UNAUTHORISED car meets at a Bradford industrial estate led to over 100 motorists being issued with tickets, with Bradford Council saying such events are “a symptom of such anti-social behaviour.”
But one councillor said the ongoing problem was only dealt with when local politicians “made a big fuss” about the meets, some of which draw inspiration from the Fast & Furious film franchise.
A new report has shed light on the work being done to stop unauthorised car meets in the Bradford South Constituency – particularly at the Euroway Trading Estate.
The report, going before Bradford Council’s Bradford South Area Committee on Thursday evening, says the estate has proved popular for car meets due to its proximity to the M606.
A Public Space Protection Order was introduced across the Bradford District in 2019 in a bid to tackle anti-social driving.
The order allows officers to fine motorists who behave in ways that are anti-social, although they may not be illegal.
It can see motorists fined for loudly revving engines, harassing women by shouting out of their windows, or for attending unauthorised car meets, which are often held in car parks or on quiet streets.
A report by the Safer Bradford Partnership going to Thursday’s committee says 123 fixed penalty notices have been issued to drivers taking part in car meets – with many of them relating to incidents on the Euroway estate.
But leader of the Greens on Bradford Council, Tong Councillor Matt Edwards, said the bulk of these were handed out after he and his fellow ward councillors raised concerns that very few motorists were being punished for these meets – despite CCTV being in place at the site.
The report says: “Car meets often include vehicles entering the district via the M606 and begin in Bradford South.
“There have been several car meets at the Euroway over the Summer and into the Autumn. Those attending these ‘meets’ have been penalised with 123 Fixed Penalty Notices issued.
“There has not been a further meet since October, and we hope the issuing of fines is having the desired effect of deterring these events.”
Referring to the report, Cllr Edwards said: “I am glad to see that Bradford Council has finally started to use the powers it has to tackle anti-social car use on Euroways.
“Cameras were installed on Wharfedale Road in 2022 but up until the summer of last year only nine tickets were issued.
“Green ward councillors made a big fuss of this and since then 123 penalty notices were issued just from a few car meets.
“It really isn't good enough.
"There is actually a road of houses in Euroways and Rockhill Lane is well used by residents in Bierley so this is absolutely not a harmless thing to do.
"We know dangerous driving in Bradford is a big issue - that is why we have this Public Space Protection Order.
“The Council really needs to prioritise getting process in place so it can properly deal with these issues."
A Bradford Council spokesman said: “We take the anti-social use of motor vehicles very seriously. This is why we have a Public Space Protection Order to clamp down on a range of behaviours which can create danger, cause a nuisance or make people feel unsafe.
“Car meets are one of the symptoms of such anti-social behaviour and we work closely with Safer Bradford (the Community Safety Partnership we are part of) and West Yorkshire Police to address these issues.
“We have invested in the installation of CCTV cameras on the Euroway Estate which has been identified as a hot spot for car meets. When such an event is reported to us, we are able to identify the vehicles there and issue fixed penalty notices to all registered keepers for breaching the PSPO.
“After two larger meets at this location in October 2023 over 100 fixed penalty notices were issued, and no further meets have taken place.
“We are, however, aware of events held across the district to celebrate the ‘car community’, such as those held last year in Centenary Square and in a car dealership which we support.
“There is also positive work being done by Fuelling Futures to introduce Year 9 and 10 students to the STEM opportunities in the car industry.
“In partnership with Safer Bradford we will continue to monitor the anti-social use of vehicles and take action where necessary.”
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