnshaw Road, Todmorden Road from Earnshaw Road to Tong Lane, Tong Lane, South Street, Gladstone Street, Alma Street, Rochdale Road from Alma Street to Allen Street, Allen Street and Rockliffe Road.
It is hoped, subject to a positive response to the advertised location plan, to have a ban in place before the end of the year.
Catherine Smyth
First published by the Rossendale Free Press
