Alleys & Gating

Cardiff has many alleys and gullies throughout the city. They can provide useful access and shortcuts for both pedestrians and vehicles. However, they can also become hotspots for crime and anti-social behaviour, resulting in residents adjoining or using the route feeling unsafe.  We are keen to address these issues to improve the quality of life for the residents of Cardiff.

Alleys are generally vehicle-accessible lanes with dropped kerbs linking to the main highway. Most are adopted highways and may be utilised as useful thoroughfares for pedestrians and cyclists away from busy roads, as well as providing access to off road parking for adjoining residents.

Where there are ongoing and persistent levels of crime and antisocial behaviour in an alley affecting the local community, it may be possible to consider an alley gating scheme, subject to meeting technical, legal and consultation requirements.

Alley Gating Schemes

Alley gating is an effective way to prevent or reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, involving the installation of key-operated lockable gates to the end of alleyways, which restricts access to the wider public.

Over 200 lanes across the city have been gated since 2007, and we are currently fully committed to a 2-year alley gating programme. Over 180 lanes remaining on our list of gating requests awaiting assessment and prioritisation.

Please note that not all lanes are suitable for gating; it may not be possible to gate a lane which is in high use, has no natural boundaries or provides the only means of access to residential or business premises.  Prioritised schemes must also be well supported by adjoining property owners / occupiers who will be directly affected by the installation.

If you would like to check if your lane is currently on our list of requests, please contact us at Regeneration@cardiff.gov.uk

Gating Scheme consultations

If you have recently received a letter from us about a gate being installed in your local area or if a proposed gate will affect your property or business, we would like to hear from you.

Feedback on completed gating scheme

If you have recently received a letter from us asking for feedback on a completed scheme in your area, we would love to hear your views.

Request an alley gate key

Details of how and where to obtain an alley gate key can found on  Cardiff Council’s website.

Details of proposed schemes and existing gating orders (Public Spaces Protection Orders) can also be found here.