Forum topic: Clampdown on A10 speeding and other forms of anti-social behaviour

• A multiagency "clampdown" on A10 speeding is planned, including the use of a PSPO to break up "car cruising meets"
• Public responses to the proposed package of PSPO measures have been highly supportive and they are likely to be introduced

A10 anti-speeding measures

Enfield Council, the Metropolitan Police and Transport for London (TfL) have agreed a coordinated package of measures designed to address the problem of motorists speeding and driving dangerously along the A10, starting with the installation of mobile speed cameras in the coming months.

Measures designed to stop "car cruising meets" at retail parks along the A10 will be included in a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) which the Council is planning to introduce and will provide the police with new powers on top of the speed enforcement operations which they already carry out.  TfL is "rolling out a sequence of measures" starting with mobile speed cameras in the short-term, whilst investigating the feasibility of more long term enforcement solutions such as average speed cameras. 

Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Rickett, the Met’s Roads and Transport Policing Command, says that the police will not hesitate to take action against those caught speeding:

"Excess speed is an undisputed contributor to road traffic collisions in London.  The consequences of excess speed can be devastating for victims and their families.

"My message is clear: Speeding wrecks lives and drivers who do so can expect a robust police response."

PSPO package set for approval

The proposed Public Spaces Protection Order that was consulted on this year will be considered by Enfield's Cabinet at its meeting on Wednesday 15th November. The list of "anti-social behaviours" covered by the proposals is as follows:

• Control of alcohol consumption;
• Vehicle cruising (to include speeding, driving in convoy, racing, performing stunts, sounding horns and revving engines as to cause a nuisance, and wheel spins) involving cars, motorbikes, mopeds, trucks, vans and lorries and other vehicles;
• Holding of fireworks to cause intimidation etc and throwing of fireworks;
• Dog controls;
• Persons loitering causing nuisance etc. in Council housing estates;
• Intimidatory begging;
• Possession, use and supply of psychoactive substances;
• Persons windscreen washing/selling goods;
• Prostitution;
• Smoking in playgrounds;
• Flying of drones;
• Vehicles deposited on Council land or land adjoining the highway for an unreasonable period of time;
• Parking around schools;
• Riding of mopeds to cause alarm, distress, annoyance or criminal damage; and
• Loitering by persons in certain locations causing intimidation, harassment, alarm or distress and/or drug dealing/use

PSPOs are enforced by Authorised Officers of the Council and the Police by either service of a Fixed Penalty Notice up to a maximum of £100 (set by the Council), or by prosecution with a court fine of up to £1,000 on conviction (or up to £500 for alcohol offences).

A report to be considered by the Cabinet notes very high public support for all measures and recommends that the Cabinet approves a list of draft orders which would introduce all of them - the one exception being illegal parking around schools.

Responses to the proposals to introduce a penalty for "parking around schools" were mixed and there were calls for a designated "kiss and drop" zone outside schools.  The recommendation to the Cabinet is that more detailed appraisal of the options should be carried out.