RESIDENTS are jubilant after year long battle to close a troublesome subway in Yate has been granted.

A South Gloucestershire council consultation agreed the decision to close the subway that runs from Sundridge Park to Yate Shopping centre after a campaign rallied to close the site that had seen a significant rise in anti-social behaviour.

The consultation allowed the council to adopt a Public Spaces Protection Order for the closure of Kennedy Way underpass to prevent ongoing issues of anti-social behaviour

South Gloucestershire Councillor John Gawn has fronted the long fought campaign to get the subway closed, working alongside the local police force to implement the changes.

John reported the constant 'mess and anti social behaviour' had 'caused much distress to residents'.

The online consultation, that ran from October til December 2019, received 44 responses. Of those, 96% of people said that closing the underpass would not cause any problems with crossing the road.

The final report included a response from from Avon and Somerset police which stated that crime and anti-social behaviour levels in the area are high compared to other areas of the district.

Yate Neighbourhood Beat Manager, Angharad Baynham added: "Over a period of time this area has been subject to a substantial amount of anti-social behaviour.

"This ASB is primarily dealt with by police who have received a number of complaints from local residents about drug use, noise, groups gathering and littering.

"As well as resulting in substantial amounts of Police resources, the ASB also results in the creation of large amounts of rubbish which includes drink glasses, bottles, broken glass and general retail rubbish.

"This makes the area not only unusable for local residents, but is also a drain on resources for South Gloucestershire Street care team who have to clear the rubbish several times a week."

In the initial consultation it was estimated the closure would cost around £10,000 for the gates plus up to £2000 for rails.