Motorists in a Surrey district could face substantial penalties for excessive use of their vehicle horns under new council proposals currently under consideration. Tandridge District Council has outlined plans that could see drivers fined up to £100 for what authorities deem unnecessary or excessive horn honking in specific areas.
Proposed Public Spaces Protection Order
The council has been investigating the implementation of a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) following what they describe as repeated reports of problematic behaviour in the Caterham Valley area. The proposed measures target two main issues: vehicles mounting and parking on pavements, and excessive horn honking that disturbs local residents.
A council spokesperson explained: "Following repeated reports of vehicles, including mopeds, e-scooters, cars and lorries, mounting and parking on pavements in Caterham Valley, the Council carried out a six-week consultation on a proposed Public Spaces Protection Order."
Specific Areas Affected
The proposed PSPO would cover several key locations including:
- Parts of Croydon Road and Godstone Road
- All of Station Avenue
- The Croydon Road service road serving Waitrose and Lidl car parks
Council officials have described the reported behaviour as "persistent and harmful, particularly for people using the pavements" in these areas.
Penalty Structure and Implementation
If approved, the scheme would introduce a tiered penalty system for horn honking violations:
- £100 fine for excessive horn use
- £60 reduced penalty if paid early
The council has emphasised that any measures would need to be clearly defined and proportionate. "This would include clarifying what is meant by issues such as excessive horn honking," the spokesperson noted. "Any such measures would be clearly defined, proportionate and subject to further consideration before being introduced."
Local Resident Reactions
The proposals have generated mixed responses from Caterham Valley residents. One local resident expressed concerns about the practicality of restricting horn use, stating: "We do get a lot of honking because we are next to a roundabout. The honking fines are unnecessary - because honking is for safety. People honk to alert others to their presence. It is needed."
Another resident highlighted different traffic issues in the area: "People park in the bus stop and then the bus drivers come along and honk, honk, honk. They have blocked the whole road up before."
Broader Traffic and Parking Concerns
The council's proposals come against a backdrop of wider traffic management challenges in the area. Residents have reported various issues including:
- Insufficient parking availability since new parking bays were installed
- Buses occupying excessive road space
- Disabled parking bays being used by vehicles without appropriate permits
One resident commented on the parking situation: "Since they added the parking bays I have noticed we are not getting as many donations because people find it hard to park outside. It was bad before, but it's much worse now."
Decision Timeline and Process
The council completed a six-week public consultation that closed on December 31, 2025. The Community Services Committee is scheduled to review the evidence and determine next steps at their meeting on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.
"The Council cannot pre-empt the committee's decision," the spokesperson clarified. "If the recommendation to proceed is approved, there will be a further three month period to define the detailed terms of the PSPO."
This additional period would allow for refinement of the proposed measures, including clearer definitions of what constitutes excessive horn honking and how enforcement would be implemented in practice.
