Crackdown on car meets after complaints from Rotherham residents

According to the area's councillors, car meets at the retail park, along with speeding on the Dearne Valley Parkway has been going on 'for years', and residents are 'fed up'.

Police were called to Cortonwood Retail Park in Brampton on July 1, following reports of a car meet which was swiftly closed down.

A joint statement from the three Hoober Ward councillors - Councillor David Roche, Councillor Denise Lelliott and Councillor Brian Steele states they have received many complaints from residents as cars use the residential streets and the parkway to race.

The statement said: "This is an issue that has been going on for some time and seems to come in “waves” as it had died down from just over a year ago following the work of the local councillors and John Healey MP to work with the retail park to install barriers at key points on the retail park in order to stop them using the retail park as a “meeting ground”

"The problem has restarted and the noise from cars racing down Dearne Valley Parkway affects large areas of the Hoober ward, including parts of Brampton and Cortonwood housing estate, often late at night. We have received many complaints from local residents in those areas.

"The retail park comes under Rotherham Council’s responsibility whilst the policing of the Dearne Parkway comes under the Barnsley force.

"Councillor Denise Lelliot, working with her ward colleagues, Councillors David Roche and Brian Steele has organised a meeting this week, to include Rotherham Council officers and the police. We hope that positive steps will arise from that meeting. The three ward councillors are committed to try to resolve this issue for the sake of the local community."

John Healey MP will hold a virtual meeting for residents to discuss the issue on July 9 at 5pm.

Mr Healey said: "I know this has been going on for years and residents are fed up. It needs joint action to resolve it and I hope this will be helpful in letting you have your say and getting your thoughts on what needs to be done.

"I intend to follow this up with a meeting with Rotherham and Barnsley council officers, local councillors, police and retail park managers."

To attend the meeting, you can email email [email protected] with your name, address and email address.

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