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'Chicken' drivers are risking lives
BOY racers are putting lives at risk at West Bay, a councillor has warned.
The show-off drivers are playing "chicken" in the main car park and racing two abreast up West Bay Road.
"It is outrageous," said town and district councillor Karl Wallace.
"I was there on Friday night and saw one of them throwing a glass bottle out of a car at a passer by.
"They lined up cars and played chicken by trying to get through a space wide enough for just one vehicle.
"And I saw them racing two abreast up West Bay Road.
"One little old man in his 70s spoke to them about it and just got a load of abuse. These young people don't realise that a car is potentially a lethal weapon - they think it is just there to show off in front of young girls.
"I believe one of them was involved in an accident later that night."
Now Coun Wallace is calling on the district council to close the main car park at night.
In a question to the full council last week he asked: "Please consider either reconfiguring the car park or installing barriers to stop this nuisance.
Members of the public have contacted me regarding the late night noise from exhausts and car stereos. The police are letting boy racers meet at this location - where was the public consultation for this?"
In reply council leader Robert Gould said council officers had been liasing with the police to try to resolve this issue.
"Inspector Alan Jenkins, Bridport Section Commander, has stated that the police have made use of anti-social behaviour and road traffic legislation and are considering further powers," he said.
"It remains one of the Bridport section's top priorities particularly with the longer evenings of the summer. It was agreed that if the young people used the car park and were not causing trouble they could stay there and other parking areas be trialled. So the police's proactive action follows on from trying to work with the young people and getting the minority causing problems to behave responsibility.
"As well as supporting the police the district council will consider all reasonable proposals that will reduce the disturbance."
This week Coun Wallace said following the latest troubles the district council had now agreed to consider tough new action.
"They are doing a risk assessment and will consider closing the park at night - they seem to be taking it very seriously," he added.
10:30am Thursday 15th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Westie, West Dorset on 8:25pm Thu 15 May 08
hilst I applaud the Police an the Councillors in takling this yearly problem, surely closing the car park wil not stop them, they will just move off elsewhere witin West Bay/Bridport. Action sooner rather than later will surely be the answer. What isthe use of using the Anti Social Behaviour orders, normally this just means DO NOT RETURN WITHIN 24HRS. Closing the car park is just penalising other bonefide drivers wanting to use the space.
Why is it that when the summer finall gets here, these imature drivers insist on driving around with windows open inflicting LOUD so called music on everyone else, YES this is also a nuisance and should be dealt with accordingy. This even happens through the centre o town during the day.... WHY is it allowed.
hilst I applaud the Police an the Councillors in takling this yearly problem, surely closing the car park wil not stop them, they will just move off elsewhere witin West Bay/Bridport. Action sooner rather than later will surely be the answer. What isthe use of using the Anti Social Behaviour orders, normally this just means DO NOT RETURN WITHIN 24HRS. Closing the car park is just penalising other bonefide drivers wanting to use the space.
Why is it that when the summer finall gets here, these imature drivers insist on driving around with windows open inflicting LOUD so called music on everyone else, YES this is also a nuisance and should be dealt with accordingy. This even happens through the centre o town during the day.... WHY is it allowed.
Posted by: james, bridport on 11:02am Mon 19 May 08
WHERE DO WE START.......the problem i see down at west bay and the surrounding area is a great one i being one of the people who meet friends down the bay i find that its the select few that spoil it for everyone else the problem being is that the police who yet are doing a great job in the area still seem to pick us out an we get peenilised for things we dont do wrong mainly because the perportraters leave the area before the police arive an the ones who dont do wrong get moved on i will happily speak to anyone on this subject as it needs to be sorted before something really bad happens due to there being many familys around the area this time of year we all understand that a car is potentualy a weapon but try explaining that to youths in between the ages of 16 an 19 an you will basicly get abuse
WHERE DO WE START.......the problem i see down at west bay and the surrounding area is a great one i being one of the people who meet friends down the bay i find that its the select few that spoil it for everyone else the problem being is that the police who yet are doing a great job in the area still seem to pick us out an we get peenilised for things we dont do wrong mainly because the perportraters leave the area before the police arive an the ones who dont do wrong get moved on i will happily speak to anyone on this subject as it needs to be sorted before something really bad happens due to there being many familys around the area this time of year we all understand that a car is potentualy a weapon but try explaining that to youths in between the ages of 16 an 19 an you will basicly get abuse
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