Alleyway closed after drug addicts threw needles into gardens

Sandwell Council took action over safety concerns for residents in Stella Road, Tipton.

But residents want the alleyway to be reopened because they use it to access the town centre.

A proposed solution has been to open the walkway in the day and close it at night – but council claims such a move would be too costly.

Stella Road resident Dorris Price said the alleyway was a ‘nightmare’ for residents and they had suffered problems for more than 20 years.

The 64-year-old said: “We have a lot of stolen cars go up the alleyway, drug dealers throwing needles everywhere and into people’s gardens.

"We have also had a number of break-ins at homes over the years.

“We keep being told the council can’t do anything about it.

“They put some gates up but people have just been climbing over them and then over into people’s gardens.

“We did ask the council if we could have it open during the day so we could use it, and then shut overnight to stop problems.”

Tipton Green ward councillor Ian Jones said: “People have been throwing needles, which they use for injecting drugs, over people’s garden.

"Residents are frightened children or anyone else in gardens could find them and pick them up. It is dangerous.”

A petition signed from 176 residents living in Stella Road, and nearby Oval Road, has called on Sandwell Council to reopen the alleyway.

It was sent to the Cabinet Petitions Committee, outlines concerns of anti-social-behaviour which happens in the vicinity.

It gives details of criminal damage to cars, motorbikes, loitering, drug and alcohol misuse and ‘paraphernalia thrown into gardens’.

The issues have been reported to local police who have stepped patrols in the area to catch perpetrators.

Fences and barriers were put up along the alley to stop people throwing needles into gardens and stop motorbikes being ridden dangerously around the area.

However, this proved unsuccessful and the problems have continued to blight the lives of residents.

A report to the council states report, outlining the work of Tipton Town Partnership which is made up of council and police officers, said: “Items were thrown over the fence, barriers to prevent motorbikes using the alleyway, however, misuse continued and motorbikes were lifted over barriers.”

Reopening the alleyway was being discussed at today’s council cabinet petitions committee meeting.