Bedford Borough Council is asking residents to have their say on additional Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO) for the town centre.
The consultation includes continuing controversial restrictions on cycling in the town centre and would include additional restrictions on the use of e-scooters and skateboards.
Since the Council first implemented the town centre cycling PSPO in 2016, over 3,200 tickets have been issued to those cycling illegally through pedestrianised areas of our town centre.
It is currently illegal to cycle in the pedestrianised areas of the town centre between 9am and 6pm.
However, one critic of the policy said that since 1999, Crashmap has only recorded two incidents in the pedestrianised zone being caused by a cyclist.
In the same period, of the 49 incidents with cyclist victims that occurred on the through roads that cyclists are forced onto to avoid the pedestrianised zone, seven were serious incidents.
“Evidence shows that the restriction is helping cause far more injuries than it is avoiding,” said Cllr Ben Foley.
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.
You can give your views on the consultation here.
PSPOs give Councils the powers to carry out enforcement actions such as issuing fines against those who commit these anti-social behaviours.
Safe and considerate cyclists unfairly penalised
Bedford’s Green Councillors said they welcomed the consultation and urged people to respond to it.
They say thousands of people choosing to cycle into town have been penalised through the current restrictions on cycling – even safely and considerately – in the town centre.
Green Party councillor, Lucy Bywater, said: “People often tell us they’ve been put off cycling to the town centre by the threat of fines. This includes elderly and disabled people for whom cycling into the pedestrianised zone is the only way they can physically access town-centre shops.
“The Council needs to recognise that bikes are often used as a mobility aid and that disabled people are being disadvantaged.”
It is illegal to ride recklessly, dangerously, carelessly or in an inconsiderate manner, regardless of PSPOs being in place.
“What the PSPO is doing is penalising careful, considerate cyclists, the ones who tend to stop for enforcement officers and give their details,” said Lucy.
“By contrast, enforcement staff are powerless when faced with a reckless or inconsiderate cyclist failing to stop, who gets away without a fine.”
Similar concerns were raised by the Conservative Group, regarding the apprehension of illegal e-scooter riders.
“E-Scooters are a growing menace, [so] any steps taken to curb their use in pedestrian areas and parks is welcomed,” said deputy group leader, Cllr Roger Rigby.
“What needs explaining is how enforcement will take place safely? Currently, speedy cyclists can evade our officers.
“How will e-scooters be stopped? Are stingers to be rolled out in the wide pedestrian boulevards of Bedford High Street or will The Sweeney-style chases take place around the parks with enforcement officers on souped-up E-scooters?”
Cllr Rigby said he felt that extending the restrictions was timely, but warned that the “sensible and appropriate management of its powers is the key to success.”
Council currently has no powers to enforce against e-scooters
The Council says it 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.
Acknowledging there were problems with e-scooter use, Cllr Foley said: “Action against e-scooters needs to come from central Government restricting sales of e-scooters (that are illegal to use on public land), and regulating e-scooters to make them safe and legal to use on the road.”
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.
You can view the locations where restrictions are being considered here.
Cllr 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 bedford.gov.uk/pspoconsultation.
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.
