Richmond Council is inviting residents to give their feedback on a proposal to extend the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) around the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) Clinic on Rosslyn Road, Twickenham, for an additional three years.

Councillor Gareth Roberts, Leader of Richmond Council, said: "We have seen the positive impact the PSPO has had for those who use the clinic, work at the clinic or who live and work in the surrounding area, so we believe that extending the PSPO is the right thing to do.

"It is crucial to note that the PSPO does not ban protests or vigils altogether but ensures they do not take place near the clinic to avoid distressing those accessing the clinic's services.

"We encourage all residents and stakeholders to take part in this consultation to help us make an informed decision that balances the right to protest with the need to protect vulnerable individuals from harassment and intimidation."

The PSPO, first introduced in 2019, and extended for a further three years in 2022, aims to address concerns related to protests and vigils outside the clinic.

A map of the BPAS Clinic buffer zone from the council (credit: Richmond Council).

The current PSPO is set to expire on 31 March 2025, after the consultation opened on Monday 22 July and will run until Sunday, 1 September 2024. 

A PSPO under section 59 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 allows the council to prohibit specific activities or require certain actions to prevent damaging impacts on the public in a specified area.

Have your say on the proposal by filling out the online survey or requesting a paper copy of the consultation document. 

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