This week I had a virtual meeting with the property director at Savills, the managing agents for the section of the retail park where B&Q is situated.

It follows concerns from residents that the store’s rear car park – used by staff and for deliveries – was being left open and had become a meeting point for drivers behaving anti-socially there and racing on the Dearne Valley Parkway.

He has assured me that the barrier to the car park at the rear of B&Q has been repaired and that – starting from Monday 3 August at the latest – it will be closed at 6pm.

The police think closing off this car park will significantly deter drivers from meeting at Cortonwood, so I hope this will be a helpful first step in stopping some of the anti-social behaviour and disturbance residents have been putting up with.

In addition to this:

  • Rotherham Council are scoping the feasibility of a Public Spaces Protection Order or cross-boundary injunction
  • South Yorkshire Police have established a senior-level group to focus on issues like this across the county
  • Road traffic officers will attend Cortonwood and the Parkway as often as possible, including this weekend
  • Rotherham and Barnsley Neighbourhood Policing Teams have completed a joint evening of action and more are planned over the summer
  • Police are assessing the feasibility of speed restrictions and cameras on the Parkway
  • The police and Police and Crime Commissioner are running a media campaign

Please continue to report any problems you experience to me and police.

We need to check whether the gate closure has any effect and gain evidence to strengthen arguments for further measures if necessary.