South Cambridgeshire District and Cambridge City councils are asking for views on introducing a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) at Babraham Road Park and Ride, following ongoing issues with dangerous and disruptive driving.
It comes after the District Council introduced a similar order at the Milton Park and Ride last year.
Between April 2024 and mid-January 2026, the councils and partner agencies have recorded persistent anti-social activity within the Babraham Road Park and Ride – which crosses the border between Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire. This includes:
- Organised vehicle gatherings and car meets, involving large numbers of vehicles entering the Park and Ride for vehicle displays and racing style activities.
- Inappropriate and inconsiderate vehicle use, such as excessive engine revving, repeated acceleration and deceleration, loud exhaust noise, sounding horns, and playing loud music from cars.
- Dangerous driving behaviour and vehicle stunts - including drifting, wheel spinning and burnouts - creating risks for pedestrians, other site users and nearby residents.
These incidents mainly occur during evenings and late at night, often continuing past midnight. Council records show 22 separate reports of inappropriate and inconsiderate vehicle use at Babraham Road Park and Ride between April 2024 and mid-January 2026.
In addition, advance intelligence received by the councils indicates further gatherings are being planned. Despite reports made to the police and the councils, incidents have often resumed shortly after cars are initially dispersed - including occasions where vehicles have returned following police attendance.
The persistent and organised nature of this behaviour demonstrates the problem is not isolated and is likely to continue without something changing.
Proposed PSPO measures
To help address these issues, the councils are proposing to introduce a PSPO covering the Babraham Road Park and Ride. Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras and existing CCTV would be used to help enforce the rules -meaning the councils could track vehicles and issue fines without needing someone to be there at the time.
If introduced, the PSPO would make it a criminal offence to carry out, assist, or encourage any of the following behaviours within the Babraham Road Park and Ride:
- Speeding or reckless driving that risks causing harassment, alarm or distress.
- Revving, racing and disruptive vehicle behaviour, including unnecessary acceleration, loud engine revving, horn misuse and amplified music causing nuisance.
- Dangerous stunts such as drifting, doughnuts, burnouts, wheel spins, J‑turns or wheelies.
- Organised meets or racing‑style activity, including entering the site for vehicle display or performance driving.
- Threatening or abusive behaviour towards other Park and Ride users.
Anyone who ignores the PSPO could be prosecuted and fined up to £1,000 or get a Fixed Penalty Notice of up to £500.
South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Lead Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Natalie Warren-Green, said: “Residents have told us just how disruptive and intimidating this behaviour has become, especially late at night. Nobody should have to put up with dangerous driving, excessive noise or large organised meets that make people feel unsafe. We’re proposing this PSPO so we can take stronger action - but it is vital local people help shape it. I would really encourage anyone who uses the Park and Ride, or lives nearby, to take part in the consultation and share their views.”
Cambridge City Council’s Cabinet Member for Safety, Wellbeing and Tackling Homelessness, Cllr Mike Todd-Jones, said: “The evidence shows a clear pattern of persistent and escalating anti‑social vehicle activity at Babraham Road Park and Ride. This is not a one‑off issue - it’s been happening repeatedly, and residents deserve better. The proposed PSPO is an important step in tackling these problems, and your feedback will help ensure we get it right. Please take a few minutes to have your say during the consultation. Your voice will make a real difference.”
Have your say
Residents can take part in the consultation on the proposed PSPO here.
The consultation runs until 11:59pm on Friday 27 March. The consultation asks for views on the issues people have experienced at Babraham Road Park and Ride, whether they support the introduction of a PSPO, the types of restrictions people think would be appropriate and any concerns people may have.
