Cabbies defecating in bushes and on streets near Heathrow Airport have pushed Spelthorne Council to act. New restrictions ban tents, barbecues and cabbies parking in problem areas.
SurreyLive reports that tents, barbecues and cab parking will be banned to prevent anti-social behaviour in a new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) by Spelthorne Council. Warnings, fixed penalty notices (FPNs) of up to £1,000, and potential prosecution for offenders was agreed as part of the PSPO at a Spelthorne committee meeting held on March 21.
The crackdown seeks to end what residents describe as a "horrendous" situation where they've had to tolerate people "weeing and pooing" in public areas near their homes.
According to the council, cab drivers waiting to pick up Heathrow fares have often relieved themselves in bushes, hedgerows and on village streets despite available toilet facilities nearby. Stanwell and Stanwell Moor communities closest to the airport say they have borne the brunt of this antisocial behaviour, with one resident saying they felt unsafe even challenging the offending cab drivers.
Stanwell residents said in response to the consultation: “We want our village back” and “Enough is enough”. One respondent said they had challenged private hire drivers for dropping litter and felt they are “putting [their] personal safety at risk”. Others said some drivers have been verbally “aggressive” towards them.
An email from a Spelthorne Litter Pickers trustee said: “What residents have to tolerate [...] I could not mentally process. People weeing and pooing outside where they live? It must be horrendous.”
Vehicles will be allowed to pick up or drop off a fare within the prohibited area, if the company operating the vehicle is based in, or the driver lives in, the exclusion area.
The committee gladly welcomed the PSPO, with one ward councillor stating: “For the residents to have some peace and quiet for once knowing there’s something in place with these unfortunate taxi drivers moved on.”
Heathrow Airport agreed with the council’s proposed measures for a zone in Stanwell Moor and surrounding areas where cab drivers will not be allowed to park. Receiving regular feedback from residents, the airport was aware of the persistent anti-social behaviour issues.
Heathrow said in response to the consultation: “Littering, urination and defecation are detrimental acts of harm to the local community, but they are of considerable harm to the environment and the delicate ecosystem around Stanwell Moor.”
The banning of tents or shelters is also proposed, which aims to limit littering, public urination and defecation caused by people using the tents on public land. Meeting documents state: "The proposed PSPO seeks to protect the community from the detrimental effect on the quality of life" from those "continuing unreasonable behaviours".
There have been reports of people staying in tents on public land and using areas of parks as a toilet. Specialist cleaning companies have had to be deployed on several occasions, costing the council £1,000 per clean, the council stated.
Concerns were raised on the potential effect on the homeless if tents were banned. Officers said enforcement action will not be taken against rough sleepers in tents unless all offers of assistance have been refused, and reports of anti-social behaviour are received.
Council officers said there will be discretion in the enforcement of the rules.
Enforcement officers from the council and Surrey Police will be given further powers to deal with the highlighted issues. Coming into force in 2024, the PSPO will last for at least three years.
Around 70% of 349 respondents agreed with the proposals in a consultation held between January 2-31 this year. Surrey Police, Heathrow Airport and Staines Moor Masters were also involved in the consultation.
Source: https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/cab-drivers-slammed-over-horrendous-28869094
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