LAND frequented by boy racers who have been causing chaos with late-night meet-ups has been secured by landlords in order to prevent their access.
Weekly meet-ups on the Dearne Valley Parkway have caused outrage among law-abiding motorists and nearby residents, whose complaints to the police resulted in the issue being made a long-term priority by the Barnsley South Neighbourhood Policing Team.
Residents say they have witnessed races taking place on the route - which connects junction 36 at Tankersley to Shafton - as well as boy racers performing handbrake turns and high-speed races.
One hotspot along the route is Shortwood roundabout, near Hoyland, which has seen large groups on onlookers gathering to watch, predominantly on Saturday nights.
However, it’s now been revealed that joint work between South Yorkshire Police and Barnsley Council has prompted landlords to tighten up access onto waste land used as an impromptu meeting place.
A police report said: “Joint work is taking place between officers and the council on this issue.
“Increased patrols in the area have been done and landlords have secured waste land used for meets.
“This will not be tolerated and those responsible will be dealt with robustly with the full force of the law.
“Some have had their vehicle seized, some have been given fixed penalties for a variety of offences and many have been warned about their conduct and manner of driving under the Police Reform Act.
“A big thank you to the members of the public who keep calling in to give us the heads up where the group had moved to next as they allowed us to net them effectively.
“Excess speed and drifting displays have occurred, creating risks to other road users along with associated noise nuisance.”
Police have recently used stingers - which puncture a car’s tyres - due to the shocking driving witnessed and issued Section 59 notices to those deemed to be driving antisocially, which could lead to a seizure of the vehicle.
The road is one of two main routes in Barnsley to remain high on the force’s radar alongside the Cudworth Parkway and the A6201, near Brierley.
Inspector Matt Collings added: “Dangerous and antisocial driving that poses a risk to road users and blights our communities will not be tolerated.
“We will respond and carry out a range of tactics to ensure those involved face points, fines or losing their vehicle.
“We understand that groups in our communities have a passion for vehicles and showcasing them, and we continue to express our invitation for organisers of car meets to work alongside us.”
According to the police, a multi-agency meeting was held late last year involving
A multi-agency meeting was held involving councillors, police and South Yorkshire’s deputy mayor Kilvinder Vigurs, who is responsible for the county’s policing response.
Coun James Higginbottom said: “It’s very welcome that South Yorkshire Police are carrying out major operations on the Dearne Valley Parkway to disrupt illegal and dangerous car meets last Sunday.
“These meets are a huge nuisance for local residents and put the lives of all road users at risk, so I welcome this action being taken.
“Local councillors have been pushing on this for some time so it’s good to see proactive work from our policing teams taking place.
“These kinds of operations rely on reports and intelligence from the public so if you’re aware of any incidents of illegal car meets please report via 101 or the online portal.”
