20 Mar Basildon Conservatives welcome new road barriers to tackle car cruising
The noise and public nuisance of illegal car cruising has been blighting the lives of Thurrock residents for over a decade. Barriers were installed at the Dumb-bell roundabout some years ago, but the activity continued. In 2015, the Police implemented a Public Space Protection order which allowed them to issue substantial fines. For a long time this did the trick. However, in the past year, the location has been the focus of ‘drifting’ activity. Residents from Chafford Hundred and South Ockendon have complained in droves about the noise which disrupts may people’s sleep. And road users have reported encountering drivers going the wrong way around the roundabout.
Thurrock MP Jackie Doyle-Price said, “I was very pleased to hear from Highways England last week that new barriers have been installed at the Lakeside junction with the A13, to tackle the ongoing nuisance of car cruising and drifting. The cruising activity at Lakeside is an accident waiting to happen as well as a public nuisance. In September I asked Highways England, Essex Police and Thurrock Council to work together to find a permanent solution to the problem. I am very pleased that following that request, Highways England agreed to install further barriers at the junction. These have now been installed. I am very grateful that Highways England have acted so speedily.
Naturally the news has been met with anger from the cruising community. I say to those who engage in drifting at Lakeside, you are not pursuing a harmless hobby. You are causing danger to other road users and misery to local residents who have to live with the noise throughout the night. Your behaviour is selfish and will not be tolerated. I am also very grateful to Essex Police for their operations this weekend to prevent any further activity. Essex Police have worked hard to address this problem, but frankly I would rather be doing something else to keep us safe rather than have to chase around after people who should have more respect for the law and public safety.”
