Plans are in place to tackle issues in Spalding’s Abbey Passage says South Holland District Council leader

A council leader says an action plan is in place to tackle the environmental and anti-social behaviour issues seen in a town alley way.

South Holland District Council leader, Coun Nick Worth, says that the authority is looking at ways to sort out the problems seen in Spalding’s Abbey Passage - which could include gating it off.

Calls for action have been made by nearby traders who fear the smell and sights are putting off people — and a recent council meeting was told that people are ‘scared’ to walk down there.

Three men are reported to be living in Abbey Passage — with mattresses and duvets along with other items piled in near a fire exit.

The passageway is privately owned but authorities are working together to find a solution - which is hoped to be in place before the festive season’s events start.

Coun Worth said: “We are working with Hills and the police to find a solution to that as soon as we can. I would like it sorted before the Christmas Lights switch-on, whether we are able to do it I don’t know but I would like a target.

“We have got short, medium and long-term action plans for that area.”

He also stressed that the three men had been offered support and accommodation by the council’s officers but this has been refused.

Coun Worth said: “If they don’t want to take up the accommodation that is their chosen way of life and that is what they want to do.”

Possible options for the passageway could be the introduction of better lighting or CCTV.

Calls have been made in the past for the passageway to be blocked off which have been heard by Coun Worth.

He said: “The long-term vision people have spoken about gating it off outside of working hours and a lot of people like that idea. We haven’t decided anything yet but I would suggest we would have to do a public consultation on that.”

Coun Worth also wished to stress that South Holland’s level of homeless sleepers is much less than in other areas.

He sadi: “We have to put it in prospective. We have more rough sleepers and homeless people than we have ever had but in comparison with a lot of cities it is not that bad.

“We will do everything we can if we can. If we can find a home for them then that will be the first priority and we will give them a lot of support if they want it.”

Owner of Amici’s restaurant Ivan Pastore organised a meeting with traders in the Vine Street area with Coun Worth and Insp Matt Dickinson last week in order to work together to find a solution.

Mr Pastore said his main focus is improving customer service which attracts people to travel from King’s Lynn, Peterborough and Stamford.

He said: “If they arrive 15 minutes early and take a walk along the river before they come to our meal. Do they really want to come back after seeing eight or nine homeless people doing drugs or urinating in a bottle?”

Abbey Passage is also due to be getting a make-over when a £35,000 flower parade mosaic will be installed next year.#

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