Following a public consultation in 2016, Trafford Council is introducing a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to combat Car Cruising in Trafford Park.
Designed to allow people to use an area without fear of anti-social behaviour, PSPO’s are implemented where there is a presence of a particular nuisance or problem, deemed detrimental to the community’s quality of life.
Dispersal orders have been historically served by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) to help diffuse crowds attending ‘Max Power’ events organised by the Trafford Car Cruisers group. However it is hoped that PSPO’s will enable Trafford Council and GMP to impose a range of measures to prevent anti-social behaviour and improve public safety in Trafford Park.
Due to the nature of Trafford Park and the number of HGV and other large vehicles that use these roads daily, using speed bumps and other traffic calming measures which would otherwise alleviate the nuisance, is not possible.
Councillor John Lamb, Executive Member for Communities and Partnerships said: “Popular throughout the North West, this illegal behaviour creates a dangerous environment which, as history proves, leads to serious and sadly fatal injuries.
These events are attended by hundreds of people at any one time, elevating the risk to attendees, members of the public and the business of Trafford Park. With up to 200 cars often congregating in the area, reports of cars travelling at high speed, doing donuts and drifting on roundabouts, is a major cause for concern. There has already been a death in the area as a result, and it is of paramount importance that we put a stop to this reckless behaviour.”
Due to the nature of Trafford Park and the number of HGV and other large vehicles, using speed bumps and other traffic calming measures which would otherwise alleviate the nuisance, is not possible
Inspector Stuart Smith, GMP said: “This year alone there have been numerous complaints about anti-social ‘max power’ behaviour, each raising concerns about safety, security and general blocking of roads, often making driving impossible. These illegal events are no longer sporadic and are becoming an established and dangerous problem.”
Station Manager Rob McDonagh, from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS), reiterated the importance of tackling the issue, saying: “Having attended several incidents over the last 12 months as a direct result of these events, ranging from small incidents such as minor collisions, to much more serious incidents where we have had to rescue people from vehicles, it is clear that car cruising is a major issue.”
Further information about the order can be found here: http://www.trafford.gov.uk/residents/community/community-safety/anti-social-behaviour.aspx
Posted on Thursday 23rd February 2017