Taxi Driver Online

Thought this was about something in another recent thread, but that was actually about BHX, not LHR

But unsurprising that the issues are largely similar - parking, littering, blah, blah...

But this all looks very messy in terms of enforcement and precisely what it covers etc. For a start, there's the usual ambiguity over the t-word. Which is presumably used generically below - can't believe it's just about 'taxis' in the technical sense, rather than also PHVs...

In fact, a BBC report on the same issue states it's about "taxi drivers and private vehicles" - I'd guess the latter means PHVs rather than private cars as the term is usually used to mean ordinary motorists.


Taxi drivers accused of littering in Spelthorne to be held accountable by order.

https://planetradio.co.uk/greatest-hits ... -by-order/

A new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) has been put in place by Spelthorne Council.

The measures aim to prevent anti-social behaviour reportedly committed by some taxi drivers, which has been blighting the area close to Heathrow airport.

The PSPO will crackdown on reported littering, property damage, and defecation and urination on public land in Stanwell and Stanwell Moor.

Tents, barbecues and taxi parking will also be banned.

Sanctions for offenders will include warnings, fixed penalty notices (FPNs) of up to £1,000, and potential prosecution.

Details of the new order were agreed at a Spelthorne committee meeting held on the 21st of March.

Heathrow Airport has also backed the council’s proposed measures for a zone in Stanwell Moor and the surrounding areas where taxi drivers will not be allowed to park.

Vehicles will now only be allowed to pick up or drop off a fare within the prohibited area, if the company operating the vehicle is based in the exclusion area.

A spokesperson for Heathrow Airport said:

“Littering, urination and defecation are detrimental acts of harm to the local community, but they are of considerable harm to the environment and the delicate ecosystem around Stanwell Moor.”

Kathleen Croft, the vice chair of Stanwell Moor Residents Forum, says the enforcement measures are much needed:

“The drivers come and clean out their taxis here, then just chuck the stuff into the street.”

“These people have to be stopped, and it's up to us to report them.”

“Then the council will definitely do something about it, so beware!”

Spelthorne council say that specialist cleaning companies have had to be deployed in Stanwell Moor on several occasions, costing the £1,000 per clean.

As a result of the order, enforcement officers from the council and Surrey Police will be given further powers to deal with the issues.

The PSPO is pledged to last for at least three years.

There's another potential cracker in terms of definition - what does 'based' in the area mean, precisely? A 'bricks and mortar' office, maybe? But using cross-border cars would be OK if the op has a local office? And what does a 'company operating the vehicle based in the exclusion area' mean in terms of HCs? Plated by the relevant council area, or what? And what if a locally-based PH operator was using an HC plated in another area?

And sounds very ropey not allowing cars not based in the area to drop or pick-off anyway, which presumably covers quite a substantial area

And there was me thinking the above was already unlawful.

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IDFIMH

Who would have thought Heathrow would support a plan that makes drivers go into the airport to park, at £7.50 for 25 minutes?

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IDFIMH

I thought the AVA was much less than that ?

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Slightly different angle on it all here

There are a few photos on the website if anyone feels the need, but they're mainly tents and barbecue debris etc. There are a couple of PHVs sitting on double yellows, but not very exciting at all.

And certainly no photos of drivers 'weeing and pooing'. Thankfully


Cab drivers slammed over 'horrendous weeing and pooing' near Heathrow Airport homes

https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey ... s-28869094

The enforcement seeks to crackdown on littering, property damage, defecation and urination on public land and in communities close to Heathrow Airport.

Cab drivers defecating in bushes and on streets near Heathrow Airport have pushed Spelthorne Council to act. New restrictions ban tents, barbecues and cabbies parking in problem areas.

Tents, barbecues and cab parking will be banned to prevent anti-social behaviour in a new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) by Spelthorne Council. Warnings, fixed penalty notices (FPNs) of up to £1,000, and potential prosecution for offenders was agreed as part of the PSPO at a Spelthorne committee meeting held March 21.

The crackdown seeks to end what residents describe as a "horrendous" situation where they've had to tolerate people "weeing and pooing" in public areas near their homes.

According to the council, cab drivers waiting to pick up Heathrow fares have often relieved themselves in bushes, hedgerows and on village streets despite available toilet facilities nearby. Stanwell and Stanwell Moor communities closest to the airport say they have borne the brunt of this antisocial behaviour, with one resident saying they felt unsafe even challenging the offending cab drivers.

Stanwell residents said in response to the consultation: “We want our village back” and “Enough is enough”. One respondent said they had challenged private hire drivers for dropping litter and felt they are “putting [their] personal safety at risk”. Others said some drivers have been verbally “aggressive” towards them.

Meeting documents state: “Drivers seemingly prefer to urinate and occasionally defecate in bushes, hedgerows and on the street.” Some drivers seem to behave as such despite toilet facilities being available in Tesco Extra on Town Lane, McDonald’s, Esso and pubs in the villages.

An email from a Spelthorne Litter Pickers trustee said: “What residents have to tolerate [...] I could not mentally process. People weeing and pooing outside where they live? It must be horrendous.”

Vehicles will be allowed to pick up or drop off a fare within the prohibited area, if the company operating the vehicle is based in, or the driver lives in, the exclusion area.

The committee gladly welcomed the PSPO, with one ward councillor stating: “For the residents to have some peace and quiet for once knowing there’s something in place with these unfortunate taxi drivers moved on.”

Heathrow Airport agreed with the council’s proposed measures for a zone in Stanwell Moor and surrounding areas where cab drivers will not be allowed to park. Receiving regular feedback from residents, the airport was aware of the persistent anti-social behaviour issues.

Heathrow said in response to the consultation: “Littering, urination and defecation are detrimental acts of harm to the local community, but they are of considerable harm to the environment and the delicate ecosystem around Stanwell Moor.”

The banning of tents or shelters is also proposed, which aims to limit littering, public urination and defecation caused by people using the tents on public land. Meeting documents state: "The proposed PSPO seeks to protect the community from the detrimental effect on the quality of life" from those "continuing unreasonable behaviours".

There have been reports of people staying in tents on public land and using areas of parks as a toilet. Specialist cleaning companies have had to be deployed on several occasions, costing the council £1,000 per clean, the council stated. Concerns were raised on the potential effect on the homeless if tents were banned. Officers said enforcement action will not be taken against rough sleepers in tents unless all offers of assistance have been refused, and reports of anti-social behaviour are received.

Fires, barbecues and cooking equipment with an open flame will also be banned to prevent fires growing out of control, burning grass and damaging picnic benches. Meeting documents stated Surrey Fire and Rescue Service attended 12 incidents involving a barbecue in April and September in 2022 and 2023.

Council officers said there will be discretion in the enforcement of the rules. Fairs and events will be able to continue as normal, providing it is pre-arranged and approved by the council.

Enforcement officers from the council and Surrey Police will be given further powers to deal with the highlighted issues. Coming into force in 2024, the PSPO will last for at least three years.

Around 70% of 349 respondents agreed with the proposals in a consultation held between January 2-31 this year. Surrey Police, Heathrow Airport and Staines Moor Masters were also involved in the consultation.

One of the world's most high profile airports complaining about 'harm to the environment' and the 'delicate ecosystem'?


All very good in theory, for someone who doesn't do the job, and knows the local area.

But, I mean, local pubs will let drivers just waltz in to use the lavvies? If I was a pub landlord, or staff at Tesco or McDonald's, am I really willing to allow legions of taxi drivers to use the bogs?

And in St Andrews, there are basically zero public toilets after 6pm or so. And the ones I do use occasionally (Morrison's or Aldi) I only use when I'm in there getting shopping (shopping trips timed in accordance with the needs of my bladder, obviously) - I wouldn't use the likes of a business that I don't normally use as a customer.

So if I do need to go at night, I normally wait until I get an out-of-town run, or one close enough to the edge of town that I can drive out a bit to do the necessary. And I'm always as discreet as possible

But, anyway, all that's not to defend indiscreet and aggressive drivers, but just to say that the people who mump and moan about stuff like that don't really consider the practicalities of it all

And I'm certainly not going to be googling that.

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IDFIMH

Peace and quiet half a mile away from one of the world's busiest airports.

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IDFIMH

Nothing particularly new here, but the Sun has certainly gone to town with this, with quite a long piece and a ton of photos. (But which could maybe be more succinct - but I suppose that's maybe a symptom of online stuff; there's not the same space constraints as with the 'dead tree' press.)

Can certainly appreciate what the residents are saying, though, and often the trade is its own worse enemy with stuff like littering - I can certainly identify with needing to go for a piddle, but no excuse for leaving places like a rubbish tip

Problem is, though, that despite the length of this piece, it barely mentions the root of the problem, which is presumably the parking charge regimes at the likes of Heathrow. And, of course, at the vast majority of other airports. Except Dundee

(And can't be bothered putting it all on here, so there's just the link if anyone feels like reading it...)


TAXING TIMES We live by Heathrow Airport – ‘disgusting’ taxi drivers are ruining our lives… they wee in the street & ‘intimidate us’

https://www.thesun.co.uk/motors/2858734 ... ing-lives/

One resident said a taxi driver recently squared up to him when he confronted him

not sure about the term "dead tree press" in 99% of cases the tree was alive and healthy when it was cut down. I prefer the term "Kraft press"

Heathrow did introduce the AVA but maybe an additional area somewhere is needed with toilet facilities perhaps with a £1 charge but you get up to 12 hours for that which should at least cover the cost of toilet provision

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector