NEW orders to lock out hooligans and criminals from some of the city's most notorious alleyways have been delayed for at least another month.

County council transport leaders hoped to sanction the first 'gating order' this week - allowing them to close an alley in Blackbird Leys that has been a haven for criminal and antisocial behaviour.

But the decision to gate the alleyway connecting Windale Avenue and Pegasus Road has been postponed until at least July 19.

The delay has frustrated residents living close to the alley who have had to contend with years of problems including thefts from gardens, damage to fences, noise and late night drinking.

Paul and Sandra Witts live next to the alley and have campaigned for its closure for a long time, angry at on-going antisocial problems.

Mr Witts said the delay was not unexpected: "Nothing surprises me with them putting it back. We won't believe it's going to happen until it happens."

The council said it wanted the first order to be watertight to prevent any future legal challenge.

County Hall was handed the powers to gate alleyways and footpaths on crime and antisocial behaviour grounds last September as part of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005.

Four other alleys are being looked at. They are: Pembroke Alley, between Pembroke Street and Pembroke Square, and Bulwarks Lane, between George Street and New Road, both in Oxford city centre, and footpaths linking Giles Road and College Lane in Littlemore, and Freeman Road and Mendip Heights in Didcot.

Ian Hudspeth, the county's cabinet member for transport implementation, said the Blackbird Leys order had been due to be discussed by the county's transport decisions committee this week, but was postponed. He added: "We are trying to ensure we get it spot-on first time."

Mr Hudspeth said he hoped the order would be discussed when the committee next meets on July 19.