Have your say on the proposed new PSPO

Thursday, 25 April 2024 14:45

By David Murphy

Residents are being asked for their views about 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. These vehicles are usually known as motocross bikes, pitbikes, quad bikes and mini-motos. A Fixed Penalty Notice of £100 will be issued to anyone caught contravening the order.

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