"It's like the Monaco Grand Prix" - Blackpool councillors and residents raise concerns over 'car cruises' in South Shore

A Blackpool industrial estate and business park has been described as being like the Monaco Grand Prix due to motorists gathering there as part of ‘car cruises’.
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The comments have been made following concerns being raised by residents to the Gazette and Blackpool councillors.

It’s been alleged that the speeding petrolheads are using both Amy Johnson Way and Squires Gate Lane in South Shore like a race circuit and the problems have been ongoing for years.

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Squires Gate ward councillor Christian Cox lives on Sawley Avenue, near to where the incidents have been happening.

The 'boy racer' problems have been ongoing for a number of years - This was taken from a video in 2018.The 'boy racer' problems have been ongoing for a number of years - This was taken from a video in 2018.
The 'boy racer' problems have been ongoing for a number of years - This was taken from a video in 2018.

He said: “The problems have been going on for several years and a lot of the time they gather on the Morrisons car park. I have been in contact with the supermarket previously about the issues with the speeding and noise.

“Living close to where it is happening I have noticed it myself a few times with the racing on Squires Gate Lane. You can hear the cars racing on Fridays and Saturdays.

“It’s really dangerous and the speeding should be prevented in that area. I walk my dogs close to there and there are lots of other pedestrians as well.

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“It’s the perfect race track for these drivers with a long straight bit of road so it’s just the police that need to catch them in the act speeding.”

Fellow councillor, Graham Baker, of Stanley Ward, also agreed with Coun Cox’s feelings.

He said: “Lots of people living near the Halfway House pub have been complaining about the noise and speed issues that these drivers are causing.

“Noise is to be expected on a busy road but it is incredibly dangerous for pedestrian traffic in that area. All it takes is one car to go out of control and someone could be seriously injured.

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“It has been going on for years now and it is a nightmare for everyone involved. they are using Amy Johnson way like it is the Monaco Grand Prix.”

Both of the councillors said they have had meetings with the police about the issues but it all depends on them catching the culprits “in the act”.

Coun Cox said: “I have mentioned about introducing average speed cameras along Squires Gate Lane and there certainly needs to be a more permanent speed prevention solution in that area.

“With the police it depends on when these motorists are going to be there. It does not make sense to have a patrol there every evening but I think regular trips in that area may deter some of these drivers at least.”

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Coun Baker said: “I have been in touch with local PCSOs and they know about the issues going on but they have to be there at the time to deal with it which understandably can be difficult.

“The only way that I can see this problem being tackled is that there is a police presence and the people who are breaking the law are prosecuted.

“If these drivers know the police are there and being proactive they will likely not turn up anymore.

The Gazette reported in 2018 how the South Shore industrial estate had been turned into an illegal car cruise with untaxed vehicles doing burnouts and cars speeding down public roads at up to 60mph.

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Footage was posted on YouTube at the time showing a large crowd watching as cars perform dangerous stunts on Amy Johnson Way.

And at one point a young girl, appearing to be under 10, was seen getting into a battered Vauxhall as its owner spins the wheels, enveloping the car in smoke from burning rubber.

A reader who lives on Whitegate Drive and wished to remain anonymous told the Gazette that the problems have not gone away.

They said: “Illegal car racers from Cruise Blackpool are still blighting our town. The latest episode of complete disregard for road laws and safety on Amy Johnson Way last Sunday no doubt features the same brain dead characters from the last event the Gazette featured in 2018. More worryingly is that, again, a child is placed in grave danger by one of these fools by placing the young lad between two cars at the start of an illegal race.

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“Are the Police happy to condone this behaviour or are they going to throw the book at the buffoon shown holding the child?

“No doubt these Cruise Blackpool idiots were applauding the NHS a few weeks ago yet they seem content to be risk generating more work for the NHS by racing up the wrong side of the road.

“And what about the businesses on Amy Johnson Way? Are they happy that this illegal and child endangering activity is happening on their doorstep?”

Lancashire Police was contacted for comment on the article.