Wolverhampton residents petition for alcohol ban

Drinking alcohol may be banned in one of Wolverhampton's parks after hundreds of residents signed a petition.

Wolverhampton City Council is proposing a "Designation Order" restricting the public drinking of alcohol in Phoenix Park, Blakenhall.

In 2010 the council received a 341-name petition urging the authority to act.

A council spokesman said a month of consultation would start on Wednesday before a decision was made on whether to ban drinking within park grounds.

The order would also give police the powers to stop someone drinking alcohol in the designated area and require them to hand it over.

A council spokesman said anyone who refused may be liable to prosecution.

Steve Wright, Wolverhampton City Council's head of parks, said: "Phoenix Park has seen considerable investment over the past few years, transforming it from an under-used grass area to a facility popular with all ages.

"However, the increase in the number of people using the park has inevitably led to an increase in anti-social behaviour."

He said if there were no objections to the proposal, the order would be introduced in the next few months.