West London neighbourhoods plagued by taxi drivers defecating in streets waiting for Heathrow jobs
Taxi and private hire drivers could be banned from waiting in certain roads around Heathrow Airport to combat antisocial behaviour that includes them urinating and defecating outside people's homes. Hillingdon Council plans to hold a public consultation on proposals to enforce a restricted zone in neighbourhoods around Heathrow to deal with growing concerns about the behaviour of drivers waiting for jobs at the airport.
Residents of streets in West Drayton, Heathrow Villages and Pinkwell have long complained to the council about the issue of Hackney Carriage and private hire vehicle (PHV) drivers including those associated with apps like Uber. These complaints range from inconsiderate parking, to littering, urination and defecation in public. Some residents claim to have suffered abusive behaviour when confronting drivers.
Proposed measures include the introduction of a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) which would ban any taxi or PHV being used for hire from parking or waiting in the restricted area. Any taxi that is hired by residents within the exclusion zone would be exempt from these restrictions. Any person that refused to comply with this order may be fined up to £100.
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There are already a number of controls in place which intend to minimise the impact on residents caused by people travelling to and from the airport which allow the council to issue Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) for parking violations. In April this year, Heathrow Airport launched a portal where residents can report concerns directly to them - so far this year they have received 93 complaints. Despite the introduction of the portal and controls by the council, reports continue.
Councillor Eddie Lavery, Cabinet Member for Residents' Services and a councillor for Ickenham and South Harefield, said: "This has been a longstanding nuisance. Some 475 FPNs (Fixed Penalty Notice) have been issued for other offences by these vehicles covered by our existing PSPOs in the last 12 months.
"It is also now beginning to include some … black cabs, licensed taxis who are also using apps. Both of these groups have waiting facilities within the airport boundary itself but on occasion choose not to use them."
Leader of the council, Cllr Ian Edwards, added: "I particularly welcome this development. I know the impact these vehicles are having on residents. By adopting this PSPO, we find our our own solution and we can bring this nuisance to an end."
The consultation, the date for which has not yet been announced, will seek views on the new PSPO plans to prevent private hire vehicles waiting in the three wards surrounding the airport.
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