Residents say boy racers are a nuisance

Residents in Machynlleth have started a petition in an attempt to persuade officials to take action.

They want the cameras placed on roads through the town because they claim young drivers ignore the speed limit.

The Welsh Assembly Government has passed on the concerns to the Mid and South Wales Safety Camera Partnership.

So-called boy racers in souped-up cars have caused concern in Powys and Ceredigion for some time, and Dyfed-Powys Police have taken steps to crackdown on those who break the law.

One campaigner, Angharad Penrhyn Jones, said a petition had been started and would be presented at the assembly.

Our health and our peace of mind are at risk Angharad Penrhyn Jones, campaigner

"Our health and our peace of mind are at risk," she said.

"People disregard the speed limits when passing through the town on trunk roads and break the speed limits.

"Young drivers use the town like a race track, especially at night, driving fast with engines tuned to make as much noise as possible."

Residents have long campaigned for drivers to stick to the 30mph (48 km/h) speed limit through the market town, and clubbed together a few years ago to purchase a speed gun.

The Welsh Assembly Government said: "The provision of cameras and levels of enforcement are matters for the safety camera partnerships.

"However, officials have forwarded local concerns to the Mid and South Wales Safety Camera Partnership and asked them to assess whether they believe that provision of cameras in Machynlleth would be appropriate."