Boy racers' ‘dangerous’ meet-ups angering residents

FED-up residents are being driven around the bend by an increasing ‘boy racer’ problem after around 250 cars descended on the area ‘racing over 100mph’.
Pedestrians standing in the central reservation on July 30 when a large-scale meeting for modified cars was held in Cortonwood Retail ParkPedestrians standing in the central reservation on July 30 when a large-scale meeting for modified cars was held in Cortonwood Retail Park
Pedestrians standing in the central reservation on July 30 when a large-scale meeting for modified cars was held in Cortonwood Retail Park

Cortonwood Retail Park and the Dearne Valley Parkway are well-known hotspots for drivers with modified cars to meet and drag race.

According to one resident, who filmed the incident, around 250 cars descended on the retail park on July 30, plus tens of onlookers who stood in the road to watch the action.

The man (38), who did not wish to be named, said: “People are fed-up of it and are worried somebody is going to get hurt.

“The residents on Lion’s Lodge estate, in Brampton, are continuously having to the phone 101 to report the issue almost on a daily basis.

“On July 30, there were over 250 cars parked in the retail park at around 9pm, cars were racing along from Wombwell roundabout and people were stood in the central reservation watching them coming down.

“It was the biggest car meet we have seen, there were hundreds of people there, these meets are weekly occurrences, but not on this scale.

“You could hear the exhaust noises for miles, they were flying down the parkway at over 100mph.”

The “dangerous” meet-up went on for more than an hour, he said, but was shut down quickly once the police arrived. 

The resident praised the police’s response and said the community was relying on the force’s continued help to combat the issue.

A spokeswoman for South Yorkshire Police said officers had attended at 9.20pm following concerns from residents about drag racing along the parkway. 

Sgt Matt Wood: “Specialist traffic officers attended and spoke to those involved, implementing the necessary safety measures and preventing any ‘racing’ along the parkway. 

“We are aware that this has been a concern for local residents for some time and officers from the Joint Specialist Operations Unit and district response teams continue to work hard to address these issues, in addition to educating those involved.”

The force broke up another unofficial car meet in Barnsley Town Centre on August 6 where officers issued two traffic offence reports for no insurance, one seizure for no insurance, a section 59 warning for antisocial behaviour and a number of other various traffic offences. 

Sgt Wood added: “I hope this action represents our commitment to protecting our communities. 

“We will now continue to work with our partners at Barnsley Council to prevent issues these events may cause.”

To report any concerns contact police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.

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