The MP for Thurrock Jackie Doyle Price, Councillors from Aveley, Chafford and Ockendon wards and residents call on the Highways Agency to install bollards on the A126 to stop the weekend car cruising in the Lakeside retail area.   The organised events, which have attracted over 1,000 cars, create a level of noise, which can be heard across the Borough, right through to the early hours of the morning, and residents fear that the erratic and aggressive driving of those taking part in the street racing will soon make the area a no go zone on Friday and Saturday. Jackie Doyle Price, who said “This situation has gone on for far too long.  It is dangerous, it is a nuisance and I have asked the Highways Agency what they intend to do about it.”   Ockendon Cllr Barry Johnson added “Lakeside is very much the venue of choice for many people in this Borough and the surrounding areas so we must do all we can to ensure that people are not discouraged from visiting, particularly in the current economic climate.     “The police simply do not have the resources to deal with this situation week-in week-out, and therefore we hope that by pulling together a number of agencies and involving our MP we can bring this to an end.” Thurrock district commander, Chief Insp Paul Moor, said “I am very supportive and thankful to the Councillors for their input and assistance in helping solve this important issue. “We will continue to work together in partnership until car cruisers get the message that their anti-social activities are not welcome here. “Police have a finite number of resources, and at times that cruisers cause an issue, we cannot always provide a high level response to disperse them, so by all working together, we can make significant inroads in tackling this problem to ensure the quality of life for the surrounding residents is improved.”

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