MEMBERS of the public should note that as of next weekend, the steps area located at Baldrick Crescent in Rosemount will be closed off on Friday and Saturday evenings.
The decision was taken by Derry City and Strabane District Council who have been working closely with community representatives in the area to address ongoing problems with anti-social behaviour.
The gates at the steps will now be locked at 6pm on Friday evenings, reopened at 7.30am on Saturday morning, and locked at 6pm on Saturday evening and reopened on Sunday morning at 7.30am.
A spokesperson for Council said the measure should help to deter people from hanging around the area. “Having worked closely with the community representatives in the local area, it was clear that direct action had to be taken to deal with the growing problem of anti-social behaviour in and around Baldrick Crescent,” the spokesperson explained.
“From Friday the gates will be closed to the public which should help to disperse people from the steps, and we are considering a number of additional measures should they be required.
“We will continue to liaise with the local community and to monitor the situation over the coming weeks to see if the closure helps to address the problem and identify any additional requirements going forwards.”
The closure will be introduced as a temporary arrangement with a view to introducing lighting in the steps area and along the link to the Glen Road and reopening the steps once this additional lighting has been introduced.