Bid to tackle park and ride anti-social behaviour

A public consultation has been launched to tackle ongoing issues with dangerous and disruptive driving at a Cambridge park and ride.

There was "persistent anti-social activity" at Babraham Road Park and Ride between April 2024 and January this year, said South Cambridgeshire District Council and Cambridge City Council, with 22 reports made in the timeframe.

The consultation proposes introducing a public spaces protection order (PSPO) aimed at curbing anti-social behaviour using automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras and existing CCTV to enforce the order.

The authorities said the public can give their views until 27 March.

The councils said incidents had included organised car meets, noise from vehicles, dangerous driving and vehicle stunts, mainly during the evenings and late at night.

The PSPO gives council the power to issue fines to perpetrators and offenders can be prosecuted in court.

The use of ANPR cameras alongside the CCTV at the site would allow the councils to track vehicles and issue fines without needing someone to be there at the time.

A similar order was introduced at Milton Park and Ride, north of the city, last year after anti-social behaviour.

Natalie Warren-Green, lead cabinet member for environment at the district council, said: "Residents have told us just how disruptive and intimidating this behaviour has become, especially late at night."

Mike Todd-Jones, cabinet member for safety, wellbeing and tackling homelessness at the city council, encouraged people to give their feedback.

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