FOLLOWING a number of major complaints about anti-social behaviour taking place on a Stourbridge road, a decision has been made to close access to the public.

Gibbet Lane, located between Stourbridge and Kinver, has seen a rise in the amount of fly-tipping, noise, “nuisance” from cars and illegal drug taking in recent months.

This has caused South Staffordshire District Council to enforce a public space protection order (PSPO) which bans any vehicle entering the road from its junction with Whittington Hall Lane.

Steve Winterflood, the council’s chief executive, said: “The area is isolated and has, for some time, been a destination of choice for people who wish to fly-tip. The council have had to use public funds to remove this waste.

“In addition, people living locally and Staffordshire Police say that people who drive vehicles in the area are a source of noise nuisance.

“People have also been found in possession of illegal drugs and the area being isolated provides somewhere for the consumption of said substances.”

To stop people accessing the road, with the exception of street residents, emergency services and employees of Severn Trent Water – which has a base at the end of the lane – a horse gate will be installed at the junction.

Mr Winterflood added: “I remain of the view that activities carried on within the area have had a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those within the locality.

“They are of a persistent or continuing nature, they are unreasonable and the restrictions imposed in the order – and the use of gates to enforce the same – are justified.”

The order, which makes it a criminal offence for anyone who does not comply with the new restrictions, lasts for three years.