Public drinking ban proposed in two Swindon areas
If approved, fines of £100 could be issued for breaking the orders
Drinking in two areas in Swindon could be banned if two orders proposed by Swindon Borough Council are agreed.
The authority is looking for the public’s opinion on the Public Space Protection Orders it has drawn up for Queen’s Park and for Broadgreen.
The orders would ban drinking alcohol anywhere in Queen’s Park at any time. In Broad Green the order and would stop public drinking in an area bound by Corporation Street, Station Road, Ocotal Way and the old canal path leading to the Magic Roundabout through to Groundwell Road. Licensed premises such as pubs, clubs and hotels would be exempt.
The council says the moves come after complaints of anti-social behaviour in both areas.
The cabinet member for housing and public safety, Cathy Martyn said: “We have received a number of complaints about anti-social behaviour arising from excessive drinking in both Queen’s Park and in the streets and alleyways around Broadgreen. These proposed orders are designed to actively encourage people to change their behaviour by banning anyone from drinking any alcohol within the areas covered.
“Residents need to be able to enjoy the area where they live, not to feel intimidated by people who are drunk and behaving in an anti-social way. Covid-19 has shown us how important our outside space is, and this includes the streets where people live, as well as their local parks.”
Although a £100 fine can be issued for breaking the order, Coun Martyn said the idea is to get people to change their behaviour. At first they will be informed that they must not drink in the area and asked to hand over their alcohol. Stronger sanctions would only be applied if they refused.
South Swindon Parish Council backs the consultation: its chairman Chris Watts said: “We are very pleased the people who live in Broadgreen and who use Queen’s Park are being given the opportunity to decide whether they would like to see new powers to address anti-social behaviour in both places. It gives residents the chance to decide the future of their areas.
“As custodians of Queen’s Park, we regularly receive complaints from visitors of the park about the anti-social behaviour that takes place there as a result of alcohol consumption. With our Parish Office in Broadgreen, we have also been working very closely with Wiltshire Police about the anti-social behaviour that takes place in the Broadgreen community that has often been caused by street drinking.”
Further details about the orders are available on the Swindon Borough Council's website. The deadline for comments is midnight on the 22nd October.