Highfield Alley Gate Scheme Public Space Protection Order

The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Order Act 2014

Public Space Protection Order 2021: Highfield ward

Blackpool Borough Council ("the Council"), in exercise of its powers under section 59 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 ("the Act") and under all other enabling powers being satisfied that all conditions set out in section 59 of the Act have been met hereby makes the following Order:

This Order applies to the public spaces within the Borough of Blackpool described in the Schedule to this Order ("the Restricted Access Areas").

The Order is required due to the high levels of crime and anti-social behaviour associated with the Restricted Areas prior to the installation of lockable alley gates; and having had a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those living in the locality, was persistent and continuing in nature, and was unreasonable.

Save for the exemptions in Article 4 below, no person shall use the public right of way over the Restricted Area at any time.

Nothing in Article 3 above shall apply to the following:

- The owners and occupiers of adjoining premises as described in the Schedule to this Order
- Police, Fire, Rescue Services and NHS personnel in the exercise of their duties:
- Employees contractors or agents of statutory undertakings requiring access to apparatus (water, gas, electricity and telecommunications providers) in the exercise of their functions; and
- Local Authority officers and their contractors or agents including local Town Centre Bid Officers in the exercise of their functions

Gates restricting access may be installed, operated and maintained in a Restricted Area by the Council.

Any person using the gates referred to in Article 5 to gain access to or from a Restricted Area shall ensure that the gates are closed and locked immediately after use. Failure to do so would amount to a breach of this order.

The Council is responsible for maintenance of the gates. The responsible department for maintenance can be contacted on 01253 477477 or issues reported on line Report An Alley Gate Fault (blackpool.gov.uk)

Any person without reasonable excuse fails to comply with the requirements of this Order commits an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding Level 3 on the standard scale.

This Order may be cited as the Blackpool Borough Council, Highfield Ward (Restricted Access) Public Space Protection Order 2021 and applies to the public places described in the Schedule to this Order and shown on the Plans attached to the Order ("the Restricted Access Areas")

This Order shall come into force on 22 December 2021 and shall have effect and remain in force for a period of three years from that date, unless extended pursuant to section 60 of the Act.

If any interested person desires to question the validity of this Order on the grounds that the Council had no powers to make it or that any requirement of the Act has not been complied with in relation to this Order, he or she may apply to the High Court within six weeks of this Order being made.