Spitting ban could be introduced in near future by Havering Council

Cllr Clarence Barrett (Image: submitted)

Members of the council are looking to push through a bye-law in the “near future” - which would see £80 penalties handed out to offenders.

It follows Enfield Council’s successful application for a similar bye-law, which came into effect last month.

Cabinet member for streetcare, Cllr Barry Tebbutt, supports the ban of the “disgusting” act.

He said: “I would like to see it introduced, of course. Other council’s have done it and we are working towards introducing it in Havering in the near future.”

Cllr Tebbutt also highlighted other issues he plans to act on.

“There are three things I want to see brought in - stopping spitting on the sidewalk, an £80 on-the-spot fine for throwing rubbish and advertising boards banned,” he said,

“These A-boards block public access and blind people or people in wheelchairs can’t get past them.

“They also stop cleaners and sweepers from doing their jobs. They have to ask the business’ permission to move them, when they shouldn’t be there in the first place.”

Leader of the Residents’ Association Group, Cllr Clarence Barrett, said the party first proposed the idea in March 2012 and has started a petition to get it implemented as soon as possible.

“Spitting in public is a foul habit which should be discouraged,” he said,

“By having a specific bye-law in place it will give the council the ability to enforce the rule by issuing penalties.

“I have launched a petition to push this issue up the agenda and on to a formal footing.”

The petition can be signed at gopetition.com/petitions/ban-spitting-inhavering.html.