Tamworth Locks Lane closed for good to stop vandals and illegal dumping

Tamworth Regional Council (TRC) voted on Tuesday night to close the thoroughfare that has become a haven for car fires and illegal dumping.

Although the lane will be closed, the council retains the right to reopen it for sports events, TRC acting mayor Phil Betts said.

"Council is constantly working with police in regard to those antisocial behaviours down there and it's an ongoing thing," he said.

"It will stop it being used as a thoroughfare because it has been an area where illegal dumping takes place on a large scale and unsavoury social behaviour.

"So while it will be locked off for through-traffic, it is council owned and controlled land and it will be open for sports events, triathlons and community events."

The lane has been a source of trouble for the council, nearby residents, police and firefighters for years with abandoned cars set alight and illegal dumping.

Firefighters were called to Locks Lane as recently as September after reports an abandoned car had been set ablaze.

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It has been the target of numerous grass fires throughout the years and is identified as a site for hazard reduction burns by the Tamworth Rural Fire Service.

The lane will be closed from the council-owned land south of Thibault Street through to Mathews Street at the northern end.

Public notice will be given about the intention to classify the land as operational land, subject to submissions.

It's not determined when the lane will be closed.