'Public drinking signs arrive at last' - Hannon

12.02.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 12th Oct 2006

Councillor Sally Hannon, Shadow Portfolio holder for Community Safety, has today welcomed the long awaited arrival of signs indicating a new alcohol designation order in the district.

The signs, which have been put up in areas throughout West Berkshire, give the police special powers to help them deal with anti-social behaviour stemming from people drinking in public areas. It does not, however, prevent people from drinking alcohol in public places unless their behaviour consequently becomes a problem.

Councillor Hannon commented:

"I am relieved that these signs have finally appeared. The police can now start to enforce the new order. However, I am disappointed that this has taken so long. The order came into effect in April - this means that the residents of West Berkshire have waited 6 months for action to be taken."

West Berkshire Liberal Democrats have taken a keen interest in pursuing the drinking signs, asking a question at a meeting of the Council's Executive to try and determine what the hold-up has been.

Councillor Hannon continued:

"The delay between order to action is unforgivably long - this administration should have been making sure that something was actually being done. Actions not just words."