COUNCILLORS have overwhelmingly endorsed the latest effort to tackle boozy behaviour in Workman Gardens.
Members of Evesham Town Council’s Planning and General Purposes backed plans approved by Wychavon District Council earlier this month for a Designated Public Place Order (DPPO) for the picturesque park.
The thorny issue of drinking and alleged anti social behaviour has blighted Workman Gardens and nearby residents since 2010 and complaints have risen again in the past year.
Long suffering residents in Monks Close and boaters moored up for the night regularly complained about groups of men drinking, urinating in the river and bushes, excessive noise and serious anti social behaviour.
Efforts to enforce a crackdown have been taking place in recent months and included regular patrols in the vicinity talking to both residents and drinkers.
Speaking at the meeting on Monday (October 27), councillors were told the order would only enable alcohol to be taken from people committing acts of anti-social behaviour.
But many councillors including Coun Gerry O’Donnell felt the move was necessary to try and stamp out the problems in the park.
“It’s the best we have got to go on and it’s better than anything we already have in place.” he said.
“I think it’s better to have it in place than not have anything at all.”
Former town mayor Coun Mark Goodge spoke up in support of the scheme and said: “I am hopeful the introduction will make a small difference to the area.
Coun Jim Bulman requested the signs warning people of the introduction be printed in a number of different languages while
Coun Alan Booth asked for signs to be placed on all entrances to the park.
Coun Rebecca Whiting also pledged her support and told the meeting she and her husband had recently seen a drunk man fall off his bike leaving Workman Gardens.
The matter is expected to be debated again at a meeting of Evesham Town Council on November 10.
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