Merton Council proposes £500 fines for engine idling
New Public Spaces Protection Orders could also target laughing gas use and e-scooter riding in parks.
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Merton Council is proposing to ban engine idling across the borough as part of a significant expansion of its Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs). The new measures, if approved, could see drivers fined up to £500 for leaving their engines running unnecessarily. This initiative is part of a wider plan to address various quality of life issues affecting residents.
Broader Scope for New Orders
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Beyond engine idling, the proposed PSPOs aim to tackle other behaviours. These include the public use of nitrous oxide gas, often referred to as laughing gas, and the riding of e-scooters in the borough's green spaces. Council officers stated that illegal e-scooter riding causes danger and disruption, though safeguards will be in place for mobility aid users and emergency services. The council also plans to address stationary vehicles near school zig-zag markings, focusing on locations with proven safety hazards.
Other potential restrictions include fines for public urination, aggressive begging, persistent amplified sound, and unauthorised open fires or barbecues in public parks. The council has stated that safeguards will be implemented to ensure that individuals experiencing homelessness or engaging in public assembly are not penalised.
Enforcement and Fines
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The current fixed penalty notice (FPN) for a PSPO breach stands at £100. However, national legislation, the Crime and Policing Act 2026, permits the maximum fine to be increased to £500. Merton Council officers indicated they could consider this increase from late October. They also emphasised that the PSPOs are not intended as a revenue-generating measure.
Enforcement of the new PSPO-related FPNs will primarily be carried out by the council's Safer Streets Neighbourhood Wardens. The council is adding four more wardens to its in-house team this financial year to manage the anticipated workload. Kingdom enforcement officers, who are contracted by the council, will not have the authority to enforce these new orders.
Public Consultation and Decision
A statutory six-week public consultation on the proposed measures is scheduled to commence on 21 September. Merton Council plans to engage residents, businesses, headteachers, and community organisations through various channels, including face-to-face sessions in Morden, Mitcham, and Wimbledon town centres. Following the consultation period, Merton's cabinet members are expected to make a final decision on the new orders at a meeting on 14 December.
Questions this report answers
+What is Merton Council proposing to ban?
Merton Council is proposing to introduce new Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) that could ban engine idling across the entire borough. Other proposed bans include the public use of laughing gas and e-scooter riding in parks. The council is also looking at restrictions for vehicles near school zig-zag markings.
+How much could the fines be?
The proposed fixed penalty notices (FPNs) for breaches of the new PSPOs could be as high as £500. Currently, the FPN for a PSPO breach is £100. The increase to £500 is permitted under national legislation and could be implemented later this year.
+When will a decision be made?
A statutory six-week public consultation on the proposed measures will begin on 21 September. After the consultation, Merton Council's cabinet is scheduled to make a final decision on the new orders at a meeting on 14 December.
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