Pleas to Ipswich council to block off Wallace Road alleyway

Callum Stevens, who is the landlord of several properties in Wallace Road, was in shock after he was told by his tenants that there was a fire in their alleyway. 

He is now pleading with Ipswich Borough Council to restrict access so that only the residents of the area have access to it. 

However, the council states they are unable to support the costs of gates which could cost several thousand pounds.

Homeowner Callum Stevens says Wallace Road alleys are subjected to fly-tipping. (Image: Shikhar Talwar)

Mr Stevens said: "The fire in the alleyway could have been extremely dangerous and hurt some of the residents there.

"I think the area has become prone to anti-social behaviour and fly-tipping, which is why I hope the council step in and restrict people's access to the area."

Suffolk Fire and Rescue confirmed a fire was reported after 10pm last Tuesday (July 23) in the alleyway of Wallace Road and the cause of the fire was a fly-tipped mattress.

Mr Stevens believes that the lane is often used by people who do not live in the area to leave their rubbish and has heard complaints from his tenants of anti-social behaviour.

He is hoping for alleys such as this to be gated with only residents given access. (Image: Shikhar Talwar)

The borough council have previously added gates to alleys in Ipswich. (Image: Shikhar Talwar)

He added that in 2018 Ipswich Borough Council had gathered a fund of £6,000 to install new gates in several alleys after a report of drug use on Tennyson Road's alley emerged.

Mr Stevens hopes that the council will do something similar again. 

Cllr Cook said that the council cannot support the costs of the gates. (Image: Ipswich Labour Party)

However, Councillor John Cook, Ipswich Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Communities and Sport, said that the council is unable to support the management and installation of gates. 

In the previous scheme, it was reported that the gates cost up to £2,000 each.

Cllr Cook said: "Where groups of residents feel that they would benefit from an alley gate, and all residents are happy to share the costs, they are able to make arrangements themselves.

"Unfortunately, the council is unable to support the management, installation or costs of alley gates."

He added that the council assess anti-social behaviour on a case-by-case basis and is calling for residents to report incidents to the council or the police.

Mr Stevens believes the gates would help residents a lot. (Image: Shikhar Talwar)

Mr Steven believes the gates would help the residents maintain the area. 

"I think this will reduce a lot of the problems for the residents," he added.

"Fly-tipping will also drastically reduce."