HEATHROW CABBIES BANNED FROM WAITING IN NEARBY NEIGHBOURHOODS AFTER ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

Taxi and private hire drivers will no longer be permitted to wait for fares in residential areas near Heathrow Airport following complaints of "urinating and defecating" outside homes.

Hillingdon Council has implemented a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) banning drivers from parking or waiting in streets within Pinkwell, Heathrow Villages and West Drayton.

This decision comes after residents raised concerns about noise, littering and aggressive behaviour from some drivers.

The council held a public consultation between September 20, 2024, and November 1, 2024. Residents and taxi drivers alike were given the opportunity to contribute.

One resident reported: "It's hard to find parking, they overcrowd and litter our areas, they urinate in public view."

Another alleged that drivers typically become aggressive. They said: “I have suffered for 12 years having taxi drivers park outside my house, I have been physically and racially assaulted when I have approached them asking them to leave.”

While some drivers argued they were being unfairly punished for the actions of a few. One driver said: "I have never indulged in any of the practices described. Why should a section of the community be punished for the behaviour of a few idiots"

Traffic wardens noted over 9,600 instances of parking violations and issued over 900 fines in seven months for offences including ‘vehicle idling, littering, urination, spitting etc’.

Councillor Eddie Lavery said: “We will be using this to target the registered owner of the vehicle, therefore if you drive off you will still be sent the notice.

"It is intended to enforce this using camera technology as the most effective way to collect this evidence and charge the relevant taxi drivers.”

Council leader Cllr Ian Edwards went on to say: “It is the fact that some of these drivers use people’s gardens, hedges, and walls as toilets and it is unacceptable, which is why I’m delighted this has been brought forward.”

The PSPO will come into effect on February 1, 2025. Drivers are encouraged to use designated waiting zones at Heathrow Airport, which offer toilet facilities.

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