Sealed with a kiss

Three kissing gates have been installed at Kenilworth Park this week in a bid to stop nuisance motorcyclists in their tracks.

A special public meeting was called earlier in the year in response to residents' concerns about anti-social behaviour, vandalism and motorobikes using the park in Kenilworth Drive, Borehamwood.

Cllr Morris Bright, who chaired the Hertsmere Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership meeting, said: "There was a lot of concern raised at the meeting about the anti-social behaviour that has been happening in the park and residents were rightly concerned.

"We said at that meeting that we would work together to tackle the issue and that is exactly what we have done. The park is a right of way and therefore 24-hour access has to be given, but we are confident that the installation of the gates will help to slow down the motorcycles coming into and out of the park and reduce the nuisance for nearby residents."

The gates have been provided by Hertsmere and Hertfordshire County Council, working in partnership with Hertfordshire Constabulary and the community.

Cllr Bright added: "This issue was driven by the community and we have all responded to it, and that includes the local residents. Tackling these type of issues cannot be done single-handidly by one agency: it is the reponsibility of the whole community to come together to take action and residents have risen positively to do just that."

The three gates which have been installed are temporary and will be replaced with permanent ones in the near future.