GATES are to be installed in 11 alleyways to cut down on anti-social behaviour, burglaries and fly-tipping.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is planning to erect the locked barriers next month, in the final phase of a scheme to secure a number of alleys in Shelton.

The gates have been earmarked for alleyways which adjoin properties on Guildford Street, Ashford Street, Watford Street, Crowther Street, Aynsley Road, Cauldon Road, Stoke Road, College Road and Seaford Street.

Residents of properties adjoining the alleys will be allowed keys to allow them through the gates, but no-one else will be allowed access.

The council agreed to install the barriers, at a cost of £40,000, after complaints from residents.

Heather Woodcock, of Cauldon Road, welcomed the plans. The 52-year-old said: "I think they will improve things. It will stop people using them as a rat-run, which happens a lot.

"We've got a garage behind the house and you need two of you to get the car out in case someone comes shooting along the alley. It's dangerous.

"We also get noise and people throwing bottles at the back, and I think there will be less burglaries."

George Manlook lives on Guildford Street and also rents out a property there.

He said: "I think they will be fantastic. When I saw them go up in the next street I was really happy and I've been waiting for them to be done here.

"We have burglaries, fly-tipping, anti-social behaviour, people setting rubbish on fire. I think they should put CCTV cameras up as well."

Neighbour Charley Rushton, aged 17, also lives on Guildford Street. The mother-of-one, who is expecting another child in October, said: "I've had problems with people nicking my bin and taking stuff out of my yard. I think the gates will give me peace of mind, especially with having children."

Tom Jeffery, aged 68, from Crowther Street, is not sure if they will be effective. He said: "I'm in favour of them as long as I can get my car in and out, but whether they will make a difference I don't know.

"The ones on the next street down are always left open so they're not doing anything."

Meanwhile Andrea Konteh, from Guildford Street, has objected to the gates. The 54-year-old said: "I've got mixed feelings because they will be good in some ways, but people will have to walk a long way around if they can't get down there. I'm blind so having a key will be no good to me."

There will be a month-long consultation period before the gates are installed.

Denise Grant, below, head of neighbourhood services at the council, said: "These alleygates represent the final phase of gating in the Shelton area after completing areas around Boughey Road and Newlands Street.

"There have been instances of anti-social behaviour, burglary and fly-tipping in the area and after consultation with the residents, the gates will now hopefully bring that to a close."