Car park closure is first step in battling antisocial behaviour at docks

The dock-side car park, on Mariners Way opposite McDonald's, is now being closed from 9pm nightly, after residents voiced repeated concerns about anti-social behaviour late at night.

Some neighbours claim their lives have been made a misery for months by 'boy racers' blaring music, smoking shisha, revving engines and dumping litter.

Police say the overnight closure of the car park, owned by Preston Council, is a first step in tackling issues raised by residents.

Sgt Dan Wood, of the Lancashire Neighbourhood Policing Team said: "We are aware of the reported vehicle noise issues and associated vehicle related anti-social behaviour around the docks which is understandably upsetting the local residents. A major factor is how much further noise travels and is amplified across water.

"Prior to COVID19 the Neighbourhood Policing Team were doing quite a lot of joint work with the community and council to try and resolve the issue. One of the things discussed as a group was closing the car park opposite McDonalds at a reasonable time in order to reduce the issues as cars would no longer be parked right next to the water late into the night and that should hopefully reduce the noise nuisance.

"Lockdown obviously meant we needed to divert our attentions elsewhere and some policing activities were put on hold. Also the number of complaints reduced mainly due people staying indoors. Since lockdown has eased the issue has raised its head again so working in conjunction with our partners and the community it was agreed that the car park would be closed at 9pm for the betterment of the residents in the area, as the vast majority of businesses in the locality will be closed then.

"The Neighbourhood Policing Team will continue to monitor the situation and want to work with the community in order to help resolve any further issues."

Police added they were working closely with the Ashton and Riversway PACT group and Preston Council to tackle the problems.

Some residents on Maritime Way and surrounding streets have suggested the introduction of bollards to prevent non-residents congregating at the docks, but police said this was not possible on public footpaths.

Beth Balshaw, founder of the Ashton & Riversway PACT group, said: "The anti-social behaviour that has been going down on the docks since day one. It has been on our monthly agenda for almost two years now with many councillors refusing to act.

"There is a real issue of people using the car park late at night causing a disturbance to the local neighbourhood with noise and flashing lights. Noise also travels across water, hence causing a real issue for residents."

Michael Balshaw, Independent candidate for Ashton & Riversway ward in the last council election added: "I feel very strongly that the residents of this area have a right to normal family life which includes relative peace and quiet and being able to sleep at night."

A resident of Maritime Way claimed the smell of illegal substances and loud music prevents them from sleeping through the night.

Photos were also shared on social media platforms of cars parked up, during the peak of the Covid-19 lockdown, with shisha pipes being smoked out of their windows.

The resident said: "The lady and the guy next door to me and are all moving out because they cant deal with the noise. I am the first person being affected by all this and last night, I was disturbed 12 times.

"In the evening there's a lot of boy racers in the area that are revving their cars and motorbikes and doing donuts in the open car parks. Someone actually did it right outside my house the other night and the window was open and the whole house stunk of rubber it was disgusting.

"People drive up to the bullnose at the marina and eat their takeaway and throw rubbish out the window. It is becoming such a big issue. Two of my neighbours have nearly been run over and last night, one of them must have been doing 60mph in the 20mph zone. A lot of people are parking up in groups shining their headlights, shouting and playing loud music. All I can hear is shouting and the noise constantly."

Another affected resident, who also asked to remain anonymous, said: "It really does affect my life. People don't have an issue with car enthusiasts meeting up there, the issue is whoever is revving engines until they pop and using the docks as a race circuit. Apparently the police know about it, but don't do anything. Yet I'm sure if I sped along riversway in day light I'd get caught and fined."

Another resident, with two young children, came forward and commented: "Most of the time people congregate and don't cause an issue, but there can be the odd group of selfish individuals who find it acceptable to park around the docks until daft o'clock in the morning, shouting and playing their music obscenely loud.

"My other issue is the waste these selfish individuals leave. As I say it's not everyone but lockdown really highlighted the issue when KFC and McDonald's was closed vs the mess outside most mornings now. Most of this could probably be resolved by closing the barrier each night, they'll just go somewhere else but the likely hood is they'll be forced to find somewhere where they genuinely won't cause a disturbance."

A spokesman for Preston City Council said: “We’re aware of residents’ concerns about a council- owned car park at Preston Docks and we are working closely with the Police to combat these issues.

“We’re exploring options to close the car park overnight from 9pm and will be monitoring the site periodically in collaboration with the police. Where a vehicle is locked into the car park then a release fee (£35) will be applicable.”

Reports of nuisance at other nearby car parks, such as Morrison's on Mariners Way were also raised by residents. However when the Post approached the supermarket chain, they told us that the cars and motorbikes were congregating in the council-owned car parks across the road.