Noisy car meets at Milton Park & Ride to be tackled with order
Tougher measures to tackle dangerous and disruptive driving at Milton Park & Ride site have been backed by the community.
Residents have reported cars and motorbikes speeding, and motorists revving engines, performing stunts, playing loud music or engaging in threatening or rude behaviour.
In a consultation by South Cambridgeshire District Council, 118 or 125 respondents backed the introduction of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) at the Butt Lane site.
It would introduce new rules that could enable culprits to be fined.
Residents reported that some evenings the site “sounds like the starting grid at Brands Hatch”. One neighbour said that almost every night drivers were “doing burnouts, skidding, speeding” and described it as “awful”.
Others said it was “stressful” and disrupted their sleep, and some were contemplating leaving Milton as a result.
Cllr Natalie Warren-Green, lead cabinet member for environment, said: “The message is clear - people want action. The Milton Park & Ride should be a safe and welcoming space for everyone, and this PSPO gives us the tools to tackle the reckless behaviour that’s been causing distress. We’re now moving ahead with implementation.”
Cambridgeshire County Council has now instructed contractors to start enabling works. Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems existing CCTV will be used to enforce the new rules, allowing the council to track vehicles and issue fines without needing staff on site.
The council received 65 complaints over the past two years about the site.
Cllr Anna Bradnam, a South Cambridgeshire district councillor for Milton, said: “I am delighted that the Public Spaces Protection Order has been issued by the council for the Park & Ride site. Residents have been disturbed by anti-social driving late at night and weekend after weekend. We are grateful for the actions the Police have taken in the past - but this Order makes it easier to stop disturbances quickly. It gives the ability to issue a fixed penalty on the first offence, which will nip bad behaviour in the bud and act as a short sharp shock for anti-social drivers.”
PSPOs are legal tools used by local authorities in England and Wales to address anti-social behaviour in public areas. They were introduced under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and allow councils to impose restrictions on specific activities within designated areas to ensure public spaces can be enjoyed by everyone.
A PSPO can be issued by a local authority if certain criteria are met. Activities must have a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those nearby, the behaviour must be persistent or continuing and the restrictions must be justified to prevent or reduce the detrimental effect.