‘I worry someone could get killed’
FURIOUS residents are warning someone will be killed due to cars tearing through an industrial estate late at night close to a quiet residential area in Skelmersdale.
Julie, a resident who lives near the Pimbo Industrial Estate in the town, said residents’ lives were being made a misery by the cars ‘razzing around’ the area and around Stannanought Road on a weekly basis, and branded the situation ‘awful.’ She said: “They razz around Pimbo, Stannanought Road... it’s awful and goes on for hours.
“I get they want to meet up and do their thing but not in a residential area...it’s disturbing my granddaughter too and that’s not fair when she has to get up for school the following day.
“If there was somewhere for them to go like a disused airfield, then great, they could make as much noise as they want; I just think it’s very disrespectful and selfish. One lady commented that it was making her anxiety worse, and that’s not fair - life is hard enough without these idiots.”
The 60-year-old, who wishes only to be referred to by her first name, said the latest event took place on Sunday and went on until around midnight, and added: “It’s disturbing everyone - not just me and my family.
“I’m on the other side of the motorway someone said they could hear it and they live on Ormskirk Road, and someone said on Birch Green that they could hear it too.
“One person had to close the bedroom windows as the revving had woken her 11-month -old baby up. People are fed up with the noise, disturbing children, making anxiety bad, people who have to get up early for work - it’s just not fair.” Her comments were echoed by many other residents on social media.
Similarly, Mary Birch Wainwright commented: “I could hear them on Ormskirk Road.”
Sophie Lea said: “I could hear it over on Digmoor - it was driving me insane and sounded like angry bees rattling in a tin...my kid... doesn’t sleep as it is,” while another commented: “I’m absolutely tired because of them.”
Yet some spoke out in favour. Andrew Ash Williams said: “At the end of the day, it’s a group of lads and maybe women getting together to show off what they have... some of those motors sound fantastic.” Laurence Drummond said: “On a positive note, these meets bring people together - that doesn’t excuse the late night after hours rally vibe in our quiet town but we all need to understand it’s not all of them.
“It will be a handful of people causing the after hours issues; the police attend these events regularly .... After speaking with someone that attends the events, 10pm is home time as a lot of them are parents.”
But Julie fears the long term consequences could see someone getting hurt or killed if the racing is allowed to go on. She said: “It doesn’t end at 10pm - it went quiet at 11.45pm on Sunday. They race on Pimbo road and one day someone will get hurt or worse, someone will get killed.
“I hadn’t a clue how many attended until I saw the video footage and I was shocked. I don’t understand why the police aren’t doing anything about these meets and about the noise.”
A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: “We are aware of the issues in Pimbo regarding car cruising and are working with our partners to tackle the issue.”