Problem Twydall alley to become public right of way?

An alleyway in Twydall plagued by antisocial behaviour may be in line to become a public right of way, Alan W Collins has learned.

The move, which was apparently instigated by another local resident, effectively eliminates many remaining hopes concerned residents may have left of the problem alley being gated to avoid further problems.

The claim has been met with scepticism from another local resident, who informed Alan W Collins that when another request was made in 2003 by a “local resident”, Medway Council were eventually forced to admit that no such request had been made.

Local residents will decide as a group whether or not to oppose the Definitive Map Modification Order (or DMMO), which would make the alleyway a public right of way. If they do so, a public inquiry will result.

In order for the alleyway to be gated – as residents plagued by antisocial behaviour have repeatedly asked for – it needs to be a deisgnated public right of way. They agreed to this compromise in return for night time gating – when most of the problems occur.

Unfortunately, however, Medway Council has appeared to be against solving the underlying problem for several years, and it is unclear at present whether a successful DMMO would change their stubborn mindset.