Byelaws

On 21 November 2008 Council Assembly voted to approve two new sets of byelaws to stop irresponsible and antisocial behaviour in Southwark.

The first set controls activities in pleasure grounds, public walks and open spaces. It includes byelaws on protecting these public spaces, their wildlife and the public, horse riding, cycling, children's play areas, dangerous games and sports, protection of waterways, powered model aircraft and provides for the removal of offenders.

The second set concerns good rule and government and includes byelaws on climbing upon and hanging from bridges, dangerous games near and on highways, interference with life saving equipment and road warning lamps, skateboarding, touting, and urinating in public.

The trigger for looking afresh at Southwark's byelaws followed discussions about problems that were causing local residents concern, where there appeared to be no effective controls. These included

• Fires and unautorised barbeques
• Noisy buskers causing nuisance to local residents
• People interfering with lifesaving equipment
• Urinating in the street and public places

We examined both national legislation and Southwarks existing byelaws. This showed gaps both in our ability to control certain activities and some vagueness about the descriptions of the physical areas that were subject to controls, which we felt caused practical enforcement difficulties.

Also, as part of our commitment towards expanding opportunities to encourage a sustainable urban environment we were keen to encourage cycling and we did not want to criminalise those people who cycled responsibly in parks and open spaces.

We recognised however that there was one particular area where this could not be achieved safely, where accidents have occurred between cyclists and pedestrians, and we propose specific measures to address this.

The byelaws must now be held on deposit for a month before they can be confirmed by government and we can enforce them.

Copies of the byelaws will be kept at the Town Hall, Peckham Road, London SE5 8UB and can be inspected without payment on any weekday during the usual office hours for month from and after the date of the publication of this notice.

Copies of the byelaws will also be supplied on receipt of an application accompanied by a fee of £1 for each copy by contacting Southwark Legal Services at the above address. Alternatively they can be downloaded by clicking on the links below.

Byelaws for pleasure grounds, public walks and open spaces

Byelaws for good rule and government

Objections

Any objection to the application for the confirmation of the byelaws may be made by letter no later than one week after the closing date for inspection before the byelaws are confirmed. Send to

Communities and Local Government Byelaws Section
5/G10 Eland House
Bressenden Place
London
SW1E 5DU