Council asks to be removed from street racing ban

A council has applied to the High Court to remove itself from the scope of an injunction banning street racing across the Black Country.

The order prevents people from participating in street racing as a driver, rider or passenger, as well as from promoting or organising gatherings, and participating as a spectator.

The ban currently covers Walsall, Sandwell and Wolverhampton along with Dudley, but the council in the latter says it does not now need the injunction to cover its area as it has put in place a new measure outlawing street racing there along with other antisocial driving.

A verdict following an annual review into whether the injunction will be renewed is due on Friday.

The measure now preferred by Dudley Council is a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO).

Councillor Damian Corfield said: "The PSPO will continue to give us powers to tackle reckless and dangerous driving on our roads, but this move also means we can act against other dangerous antisocial behaviour such as the off-road use of quad bikes and motorbikes.

"The issue of car cruising will remain under review and the council will continue to take appropriate steps to protect the residents of this borough and further curb this issue."

Those found in breach of the injunction in the remaining boroughs across the Black Country could face imprisonment, fines or have their assets seized.

City of Wolverhampton Council, which led the original application, has said that since the injunction was introduced in 2015, 54 people had admitted breaching or been found to have breached the injunction across the region.

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