Have your say on proposals for a new borough-wide Public Spaces Protection Order

Photo: Denis - stock.adobe.com

The antisocial use of mechanically propelled vehicles (MPVs) would be prohibited under the new PSPO

Rochdale Council is inviting residents to give their views on plans to introduce a new Rochdale borough-wide Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) aimed at reducing antisocial behaviour.

In October 2014 new legislation was introduced that allowed local authorities to apply for PSPOs. A single PSPO can cover multiple restrictions and in 2018 the council introduced a PSPO in Rochdale town centre that prohibits drinking alcohol on the street, driving or using a car in an antisocial manner, obstructing the highway or loitering, and other antisocial activity.

The proposed new PSPO will allow the council to take action against anyone consuming alcohol away from licensed premises and the antisocial use of mechanically propelled vehicles (MPVs), anywhere in the borough. A Fixed Penalty Notice of £100 will be issued to anyone caught contravening the order.

The council has launched a survey that can be completed online and is holding drop in sessions at venues across the borough where people can discuss the proposals and give their views.
 

What are the proposed prohibitions?
It is proposed under the new PSPO that it will be an offence if anyone, when requested by an authorised officer, refuses to stop drinking alcohol in a public place away from licensed premises and hand over any opened container of alcohol.

It is proposed under the new PSPO that mechanically propelled vehicles (MPVs) should not be used on any publicly owned land in the borough, or on any other land without permission. These vehicles are commonly known as motocross bikes, pitbikes, quad bikes and mini-motos.

Kuiama Thompson, director of public health and communities, said: “We are committed to creating a borough that residents can be proud of. We have listened to your reports of antisocial behaviour and now urge you to complete the survey.

“The survey should only take a few minutes to complete, or you can attend one of our drop-in sessions which will give you the opportunity to discuss the proposals, and if you want help to complete the survey. We really do want to gather your opinions on the proposals of this PSPO and we thank you for taking the time to complete it.”

Drop-in sessions are being held on the following dates:

• Monday 15 April from 5pm to 7pm, Middleton Arena, Lance Corporal Joel Halliwell VC Way, Middleton M24 1AG
• Tuesday 16 April from 1pm to 3pm, Littleborough Library, Hare Hill Road, Littleborough, OL15 9HE
• Saturday 20 April from 10am to 12pm, Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale, OL16 1XU
• Tuesday 30 April from 9:30am to 11:30am, The Strand Community Hub, Kirkholt, 17 The Strand, Rochdale OL11 2JG
•  Tuesday 7 May 2024 from 4pm to 6pm, Old Norden Library, 782 Edenfield Rd, Norden, Rochdale OL12 7RB
• Wednesday 8 May 2024 from 9am to 11am, Heywood Library, Lance Corporal Stephen Shaw MC Way, Heywood OL10 1LL

You can complete the survey online by 25 June at Proposed Borough Wide Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) Public Consultation Survey - Rochdale Borough Council - Citizen Space.