Friday 1 December 2017

Public Spaces Protection Order for Shepherds Bush Station

Shepherd's Bush Tube Station: not often this peaceful
Local residents will have noticed how noisy it can get outside Shepherd's Bush Tube Station on weekends, with all sorts of political and religious groups competing for attention with music and loud hailers. 

As a result, LBHF (our Council) have introduced a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in the area outside Shepherds Bush Station (Central Line), to tackle noise nuisance from busking, street entertainment and amplified public speaking. 

The aim of the PSPO is "to stop individuals or groups committing antisocial behaviour in public spaces".

What is a PSPO?
A PSPO, created by the 2014 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act, is intended to deal with "particular nuisances or problems in a defined area that affects the local community’s quality of life". This is done by imposing restrictions on the use of that area. The aim is to "stop individuals or groups committing antisocial behaviour in public spaces".

The problem with Shepherd's Bush Station
According to LBHF, they "consulted widely on this issue over during spring 2016 and the overwhelming response was that something should be done to address noisy busking, street entertainment and amplified public speaking outside Shepherds Bush Station". They have therefore taken the step of introducing a PSPO.

Prohibited activities
  • Street entertaining, busking and public speaking outside of the hours of 10am and 6pm within the area shown outlined in red on the attached map (see right).
  • permitting music or voice to be amplified to a level to be so loud that it can be heard beyond the area shown outlined in red on the attached map.
  • using mains electricity or generator power for the purposes of amplification
  • using microphones/loudspeakers/megaphones/loud hailers or any other similar equipment designed to amplify the volume of speech or music
  • busking/entertaining/public speaking within 50 metres of another busker/street entertainer or public speaker
Buskers/street entertainers/ public speaking shall not occupy any one location for more than one (1) hour at a time within the area shown outlined in red on the attached map. 

There shall be no return to the area shown outlined in red on the attached map within any 24 hour period.

It is an offence for a person without reasonable excuse to engage in an activity that is prohibited by this order. 

Penalties
A person found to be in breach of this order is liable on summary conviction to a maximum penalty of £1,000 or to a fixed penalty notice of £100.

Copy of the order
Here is a copy of the order, including a map of the controlled zone. You can also view the map.

Breaches of the PSPO
If, despite the PSPO, you see anyone in breach of it, you can report it by ringing the Council on
020 8753 1081 or 020 8748 8588 or email: Environmentalprotection@lbhf.gov.uk

To see the order itself, follow this link.

The Shepherd's Bush Blog offers a personal view on life in Shepherd's Bush. If you would like to contribute a story, email us at shepherdsbushblog(at)gmail.com. And don't forget to add your opinion in the comments section below.

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