AN Oxford alleyway which has been plagued by drug dealers finally looks set to be shut after a six-year battle.

Oxfordshire County Council has recommended a gating order should be made for the alley between Windale Avenue and Pegasus Road, in Blackbird Leys, in a bid to prevent crime and antisocial behaviour.

A final decision will be taken at County Hall today and, if it is given the go-ahead, the 55m alley will be sealed off by gates at a cost of up to £8,250.

But residents, who have had to endure drug dealing, drug taking, theft and vandalism from people using the alley, say they are still sceptical the gates will get the go-ahead.

In August 2005, Oxford City Council granted permission to install gates, before the scheme was halted by county council highway officers, who said they needed to approve the decision because the alley is a public highway.

Jimmy Hayes, 69, who has been burgled four times by people using the alleyway to get into his garden, said: "We have heard the news, but we're still very sceptical. We have been through this before, right down to people coming out to measure up the gates, but then at the eleventh hour there has been a U-turn.

"We're keeping our fingers crossed, but until they hand us the keys we do not dare get our hopes up too much."

Mr Hayes, who has lived in Pegasus Road for almost 40 years, said: "Every night there are about a dozen youths down there. Some nights you can tell they're smoking cannabis, because of the smell and there's always some sort of trouble going on.

"You constantly get things thrown into your garden, you can hear swearing and we have even had our fence set on fire."

Residents have been backed in their fight by police.

A report by Pc Martyn Williams found evidence of fires in the alley and damage from vandals.

Police believe that if the area is closed off there is no obvious place that the antisocial behaviour would move to.

Gordon Roper, chairman of Blackbird Leys Parish Council, said: "I'm pleased that this has been recommended for approval. This is a seasonal problem that gets worse in the summer, so hopefully these gates will come at the right time for residents."

Ian Hudspeth, the county council's cabinet member for transport, said he had visited the alleyway prior to making his decision.