Two-thirds say they feel 'unsafe' on Bradford's roads

On Thursday Bradford Council will decide whether to introduce a new Public Space Protection Order in the district to tackle anti-social driving.

If it goes ahead, it would give the police and Council more powers to target anti-social drivers, including people who loudly rev their vehicles, cause a danger to other road users and pedestrians and play loud music, shout, swear or make sexual suggestions from a vehicle.

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The order went out to public consultation last year, and 1,260 members of the Bradford public responded.

On Thursday Bradford Council’s Regulatory and Appeals Committee will decide whether to move ahead with the order.

A report going to members reveals that over three-quarters –76 per cent – of respondents were in favour of the order.

However, some thought the proposals were “an infringement of civil liberties” and could unfairly target car enthusiasts.

If approved, culprits could be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of £100 for breaching the order. Council officers should be able to install the legal framework to get it up and running in the next three months.

The report also reveals the concerns of the people who responded.

When asked how safe they felt in relation to “vehicular nuisance” in the district 40 per cent said they felt “very unsafe” and 30 per cent said they felt “fairly unsafe.”

Just 10 per cent said they felt very safe.

Three quarters of people said they felt less safe in some parts of the district than others, with the city centre judged to be the most unsafe area.

This was followed by Manningham, Leeds Road and Great Horton Road.

Those who responded were also asked if Bradford had a problem with a number of issues.

Seventy-eight per cent of those who responded said there was a fairly big or very big problem with drivers causing danger to other road users, including pedestrians.

Sixty-three per cent said there was a big problem with excessive noise from vehicles, and 58 per cent of people said there was a problem with amplified music being blasted out by vehicles.

When asked if there was a problem with “persons in motor vehicles or congregating around them shouting or swearing at, or abusing, threatening or otherwise intimidating others” 62 per cent of people said it was a problem.

Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson has supported the plans, sending a letter to the Council saying: “ I would wholeheartedly give my support to the PSPO but with the caveat being that enforcement cannot and must not fall to the police alone as whilst they have the ability to stop the moving vehicle much of the remainder of the work can be enforced by Bradford Council as the local highways authority and I welcome further discussion between the Council and West Yorkshire Police about this.”

Councillor Abdul Jabar, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Neighbourhoods and Community Safety, said: “Dangerous, inconsiderate and anti-social vehicle use can have a significant effect on how safe people feel in the district.

“Without the PSPO, it is difficult for the Council or the police to combat anti-social use of a vehicle which does not constitute a breach of a specific motoring law.

“Any action we can take to improve this situation and increase community safety and improve the reputation of the district will be of benefit to residents, visitors and businesses.”

At a police road traffic event yesterday, the Telegraph & Argus asked West Yorkshire Police whether the order would be enforceable.

Superintendent Daniel Greenwood, of Operation Steerside, said: “The police are a key partner with the local authority in relation to the PSPO we’re talking about.

“There is a number of behaviours which could be included under the PSPO subject to consultation.

“We will absolutely work with the local authority. It is a joint approach; we need to work through the details such as who will do the enforcement, but it will give us more tools in our toolbox and more opportunities to target some nuisance behaviours which the public are telling us are causing issues.

“We need to be realistic; it is a tool we can use. It is an opportunity to target people in different ways.

“At the end of the day we want to target the individuals who are causing the most concern and nuisance, and this will allow us to do that.”

The committee will decide whether to go ahead with the order at a meeting in City Hall at 10am on Thursday.