Part of Kirkstall Abbey Park will be fenced off in a bid to deter joyriders causing damage and anti-social behaviour at the historic setting.
The field next to Vesper Lane will have a low fence installed with work starting on Monday, 9 September, with work taking two weeks. There will be an archaeologist on site to oversee the work, which is a requirement due to the Abbey Park’s historic status.
Councillor Fiona Venner (Lab, Kirkstall) posted on social media: “While we have had occasional traveller encampments we have had a more significant, regular and ongoing problem of joy riders on the field. This causes damage to the field and has endangered people and dogs on the occasions that cars have accessed the field during daylight.
“We did receive suggestions that we use boulders instead of fencing, but there are areas in the city where boulders have been moved by people wanting to access the field so have failed as a means of protecting green space.”
Cllr Venner said low fencing has been used successfully to stop vehicular access to the field on Queenswood Drive.
“There will be gaps in the fencing for pedestrian access, including with buggies and wheelchairs, though the fencing will also be low enough for many people to step over it,” Cllr Venner added. “There will also be a gate to enable the field to be opened, for the gardeners to access and for event parking.
“The reason we are not also fencing in the lower field on the other side of Vesper Lane is that we simply don’t have the funding to do both and the lower field is less at risk as it is challenging to access with a vehicle due to the steep banking.”
The move has been largely welcomed by people commenting on social media.
One person said: “It’s a shame that this needs to be done, but it is better than the area being ruined by joyriding and unauthorised vehicles.”
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