Drivers could be fined £100 for ‘excessive’ horn honking under new plans laid out by a Surrey council.
Tandridge District Council said it had received ‘repeated reports’ of vehicles mounting and parking on pavements across the Caterham Valley area of Surrey.
The council said the new rules would also cover ‘excessive horn honking’ – but added that the specifics of this would be decided during a three-month consultation.
But, if approved, the scheme could mean locals are fined £100 – or £60 if paid early – for honking their horns too much, or too loudly.
The move has divided residents.
Speaking in the town of Caterham yesterday, pet shop worker Lindsey Wells, 40, branded the proposals as ‘unnecessary’.
She said: ‘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. It never bothers me; we don’t really notice it.’
But local business owner Paula Nicholson said it was business loading and buses causing the majority of ‘excessive honking’ – and is in favour.
She said: ‘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.’
Pet shop worker Lindsey Wells (pictured), 40, branded the proposals as ‘unnecessary – because honking is for safety’
If approved, the PSPO could mean locals are fined £100 – or £60 if paid early – for honking their horns too much, or too loudly (Pictured: A street in Caterham)
Jasmine Alexander, 68, has lived in the area for 38 years and said the proposed fines are excessive.
She said: ‘I think giving fines for first time offences is a bit harsh. If someone only does it one time you should let them off.’
Some expressed concern that new parking restrictions have already affected local businesses
Charity shop worker Emma Lang, 49, said: ‘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. The buses sit outside and take up a lot of space.’
However, residents did flag an increased misuse of disabled parking bays by individuals and businesses, which will be also fined under the proposed order.
Ms Alexander added: ‘This morning, a woman who can’t walk couldn’t park in a disabled bay because they were all taken, and nobody had blue badges’.
Tandridge District Council is run by a local ‘Residents Alliance’ rather than one of the traditional main political parties.
It filed an application for a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) on Monday after complaints about the actions of motorists.
A council spokesman said: ‘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 (PSPO).
Charity shop worker Emma Lang (pictured), 49, said her shop has had less donations since the council added parking bays which has made it hard for people to find parking spaces outside
The proposal will be discussed by Tandridge District Council, Surrey Police and Surrey County Council (Pictured: The roundabout in Caterham)
Local business owner Paula Nicholson (pictured) said it was business loading and buses causing the majority of ‘excessive honking’ – and is in favour of the PSPO
‘The areas covered include parts of Croydon Road and Godstone Road, all of Station Avenue, and the Croydon Road service road serving the Waitrose and Lidl car parks.
‘This behaviour has been reported as persistent and harmful, particularly for people using the pavements.
‘The consultation closed on December 31, 2025, and the Community Services Committee on Tuesday January 13, 2026, will consider the evidence and next steps.
‘The Council cannot pre-empt the committee’s decision. If the recommendation to proceed is approved, there will be a further three month period to define the detailed terms of the PSPO.
‘This would include clarifying what is meant by issues such as excessive horn honking. Any such measures would be clearly defined, proportionate and subject to further consideration before being introduced.’
The proposal will be discussed by Tandridge District Council, Surrey Police and Surrey County Council.
It follows a six-week consultation, which ended in December to understand the scale of parking issues.
