KEIGHLEY MP John Grogan is urging people to take part in a consultation over proposed new powers aimed at slamming the brakes on nuisance drivers on the district’s roads.

Bradford Council is seeking the public’s views on the introduction of a so-called Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).

Mr Grogan says he receives complaints daily about nuisance driving in Keighley.

He added: “I hope the Keighley public will respond to this consultation and urge Bradford Council to bring in these tougher powers as soon as possible.”

West Yorkshire Police have already been consulted on the PSPO which, if introduced, will give them and partner agencies delegated powers to enforce any breaches.

Figures show that reports to the police of nuisance driving have increased by 47 per cent in the past three years – from 597 in 2014-15 to 866 in 2017-18.

Nuisances covered by the PSPO would include:

• Engaging in, promoting, encouraging or assisting in the carrying out of any car cruising event in or on a public highway, car park and any other land to which the public has access in the Bradford district and which causes, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress through excessive noise; danger to other road users (including pedestrians); damage or risk of damage to private property; shouting or swearing at, or abusing, threatening or otherwise intimidating (including by the use of sexual language or making sexual suggestions) another person; any public nuisance to another person

• Congregating or loitering as part of a group around (or in) one or more stationary vehicles at any time where such activity causes or is likely to cause noise, harassment, alarm or distress

• Engaging in, promoting, encouraging or assisting in activities of drifting or other vehicle-related nuisance causing or likely to cause danger to the public

• Causing or permitting excessive amplified music or other noise from vehicles such as to cause, or be likely to cause, alarm, harassment, distress as a result of a gathering in or around one or more vehicles on any public road or land to which the public has access in the Bradford district.

Councillor Abdul Jabar, Bradford Council’s executive member for neighbourhoods and community safety, said: “Other local authorities have experienced positive outcomes using this legislation for this type of behaviour.

“It will provide joint partnership enforcement powers which strengthen options to tackle nuisance and anti-social use of vehicles.”

People can make their views known at surveys.bradford.gov.uk/snapwebhost/s.asp?k=154262806561.

The deadline for submissions is December 31.