Hillingdon Council has prosecuted a Transport for London taxi driver for contravening a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) and not paying a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN).
Dane Tonlin, of Church Vale, Lewisham, was ordered to pay a fine of £220, a victim surcharge of £88, and prosecution costs of £350 at a hearing at Ealing Magistrates' Court on Monday 8 December.
The case was proved in their absence by a single justice, a procedure, which allows magistrates to deal with less serious criminal cases without the need for the defendant to be present.
On 1 February 2025, the council introduced a PSPO prohibiting taxis, chauffeurs, and private hire vehicles from waiting in residential streets in the wards of Pinkwell, West Drayton, and Heathrow Villages, unless they are collecting or dropping off passengers in those streets or are based or live there.
During a routine patrol on 2 May, Tonlin’s stationary vehicle was caught waiting on Doghurst Drive, Heathrow Villages by a council environmental enforcement officer. The officer issued an FPN for the offence, which is £100 discounted to £50 if paid within 14 days. Despite a final warning, Tonlin did not pay the penalty.
The PSPO was introduced following a public consultation, which saw strong public support for the proposed measures. It aims to help prevent nuisance caused by drivers frequently parking in residential spaces, blocking driveways, littering, publicly urinating and defecating, and causing noise and air pollution by idling while waiting to collect customers from the airport.
Since its introduction the council has issued 6,252 FPNs to taxis and private hire vehicles.
Cllr Wayne Bridges, Hillingdon Council’s Cabinet Member for Community and Environment, said: “The drivers of these vehicles are already provided with official designated waiting areas within the airport perimeter, yet many continue to disregard this.
“I hope this sends a clear message that we will take all necessary enforcement options to uphold this PSPO and that anti-social behaviour which negatively impacts our communities will not be tolerated.”
For more information on PSPOs in the borough, visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk/pspo.
