Council uses Public Space Protection Order to crack down on street racing
The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham has introduced a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) under which any driver looking to street race or perform stunts in a particular area in the south of the borough could face a fine of up to £1000.
The order also gives the police and the council the power to fine those who attend to watch a ‘road racing’ type event.
The introduction of the PSPO is part of Barking and Dagenham’s response to incidents in the Choats Road area in 2016. Up to 400 vehicles reportedly congregated there for street races.
The new order includes banning activities carried out as follows:
- Speeding
- Driving in convoy
- Racing
- Performing stunts
- Sounding horns (as to cause public nuisance)
- Revving engines
- Wheel spins
Cllr Laila Butt, Barking and Dagenham’s cabinet member for enforcement and community safety, said the order was introduced after complaints from residents.
She said: “We have listened to our residents which is why we are showing the red flag to the irresponsible boy racers and petrol heads who are not only jeopardising their own safety but others around them.
“A whole swathe of the borough will be off limits to these boy racers who think they can use our streets as Silverstone or Brands Hatch.”
More information about the Public Spaces Order can be found at www.lbbd.gov.uk/pspo
