Black Country New Road being used as illegal racing track, claim

Young drivers have been gathering around the Black Country New Road, between Moxley and Bilston, and speeding at up to 80mph, it has been claimed.

Police say there is an issue with car cruisers and they are now looking at an injunction which would stop motorists congregating in the area.

Supercars are believed to have been coming from as far afield as Tamworth, Telford and Birmingham to take part in racing.

Darlaston South councillor Doug James said the drivers are meeting at least once a month between midnight and 4am.

They are then using the carriageway between the Citadel roundabout and Moxley.

He said he was concerned there could be gambling involved and also expressed fears there was link to rising levels of vehicle crime in the borough.

It emerged last week more than 100 vehicles have been raided across Walsall in the space of just a month, with sat navs and number plates being stolen.

"We are concerned about street racing which is going on.

"They have been using it as a circuit," councillor James said.

"Some of the local drivers are coming back off the M6 onto the Black Country Route and coming across crowds of youths in the early hours of the morning.

"I was coming back at about 2am one morning from the Bilston side, I was wondering what was going on with all these cars.

"They had all been turbo charged with the flashy exhausts and the loud, tigerish engines.

"On that strip I have heard people have been going at 80mph plus."

"We all know what horrendous crashes take place around the M6 and M5 sometimes multi-vehicle pile-ups by people speeding.

"I am very concerned, I want to see people and young people enjoy driving and also enjoying motor sports, but see them do it legally."

Sgt Leigh Hale, from the Darlaston South neighbourhood team, said that there was a problem with car cruising meetings in the Moxley area.

"We are working with our partners in the local council at Walsall, Wolverhampton, Sandwell and Dudley as we seek to obtain a civil injunction that would prevent cars gathering.

"The evidence has been submitted to the respective legal teams to assess if we have sufficient evidence to make an application," added Sgt Hale.