Security features will limit access to marina
Security features at a £2 million marina development in Northampton will mean members of the public will now have access to less than half the site.
Plans to create a marina at the disused boating lake in Becket's Park were first revealed in 2008.
It is hoped the development will become a major attraction for the town, but the Environment Agency, which has been one of the major backers of the scheme, has admitted fears about crime and anti-social behaviour mean the public will not be able to walk round the whole site.
A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: "People will be able to walk around the marina, but not right up to the boats.
"It has been designed that way for security reasons."
The new marina will be accessed by a bridge across the River Nene.
When members of the public cross the bridge, they will be able to walk around a small section of the marina, but the majority of the site will be blocked off by an electronic gate, which can only be opened by people with a special swipe card.
The decision to include the security gate was taken following advice from the police.
In an email considering the safety of the site, Northamptonshire Police's crime prevention design officer, Mike Scragg, told members of the West Northamptonshire Development Corporation (WNDC) the gate would help prevent any potential problems.
He said: "It's the experience at similar locations across the county that a development such as this, in an urban area, would be highly likely to suffer problems of anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and theft or burglary.
"However, the proposed physical measures - security fencing and the electronic measures, a token-operated barrier, swipe cards and CCTV - should prove largely effective in frustrating vandals or criminals."
Northampton Borough Council's cabinet member for the environment, Councillor Trini Crake (Lib Dem, Boughton Green) has been closely involved in the plans for the marina development.
Last night, she said she was not aware of the planned security gate limiting access, but pledged to look into the issue.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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