Battle over boy racers

Angry residents are battling to stop one of Cannock's main roads being used by boy racers.

People living in Lichfield Road say it is visited by boy racers almost every night and have launched a campaign to make the road safer. Resident Elizabeth Partington is leading calls for the brakes to be put on speeders and has contacted the police, council and her MP for support.

She is furious about the drivers' deafening noise and dangerous speeds and is calling for speed cameras.

Mrs Partington, aged 60, said the cars race along the main Eastern Way, a straight road alongside the tip, and turn into Lichfield Road.

She said: "My neighbour and I are the worst affected by the racing, she has a little girl who is up most nights crying because of the noise."

The concerned resident reports the racing to the police on almost every occasion but wants officers to take stronger action towards the drivers whose antics are plaguing the lives of residents.

Mrs Partington said: "I know the police have a difficult job to do but this is a serious problem. We need a 30mph limit in force and speed cameras on our road and on Eastern Way."

Mrs Partington said that spending each evening waiting to hear the engines was having an effect on her health.

"It has taken over our lives and it's having an adverse effect on my health and my husband's," she added.

"To be honest we are living in dread."

At a meeting of Cannock's Community Forum Sgt Peter Davies told residents that officers would continue to patrol the area and try to tackle illegal cars, but that the problem would take a long time to sort out.

Dave Botfield, from Staffordshire County Council, said that any request for a speed camera would be measured against accident data and resources.