Have Your Say - PSPO Extension

Since the Council first implemented the town centre cycling PSPO in 2016, over 3200 tickets have been issued to those cycling illegally through pedestrianised areas of our town centre.

This PSPO is set to expire next year, and the Council is consulting on continuing it for a further three years and including additional restrictions on e-scooters and skateboarding.

PSPOs give Councils the powers to carry out enforcement actions such as issuing fines against those who commit these anti-social behaviours.

Cycling in the pedestrianised part of the town centre can endanger pedestrians and discourage shoppers. The Council is proposing to continue the existing PSPO, which restricts cycling in pedestrianised areas of the town centre between 9am and 6pm.

The Council has received increasing complaints about the use of e-scooters in both the pedestrianised area of Bedford town centre and in local parks and open spaces. Currently the Council has no powers to enforce against them, even though they are currently not legal on public land.

The proposed extension to the PSPO would give Council officers these powers to enforce against those riding e-scooters in the pedestrianised area of the town centre and many of our parks.

The Council would also gain powers to tackle irresponsible skateboarding, and related noise and damage that is being caused to benches and other street furniture in the main pedestrian area of Bedford Town Centre at all times.

To view the locations where restriction are being considered please visit https://www.bedford.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/have-your-say/consultations/pspo-consultation/.

Councillor Charles Royden, Portfolio Holder for Environment said, "Without this PSPO, our officers would not have been able to issue any of these over 3200 tickets, enforcing against this offence which endangers pedestrians and shoppers in our town centre. The Council does not have powers to enforce against nuisance riding of e-scooters or damage-causing skateboarding in pedestrianised areas. By bringing in this PSPO, focusing on specific problem areas we are enabling our officers to tackle these anti-social behaviours. Please have your say on this consultation."

Find out more and have your say at https://www.bedford.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/have-your-say/consultations/pspo-consultation/.

You can also email: consultingbedford@bedford.gov.uk or write to: Consulting Bedford, Borough Hall, Cauldwell Street, Bedford MK42 9AP. Hard copies are available at all Bedford Borough libraries or on request.

Comments should be received by Tuesday 4 January 2022 and may be published.