Pony and Trap Public Spaces Protection Order consultation 2025
Overview
We want to hear your views on our proposal to introduce a Public Spaces Protection Order which would prohibit the use of any equine animals and associated carriages on the following stretches of highway:
- both side of the carriageway of the A413 from Joiners Lane at the A413 roundabout, Chalfont St Peter, travelling south to the junction of the A413 (Oxford Road and Amersham Road) Denham
- both sides of the carriageway of the A40 from Pyebush roundabout, Beaconsfield, travelling southeast to the junction of the A413 (Oxford Road and Amersham Road) Denham
We have a key role to play in helping make local places safe to live, visit and work in and tackling anti-social behaviour continues to be a high priority for us and our partners across the county.
Public Spaces Protection Orders are aimed at ensuring public spaces can be enjoyed free from anti-social behaviour. They provide us with legal powers to deal with a particular nuisance or problem in a defined area.
It is key that we address and reduce these issues from occurring, by consulting with members of the public and other key stakeholders, in order to focus on areas of concern.
What a PSPO is
Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) are intended to deal with a particular nuisance or problem in a specific area that is detrimental to the local community’s quality of life. This is achieved by imposing conditions on the use of that area, which apply to everyone.
Councils can use PSPOs to prohibit specified activities, and / or require certain things to be done by people engaged in particular activities, within a defined public area.
A single PSPO can be used to target a range of different anti-social behaviour issues. It can last for up to three years, after which it must be reviewed.
What PSPOs can be used for
PSPOs can be used to restrict a broad range of activities.
Under section 59 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, local authorities must be satisfied on reasonable grounds that the activity subject to an Order:
- has a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality (or it is likely that activities will take place and have such an effect)
- is (or is likely to be) persistent or continuing in nature
- is (or is likely to be) unreasonable
- justifies the restrictions being imposed
How PSPOs are enforced
Authorised officers from Buckinghamshire Council and the Police will be able to enforce the restrictions and requirements of a PSPO. This can include issuing Fixed Penalty Notices.
The Fixed Penalty Notice for a breach of a PSPO is £60 if paid within 10 days, and £100 if paid within 14 days.
What we are proposing
We are proposing to introduce a Pony and Trap Public Spaces Protection Order.
The PSPO is being proposed to prevent unauthorised pony and trap racing (also known as sulky racing) along both sides of the carriageway:
- A413 from Joiners Lane at the A413 roundabout, Chalfont St Peter, travelling south to the junction of the A413 (Oxford Road and Amersham Road) Denham
- A40 from Pyebush roundabout, Beaconsfield, travelling southeast to the junction of the A413 (Oxford Road and Amersham Road) Denham
These activities are unannounced, unregulated and pose serious risk to public safety.
The proposed stretches of highway are outlined in red on the map below:
View a PDF of the detailed map (PDF 0.29MB)
We have engaged with local stakeholders, community boards, town and parish councils, Thames Valley Police, Council services, and members of the business community to develop the proposed PSPO.
The proposed PSPO will prohibit the use of any equine animals (such as ponies, horses and donkeys) and associated carriages (such as traps and carts).
We are proposing to introduce the PSPO to prevent:
- occurrence or re-occurrence of the anti-social behaviour identified in the Order
- an increase in the frequency or seriousness of the anti-social behaviour identified in the Order
How to have your say
You can tell us your views in one of the following ways:
- Complete the online survey using the link at the end of this page
- Complete, and return, the printed version of the survey (PDF 0.2MB)
- Write to us at Pony and Trap PSPO consultation, Community Safety Team, Buckinghamshire Council, The Gateway, Aylesbury, HP19 8FF
If you have any questions about this activity, please email us at anti-social-behaviour@buckinghamshire.gov.uk.
Please tell us your views by 11:59pm on Sunday 4 January 2026.
What happens next
We will review and consider the consultation responses. The decision whether to introduce the Pony and Trap PSPO will be made before the end of February 2026.
Privacy
We will use the information you provide here only for this activity. We will store the information securely in line with data protection laws and will not share or publish any personal details. Survey responses will be analysed using Microsoft products including Copilot, Excel and Word. For more information about data and privacy, please see our Privacy Policy.
If you have questions about data and privacy, please email us on dataprotection@buckinghamshire.gov.uk. Or write to our Data Protection Officer at Buckinghamshire Council, The Gateway, Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury, HP19 8FF.
Give us your views
Areas
- Beaconsfield and Chepping Wye
- Denham, Gerrards Cross, Chalfonts
Interests
- Communities
- Crime & community safety
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