Petrolheads revved up over ‘car cruise’ ban
AN enthusiast says a ban on car cruising events has criminalised the lifestyle of those who ‘live and breathe’ for motor meet-ups.
The gatherings were made illegal in Stockport nearly three years ago, following complaints of noise nuisance and anti-social behaviour at Heaton Lane and Newbridge Lane car parks.
But the public space protection order (PSPO) expires in March and Stockport council is currently consulting the public on whether it should be renewed.
It has been described as ‘entirely successful’ by cabinet member Coun Sheila Bailey, who believes there are ‘no downsides’ to keeping the ban in place.
But Ben Johnson, who launched a petition calling on the council to find a permanent car cruise site prior to the ban coming into place, believes the authorities are stigmatising petrolheads.
The 26-year-old says the petition, which attracted more then 1,000 signatures, received no official response. But he hopes the new consultation could lead to a more meaningful dialogue with ‘the powers that be’ – and a home for the borough’s car community.
“At the end of the day we are nice people – but people have to understand it’s a lifestyle, it’s not just a hobby,” he said.
“People live and breathe cars 24-hours a day, seven days a week.”
But the dad-of-one says car enthusiasts are eager to ‘sit down and come up with solutions instead of being at loggerheads’ with the authorities.
“What we are desperate for is to have that conversation opened up with them to find somewhere we can legally hold car-meets and get-togethers and have maybe a single police officer on site to make sure everything is safe,” he said.
“However, it’s just been a oneway street. It’s a case of ‘this is a problem, we will just ban it’ – that’s what we have seen countless times.
“It’s an easy way to stop the problem. Unfortunately, it’s almost as if these people are not interested in our side of the story.
“We fully understand the reasons behind that order being put in place. We ourselves are against the anti-social behaviour that a very small number get involved in – that’s something internal we stamp out as best we can.”
Mr Johnson, an IT engineer, adds that while BMX-riders and skateboarders have had parks provided for them, car-lovers are still ‘treated like criminals.’
Responding to the call for a permanent car cruising site to be established, Coun Bailey said: “Many of the arguments regarding this were discussed when the PSPO was first proposed but there is an ongoing consultation and therefore comments will be made when that has been completed.”