RESTRICTIONS INCOMING: Hillingdon Council to set sights on taxi and private hire vehicles waiting for Heathrow fares

Hillingdon Council is launching a public consultation to address long-standing issues caused by taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs) waiting in residential streets near Heathrow Airport. The Council has received numerous complaints from residents about inconsiderate parking, engine idling, littering, public urination, and disruptive noise. Despite existing parking controls, the issues persist, leading the Council to explore new legal restrictions.

The consultation will gather input from residents, taxi and PHV drivers, and other stakeholders on the possible introduction of a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO). The PSPO could prohibit taxis and PHVs from parking in certain areas near Heathrow, providing the Council with stronger enforcement powers to deter these behaviours.

According to a council report, current parking management schemes, which restrict parking to permit holders, have proved ineffective. Between February 2023 and January 2024, over 9,000 incidents were recorded of taxis and PHVs violating parking rules in the wards closest to Heathrow. However, in most cases, drivers moved their vehicles before enforcement officers could issue a penalty charge notice. Additionally, over the last 12 months, 475 fixed penalty notices were issued to drivers for littering and violating existing Public Spaces Protection Orders, but the problem continues unabated.

Hillingdon's existing controls, including fines for parking and anti-social behaviour, have not sufficiently mitigated the disruption caused by PHVs and taxis. The Council has deployed significant resources to address these issues, but the continued impact on residents has prompted a review of legal options. Introducing a PSPO specifically targeting this behaviour could significantly reduce the strain on local communities.

The Council's concerns are heightened by the introduction of similar measures in neighbouring Spelthorne, which could push the problem further into Hillingdon. Spelthorne introduced its own PSPO in May 2024, and early reports suggest it has already resulted in an increase in taxis and PHVs waiting in other areas.

Although Heathrow provides a low-cost authorised waiting area for PHVs with facilities including toilets and refreshments, many drivers continue to park in residential streets to avoid the £1 hourly fee. Black cabs, traditionally restricted to designated queuing areas, are also said to be contributing to the problem as new booking apps allow them to wait nearby for jobs, further increasing pressure on local streets.

Hillingdon is considering several legal options, with the PSPO emerging as the most promising. The order could allow for enforcement through fines based on evidence collected by cameras or enforcement officers. Residents may also provide evidence, adding further strength to enforcement actions. By contrast, other options, such as a Traffic Regulation Order, would be less effective as current legislation prevents enforcement through camera evidence alone.

The legal framework for PSPOs, established by the Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, allows local authorities to introduce these orders if the activities in question have a detrimental and persistent effect on local quality of life. The Council is confident that these criteria are met in this case.

The consultation will assess the extent of the problems, the times of day most affected, and how a PSPO might impact different groups, including local businesses. An equality impact assessment will be carried out as part of the process to ensure the order is proportionate and justified.

Hillingdon Council will review the findings of the consultation and decide whether to proceed with the introduction of a PSPO, which could provide residents near Heathrow with relief from ongoing traffic and anti-social behaviour problems.