Crackdown planned on city's 'dangerous' car meets

A crackdown on vehicle meets at a car park in Peterborough could be introduced after concerns were raised by residents.

Pleasure Fair Meadow car park has become a "hotspot" for car cruising events and anti-social drivers, Peterborough City Council says.

The authority wants to introduce a public spaces protection order (PSPO) at the site – subject to a public consultation – which could see new rules imposed for motorists.

If conditions are breached, drivers could find themselves facing fines of up to £1,000.

The plans come after residents said the actions of nuisance drivers at the car park were having a detrimental effect on their lives.

There have been reports of meets of up to 300 cars and smaller gatherings of vehicles where some drivers drive dangerously and carry out doughnuts and handbrake turns.

There have also been reports of persistent noise, smoke, odours and littering.

Alison Jones, the council' s cabinet member for housing and communities, said: "We are fully committed to working with partners to keep members of the public safe.

"[We want to] develop strong and sustainable communities, which PSPOs are helping us to achieve."

A public consultation over the planned PSPO has been launched and will run until 28 March.

Responses will be considered before the council makes a recommendation over whether to implement the PSPO for three years.

"We encourage residents who live near the Pleasure Fair Meadow car park to take part in this consultation, as well as businesses, community groups and people who work in the area," said Ms Jones.

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