A new Public Space Protection Order for a gating scheme in Nelson Row in central Brighton was approved at the Equalities, Community Safety & Human Rights Committee on Friday 13 October.
Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) are intended to deal with a particular nuisance or problem in an area that is detrimental to the local community’s quality of life.
The council can make a PSPO if it believes the negative impact caused makes the restrictions reasonable. A PSPO can last a maximum of 3 years.
Nelson Row runs between the Milner and Kingswood flats.
Residents have reported serious issues of concern around the area, in particular its use as a cut through by speeding and aggressive motorcycle riders, as well as gatherings of disorderly groups connected with drug dealing and misuse.
Incidents include ‘near misses’ by motorcycles of children on Nelson Row accessing the playground and serious assault of a resident who challenged a motorcycle rider in 2022.
Residents have also reported drug users around the bin store close to the location of the proposed gates.
The proposed solution requested by residents is to instal gates at the junction with Kingswood Street and the northern edge of the Milwood Centre.
Both gates will be opened for access to essential vehicles and emergency services, but would generally be closed and locked, with the design including unlocked accessible self-closing pedestrian gates to allow easy pedestrian access at all times.
Consultation on the proposal took place in August 2023, and was showed substantial support was shown from residents.
Following the approval, work to instal the gates is expected to start shortly.
The committee also approved the renewal of previous PSPOs about to expire relating to dog control, consumption of alcohol in public spaces and gating restrictions in Brunswick Row, Farman Street, Oxford Court and St James Court.
The renewed PSPOs will be live and published on the website this month.
Councillor Leslie Pumm, chair of the Equalities, Community Safety & Human Rights Committee, said: “We want to make sure everyone feels secure in and create safe public spaces. There is no public space in our city for fear of crime, violence and abuse.
“We’ve listened to residents and their rightful concerns about anti-social behaviour in Nelson Row is terrible.
“I’d like to thank them for their support of the PSPO to instal gates. We’re aiming to get those in place as soon as possible to help put a stop to the issues resident have been facing.”