CALLS to close a Catshill alleyway, which is used as a rat run by firebugs, car thieves and moped riders, have been answered.

A pathway linking Alexander Close with garages in Cobnall Road will close following complaints from residents and the police.

A Bromsgrove District Council report revealed that the path between houses 21 and 23 is used by youths on scooters and people running away from the council's garage site.

Tim Young, the town's head of strategic housing, said: "Over the past few years there have been major problems at garages with cars being burnt out, stripped and stolen cars being dumped.

"The police cannot respond effectively as the perpetrators run down the alley into Alexander Close and West Mercia Constabulary want the footpath closed.

"The only consideration preventing me from doing this was the problem of keeping the path closed and the creation of a piece of no-mans land."

This issue has now being solved by an Alexander Close resident keen to buy the strip and add it to his garden.

His letter to the authority said: "Years ago there was no public footpath but a fence was pushed down and never replaced.

"Most residents are elderly. Some have purchased their council homes and feel they are being let down because they were expecting to spend their retirement and old age in peace and quiet."

More than 30 residents have been consulted and 28 agreed that the footpath should go.

Executive cabinet committee members decided to close the path and sell it to the interested neighbour.

A Bromsgrove police spokesman said: "Closure of the pathway will improve the environment for the local community by reducing the opportunity to commit crime and the fear of crime."