It has been coined ‘Bastwell Gate’ – so why is a gate is causing so much uproar in the community?

The gate in question is at the bottom of Laburnham Road in Blackburn under a bridge which has been used by the public from both Bastwell and Little Harwood constituents.

It was installed to deter anti-social behaviour carried out by groups of young adults at the location. Despite being open from 8am-8pm and manned by volunteers in recent months the gate has been shut.

Blackburn with Darwen Council’s planning committee will discuss plans on Thursday night to permanently shut alley gates.

However, a year later, temporary consent given for two years was granted by the Planning and Highways Committee.

The reason for the temporary consent was to give time for an assessment based on its effect on the neighbourhood.

In October 2017, Blackburn Council closed the gate. The gate now acts as a ‘wall’ between the communities according to locals.

A petition has been launched with 129 signatures to request the permanent closure of the bridge gate.

They claimed that anti-social behaviour with smoking and drug-taking, consuming alcohol, littering and vandalism among the reasons for their complaints.

Meanwhile, another petition has been signed by 53 people and they have said they object to the locking of the gates as they need access to schools, mosques and shops.

Councillor Parvaiz Akhtar for the Bastwell Ward said, “Our duty is to represent the constituents and work with the council to implement changes which are both effective and for the greater good of the community.

“The council is using a sledge hammer to crack a nut. They are closing a vital access point for the community which effects the small business and residents.

“Many residents use the access under the bridge to get to schools, mosques and shops. They have failed to consult us and all we want is a deferment of the decision regarding the gate. We will assist in the consultation process and let’s see what this concludes.”.

He further added that the Highways agency has expressed concern at the locating of a gate at this location. “Their view is the same as ours, the underpass is used by pedestrians and cyclists, and is also a connection to local shops. The route is seen as a vital link given the increase of new housing along Laburnham Road.”

The Councils Community Safety Team which works with the police, residents and local councillors deemed it necessary for closure because of alleged intimidation by youths who were congregating at the bridge at night on volunteers who were closing the gate.

Residents allege the report submitted by the Community Safety Team has been ‘sexed’ up in particular the statistics used for anti-social behaviour include unrelated incidents in the area as a whole.

Other disturbances and bonfire night issues which have taken place elsewhere have been included in the statistics to justify closure.

Residents from both sides of the gate, want them to be opened as before (8am till 8pm) and are demanding a further independent and rigorous consultation process is carried out.

Cllr Shaukat Hussain, who represents the Bastwell ward is concerned that the plans may be approved.

He said: “I have spoken to the residents and businesses on both sides of the bridge.

“They don’t want it to shut and are very disappointed.

“Two years ago we said that it would be open during the day and then shut at night and that has been working fine.

“But there has been no consultation and are not happy about that.

“They might as well build a wall up there as it is going to divide the two communities.

“People are going to find it harder to get to school, or even the mosques and local traders are worried that it may affect their trade.”

Cllr Iftakhar Hussain added: “There has been a mixed reaction to the plans with some people upset and others wanting it to close. Some people want it to remain open as they need access to the mosques and schools.

“There are some worries about anti-social behaviour in the area but what are they doing for anti-social behaviour in other areas. We just want people to get a chance to air their views.”

Zafar Khan of the Pound Shop said ‘We want them to be open and I have spoken to others who have been affected. Since the closure, we have seen a drop in our takings.

“We are more than willing to volunteer ourselves to open and shut the gates as before”.

Amina Qayyum of Indulgence Desert shop on Whalley New Road said, ‘I would have hoped the council had consulted the residents and small businesses before making the rash decision to stop opening the gate’.

Sajid Ali as the chair of the Bilal Education Centre is also asking the council to revisit its decision to close the Laburnum Road gate said, “Many children come from Little Harwood to attend the education centre, five days a week.

“It has been very difficult for parents to come all the way around just to drop children and pick them up.

“It has also come to his attention that some children are crossing the railway line for short cuts. That's putting vulnerable children at risk.”

One resident who did not wish to be named added, “This issue has been created by the council and the antisocial behaviour issues would disappear if they just removed the gates altogether and opened the road for both cars and pedestrians?”