PROPOSALS to extend Montrose's public drinking ban were this week broadly welcomed by local police and community groups.
Angus licensing board was due to consider the plan at its meeting yesterday, part of a wider scheme to either introduce or extend byelaws banning the public drinking of alcohol in each Angus burgh.
Three new areas for Montrose have been suggeste
d, covering the Rosehill Road/Whinfield Road/Curlie Pond areas and the Marine Avenue/Provost Reid Road and Railway Place area, including the sports centre.
In a report to councillors, board clerk Sheona Hunter said it was agreed in June last year that a short-term working group be established to consider the current arrangements in each town.
She said: "The licensing standards officer informally consulted with all affected community councils, Angus Licensing Forum, Angus Alcohol and Drug Partnership and Tayside Police and prepared proposals to present to the working group.
"If the board is minded to approve the proposals the matter will require to be considered by Angus Council as only the council has power to agree to make byelaws."
The next stage would be to submit the draft byelaws to the Scottish Government for approval, as well as to Tayside Police and the Procurator Fiscal, and to formally advertise them for public consultation.
Inspector Gordon Cryle, who is in charge of policing in Montrose, said the byelaw had been introduced originally to deter people leaving the town's pubs and clubs with glasses and bottles, and has proved effective.
He also said it will back up the police's existing operations to cut down on underage drinking and alcohol-fuelled antisocial behaviour.
He said: "There's no doubt it's a curb to people wandering around the streets late at night with glasses or bottles, reducing the likelihood that if a fight does break out, these things would be used as weapons. It's a really useful tool for us.
"We have ongoing regular contact with licensees and door stewarding staff to make sure they're switched on to people trying to leave premises with them. I'm supportive of the pond being part of the prohibited. There are other measures in place to tackle underage drinking but this will be another string to our bow to tackle problems there, although over the past three months we haven't had a problem with youngsters drinking there."
Montrose Community Council chairwoman Joan Stott also said she was happy with the proposed extension although the group had asked for a "zero tolerance" approach to be considered.
She said: "We wanted a zero tolerance zone covering the whole town, but I think that was maybe asking a bit much, but we're happy with what has been done.
"Having the Curlie included can only be a good thing, which will tackle youths and whoever else drinks there.
"It's excellent if it helps cut down on nuisance and noise."
