Time called on town boozing

No-drinking zone for centre of Aberdare:

A NO-DRINKING zone is being created in Aberdare town centre as part of a new crackdown on street drinking.

Rhondda Cynon Taf council is launching the Calling Time on Street Drinking campaign to promote new rules tackling alcohol-related anti-social behaviour across the county borough.

From September 1, a new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) will come into force, continuing to dedicate the whole of the county borough as a controlled drinking zone.

Authorised council and police officers will continue to request any person stops drinking and surrender alcohol if they are causing, or are likely to cause, anti-social behaviour.

The PSPO will also introduce alcohol-free streets in Aberdare and Pontypridd town centres.

Agreed by cabinet in April following a public consultation, drinking alcohol will be banned within defined town centre boundaries.

These new rules were brought forward by the council after almost a third of participants responding to a crime perception survey labelled alcohol as the biggest contributor to crime and disorder in Aberdare and Pontypridd – and this viewpoint was further strengthened by the public consultation for the PSPO early this year.

Aberdare’s no-drinking zone will include the town centre, the nearby Ynys development including its playing fields, Aberdare Railway Station and the Gadlys Pit Car Park.

These areas will be outlined in detail on maps produced by the council as part of the campaign. Authorised council and police officers will carry out patrols within these areas, and any person caught drinking alcohol will be asked to hand it over or dispose of it. If they do not, they will be fined £100.

The campaign will have a presence in Aberdare and Pontypridd, while a number of public engagement events will be held in the towns throughout August.

Councillor Rhys Lewis, Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, Well-being and Cultural Services, said: “I am pleased the council is taking proactive steps to tackle the issue of alcohol-related anti-social behaviour in Aberdare and Pontypridd, by listening to what residents have told us about the effect of people drinking alcohol on the street has on our town centres.

“When cabinet agreed to the new PSPO in April, having considered the extensive public consultation, Members agreed that the council undertakes a significant marketing campaign to fully-inform residents about the new rules.

“Calling Time on Street Drinking will engage with communities so residents know exactly what is expected of them from September.

“This move by the council is about ensuring our town centres are friendly and welcoming to residents and visitors. Authorised officers from the council and police will have a visible presence in Aberdare and Pontypridd from September, in order to enforce the no-drinking rule within the defined zones.

“They’ll also target times when the town centres are very busy – for instance, when international sports events are being held.

“The PSPO also allows the council to waive the new rules for certain events – such as the Big Welsh Bite in Pontypridd and Christmas markets – while permitted outdoor areas for licensed premises are also exempt.

“I would urge residents to engage with the Calling Time on Street Drinking campaign before the new rules come into force on September 1.”

For more information, visit www.rctcbc.gov.uk/ alcoholfreestreets