By Joe Locker, Local Democracy Reporter
A security gate has been installed at the entrance to a Gedling industrial estate after car cruises and meets became a “real problem” for residents.
Car cruising – a social activity involving people driving cars in a group to different locations for a meet-up – had become a persistent problem across Gedling borough.
In 2023, Gedling Borough Council said incidents, predominantly at the Victoria Retail Park in Netherfield, Mile End Road, Loop Road, and surrounding areas in Netherfield, Colwick and Trent Valley wards, were badly disturbing residents.
A Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) came into force across the borough. Under the order, anyone in the area, including bystanders attending events, can be fined.
However the problem “moved” to an industrial estate off Stoke Lane, Cllr Mike Adams (Con), who represents the Trent Valley ward, said.
The industrial estate backs onto the new Rivendell estate, where hundreds of properties have been built.
Cllr Adams and fellow ward councillor Sam Smith (Con) said they promised action would be taken, and a barrier has now been installed to prevent access to the industrial estate.
“It had been a problem on Mile End Road in Colwick and bollards were put up,” Cllr Adams told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
“But arguably it moved to Teal Close. They were a real problem. The industrial estate borders the residential estate, and while the businesses have all gone home by that time of night, all that noise echoes out.
“We had a chase call a few weeks ago [with the industrial estate landowners] and it has now gone up.
“The amount [Nottinghamshire] Police do too has been helpful. I know they’ve had a lot of success and they have done some good work.”
In August this year, councillors set a plan to deter boy racers as a condition for approving a new industrial estate off Colwick Loop Road.
Developer Chancerygate purchased the former Total Fuel Depot, near the Sainsbury’s Superstore in Colwick, in 2021.
Permission was first granted in January last year to transform the site into an industrial estate.
Plans were changed after the proposed occupant dropped out, and the scheme was redesigned to feature 19 industrial units.
Councillors praised the redevelopment of the vacant land, but asked that a plan be drawn up to prevent anti-social driving in the area.
A condition was applied to the plans before their approval to install barriers preventing future anti-social driving.
Cllr Adams added Cllr Smith recently tabled a council motion calling for all future industrial developments to come with a gate or bollards to stop anti-social driving.