Calls for PSPO to be extended to Nevendon Park, Wickford

Basildon Council will consider extending its public space protection order (PSPO) ban on using cars in parks to Nevendon Recreation Ground in Wickford.

Currently, the order prohibits te use of any motor vehicle or e-scooter in 14 public parks including Gloucester Park, Wickford Memorial Park and Victoria Park.

Wickford councillor David Harrison asked the council for “urgent arrangements” to include Nevendon Park in the list of places included in the ban at a meeting last week.

“These louts are roaring around on motorbikes and quadbikes terrorising residents,” Mr Harrison said.

“Lots of residents have contacted me about problems with these motorcyclists. 

“We urgently need the order widened to account for every park in the borough, as if the PSPO does not cover all the parks, then the problem-makers just move along to the places that aren’t protected and the issues continue.”

Leader of the council Andrew Baggott says he will take up the issue of anti-social behaviour in the recreational ground with Essex Police.

He said: “We are absolutely adamant that we will stamp out any form of anti-social behaviour or anything which is going on which is making our residents’ lives a misery.”

However, he said that while the council would look at expanding the PSPO if there are issues identified with the area, it would have to follow a process, and that he did not know how long it would take.

The council approved a borough-wide order last year and set the penalty for breaching the ban at £100 – discounted to £75 if paid within seven days of being issued – at a meeting earlier this month.

The order, which came into effect at the start of July, bans drinking alcohol and taking drugs in Pitsea and Basildon town centres.

Car meets and car cruising were also banned in Pitsea town centre and Festival Leisure Park while pony trapping was outlawed in Cranfield Park, Wickford Barn Hall Recreation Ground, and Northlands Park.