Spelthorne’s Public Protection Order: One Year On – In Conversation with Anthony Smith and Tristan Gardner

Rogue parking – both minicabs and unscrupulous meet and greet parking companies can cause real anti-social behaviour problems for residents around Heathrow Airport.

For over a year now the Heathrow Area Transport Forum, which I chair, has been convening all the parties who need to come together to disrupt this activity. So, local authorities, Heathrow Airport, Transport for London, the British Parking Association and others have been working away together to crack down on this blight.

I will blog soon with a full update, but good progress is being made. Of particular interest is the use of Public Space Protection Orders by two local authorities: Spelthorne and Hillingdon. The interview here with Tristan Gardner, Law Enforcement Officer for Spelthorne Borough Council shows just how dogged and effective these have been – other boroughs may follow suit.

Overview

Can you briefly explain what the Spelthorne Public Protection Order (PSPO) is and what it aimed to address, particularly in relation to nuisance parking?

A Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) is a legal order made by a Local Authority that places restrictions on certain activities or groups. In this case, the PSPO was created to tackle anti-social behaviour associated with taxi and private hire drivers parking in communities close to Heathrow by introducing an exclusion area where no waiting is permitted for any vehicle operating for hire or reward purposes.

How did the decision to implement the PSPO come about, and what were some of the key concerns that led to its introduction?

Over several years, Spelthorne Borough Council have received numerous complaints from residents of communities close to Heathrow regarding increasing numbers of taxi and private hire drivers parking within the villages, and in some instances littering, urinating and defecating in public.

Impact and Achievements

Now that the PSPO has been in place for a year, what have been the most noticeable changes in the community and the way nuisance parking is managed?

The PSPO has allowed Council officers to enforce the exclusion area and move on any taxi/private hire drivers waiting. This has led to a noticeable reduction in the quantity of drivers parking within the area, and a similar reduction in reports of associated anti-social behaviour.

Have there been any specific areas or cases where the PSPO has had a particularly positive impact in reducing issues with nuisance parking?

A majority of taxi/private hire drivers have complied with the restrictions since the introduction of the PSPO which has ensured that the enforcement carried out can be more effectively targeted.

How has the PSPO helped improve safety and accessibility for residents, especially in high-traffic or residential areas?

Whilst parking in the area, some taxi/private hire drivers had been in contravention of other restriction such as double yellow lines, and blocking sight lines at junctions. Due to the PSPO restrictions, this issue has markedly reduced, and allowed residents of the villages to navigate more safely.

Enforcement and Challenges

How has the enforcement of the PSPO been handled over the past year, and what measures have been most effective in ensuring compliance?

The enforcement of the PSPO has taken the form of warnings and Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) through patrols carried out by officers over a range of times/days. Several other local authorities whose licensed vehicles have been seen in the area have also been communicated with, and asked to pass on details of the restrictions to their private drivers. In February 2025, the first prosecutions were heard in court following several failures to pay FPNs. The Council secured convictions in four of the five cases, the fifth choosing to go to trial later this year.

Have there been any challenges in enforcing the PSPO or in educating the public about its purpose and guidelines? If so, how were these addressed?

On initially commencing enforcement, feedback from drivers was received that the signage erected was too small to properly read whilst driving. To solve this, much larger signage was sourced and installed at the entrances to the exclusion area to advise drivers of the restrictions.

Is there anything different you will be doing after what has been learned this past year?

The Council aims to continue enforcement to ensure that the level of taxi/private hire drivers in the area does not begin to increase again. Where challenges occur, these are discussed within the team, and where possible appropriate solutions put in place.

Key Stats

Since introduction on 28 May 2024:

• 1662 interventions.

• 1355 written warnings issued.

• 307 Fixed Penalty Notices issued.

• Only 5 repeat offenders from the start of the PSPO.

• 5 cases went to court in April 2025.

• 4 found guilty of Failing to Comply with a Public Space Protection Order.

Spelthorne have increased the number of warning signs around the exclusion area, especially in historic hotspots.

Community Engagement

How has the local community responded to the PSPO? Have you received feedback from residents or businesses about the changes in parking behaviour?

The PSPO was positively responded to during the public consultation and on inception. Since enforcement began, positive feedback from residents has been received regarding the noticeable decline in numbers of taxi/private hire drivers waiting in the villages.

Are there any initiatives in place to further raise awareness about the PSPO and encourage continued cooperation from the public?

The PSPO is advertised through signage within the area. The signage includes the Council’s contact details and a QR code that residents can use to report issues. There is now a specific form on the Council website to allow residents to report potential breaches of the PSPO which can then be investigated.

Future Outlook

Looking ahead, are there any potential adjustments or improvements that you think could be made to the PSPO in the future?

The legislation requires a PSPO to be formally reviewed after a period of three years. At this point, the success of the PSPO will be analysed and feedback sought from stakeholders in relation to potential alterations that might allow the PSPO to meet its objectives more effectively.

What advice would you give to other councils or areas considering a similar approach to tackling nuisance parking?

A PSPO is an efficient way to tackle varied issues, and provided it can be evidenced and supported, can be tailored to fit nearly all situations.

Personal Reflections

From your perspective, what would you say has been the greatest success of the PSPO so far, and why?

Over several years, various solutions have been proposed and attempted to lessen the impact of the taxi/private hire drivers parking within the communities around Heathrow. The vast majority of these have failed to have a noticeable impact, so it is positive that the PSPO has been able to reduce the issues suffered by residents over a long period of time.

If you could highlight one key takeaway from the last year of implementing the PSPO, what would it be?

Whilst the process of obtaining a PSPO and implementing it can be lengthy the results in this scenario speak for themselves and go a long way towards evidencing that the effort put in has been rewarded by the overall success of the PSPO.

Interview with Anthony Smith, Independent Chair, Heathrow Area Transport Forum and Tristan Gardner, Law Enforcement Officer for Spelthorne Borough Council.