People can have their say on proposals designed to tackle alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour in the centre of Bilston.
Wolverhampton City Council is proposing a Designated Public Place Order restricting the public drinking of alcohol in the town centre following calls from traders and community leaders for action.
The council’s Cabinet gave their backing to the plans last month and the proposals are now subject to a month-long period of public consultation which begins today (Wednesday February 1, 2012).
If introduced the order would restrict the drinking of alcohol in public within a wide area of the town centre bounded by Mountford Lane car park, Oxford Street, God’s Acre, Walsall Street car park, Batchcroft car park, Smith Street, part of Hartshorn Street, Thompson Street, Coseley Road, Prosser Street, Nettlefolds Way, Bankfield Road, the Black Country Route, Fraser Street and Bow Street.
Though the order does not on its own prevent people from drinking alcohol in public – and does not therefore create an “alcohol free zone” – it gives police the powers to stop a person drinking or confiscate their alcohol because of their associated behaviour.
Incidents of anti-social behaviour linked to alcohol consumption have been rising steadily within Bilston town centre recently and tackling it has been made a priority of the police, the Town Centre Traders’ Forum and members of Pubwatch.
Traders, ward members and Wolverhampton South East MP Pat McFadden attended a public meeting last year which unanimously supported the introduction of a Designated Public Place Order across the town centre.
Councillor Peter Bilson, Wolverhampton City Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Prosperity, said: “There has been overwhelming support for this move from residents, businesses and the wider community and I am sure it will prove very useful in helping the police to tackle any incidents of anti-social behaviour within the centre of Bilston.”
A copy of the proposed order can be viewed at the Civic Centre, St Peter’s Square, Wolverhampton, and on the city council’s website at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk until March 1, 2012. Representations must be made in writing within 28 days and addressed to: Wolverhampton City Council, Civic Centre, St Peter’s Square, Wolverhampton WV1 1RG.
If there are no objections to the proposal, the Designated Public Place Order should be introduced in the next few months.
Wolverhampton City Council
Civic Centre, St. Peter’s Square
Wolverhampton
WV1 1SH