The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Residents hit out at car cruise danger and noise
Angry residents have again hit out at the danger and noise caused by car cruises after one cause major disturbance at the weekend.
Orton Waterville councillor Julie Stevenson – who has campaigned for many years for action to be taken to stop anti social driving – described the meeting, held on Saturday night Tresham Road, as ‘one of the most disruptive events that residents have ever experienced.’
A drone video taken by a resident living near Tresham Road,showedhundredsofcars turning up – and two performing ‘donuts’ in a city street. He asked not to be named, but said: “This has been going on fortwoyears,andnothingever happens.
"It happens virtually every weekend. The noise goes on for hours. It is horrendous. You can smell the tyres and oils from when they do their donuts.
"The problem used to be furtherdowninOrtons,onStapledon Road. But when speed bumps were put in there, the problemmoveduphere.There appearstohavebeennoaction taken at Tresham Road to stop it from happening.”
Cllr Stevenson said residents had been left ‘ frightened’ by the events. She said: “The car cruise event in Orton on April 8 was one of the most disruptive events that residents have ever experienced.
"Footagethatoneofourresidentstookwithadroneshows
not only the scale of the event but also the antisocial behaviour that the organisers clearly could not control. We even have reports of parents taking their small children to the event. How can anyone look at the footage and think this is a safe event for bystanders?
"In addition to the many residents who have contacted me about their noise and the fearoftheantisocialdrivingon local public roads on Saturday, business owners in Tresham Road have expressed their distressanddismayatthedamage and litter left behind.
"Many people work in Tresham Road at night and they have been frightened and intimidated by the huge influx of cars and people in what would otherwise be a quiet area at night.
"In addition to the screeching of tyres, we were also treated to sounds akin to gunfire. Imagine the distress this must have caused to local residents, notleastourverywelcomerefugee families who have come here to escape war in their home countries.
"While I appreciate that many people are able to enjoy car cruises peacefully and without causing problems to others, a significant minority just don't care about the harm anddistresstheycauseandthis weekendhasstrengthenedour resolve to end this unauthorised activity in Peterborough.
"Asever,councillorsremain very open to discussing alternativeswithorganisers,butthe events of this weekend cannot continue. It's dangerous and simply unfair on people who have a right to live in peace."
Last year, Peterborough City Council said there were plans to set up a ‘city wide injunction’ to prevent car cruising – but no date has been announcedonwhenthatmight be introduced.
Police say they are looking to identify ‘law breakers’ involved in a large car cruising event that caused misery to residents living in the Ortons.
A spokesperson said: “Police attended the location and will be looking to identify any drivers who broke the law while participating in the car meet and pursue prosecution where appropriate.”