Court battle to put brakes on speeding in Cannock

Plans to push ahead with a High Court injunction to stop drivers speeding along major routes in Cannock have moved a step closer after police chiefs compiled enough evidence to support the bid.

The application aims to stop reckless motorists congregating at Longford Island and the Orbital Retail Park. Drivers have also been spotted careering along two-mile stretches of the road at high speeds. Police chiefs have now met with Cannock Chase District Council's legal team to back a court bid.

It comes after a day of police activity on Thursday where two drivers were found to have no insurance - in addition to close to 45 other offences discovered by officers. These included driving while using a mobile phone.

Hundreds of people have also added their voice in an online survey. It was launched by police to get feedback from businesses.

Chief Inspector Carl Ratcliffe said police were hopeful of putting the application for an injunction to the High Court in Birmingham in the near future.

He added he would be "surprised" if the application was not able to progress soon.

He said: "The outcome of the meeting was we are pretty sure we have what we need to start pulling an application together.

"That will be progressing over the next few weeks.

"The wealth of evidence we have managed to collate was welcomed. A large proportion of it has been provided by the local community.

"There was a policing team out in enforcement on Thursday along Eastern Way.

"There were two vehicles with no insurance and up to 45 offences – including driving offences and mobile phone use."

If Staffordshire Police were successful in being granted a High Court injunction, officers would have greater powers and speeders could be fined or jailed for up to two years.

Officers are also expecting to carry out further patrols throughout the area over the coming weeks.