Preston residents want to put the brakes on boy racers "using the streets as a race circuit"

Preston residents sick of having their sleep disturbed have called for help putting the brakes on boy racers.
Car meets. Stock photoCar meets. Stock photo
Car meets. Stock photo

People living close to Riversway, Ashton, say for years they have been affected by people using roads in the area as a race circuit, and using car parks to rev engines, blow horns and screech tyres.

They claim the problem is particularly bad at the weekends and in the summer. With spring and lighter nights around the corner, they want to see action by Preston Council and the police stepped up.

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Christine Cox of Facebook group “Love Ashton”, has helped organise a residents meeting, taking place on February 25 with Councillor Liz Atkins.

The Preston Council-owned car park off Mariner's Way, Preston, where car enthusiasts regularly meet. Image: GoogleThe Preston Council-owned car park off Mariner's Way, Preston, where car enthusiasts regularly meet. Image: Google
The Preston Council-owned car park off Mariner's Way, Preston, where car enthusiasts regularly meet. Image: Google

Christine said: “A number of residents really find the noisy very intrusive. In the summer it’s worse - it can be every night - and the geography of the Dock seems to exacerbate the noise.”

She added: “Social media exchanges between residents have got quite heated. Some of the car enthusiasts have tried to defend themselves, saying they’re not hurting people, they’re staying out of the way, spending their money on their cars. They don’t seem to realise the impact it’s having on people.”

Some residents claim their sleep is disturbed most nights, children are woken by noise, and streets are being used for racing.

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Main problem areas include the council-owned car park off Mariners Way, the area around Trax in Wall End Road and Blackpool Road. Residents want to see the council and police step up action.

They claim Preston Council no longer lock the gate at the car park opposite McDonalds, and CCTV footage is not routinely monitored.

What the police have to say:

Lancashire Police have not responded.

What the council have to say:

A spokesperson for Preston City Council said: “We’re aware of resident’s concerns about a Council owned car park at Preston Docks and will be attending a cross organisation meeting with residents on February 25 to discuss these concerns and the impact of anti-social behaviour.”

Ashton Councillor Atkins called for the meeting to be "calm and mature".

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She said: "This has been going on for many years and we've tried to tackle it in so many ways. I thought that we have all the stakeholders to get together and talk about the issue.

"We've had some of the car enthusiasts saying they'll come along, there will be council representatives and the deputy Police and Crime Commissioner.

"I'm hopeful that if there is a will to talk and listen, then some compromise can be reached. What we need is a good, neighbourly agreement."

The meeting takes place from 7.30pm on Tuesday, February 25 at St Michael's Church Hall, Tulketh Road, Preston.

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Residents are invited to submit questions in advance of the meeting to enable the various representatives to research the answers, where necessary. Here is a link to an online form. Alternatively residents can email questions to: http://[email protected]