Can neighbours put a shared gate across our terrace back alley?

[NotAgain77]

I live in a terrace, 6 of us have a little alley that runs across the back of our houses. It is a dead end. We have gates for our garden into it. It is bordered by another neighbours garden fence.

It is used by people to smoke weed in and fast food wrappers are dumped there.

All of us neighbours want to put a gate on the end of the alley with shared keys.

Our council doesn’t operate an alley legate scheme. We had to get indemnity insurance when we bought the house for the alley. I can’t find the paperwork.

Any ideas on what we need to do to be able to put the gate on?

I’d just put it up, share the cost. If you are all in agreement there shouldn’t be an issue-though you wouldn’t be able to use neighbours fence.

Would you be better with a key pad so you can change the code regularly rather than risk lots of keys being cut

We had this arrangement when we owned a shop. The back entrance was up a path belonging to a neighbour, but we were allowed to use it because there was a covenant in our favour. There was a sturdy gate with a keypad, and we each had the number. Much better than a key.

Edit cross post !

Would you even need to lock it? The fact there is a gate there might be enough to stop unwanted people coming

I’d do the keypad and a sign saying CCTV in operation. You don’t have to actually install cctv.

We did this but just put a bolt on the inside. Actually a neighbour did it without asking any of us but we're all happy with it. Secure enough to deter the opportunists and no worries about having to give new neighbours a key or whatever.

If the alley doesn't go anywhere, and the neighbours are all in agreement, I would just do it - who's going to grass you up?! Just be prepared to take it down if one of the properties changes hands and the new owner doesn't like it!

Thanks really helpful to see these responses.
interested in the comment about not attaching it a neighbours fence. It would have to be attached to two neighbours fences or it won’t be attached at all. I can’t go digging up the pavement.

Can the gate be set at the entrance to the alley a little way in from the pavement so fenceposts can be set into the path itself?

You'd need permission from the neighbours to attach it to their property, and you'd have problems if the extra weight damaged their fence.

Can’t you just ask the neighbours if you can use their fence post to fix the gate? If their garden borders the alley they would probably see the gate as a benefit for security so may well agree.