In the case of terraced housing, linked alleys serving the backs of many gardens should be avoided. Ideally, new terraces should share one alley between two houses, with oversailing accommodation where appropriate. The alleyway is a feature of Nottingham terraces, used by residents to access rear gardens from the street. However, the poor surveillance along alleyways means they become easy escape routes and a focus for criminal activity and should be avoided in new developments. Where alleys are needed, they should be kept short and should be gated off from the public realm, with lockable gates.
Security lighting can also play an important part in increasing user safety of alleyways.
Controlled access between pairs of terraces is the best solution. Existing, long alleys can be improved by a series of gates and surveillance from new houses. Controlled access for groups of three and four terraces can be relatively secure and can minimise the problem created by interlocking alleys. Walls or fences can restrict access between two adjacent alleys . Central alleys with private gates are better than interlocking alleyways.