Competing punt operators in Cambridge city centre could be banned from touting for business if the council adopts restrictive measures currently under consideration.

Cambridge City Council is considering implementing a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) that could ban punt touts from certain areas.

The proposed measures come in the wake of ‘punt wars’, where the increasingly aggressive tactics used by punt touts have led to complaints from shoppers and local residents.

While acknowledging that the sheer quantity of punt touts in the city centre poses a problem, punting companies have defended their actions by arguing that such behaviour is necessary to succeed in Cambridge’s competitive multi-million-pound punt market.

One independent punter even told members of his group he was seeking advice over whether the Cambridge punt market breached competition rules, and was considering raising the issue with the Competition and Markets Authority.

There is already a bylaw in place through the Cam Conservators that regulates aggressive touting, while those operators at registered stations are only allowed to tout for business within a certain proximity of those stations.

A report in December by Mal Schofield of Cam Conservators made reference to “unauthorised punting” and a “punting monopoly” as the second and third biggest issues facing the River Cam.

Speaking to Cambridge News, the council’s Safer Communities Manager Lynda Kilkelly said they were “looking at what evidence we have”.

The council says that most people who are picked up for punting near Great St Mary’s and along King’s Parade tend to punt with operators working at Garret Hostel Lane, which is not a recognised punt station.

Dave Prinsep, the city’s Head of Property Services, stated that the touting situation “used to be more aggressive than it is”. He stated that the problem was now “very much the higher number of touts”.

On the issue of the number of touts, he argued the problem was “the sheer number” and that was “spoiling the quality of walking round the city, as you’re being stopped so much”.

A King’s College student said: “Thank goodness these guys are being cracked down on.

“It’s so annoying when you’re trying to walk to college from King’s Parade but you can’t get through because a tout has stopped a big group of tourists to try and sell them a ride on a boat.”

Another student echoed the sentiment, telling Varsity: “It’s a bit annoying when they block your way and you’re in a rush.

“But I also feel sorry for the touts, who have to be out there all day in the cold.”

John Milne, a Tour Manager at Visit Cambridge, said: “A lot of people either don’t take the time to complain or don’t know how to – and go away with a bad impression.”

He continued: “You can’t quantify what effect it’s having because these people who complain [are] probably the tip of the iceberg.”

Earlier this year, the City Council brought its first PSPO to try and remedy the issue of street drinking around Mill Road.