Alley gating has been adopted by Cardiff Council and other local authorities as a proven means to tackle crime and disorder, help reduce the fear of crime and restore community confidence. Alley gating is the restriction of public access to an alleyway by installing freestanding, lockable gates. Adjoining property owners and occupiers would be eligible for keys.
Public Spaces Protection Orders (under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act) are used to facilitate the restrictions.
How to make a Gating Request
Please contact us at
regeneration@cardiff.gov.uk Dolen allanol yn agor mewn ffenest newydd if you would like to check if your lane is on our list of requests or to make a new request.
Please note that it is not always possible to gate a lane. Several factors need to be considered, including:
- The nature and persistence of criminal / anti-social activities, and if gating is justified and an appropriate solution
- If the lane is the main or only means of access to recreational land, residential and/or business premises
- Consideration of how the gates may impact adjoining residents, businesses, and the local community, and if there is a convenient alternative route available?
- Is gating technically possible (for instance is there a safe and suitable place to install gates without interfering with garage access, buried services etc)
We are currently committed to a 2-year programme of gating schemes. At the end of the current gating programme, we will review our list of gating requests to identify priority schemes for the next 2-year programme, subject to funding and resources available. All prioritised lanes are subject to further investigations, resident consultations and consideration of representations during the legal stages before a final decision is reached on the gating proposal.
Do you need to request an alley gate key?
For new gating schemes we will organise a key distribution for a limited time. After that, keys can be obtained from
Central Library HubExternal link opens in a new window, The Hayes, Cardiff, CF10 1FL. Please ensure you bring the correct ID. Replacement or additional keys will be charged at £10.00 per key.
If you own a property: (as a landlord, owner occupier or business owner) adjoining a gated lane, you are entitled to a key to the alley gate. You will need to provide two forms of ID (including one photographic) to prove your identity and address.
If you are a Tenant: You will need to provide written consent from your landlord, in addition to two forms of ID (including one photographic) to prove your identity and address.
Report a problem
Contact us