Tougher punishment for reckless street racers causing misery to people’s lives and retaining locally issued fixed penalty notice driving fines in the West Midlands, to be invested in improving road safety measures were just two items discussed, as the Police and Crime Commissioner joined MP Sarah Coombes to welcome Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, to West Bromwich this week.
Local councillors and West Midlands Police officers were also on hand to discuss the ongoing issue of street racing along Kenrick Way, a notorious dual carriageway known as a ‘racetrack’ to those living nearby.
The PCC spoke to Ms Alexander about the relentless work of the force’s Operation Hercules team following a successful weekend of action against street racers and dangerous driving which resulted in four arrests, six cars seized, 37 fines issued and 63 section 59 warnings given, which gives officers the authority to seize vehicles being driven in an anti-social manner.
Speaking about the visit, PCC Simon Foster said: “I was pleased to join MP Sarah Coombes to welcome Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander here in West Bromwich, and in particular to Kenrick Way, a troublesome hot spot that keeps attracting street racers and those intent on driving recklessly and well above the 40 miles per hour speed limit.
“We discussed the ongoing work of the Op Hercules team and the recent action that’s been undertaken. It was also good to discuss my campaign to retain the money raised from locally-issued fixed penalty notices – around £2m per year – to be spent on improving road safety measures here in the West Midlands. This is an initiative that has been backed by more than 93 per cent of respondents to my consultation.
“I want to continue to seek investment in road safety to prevent and tackle crime, anti-social behaviour and reduce the number of people tragically and avoidably killed and seriously injured on our roads. This will remain at the very top of my agenda.”
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “I was pleased to meet the Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster and the local MP Sarah Coombes to discuss the brilliant work they’re doing to make local roads in West Bromwich safe and save lives.
“We are committed to improving road safety and tackling the poor state of our roads, which is why we have pledged nearly £1.6 billion to support local authorities maintain our roads and fix up to seven million extra potholes in the next year.”
MP for West Bromwich, Sarah Coombes, who invited Ms Alexander to Kenrick Way this week, commented: “Road safety is an issue raised with me all the time. We have seen too many terrible crashes which are devastating for families and the community.
“The street racing we see is selfish and dangerous and I was glad the Secretary of State visited to look at how we are tackling it and what more there is to do. I will keep working with our local police and council to make our roads safer.”
If you see street racing or car cruising happening, call West Midlands Police on 999. If you have other information which may help, get in touch the force us via Live Chat on the website or call us on 101.
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