RESIDENTS have had their request for alley gates turned down because of a lack of funds.

Seventy-two people had signed a petition for the installation of gates at the back alley between Spring Garden Road and Coleridge Avenue, Hartlepool.

Several alley-gating schemes have been implemented in the town in the past year, but have all been funded by the Community Safety scheme or New Deal.

The two back streets fell outside of the New Deal area and were not eligible for funding from that source.

A report to Hartlepool Borough Council said: "In respect of Community Safety funding, early indications were that this would not be forthcoming as the back street was not one of those identified as having particularly high burglary figures.

"However, due to the anticipated influx of requests for alley-gating schemes, it may be necessary for the Community Safety Partnership to review the requirements for consideration for funding."

However, councillors on the regeneration board agreed that should cash be available at a later date, the request would be considered further.