Motorists in a Surrey commuter town bordering Croydon could soon be hit with fines of up to £100 for excessive use of their car horns. Tandridge District Council (TDC) is seeking to introduce a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to address persistent issues with noise and obstruction in Caterham.
What the proposed PSPO would cover
The council's application follows repeated reports of vehicles mounting and parking on pavements across Caterham Valley, causing problems for pedestrians. The proposed order also aims to clamp down on excessive horn honking, a particular nuisance near a busy roundabout. The specific definition of what constitutes "excessive" will be determined during a forthcoming three-month public consultation.
If approved, the PSPO would allow for fixed penalty notices of £100, reduced to £60 if paid early, for breaches. The areas under consideration include parts of Croydon Road and Godstone Road, all of Station Avenue, and the service road for Waitrose and Lidl car parks.
Mixed reactions from local residents and businesses
The plans have sparked a divided response from the Caterham community. Pet shop worker Lindsey Wells, 40, labelled the honking fines as "unnecessary", arguing that horns are a vital safety tool. "People honk to alert others to their presence. It is needed," she stated.
However, local business owner Paula Nicholson supports the move, blaming much of the noise on buses honking at vehicles illegally parked in bus stops. "They have blocked the whole road up before," she explained.
Other concerns were raised about the impact of existing parking measures. Charity shop worker Emma Lang, 49, noted a drop in donations since new parking bays were installed, as "people find it hard to park outside."
Disabled bay misuse and next steps
Residents highlighted an increase in the misuse of disabled parking bays, which would also be penalised under the PSPO. Long-time resident Jasmine Alexander, 68, recounted an incident where a woman with mobility issues could not find a bay because they were all occupied by people without blue badges.
The proposal stems from a six-week consultation that concluded on 31 December 2025. The Tandridge Community Services Committee considered the evidence on Tuesday 13 January 2026. Should they vote to proceed, the detailed terms of the PSPO will be developed in partnership with Surrey Police and Surrey County Council during the three-month consultation period.
A TDC spokesperson emphasised that any measures introduced would be "clearly defined, proportionate and subject to further consideration." The council aims to tackle behaviour reported as "persistent and harmful" to those using the town's pavements.
