A map has shown where car cruising is now banned after a new legal order was enforced in part of Nottinghamshire. Gedling Borough Council’s cabinet approved new plans on Thursday, June 8, to target anti-social drivers and unofficial car meets around Netherfield, Colwick, Stoke Bardolph and surrounding areas.
It follows recent reports of speeding and dangerous driving on some roads, cars ‘drifting’ around roundabouts and doing ‘doughnuts’ in car parks. The new Colliery Way (formerly Gedling Access Road) will also be covered under the new plans amid concerns about motorists meeting and causing excess noise.
It comes as part of a new public spaces protection order (PSPO) across a section of the borough in response to reports of nuisance motorists “rearing their heads”. A PSPO is a legal tool used by councils to crack down on anti-social behaviour and can lead to anyone who breaches them being hit with fines.
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The new order will cover parts of the borough near the Colwick Loop Road and the new access road, which have both been the target of car cruisers. A similar order was in place until 2021 but was not renewed because there had been “no issues” at the time.
However, councillors say problems have since returned amid wider issues going back more than a decade in the area. The authority says new developments, including the two roads and the Rivendell estate, have led to extra operations being launched by the police.
The council order comes into immediate effect after being approved by the Labour cabinet and prohibits any events where cars “congregate”. It will target motorists driving at excessive speeds or accelerating aggressively, as well as cars racing, performing stunts, playing loud music or driving “in convoy”.
Driving with excessive noise, causing danger to other road users, risk or injury to another person or damage to property are also offences. Motorists found committing these offences would be asked to give their details to the police or the council and could face £100 fines.
Speaking in the cabinet meeting, Councillor John Clarke (Lab), the council’s leader, said the issue is one of the biggest complaints from residents in his Netherfield ward. He said: “My [ward] surgery is often full of people complaining about this.
"It echoes right across and you get a lot of complaints from Carlton Ward, where the noise goes right across. It’s a continuing nuisance of whining and roaring.”
Councillor David Ellis (Lab), the cabinet member responsible for public protection, added: “The police are aware of a cruiser circuit around Nottinghamshire, which also includes parts of Broxtowe and Rushcliffe.
“This will take Gedling out of that loop and we hope things will be a lot quieter. The police have undertaken a lot of enforcement action as part of Operation Triple Fin, including seizing vehicles and reporting people for various traffic offences.
“This PSPO will give them an extra weapon to use so they can reduce the level of nuisance in the area.” Councillor Sam Smith (Con), who represents the Trent Valley ward which is covered by the PSPO, has also previously backed the order.
He said in March: “The noise these drivers have been making, such as screeching their tyres at night or mopeds driving through villages, has been a frustration. This should make an improvement to security for businesses and for residents.”
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