Portishead motorists to be fined for obstructing bin lorries

The Public Space Protection Order will be enforced on collection days, the council said

A Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) is being trialled after waste collection teams have faced difficulties accessing streets with badly parked cars.

Due to the frequency of disruption in Portishead, North Somerset Council is trialling the PSPO on Teal Way, Shannon Walk and Curlew Place.

Motorists who repeatedly block access for waste lorries will be fined.

The PSPO will be enforced on collection days between 09:00 and 11:00 GMT.

PSPOs can be introduced when certain unreasonable activities or behaviours are repeatedly taking place in a public space which negatively impact the quality of life of people in the area.

It comes as parked cars disrupted collection crews along the three roads a total of 47 times in 2023, according to the council.

As a result, crews had to return to the streets - sometimes multiple times - to collect recycling and waste, all at added inconvenience to residents and cost to taxpayers.

'Need for access'

"Poor parking can also put lives at risk when emergency vehicles are unable to pass," councillor Annemieke Waite said.

"We hope that trialling a Public Space Protection Order in these three streets will make the kerbside recycling and waste collection service more reliable for everyone, as our crews will be able to collect recycling and waste on time."

Councillor Caritas Charles added: "I am happy that we are working with local residents to find a solution to this problem.

"We need to ensure that our collection crews can safely and easily gain access to these streets to collect recycling and waste, something that many residents have written to me with concerns about.

"We hope this trial will be a success and balance the need for access with people's parking requirements."