Copyright cambridge-news
A public space protection order (PSPO) has been approved for Milton Park and Ride, allowing the police to tackle anti-social behaviour. Locals have reported issues including racing, loud music and engine revving on the site off the A10. The PSPO, which will allow police to issue fines of up to £500 for first offences, was approved in a unanimous vote by South Cambridgeshire District Council's cabinet on Tuesday (November 4). For second offences, perpetrators could face prosecution. The move comes after police received 65 calls related to incidents here over the last two years. Of these, 44 were logged but not attended, typically because there was not an immediate threat, while 21 calls were attended by officers. In June 2025, two people were issued with police warnings after anti-social driving left tyre marks across Milton Park and Ride. Cambridgeshire County Council recently fitted the site with ANPR cameras. South Cambridgeshire District Council's principal environment officer, James Ashby, told the cabinet that these cameras and the "high-quality CCTV" on the site will help with enforcing the PSPO. In a public consultation that ran for a month from July 1, 2025, the vast majority of residents showed they backed the implementation of the order. There were 125 responses, and 118 of them expressed strong support. Cllr Anna Bradnam, who represents Milton and Waterbeach wards, said during Tuesday's (November 4) cabinet meeting: "I know it has been an enormous amount of work and it has taken longer than people expected because of the complexity and legal requirements. I am glad we are finally getting there. "Residents raised concerns with me over two years ago, about the issues with noise from the Milton Park and Ride. They described sounds of wheelies and squealing tyres late at night almost every weekend. "It has caused disturbance for a lot of people. This PSPO will be extremely welcome and the fact that the fixed penalty notices can be issued at the first occasion will be most helpful." The PSPO will restrict people from carrying out, assisting or encouraging any of the following: Driving a motor vehicle at excessive speeds Driving in a manner likely to cause harassment, alarm, or distress to others Unnecessary or repeated acceleration and deceleration of a motor vehicle Performing stunts in or on a motor vehicle (such as doughnuts, handbrake turns, J-turns, drifting, wheel spinning/burnouts and wheelies) Revving the engine of a stationary motor vehicle unnecessarily or continuously Unnecessary use of the vehicle horn Playing amplified music in, near, or powered by a vehicle that is audible at the boundary of the PSPO or likely to cause nuisance Entering the Restricted Zone in a motor vehicle for the purpose of vehicle display or racing Using threatening, abusive, or intimidating language or behaviour towards other users of the park and ride
