Cruise Blackpool organiser meets with resort councillor after concerns over speeding and noise issues

Matt Penny, who organises Cruise Blackpool, set up a meeting with Squires Gate ward councillor Christian Cox after the Gazette reported about noise and speed problems around Amy Johnson Way and Squires Gate Lane.

Mr Cox lives on Sawley Avenue close to Squires Gate Lane and said he could hear cars racing on Fridays and Saturdays.

Following the meeting Mr Penny said: “Councillor Cox is looking to help me with the local residents so we can all get along. I have always stated to anyone when contacted that we would prefer to work with the local community than against, all we seem to get is the bad press but no highlight on the things we do positively locally, for example last year we raised over £1000 for Trinity Hospice in one single event.”

He added: “We are looking to find a location suitable for us and the local community to hold our events once monthly something that we hope can keep everyone happy.

“The difficulty I also face is that we at Cruise Blackpool are the biggest car enthusiast group in Blackpool however we are not the only one, there are five more groups at minimum in the Blackpool area and my concern is that if any other group holds a meet locally at which the police have to be called or residents complain we will be blamed as we are the most well known.”

The Cruise Blackpool Facebook group has more than 3,600 members and Mr Penny said that "certain people can start to misbehave" during car meets and if that behavour is on the public highway then it is beyond his control but said that when he has permission to use a location he can "police that and request rowdy drivers stop or leave."

Coun Cox said: “We had a quick meeting and Matt explained how the group of enthusiasts actually want to work with the local community and he agreed speeding on Squires Gate Lane is a problem. It’s great he is also liaising with police as well.”