FAMILIES living near a path in Blackbird Leys want it blocked off to stop drug dealers and anti-social behaviour on their doorstep.

People living near Spindleberry Walk – a well known cut-through between Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys – say they are fed up with seeing drug deals in the alleyway and putting up with the noise from groups of young people walking home on Friday and Saturday nights.

They claim the problem began when Oxford City Council installed a bridge over the Northfield Brook in 2003 to connect Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys.

Three years ago, the council installed a gate at the entrance in Pegasus Road to block it to motorbikes and bicycles.

But it was removed in December last year after residents complained it clunked when people walked through it and that children were using it to get onto neighbouring properties.

Now they are calling for the entrance to be blocked off — for good.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said: “We feel unsafe. One night about 3am a group of lads were under the bedroom window and decided to have a big row.

“I opened the window and told them to be quiet, but they said they were going to torch my house, they knew where we lived.

“It’s really spoilt our quality of life here. It’s intimidating.

“It’s very naive of the council if they think people go through there to feed the ducks. Last week drug dealers were there every day.”

Another resident, who also feared his safety could be compromised if he released his name, said that after the gate was installed, children persistently climbed on to his property, disturbing his family.

He said: “One boy climbed on the conservatory and his foot came through the glass.

“You get drugs and needles round there, it’s a problem.

“You get a lot of people going through at night, Friday and Saturday evenings. They get off the bus opposite drunk and abusive and come through the alleyway.

“We get all the ruckus.”

Blackbird Leys parish councillor Gordon Roper suggested the council should investigate other gates which do not make a noise when shut.

He said: “I know it’s inconvenient for people living near it but it’s up to the council and residents to see how we can solve the problem.

“It’s no good talking lots – let’s get together, have a meeting, and try to solve the problem once and for all.”

Sgt Rob Axe, of the Blackbird Leys neighbourhood police team, said: “We are aware of the problem and we are looking into it.

“Drugs are still one of the main priorities on the estate and if this is a particular area causing concern we will target it.”

The city council refused to be drawn on whether it might block off the alleyway. In a statement, spokesman Louisa Dean said: “We are working to address the concerns of the local residents surrounding the gate.”

eallen@oxfordmail.co.uk