A PARISH council is takings a step towards tackling yobbish behaviour which has plagued a village for more than a decade.

Woodham Ferrers and Bicknacre Parish Council is installing a gate separating the Priory Primary School car park from the parish council-owned top car park at Priory Fields.

The manned gate will be opened at 7am each day and closed at dusk for vehicular access and will cost £800 to set up.

The council hopes this will deter the anti-social behaviour which has been an issue in the area for more than 15 years.

The decision was taken at their November meeting.

Parish clerk Karen Kuderovitch said: “The reason behind this is that we are aware of anti-social behaviour of various forms happening in the car park after dark.

“Priory Primary School have no objections to this and have declined the suggestion to locate the gate at the front of the school.

“The school, Bicknacre Village Hall, Friends of Priory Fields and the football club will all be issued with a key for their use.

“The parish council will advertise for an employed position for a gatekeeper and we are hopeful that funding will be available for all or part of this new role.”

The fields can still be accessed from the footpath from Bicknacre Road when the gate closes and wheelchair access will be put in.

The council is also investigating the cost of upgrading the current CCTV system which councillors say is “no longer fit for purpose”.