One month after Blackbird Leys residents celebrated news that a notorious alleyway would be closed, they have been told the move has been blocked.

Residents Sandra Witts and David Boutte

Oxford City Council granted permission to install fences and gates, to stop burglars and drug dealers who had been tormenting householders by using a 50yd alleyway between Windale Avenue and Pegasus Road five weeks ago.

But Oxfordshire County Council highways officers have halted the scheme, saying that approval was granted by the wrong department and the closure is illegal, because the alleyway is classed as a public highway.

Frustrated neighbours now fear two years of campaigning have ben wasted.

Paul and Sandra Witts, of Windale Avenue, are one of many families who say they are suffering from thieves, burglars, rats, human excrement and drug users in the alleyway.

Mr Witts said: "We were told it was going to happen at the end of the year. I'm gobsmacked.

"It's taken two years to get to this stage and we still need it. Now we're back to square one. But we're not going to give up."

Brian Lester, the chairman of Blackbird Leys Parish Council said: "I'm absolutely disgusted that, once again, the residents are being dangled by the county council, after they told us eight months ago they had no objections."

A county council spokesman said: "We had been working for a long time to try to find a way round the legal issues of a well documented pedestrian through route.

"The city council seems to have jumped the gun after it got permission from our countryside service, instead of highways officers.

"But, much to the surprise of the highways department, the city council was going ahead and we had to dive in and stop it."

Confusion began eight months ago when the county's countryside service raised no objections when contacted about the proposal.

Oxford City Council's south east area committee announced the go-ahead for the closure in August.

But county highways officials say any fresh closure moves will have to wait until the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act comes into effect next year.

Barbara Gatehouse, Leys and Lye county councillor, said: "You may think it's an alleyway, but its a highway, and if the council went ahead it would be a problem."