A passageway in Lincoln city centre could be gated and locked following anti-social behaviour, City of Lincoln Council have proposed.
The move to restrict access to St Peter’s Passage, which links Mint Street with the High Street, comes after a number of recent reports of people defecating and having sex in the street – which is classed as anti-social behaviour.
The council plans to install locked gates at either end, with only local business owners and the emergency services allowed to use the passage, but will first carry out a public consultation to gather the views of Lincoln’s residents and visitors.
Councillor Fay Smith, Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services and Public Protection, said: “It has been recognised for a while that the anti-social behaviour taking place in St Peter’s Passage is having a persistent and detrimental effect on the quality of life of those living and working in the area.
“We need to do something about this and I would encourage anyone with an interest in the city centre environment to put forward their views during the consultation.”
The four-week consultation will end on September 30 at 5pm, and responses can be submitted online at lincoln.gov.uk/pspo, via email to ppasb@lincoln.gov.uk, and on paper by going to City Hall on Beaumont Fee.
City of Lincoln Council say that “landowners and businesses close to the site have been consulted directly and showed widespread support for the proposal”.
The passage is just around the corner from the Home and Sugarcubes nightclubs.
Sam Barstow, Service Manager for Public Protection and Anti-Social Behaviour at the city council, said: “We’ve heard several reports of urinating, defecating and even sexual activity in this area. It’s anti-social and not something we want to see as we look to improve the attractiveness of our city centre.
“There are two alternative routes nearby so the benefits of gating the passage appear to far outweigh those of keeping it open.”